The Southlake Public Library serves a world-class community dedicated to learning, personal development, and success. The library’s vision is to meet the challenge of providing the most in-demand materials, cutting-edge learning opportunities, and high-quality community spaces for the health, growth, education, and enjoyment of this community. Public funds cover the main operations of the library. However, to make the library the world-class resource that our community wants and needs, the Library Foundation of Southlake will provide funds to support innovative programming and services that adults and students in a highly educated city like Southlake need to succeed. Without generous donors, the Southlake Library cannot meet the high expectations of its patrons.

Friends of the Southlake Library (FOSL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Southlake Public Library through its ongoing book sale. FOSL is a title sponsor of Southlake Summer Reading each year and has provided more than 2,000 DVDs and children’s materials to the library. FOSL was approached about an expanded role. However, the organizers are happy to continue fulfilling their current role of selling used books and supporting summer reading. 

The new Library Foundation of Southlake (LFOS) is a non-profit organization that will serve three purposes: 

1. Advocacy—promote the library to the community.
2. Awareness—encourage people to use the library for materials, programs, events.
3. Financial support—supply items that fall outside the budget received from the city through taxes. The LFOS aims to provide experiences and enhancements that expand the library’s current reach and impact.

The Carillon Park Public Spaces Steering Committee will advise the Southlake City Council on the future of the Southlake Public Library and other public spaces at Carillon Parc, including a space for performing arts, a public park, and public art. City Council members are grateful for the work of the Library Task Force who worked tirelessly in 2021 and 2022 to identify possible locations for the new library and make recommendations to City Council. 

As part of the Carillon Park Public Spaces project, City Council must work with specific boards and commissions with defined roles of advisement as characterized by their enabling ordinance or resolution. These roles include project funding and financial plans, conceptual plans, and other matters as requested by City Council. The Steering Committee will help facilitate that process. For more information, please visit: https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/4045/Carillon-Parc-Public-Spaces-Steering-Com

The library of today is so much more than books. The future Southlake Public Library is envisioned as a showplace and a community hub befitting our exemplary town. 

Did you know the Southlake Library is one of the most in-demand libraries in Texas for its size? The library circulates more than 450,000 titles and hosts close to 40,000 people at programs and activities each year. The library also offers access to a vast digital library with more than 250,000 eBooks and audiobooks. Kids can access free, live tutoring daily through Brainfuse and younger children can explore BookFLIX from Scholastic. Residents can also find access to Ancestry genealogy, digital magazines and newspapers from all over the world, and Biblio+, a new streaming film service available with the cloudLibrary app.

southlakelibrary.com

Founding members are those who will make a big difference in shaping the Southlake Public Library of the future. They will be a select group of people and organizations who will have the honor of knowing they positively impacted their community to help make the new library a reality. 

As a founding member, on top of the knowledge and joy that comes with your charitable contribution, your name will be added to a donor wall in a prominent position in the new library (pending City approval). How cool is that! 

Of course! As important as our Founding Members are, there will be membership levels to fit all budgets. It will take support of many citizens and library patrons to provide the wide range of programs and amenities that Southlake citizens want and deserve. Eventually we will also sell merchandise where revenue will be used to support the library 

Do I have to be a member to use the library?

Southlake Public Library is open to any and all! Citizens and non-residents alike can attend programs and activities, participate in the Summer Reading program, have documents notarized, meet and collaborate, have tests proctored, find a quiet spot to work remotely, or read a book or magazine. However, only library card holders can check out books, music, and movies. Southlake residents can get a free card at the library’s front desk; non-residents need to pay the annual fee of $25.

We’d love your books! Drop them at the library’s front desk and receive an IRS tax donation form. While you’re there, check out the selection of books FOSL has for sale. Monies raised from the sale of used books support the Summer Reading program.