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JUNE
2025
news & updates
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LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
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On Friday, May 30, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert announced the appointment of Manya Shorr as the next Dallas Public Library Director. Her start date has not been announced.
With more than two decades of library leadership experience, including six years as Director of the Fort Worth Public Library from 2017 to 2023, Manya has successfully led large, urban systems through transformational growth, strategic realignment, and capital reinvestment.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Heather Lowe, Assistant Director of Technology and Strategic Direction, for her leadership and steady guidance as she served as DPL’s Interim Library Director over the past nine months. Her partnership with us has been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for her support during this transition.
Welcome to Dallas, Manya! We look forward to working with you.
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LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
FRIENDS OF THE DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
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After 12 wonderful years with Friends of the Dallas Public Library, and the last seven as Executive Director, Mary Wilonsky has shared that she’ll be stepping down from her role on July 15, 2025.
Mary announced to the Board in late May and has been working closely with Board leadership to ensure a smooth, thoughtful transition.
As she put it, "I'm proud of what we've accomplished together. This felt like the right time to step aside and make space for new leadership to build on what's been achieved. There's so much ahead for Friends and for Dallas Public Library."
Outgoing Board Chair, Ken Benson, is heading up a Transition Committee, which will guide the search for our next Executive Director. In the meantime, all our programming, events and library support work will carry on without interruption.
We’ll be celebrating Mary’s contributions at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 24 and with a special summer reception (details coming soon). We know many of you have worked closely with Mary over the years —please join us in showing her how much she’s meant to this community.
| | JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 24 | | |
This year's Annual Meeting is set for Tuesday, June 24, starting with a 6:30 PM reception followed by the meeting at 7:00 PM.
We'll hear about the Friends' achievements and initiatives, as well as the challenges facing our libraries in the upcoming year. We'll present our annual awards, elect new leaders and board members, and hang out with great people who share our love for the Library.
Please note that the meeting will take place at Communities Foundation of Texas, Mabel Peters Caruth Center, 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, just east of Central Expressway. It's not at the Central Library, a place you should visit often, but not for this year's Annual Meeting.
The event is free for members and guests and will feature a pre-meeting networking reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages. We ask that you please register in advance so we can plan accordingly and ensure everyone has a great experience.
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Bylaws Update: Strengthening Leadership & Succession
Exciting things are happening behind the scenes at Friends of the Dallas Public Library.
Thanks to the thoughtful leadership of our Board of Directors, a proposed bylaws change will allow Board members to serve a third three-year term, a small change with a big impact.
Why does this matter? It means that our most engaged and experienced volunteer leaders can continue serving just a little longer, bringing their knowledge, relationships and momentum into even more meaningful roles with the Friends.
This proposed change, being voted on at the meeting is about more than time; it’s about stability, continuity and growing leadership from within. It’s also a key step in our long-term strategy to strengthen Board succession and ensure we’re ready to meet the needs of Dallas Public Library now and in the years ahead.
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New Leaders on the Horizon: Board Elections at the Annual Meeting
At its May 27 meeting, the Board of Directors enthusiastically approved a slate of officers and new Board members for the upcoming year. This recommended slate will be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting on June 24.
A big thank you to our Nominating Committee, Jenae Ward and Denise McGovern, for guiding this important process.
