December 2023

Dear Friends,

The library has always been a safe and trusted hub for learning and sharing, where knowledge thrives, and connections are made.

These days, our cherished public libraries grapple with fresh challenges and an evolving definition of providing free access to everyone.

In this ever-changing landscape, community support is more crucial than ever. In 2023, our amazing community stepped up to ensure that the Dallas Public Library remains dynamic, adaptable, and open to all.

The Friends proudly chipped in with more than $500,000 in funding, enriching our city through books, materials, and library programs. Your support in our campaigns and events was instrumental in achieving our mutual goals, and your advocacy for the library has not gone unnoticed.

As we look ahead to 2024 and a new library strategic direction, the Friends are focusing its efforts on advocating for and funding library programs that support:

• Education and Lifelong Learning
• Community Building and Inclusion
• Cultural Enrichment and Creativity

Thanks to you, the library's programs and its collection continue to captivate our imagination through storytelling. It remains a beacon of learning, bringing us together as a community, whether at the library or from the comfort of our homes, thus strengthening the social fabric.

Our sincere gratitude to you for championing the stories, knowledge, and connections that inspire our community every day at the library.

With heartfelt thanks, and wishing you a happy holiday season,

Mary Wilonsky

Executive Director

Friends of the Dallas Public Library