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APRIL
2026
news & updates
| | LIBRARY GIVING CELEBRATIONS & SPECIALS | | April 1 is National Library Giving Day - And We Have A Special Giving Day Deal! | | |
We're proud to join with library friends and foundations across the country to mark Library Giving Day, celebrating the importance of libraries and the need to support them.
Last year the campaign raised nearly $2.3 million, the most in its history. You can learn more about Library Giving Day here, and take part in the celebration by donating to Friends of the Dallas Public Library here.
But don't stop there. We're also making April 1 Friends Joining Day. Anyone joining or renewing at the $100 Supporter Level or above will get a free FoDPL Tote Bag to haul your books and show your Library Love at the same time. Take advantage of this great limited-time offer today!
| | Library Giving Days (Texas Edition) - A Week's Worth Of Giving | | | | |
Friends groups and library foundations across North Texas are celebrating Library Giving Days this year by raising money and library awareness from April 6 through April 13.
As a special event, on Monday, April 6th, head to McAlister's Deli (at 4101 Lemmon Ave) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 20% of sales will go to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library. Dine-in, to-go, or order online, just let the cashier know or use code DONATEMCA at checkout.
We'll be celebrating Library Giving Days all week long! To give a gift, check out our Library Giving Days page here!
| | IT'S TIME FOR THE LITERARY LIONS LUNCHEON | | |
After months of planning, the 2026 Literary Lions Luncheon is nearly here. Our celebration of Dallas’ libraries and the Friends' signature fundraising event is Wednesday, April 22, at the Arts District Mansion.
Tickets and sponsorships are still available for what is sure to be a powerful, inspiring - and delicious - event.
This year’s featured guest is Eric Klinenberg, acclaimed author of Palaces for the People. Mr. Klinenberg and Krys Boyd, the popular host and Managing Editor of KERA's Think, will discuss his work affirming libraries as an essential part of modern society.
| | SAVING DEMOCRACY STARTS WITH LIBRARIES | | |
In the New York Times essay "To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library", Eric Klinenberg discusses the importance of libraries in the growth and development of our communities. Eric calls libraries “social infrastructure,” given that libraries are physical spaces and organizations that shape the way people interact.
"Libraries don’t just provide free access to books and other cultural materials, they also offer things like companionship for older adults, de facto child care for busy parents, language instruction for immigrants and welcoming public spaces for the poor, the homeless and young people."
You can read Eric's full essay for free here.
| | MORE CHANCES TO SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES | | |
There's another chance to register your support for the Library: the city is conducting a Community Survey to gauge which city services residents value most.
Log on here to help convince City Council to restore budget cuts and keep all our branches open.
A special thank-you to everyone who attended the City Council town halls to show support for Libraries. They're over for now, but you can always sign up to speak at regular council meetings.
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| NEW SURVEY SHOWS STRONG LIBRARY SUPPORT | |
We're not surprised, but still gratified by the results of a survey showing that Dallas residents cherish their libraries, use them often and want the city to increase funding to support them.
Thanks to the more than 4,000 people who took the time to respond to the February survey, which bolsters our campaign to convince Dallas City Council to keep all the branches open and allocate more money to the Library system.
Among the results:
- 99 percent of respondents think our Libraries are important to them
- 97 percent say Library funding should be maintained or increased.
- 72 percent oppose proposals to close four Library branches.
The Dallas Morning News report about the survey is here, and you can read the entire results here.
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THIS MONTH AT THE LIBRARY
As always, there's a lot going on at our libraries in April. You can peruse the whole list here, but here are a few highlights:
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WELLNESS GATHERING
Central Library is hosting A Day of Connection, Learning and Inspiration for all adults, but especially seniors, on Thursday, April 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The day will feature sessions on self-care for caregivers, staying mentally sharp at any age, chair yoga, dance performances, exhibit tables from many organizations, and more.
For more details and to register, click here.
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TEA AND TIARAS
On Saturday, April 11, from 1-3 p.m. at the Lochwood Branch Library, children ages 6 to 13 are invited (along with an adult) to a special afternoon tea.
The program features tea, learning about proper etiquette, and celebrating America's 250th Anniversary with a Boston Tea Party-themed craft. Fancy dress can include tiaras or anything else you like.
For more details and to register, click here.
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CALLING ALL GREEN THUMBS
Mountain Creek Branch Library is inviting gardeners and plant lovers to a Community Plant Swap on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The event in the library parking lot aims to aims to help people trade favorites, discover new varieties, and share advice on keeping plants healthy and happy, and gardens in bloom.
If your thumb isn't that green, your friends and neighbors will make it greener.
For more details, click here.
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HELP BUILD A QUILT
There are Quilting Bees at White Rock Hills Branch Library on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and at Oak Lawn Branch Llbrary on Saturday, April 18, from 11 to 2, and Saturday, April 25, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
More bees are slated for May. Quilters will compile a community quilt to display throughout the Library's America250 celebrations all year. Materials and sewing machines will be provided.
For more details and to register, click here.
| | WELCOME ABOARD, KASEY WHITENACK! | |
For a couple of years now, you've seen the graphic and social media wizardry of Kasey Whitenack here and on our various social media platforms. Now we're taking our relationship to a whole new level.
We're proud to announce that Kasey is joining FoDPL as our full-time Marketing & Development Communications Manager. A native of Longview, Texas, she's a 2023 graduate of the University of North Texas, majoring in Public Relations and Performance Theatre.
Kasey recently starred in Theatre Longview's production of The Importance of Being Earnest, and her passion for theater is matched only by her enthusiasm for libraries. You can reach her at kasey@fodpl.org.
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