This is a pivotal time for Friends, and we’re deeply grateful to the leaders who are stepping up or renewing their commitment to guide our work. Here’s the slate of nominees approved by the board:
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Nominees to join the Board
Rhonda Aghamalian
Zarmeen Amirali
Betty Bettacchi
Caitlin Dolt
Jimmy Felix
Araceli Hintermeister
Fiona Maguire
Kevin Moriarty
Kate Neely
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Officers
Chair - Nicole Paquette
Vice Chair - Denise McGovern
Secretary - Open
Assistant Secretary - Melissa Chalmer
Treasurer - Stephanie Williamson
Assistant Treasurer - Larrie Weil
Immediate Past Chair - Ken Benson
Nominated to the Advisory Council
Annette Corman
| | Renewing Commitments (to serve a second or third term): We’re grateful to the following board members who have agreed to serve another three year term: | | |
2nd Term
Anne Besser
Juliette Coulter
Andrea Pender
Ann Piper
Cynthia Rutherford
Barbara van Pelt
Stephanie Williamson
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3rd Term (Upon approval of a third term)
Timm Matthews
Nicole Paquette
Pat Porter
| | Ongoing Board Service: The following board members will continue to serve, completing their previously elected terms: | | |
First Term
Zhen Barrientos
Kara Cecala
Farheen Charanya
Philip Crew
Steven Dominguez
Tony Font
Nikita Sarin
Neil Schlager
Megan Townsend
Christa Camp
Melissa Chalmer
George de Verges
Marrie Smith
Jenae Ward
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Second Term
Sarah Evans
Susan Harris
Leigh Hopkins
Denise McGovern
Larrie Weil
| | CITY COUNCIL ELECTION RUNOFFS ARE THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 7 | | |
Congratulations to the winners of the Dallas City Council elections on May 3!
We look forward to working with you to protect and strengthen our libraries in the coming budget year.
Tomorrow, Saturday, June 7, the runoff election will be held in District 8, where Lori Blair faces Erik Wilson, and in District 11, where Jeff Kitner faces Bill Roth.
Since voter turnout is typically low in off-year elections, every vote counts—especially this year as the Library budget may face significant cuts.
We don't make endorsements, but we did send surveys to every candidate seeking their views about our Libraries. All candidate responses received can be viewed online here.
For election information, follow this link: Runoff Election Information
| | SMART Summer at Dallas Public Library, one of the Friends' most important initiatives, kicked off on Saturday, May 31. The 10-week program helps kids and adults stay sharp over the summer by earning prizes for Reading, Discovering and Creating. Learn more about this vital program here. | | THANK YOU SMART SUMMER SPONSORS! | A heartfelt thank you to our incredible donors, sponsors and partners. Your generosity ensures thousands of children and families enjoy a summer filled with books, exciting programs, special guests and rewards for reading! | | |
Diamond Sponsors
Atmos Energy
First Book / Pizza Hut
Platinum Sponsor
Margot Perot
Lauren and Will Waldrop
Gold Sponsors
Central Market / H-E-B
Crayola Experience Plano
Southern Methodist University
Donna Wilhelm
Silver Sponsors
Deedie Rose
IHOP
Kahn Education Fund
State Fair of Texas
Whataburger
Bronze Sponsors
Audelia Road Library Friends
Lake Highlands Women's League
Lakewood Library Friends
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Sarah and Alan Losinger
Barbara and John Neill
Okon Metals Inc.
Renner Frankford Library Friends
Skillman Southwest Library Friends
Laura Starks and Joe Dannenmaier
Friends
Altrusa International of Downtown Dallas
North Oak Cliff Library Friends
Cynthia and John Rutherford
Suzanne and Jamie Smith
Donors
Diana Cordova and Bill Gustavson
Cynthia Cowan
Hampton Illinois Library Friends
Oak Lawn Library Friends
Rohan Foundation
Ruibal’s Plants of Texas
SMU Athletics
Margaret Wilonsky
Media Partner
FOX4
| | THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN THIS LIST | | Your generosity can still make this year's SMART Summer even better. Every donation helps ensure that children and families have an enriching summer full of Learning and Discovery. | |  | For as little as $8.99, you can purchase and donate prizes from Dallas Public Library's Amazon Wish List to reward both children and adults who make it a SMART Summer. | | | CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH AT THE LIBRARY | | |
The Libraries are closed on June 19 for Juneteenth, but there are many events throughout the city celebrating the federal holiday marking the end of slavery.
Two of the highlights:
- Multimedia artist and educator Nitashia Johnson will discuss the cultural and artistic impact of the South Dallas community on Saturday, June 14, from 2 PM to 3:30 PM at the Central Library.
- A Freedom Day celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at the Forest Green branch. The celebration features dance and music performances, food and crafts.
A comprehensive list of Juneteenth events at the Library is here.
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We'll be back next month. Meanwhile:
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The richest person in the world, in fact, all the riches in the world, couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library
--Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990),
former publisher of Forbes magazine
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FRIENDS OF THE DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
214-670-1458
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