Comerica Donates $50,000 to Two Southern Sector Branch Libraries The Polk-Wisdom and North Oak Cliff branch libraries will benefit from the donation at a time when City Hall has had to slash funding for library staff and materials. The donation, made through the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, will be used " to purchase new materials including books,magazines, children's materials, educational films and educational computer software for the two library branches considered to be the most in-need by the organization," a release stated. City Manager Mary Suhm has said she expects to spend the same amount of money library materials in the coming budget year as she has spent in the current year. But the roughly $1.2 million set aside in next year's budget for materials is considered woefully inadequate to the library system's needs. (Rudolph BUsh - DMN 8-18-2010) |
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August 12, 2010 The Save Our Dallas Libraries kick off with author Tom Alexander was a great success. The prgram started with Board Chair Michelle Manners sharing the statistics of the funding and usage of the libraries in recent years. As budgets are being vut, usage has been rising. The audience asked many questions and many shared their experiences at the recent Town Hall meetings. Author Tom Alexander shared that Stanley Marcus was a founding member of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and would have certainly been with us were he alive today. His reminisces about his 17 years working for Stanley Marcus shared rare insight. Along with the photo presentation, it was an enthralling evening for all. |
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Clarice Tinsley Features Library on Hometown Heroes
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The Friends partnered with World Affairs Council to present four distinguished authors for "authorspeak". In its third year, the program series featured Robert Bryce, Davod Sanger, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Ussama Makdisi. The speakers opened our lives to the world through their extraordinary books. The series was sponsored by WRR 101.1 FM, Dallas County Community College District, Consulate General of Mexico, Interceramic, and Dallas Public Library. |
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Sigel Family Home June 25, 2010
The majestic homes on South Boulevard which were designed by the most prominenet architects of the day. They were built between 1910 - 1935 for residents of the prominent Jewish community around Temple Emanu-El (before the move to North Dallas). Most names are still familiar today including Marcus, Linz, and Zale. The district was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979 and is also a Dallas Landmark. The Sigel Family (Sigel's Liquors) and Billy Earl Dade (namesake of the DISD Billy Earl Dade middle school) Family home was open to our members for preview. The current owner of this property (Mr. Dade's daughter, Billie Sanford) has the home for sale.
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Atmos Energy received the Corporate Sponsor of the year from Northeast Texas Library System (NETLS). Friends Board Member and Atmos Executive Sandra Doyle received the award on behalf of the corporation at a luncheon held on June 6. Atmos Energy has made major contribtuions to the Dallas Public Library in recent years including $100,000 for a bookmobile, $60,000 for the Discovery Wall in the new Children's Center (to open later this year), as well as sponsoring childrens programs at Bookmarks in NorthPark Shopping Center and the Mayor's Summer Reading program for three years. |
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June 10, 2010 The Friends hosted a staff appreciation luncheon on June 10. It was very rewarding to be able to thank the staff members for their contribution to making our libraries so vital to our community. Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos. |
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Laurie Evans Retires June 1, 2010 Director of Libraries Laurie Evans retired after 25 years of service with the Dallas Public Library. She was given a wonderful send off with a party which provided many surprises for her. Mayor Tom Leppert was there to singing her praises; City Manager Mary Suhm provided a list of her many accomplishments; and staff presented multiple parting gifts for her. A framed Proclamation from the Mayor was given; it was announced that the Laurie Evans Scholarship fund has been established; the Laurie Evans Salon and Studio on the third floor will be dedicated in her honor; and a photobook of her many contributions through the years was given. CLICK HERE to make a donation to the Laurie Evans Scholarship Fund Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos. |
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May 27, 2010 Mayor Tom Leppert encouraged children to read during their summer vacation. Children from the Cesar Chavez Learning Center were in attendance to hear a book read by Fox 4's Anchor Clarice Tinsley. At the end of the summer, prizes will be awarded to participants at a party in August. Ms. Tinsley is an avid supporter for the libraries and recently spoke at the Friends annual luncheon. |
