Support Quality Education
The City of Arlington is committed to Support Quality Education and creating a thriving community where residents of all ages have access to educational resources and opportunities .
Arlington Public Library Strives for Family Place Library Designation
The Arlington Public Library ’ s programming has always emphasized early childhood literacy .
In 2015 , staff began the process of joining Family Place Libraries ’ national organization .
Arlington Breaks Ground on State-of-the-Art Downtown Library
After years of planning and public input , City and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of the $ 30-million George W . Hawkes Downtown Library in Arlington in May 2016 .
The 80,000-square-foot library , whose design was guided by the Central Visioning project the City launched in 2009 , is designed to provide cultural , recreational and learning opportunities for youth , seniors and families .
The three-story building will incorporate spaces for children and teens that are conducive to learning and creating , a literacy center for new adult learners and GED preparation , more space for collections , more reading areas , an extensive computer lab with nearly 140 computers and mobile devices , and community meeting spaces . Built-in flexibility will accommodate future technology needs and space requirements for library programming as well as individual and group study . An outdoor plaza in front of the library , which is also expected to feature a rooftop garden , will add leisure space to the Downtown area .
The project is largely funded by
Certificates of Obligation , which are repaid through property tax revenue , as well as a $ 4.1-million grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and a $ 1.3-million contribution from the Parks gas well fund .
The library and an adjacent 6,500-square-foot facility for City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings , library programming and other public meeting space needs , are expected to open north of City Hall in June 2018 .
Other Education News
• More than 8,400 residents participated in the Arlington Public Library ’ s Summer Reading Club .
• Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr . Marcelo Cavazos was named 2016 Superintendent of the Year for Texas by the Texas Association of School Boards .
• The Library ’ s new Literacy LINK vehicle increases access to books and technology by visiting schools , recreation centers , apartment complexes and other locations throughout Arlington .
The Arlington Public Library was one of 36 Texas libraries to receive funding for its efforts to become a Family Place Library . The Texas State Library and Archives Commission ( TSLAC ) provided for official staff training from Family Place Libraries . Librarian Kayla Parker and Program Management & Community Engagement Administrator Ivonne Kieffer attended four days of workshops in New York the fall of 2016 . TSLAC also provided funding for furniture , shelving , parenting books and developmentally appropriate toys for children ages 0 to 5 , such as blocks , costumes , puppets and a toy kitchen .
The Arlington Public Library was formally designated as a Family Place Library in December 2016 .
16 | Popular Annual Financial Report