APRIL

2025

news & updates

APRIL 1st is LIBRARY GIVING DAY

and a chance to MEET MARTHA WELLS!

MURDERBOT, MACHINES AND MARTHA

Also on the April 1st agenda is a special day at Central Library celebrating science fiction and fantasy literature, particularly Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries series.

Starting at 4 p.m., the event, proudly sponsored by the Friends, includes: a book swap, trivia contest and a chance to record your own Murderbot confessional.

A discussion with Martha Wells herself tops it off. It's all free, but you need to register for Ms. Wells' session by 4 p.m. on March 31.

The link for details and registration is here.

YOU CAN STILL BE A LITERARY LION

A few tickets are still available for our signature 75th Anniversary event on Wednesday, April 9 at the Arts District Mansion, during National Library Week.

Join us as we celebrate Dallas Public Library’s transformative impact on our community and raise funds to support its future.

Our keynote speaker is award-winning author Ben Fountain, known for Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

Learn more about Ben Fountain and purchase his books through our partner, Interabang Books, here.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

TAKE THE CITY OF DALLAS COMMUNITY SURVEY

CHECK OUT YOUR CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Dallas will elect new City Councilmembers on Saturday, May 3rd. We don't make endorsements of course, but we care deeply about how potential Councilmembers feel about libraries. We urge everyone to learn about the candidates in your district and VOTE!

These are upcoming candidate forums in key races:

• Districts 3, 4, 7 and District 8: April 3rd, 6:30 p.m., at New Hope Baptist Church, 5002 S. Central Expressway
• District 7: April 8th, 6:15 p.m., Salem Institutional Baptist Church, 3918 Crozier Street.
• District 6: April 9th, 8 a.m., Dallas College-West, 3330 N. Hampton Road

The deadline for registering to vote is April 3rd. Early voting runs April 22nd - April 29th.

IT'S NOMINATION TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL AWARDS

Nominations are open through April 30th for three prestigious awards that the Friends bestows each year.

The Lillian M. Bradshaw Award recognizes a Dallas Public Library staff member for outstanding services to libraries and literacy in Dallas. Click here to nominate a worthy candidate. 

The Robert L. Solender Award is presented to a Friends of the Dallas Public Library member who has rendered exemplary service to lifelong learning, reading and supporting libraries. Click here to nominate a worthy candidate.

The A.C. Greene Award honors a community volunteer, not on the DPL staff, who renders exemplary service to lifelong learning, reading and supporting libraries. Click here to nominate a worthy candidate.



The awards are presented each year at our June annual meeting.

STAY IN TOUCH!

We'll be back next month. Meanwhile:

• Explore Dallas Public Library's website here.
• For Dallas Public Library updates and content like virtual book discussions, storytimes and how-to videos, follow DPL on Facebook, Threads, Instagram and YouTube.
• Stay connected with Friends of the Dallas Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.

A public library is the most democratic thing in the world. What can be found there has undone dictators and tyrants...People who love literature have at least part of their minds immune from indoctrination. If you read, you can learn to think for yourself.

--Doris Lessing Nobel Prize-winning British novelist (1919-2013)