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May 26, 2010 The Young Professionals Group presented a panel of professionals to address "Exploring Social Media: How Can it Benefit Job Seekers?" The program was held at Sambuca restaurant. Panelists included Craig Fisher, a recruiter and social media expert; Laura Kornegay, ClubCorp HR VP; and Jessica DuBois Lewis, Assistant Director of SMU Career Development Center. One relevent question that affects job seekers of all ages: are paper resumes important at all? Surprisingly, the answer was that is it less important now. Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos. |
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May 20, 2010 Clarice Tinsley was the featured speaker for the Friends Annual Luncheon. With recordbreaking attendance, the luncheon recognized three award winners for their service to the library. New Dallas Police Chief David Brown was in attendance along with City Manager Mary Suhm, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano and Councilmembers Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann, Linda Koop, and Jerry Allen. Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos. The winners are: David Darnell - Lillian Moore Bradshaw Award - Exemplary service by staff member ($1000 prize) Ed Palmer - A.C. Greene Award - Exemplary service by a volunteer Stan Aten - Robert L. Solender Award - Exemplary service by a Friends Member |
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April 28, 2010 The central library had a distinguished visitor on April 28. Texas State Representative Dan Branch visited the 7th floor which houses North Texas / Dallas History archives and materials. Rep. Branch is very knowledgeable about Texas History and is from a long line of Texas Descendents. He visited the vault which houses nearly 3,000 rare books which cannot be displayed until money is raised for a new rare book room. The 7th floor will be renovated once the final $1.2 M of $3M needed is raised. The Friends of the Dallas Public Library has raised over $10M to date for the central library's renovation and lacks just the funds for the 7th floor. |
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Friends give three annual awards to recognize exemplary service to the library. Winners were recognized at the Friends Annual Luncheon on May 20, 2010. The winners are: David Darnell - Lillian Moore Bradshaw Award - Exemplary service by staff member ($1000 prize) Ed Palmer - A.C. Greene Award - Exemplary service by a volunteer Stan Aten - Robert L. Solender Award - Exemplary service by a Friends Member |
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The Texas Library Association has named AT&T as the Corporate Benefactor of the Year. In 2009, AT&T donated $500,000 to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to open 20 additional Teen Centers in the branch libraries. The Teen Centers have been very successful in engaging teens in after school programs - a time when they are most vulnerable. The award was accepted by Renee Flores, Executive Director-AT&T External Affairs, at the annual TLA luncheon in San Antonio on April 15. |
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March 30, 2010
A new electronic sign was dedicated at the Bachman Lake Branch Library on Tuesday, March 30 at 6 p.m. The story of the sign began last year when the Friends' office received a call from Lenny Krasnow at Zale Foundation. He suggested the library provide an electronic sign and allow the surrounding community to also post events and news on it as well. He is involved with the Zero to Five Funder's Collaborative, a consortium of 19 local foundations and organizations whose mission is to equip, encourage and support Dallas parents and caregivers to prepare children ages 0 to 5 for success in school. He talked with Paul Harris at Hoblitzelle Foundation who was receptive to the idea of possibly funding the $40,000 that would be needed to build the sign. A grant proposal was written and submitted and Hoblitzelle awarded the full amount for the new sign. |
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An Evening with Curtis Roosevelt |
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Lillian Bradshaw Dies at Age 95
February 9, 2010 Lillian Bradshaw, first woman director to lead a major U.S. library, died Tuesday, February 9, 2010 of natural causes in a residentail care home. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. February 16 at Restland Funeral Home's Memorial Chapel.
She blazed the trail for women in city government. She started her career at the Dallas Public Library as the first married woman and then 16 years later become the first woman director. She ended her 38 years of public service as an assistant city manager/liaison when Dallas hosted the 1984 Republican National Convention.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Dallas Public Library.
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February 6, 2010 The Junior League of Dallas presented the Friends with a cash award of $13,565 and volunteers for Every Child Ready to Read. The JLD gave over $1,000,000 to area organizations in a presentation at NorthPark Shopping Center. This is the second year that the JLD has given an award to the Friends. |
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The Dallas Public Library hosts Mrs. Laura W. Bush at Essilor Foundation's Kids Vision Fest Former first lady Mrs. Laura Bush was the guest of honor at Vision Fest and she spoke about the importance of good vision care. “As a former teacher and librarian, I appreciate the importance of eye exams for students. When a child cannot see well, he or she cannot learn well. Learning to read is fundamental for education, and being able to see clearly is vital to literacy,” said Mrs. Laura Bush.
