WE ARE FRIENDS OF THE DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Our mission is to advocate for our libraries, highlighting their indispensable role in our community, the dedicated staff who work there, and the countless individuals who rely on their services every day.

In recent years, we have launched grassroots campaigns to restore city funding for libraries. These efforts have enabled expanded hours, increased staffing, and enhanced services, helping our libraries recover from years of budget cuts. Notably, we played a key role in passing the 2017 bond issue, which funded the construction of a new library, the replacement of another, and significant maintenance improvements at the Central Library.

We also enhance our libraries by raising funds for programming, staff development, and other needs beyond the city’s budget. By securing grants, we enable the Dallas Public Library to evolve into a leading programming institution, comparable to America’s finest public libraries.

We spearhead major renovations and provide funding for the Dallas Public Library’s needs that fall outside the taxpayer-funded budget. This includes essential programs and resources that ensure free services for all Dallas residents.

Our mission is to inspire, secure, and grow philanthropic support and advocacy to benefit the Dallas Public Library and our diverse community. We safeguard the future of our libraries by serving as the Dallas Public Library’s advocate and nonprofit partner, ensuring that our city’s libraries remain great. We work to ensure that both our elected officials and the general public recognize the vital importance of libraries to Dallas.

Since our founding in 1950 by 23 prominent Dallasites, including Stanley Marcus, Leon Harris, Everette DeGolyer, and Rabbi Levi Olan, Friends of the Dallas Public Library has been committed to maintaining a library system worthy of our great city.

Thank you for joining us in this quest.