Dallas Public Library

Public library system in Texas, USA

The Dallas Public Library (DPL) is a public library system in the city of Dallas, Texas, United States. With more than 4 million items and 30 locations, the Dallas Public Library is the largest public library system in North Texas. The library system of Dallas has more than 300 employees, which make up the total 15,000 employees in the City of Dallas. Notary services are offered at no charge to DPL customers at several locations. Residents may borrow up to 100 "circulating" items. Within the 100 item limit, there is a limit of 10 DVDs, 10 Music CDs, 10 Audiobooks, 10 Blu ray discs, and 10 DVD box sets per library card. The library accepts gifts and donations with specific requirements. Although the library does not provide appraisals for the value of donations, all gifts are tax deductible. The Dallas libraries accept new, like new, or gently used materials only. Books and magazines at the circulation desks. Classes are available for preparation for the G. E. D. (high school equivalent) exam. Computer, smartphone, tablet computer, mathematics, science, art, engineering and chess classes are also offered at most locations. Most library locations serve a Super Snack to kids and teens underage. Because of Dallas's international community, the library also offers U. S. citizenship preparation classes and English language classes. All library branches in Dallas offer registration forms to vote in elections. Auditoriums and study rooms are provided in the Dallas libraries. Every week in the library auditoriums there are music and entertainment classes for minors. Each year, Dallas libraries also provide income tax professionals to provide the service free of charge to patrons and employees on a scheduled basis. As well as celebrating holiday events throughout the year, that occur days before the holiday date, with like food and gifts, including outside libraries for local communities and visitors. Dallas libraries, in partnership with external companies, provide personal free assistance to people seeking U. S. federal assistance. Some of the federal assistance offered are Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health insurance marketplace, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Night drops are available at all branch libraries, including the Central Library. Recent innovations include several LEED certified buildings and Bookmarks at NorthPark Center, the first children's library to be located in a shopping mall in the United States. Dallas libraries and recreation centers provide free menstrual products, like tampons and pads. In addition to other personal hygiene products for both sexes. The monthly average in total numbers from all 30 public libraries in Dallas are 648,840 items circulated (digital & physical), 3,398 new library cards, 628 technology checkouts (wi fi hotspots & laptops), 679 volunteer hours, 120,058 online visitors.

In 1899, the idea to create a free public library in Dallas was conceived by the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by president Mrs. Henry (May Dickson) Exall. She helped raise US$11,000 from gifts from public school teachers, local businessmen, and Alfred Horatio Belo of The Dallas Morning News. The library became a reality when Mrs. Exall requested and received a US$50,000 grant from philanthropist and steel giant Andrew Carnegie to construct the first library building in Dallas. On October 22, 1901, the Carnegie library opened at the corner of Harwood and Commerce streets with a head librarian, three assistants, and 9,852 volumes. The first story held the entire collection; the second floor held the Carnegie Hall auditorium and an Art Room. The art room was the first public art gallery in Dallas and eventually became what is known today as the Dallas Museum of Art. An Oak Cliff branch opened in 1914 to serve the citizens of the area, annexed into Dallas in 1903. Four more branches opened in the 1930s including the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Library, which was the first to serve the African American population of Dallas. This began under the director of Cleora Clanton. In World War II, the library was fully established as a War Information Center. By 1950, the library resources and facilities were stretched to the limit, so supporters formed an auxiliary organization called the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to lobby for better library services. By the 1950s, the Carnegie Library was badly deteriorating and overcrowded, and a new modern library was built on the same site. During construction, the Library was housed temporarily on the mezzanine of Union Station. The new building, now known as Old Dallas Central Library, had room for over 400,000 volumes and opened in 1954.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Dallas Public Library added 17 branches to the system. In 1962, Lillian M. Bradshaw was named Library Director, the first woman to head a department in the City of Dallas, marking a milestone in the civil rights and women's liberation movements of that era. Days after she was put into office, she faced a censorship push from a Dallas council member, but the community and media rallied to her defense. The City Council, in response, overwhelmingly approved her appointment and passed a resolution not to censor books purchased by the library. By the 1970s, the Central Library had again become overloaded and was unequipped to handle emerging technology. It was one of the first libraries in the nation to include an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and state of the art audiovisual capabilities. It was renamed the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in 1986 in honor of the former mayor who played a large role in the library system's development.

The Dallas Public Library is home to a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio, the only copy in a US public library outside of New England. It was purchased by the Dallas Shakespeare Club in 1984 at a cost of $275,000 and was gifted to the Library in 1986. It is displayed on the 7th floor. A Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence is also housed on the 7th floor. Printed by John Dunlap of Philadelphia, it is one of only twenty six known to survive. This is the only copy west of the Mississippi, and one of only 3 displayed by a public library. It was purchased by a number of individuals for $500,000 and given to the city.