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Dallas The event was co-chaired by Valentina Collins and Allison McCutcheon. The Young Professionals Group is a member-supported nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for the Dallas Public Library and related literary and educational programs. Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos. |
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Groundbreaking for Prairie Creek Branch Library January 9, 2010 With the temperature in the ‘teens, a large crowd gathered for the groundbreaking of the Prairie Creek Branch Library on January 9, 2010. The formal ceremony started with the flag presentation of colors by two local Girl Scout Troops and the pledge of allegiance led by students from Pleasant Grove Elementary School. Assistant City Manager Forest Turner was on hand to welcome the audience and remarks were given by City Councilwoman Vonciel Jones Hill and Municipal Library Board Chair Suzanne Charriere. The new branch is LEED certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a designation under the US Green Building Council's Green Building Rating System™. It encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. The platinum designation is the highest rating possible under this system. |
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Stewpot Artists Show CLICK HERE for additional photos |
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Deck the Halls at Old Red Museum - December 2009 |
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Friends Partner with Old Red Museum for Book Signing December 12, 2009
The Friends partnered with the Old Red Museum for a book signing with author Barry Doyle on December 12, 2009. His book Dallas Iconography presents some exquisite photography. Barry gave a riveting presentation about his work. He stayed to autograph books and answer questions. He book is available in the gift shop of Old Red. |
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Lochwood Library Opening The opening of new libraries are few and far between. The long awaited Lochwood Branch Library opened to great fanfare on Saturday, November 14. It replaces the Casa View Branch Library that served the public for 45 years. The area has grown so much that a second branch White Rock Hills will open in 2011. The opening ceremony began with the R. T. Hill Middle School R.O.T.C. flag ceremony and pledge of allegiance. State Representative Alan Vaught presented a proclamation for the dedication of the library and was followed by Councilmember Sheffie Kadane who recognized Jane Shouse as the single person who worked the hardest to make the Lochwood library a reality for the city. The new branch is energy efficient, Wi-Fi- wired, and xeriscaped. It meets the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The furniture was made of 100% recycled materials or materials that came from within a 100 mile range. This is the third branch to have a black box theater which can accommodate many configurations. Computers are plentiful and the AT&T Teen Center has laptops available for the teens. |
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An Evening with Jim Lehrer and Lee Cullum
October 21, 2009
The 2009 Literary Lions Dinner, "An Evening With Jim Lehrer and Lee Cullum" was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel. The sell-out event was an astounding success! |
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AT&T Teen Centers Open at Libraries with Fanfare June 16, 2009 The Teen Centers at the Dallas Public Libraries opened with great fanfare on June 16th. AT&T Foundation donated $500,000 to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to open Teen Centers and new programs at 20 additional library locations. The Dallas Public Library's three newest Teen Centers: Skillman Southwestern, Park Forest and North Oak Cliff, were largely sponsored by AT&T. The Dallas West Branch Library was the site of the official opening ceremony. The Bishop Dunne drummer brigade greeted guests outside with 25 drummers making a grand impression. Opening remarks were given by dignitaries in attendance including State Representative Roberto Alonzo, City Manager Mary Suhm, Assistant City Manager Forest Turner, and Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia. The Teen Centers presented various programs during the day at all the branches and the public's response was overwhelming. The crowds were large and there was standing room only at several locations. Many people who had never stepped into the library before visited on opening day. Teen Centers provide at risk youth with exposure to positive role models in the community and offer special programs on career planning, college admission, and homework help via the Internet. Teen Center activities include interview training, job fairs, computer training, help with college and scholarship applications, creative writing, public speaking, Web design and arts and crafts. Some of the many programs scheduled for the summer are Chess for Beginners, Mixed Martial Arts Demonstration, What's Your Swagger? Using the Internet, Blogs and Social Networks, Graffiti Art, 4-Week Reading Club Workshop, Youth Conflict, Scavenger Hunt, and Twilight Book Discussion. Library staff as well as academic and professional community residents guide and advise teens throughout these activities. Visit the library's website for a complete schedule of the summer programs. www.dallaslibrary.org |
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Annual Meeting and Luncheon - May 19, 2009 |
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AT&T provides $500,000 grant for 20 new Teen Centers April 2009 The money will also create a Literary Camp and Teen Center Arts Incubator The AT&T Foundation has donated $500,000 to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to be used to open “With this generous grant, AT&T has again demonstrated that they are good corporate citizens, and are committed to making a difference in the lives of our young people,” said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. |
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The Young Professionals Group of the friends of the Dallas Public Library hosted a reception and program on March 26 at the central library. Featuring Steve Cotton of the Cotton Adams Financial Group, his program was "Managing Your Investment Risk in the Obama Era." CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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Russian Folk Band Perform at Library
Saratov's Russian folk band, the Krystall Balalayka was in Dallas for a number of appearnances, and gave a free performance on Saturday, March 28 at 3 p.m. at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Many of them are graduates of the Saratov Music Institute and have come to Dallas on several occasions.
