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MAY
2026
news & updates
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OUR LITERARY LIONS LUNCHEON:
ANOTHER DELICIOUS, INSPIRING SUCCESS
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Thanks to everyone who attended our Literary Lions Luncheon on April 22 and to the entire Friends team, led by Nicole Tisdale, who put together a splendid event.
Nearly 300 people listened as Executive Director Denise McGovern (upper left) introduced a video welcome from NBC Today Show Host (and Dallas' own former First Daughter) Jenna Bush Hager, who spoke about the love of reading she inherited from her mother and grandmother.
After a delicious lunch, KERA's Krys Boyd spoke with author, sociologist and New York University professor Eric Klinenberg (lower left), who eloquently detailed the importance of libraries to the culture and cohesiveness of communities, and the need to support them, even in tough financial times.
We honored Atmos Energy with the Friends' May Dickson Exall Award for their longtime support for libraries and literacy in Dallas. At lower right, FoDPL chair Nicole Paquette presents the award to Susan Harris, Atmos Manager of Public Affairs.
We'd like to hear your thoughts on the Luncheon as we start planning for next year. Take our survey here.
| | OUR NEW VIDEO ABOUT LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS | | At the Literary Lions Luncheon, we debuted a new video paying tribute to our libraries, the amazing array of resources they bring to the community, and our dedicated, resourceful librarians. You can watch Dallas Public Library: Where Dallas Comes Together here. | | ADVOCACY UPDATE: GOOD NEWS, MORE CHALLENGES | |
This report from Advocacy Committee Chair Sarah Evans:
We have seen great momentum recently. At the Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee on April 20, council members explicitly supported a "flagship model" that keeps all branches open, and four members have committed to funding our libraries.
Despite this progress, the threat of cuts remains. To protect our library services, please contact the Mayor and City Council with these two specific requests:
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Restore Funding: Ask City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to restore $2.6 million to the Dallas Public Library budget for the next two fiscal years. This allows the library staff and the Friends time to develop sustainable, creative solutions for the future.
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Support the Bazaldua Memo: Advocate for using the proceeds from the sale of the Skillman Southwest Library to bridge this budget gap.
| | DALLAS HAS TWO NEW POETS LAUREATE | | |
Congratulations to Kristoddie Woods and Cadence Diggs, our city's new Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate.
Mayor Eric Johnson announced the selections to coincide with Dallas Arts Month and National Poetry Month. Both will serve as cultural ambassadors, performing at schools and community events, and launching literacy initiatives in the city.
Woods, who is known professionally as Black Ceasar, is an author, teacher and filmmaker. As part of his artistic leadership, he'll have regular office hours at the Central Library.
Diggs is an 11th grader at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She's the founder and president of the Pegasi Poetry Society, a creative writing and literary organization for her fellow students.
| | SMART SUMMER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER | |
SMART Summer at Dallas Public Library, one of the Friends' most important initiatives, kicks off on Saturday, May 30. The 10-week program helps kids and adults stay sharp over the summer and earn prizes for Reading, Discovering and Creating.
Learn more about this vital program - and sign up - here. And take a look at the inspiring Impact Report on last year's SMART Summer - more than 10,000 people took part - here.
We'll have a complete list of our generous sponsors next month. There's still time to contribute and join that list. Just click the button below!
| | CELEBRATE AAPI HERITAGE MONTH AT THE LIBRARY | | |
AAPI stands for Asian American Pacific Islander, and the Library is celebrating the rich heritage with art, culture, community engagement, and just plain fun events for all ages throughout the city.
The celebrations include a deep dive into the famed Easter Island statues (May 7 at Highland Hills Branch), Moana Hula Party (May 16 at Mountain Creek Branch), a Japanese Tea Ceremony (May 23 at Paul Laurence Dunbar Lancaster-Kiest Branch), and much more.
Check out the whole schedule here.
| | LOCHWOOD BRANCH LIBRARY BOOK SALE THIS WEEK | | |
Need more books? Of course you do! The Lochwood Branch Library Friends are here to help.
Their book sale includes a whole lot more than books and begins on Wednesday, May 6, with a members-only session from 3-7 p.m. (You can join on the spot.) Everyone is welcome on Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. More details are here.
Proceeds benefit the Lochwood Branch Library, which is located at 11221 Lochwood Boulevard in East Dallas.
| | SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING | |
The Friends will gather on Tuesday, June 30, for our Annual Meeting, graciously hosted by the Communities Foundation of Texas, on Caruth Haven Lane just west of Central Expressway.
So mark your calendar and join us to review and celebrate the year gone by, and look forward to our achievements and challenges ahead.
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