Dallas' Russian Sister City Saratov visited Dallas last fall and so was impressed with the library that they have now included a librarian in their delegation and we have formed a close alliance with them. CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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Library of Congress Visits Dallas |
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The Friends annual fundraiser was held on October 30 at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. It was an elegant evening with a silent suction, seated dinner and a wonderfully entertaining program with local Dallas author Robert Edsel. Edsel's story of the plunder of the art and treasures of Europe and the subsequent recovery of thousands of pieces is a fascinating tale. The Monuments Men were dedicated to finding and returning the treasures. Their story had not been told before - and many never really shared their stories even during their lifetime. The book Rescuing Da Vinci and the DVD Rape of Europa are available at Barnes & Noble or online at www.barnesandnoble.com. Thanks go to our major underwriters: Presenting Sponsor Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell and Best Friends Fossil and Karen & Richard Pollock. CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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On October 24, 2008, the Dallas Public Library officially named the Shirley Philipson Pollock Performing Space during a reception to honor the memory of Shirley Pollock. The performing space is located on the fourth floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Library. Shirley Pollock was a friend to many arts and civic organizations in her lifetime, with the library being a beneficiary of her dedication for time and support through the years. The naming of a Dallas Public Library area is designated for the recognition of persons who have contributed significantly to the development of the library services. The library staff wanted to do something special to honor her and chose to name the performing space in the her memory. City Manager Mary Suhm presented a Proclamation to the Pollock family. In Richard Pollock's remarks, he noted that his mother would not have wanted all this recognition. Also in attendence were Deputy Mayor ProTem Dwaine Carraway, Municipal Library Board Chair Suzanne Charrierre, Friends of the Dallas Public Library Chair David Kusin. CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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It was a historic day in east |
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The new Bachman Lake Branch Library opened on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The new state-of-the-art library was built in an very environmentally friendly design and uses geo-thermal cooling and heating. It is located at 9480 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas,TX 75220. CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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The Friends of the Dallas Public Library hosted a reception for the Young Urban Professionals at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Branch Library. With the increasing number of young professionals living and working downtown, the Friends' will host frequent cocktail receptions, providing an opportunity to meet new members and to introduce the many programs of the library. The event on August 21, 2008 was co-chaired by Valentina Collins, Allison McCutcheon and Judith Collins. CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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A reception was held on August 28, 2008 by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to honor Robert Solender, retired business executive and community volunteer. Mayor Tom Leppert presented a Proclamation recognizing him for the many contributions to the Dallas community through the years. The event was attended by Margaret McDermott and other long time patrons of the library. Most recently, he was instrumental in raising funds for the second bookmobile that was given to the Dallas Public Library. Robert will serve as Honorary Chairman for the Friends' Evening with Robert Edsel, a fundraiser on October 30 benefiting the Friends in support of the programs of the Dallas Public Library.
CLICK HERE for additional photos. |
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Marsha Fogarty Honored
 Marsha Fogarty was recently honored in July 2008 by the Mayor and Dallas City Council with a resolution recognizing her many achievements through the years. She served as President of the Friends for four years, besides being on the Board for many other years, and has served on the Dallas Municipal Library Board for numerous years. She will be moving to Colorado in a few weeks and will greatly missed! |
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Bookmarks Opening
 Bookmarks opened at NorthPark Center on Friday, June 13, 2008. This is the only library for children located in a shopping mall. It is a dream-come-true for Laurie Evans who first envisioned this. The Mayor and six City Council Members were there along with the Executives of Atmos Energy, Nancy Nasher, the Library Board Members and Board Members of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library. The Mayor not only helped to cut the ribbon, but he also stayed to read to the children! The library scheduled a full day of activities and entertainment for the children!
CLICK HERE for additional photos. Click here for Bookmarks hours of operation and list of events and programs.
Pictured above: Director of Libraries Laurie Evans, Sandra Doyle of Atmos Energy, Mayor Tom Leppert, Kim Cocklin of Atmos Energy. |
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The Friends of the Dallas Public Library have given a new nookmobile to the city if Dallas. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert welcomed the large crowd gathered on the plaza at the downtown Dallas Public Library March 27, 2008 as the new bookmobile was unveiled. Each of the major donors was recognized by Leppert in s formal ceremony followed by a barbecue lunch. Click below to see the Videos of the dedication by iMedia. Video 1 Video 2 Check our PHOTOBOOK for more photos |
