If you’ve visited the library, you’ve likely been greeted by Marva’s warm smile and friendly hello. Marva has been an incredible addition to our team, assisting patrons in finding their next great read and crafting beautiful, thoughtful displays. Her creativity and dedication shine through in every project she undertakes. 

“Marva is an invaluable team member,” said Youth Librarian Stacy Wells, when asked about Marva's contributions to the library. “Her creativity and exceptional customer service transform every library visit into a delightful experience. She makes our patrons feel truly welcome and inspired, pouring her heart into every interaction. This dedication extends to her impressive large-scale displays, such as those for Black History Month, as well as smaller book displays that not only inform but also spark curiosity and the imagination.” 

Marva is also an active member of the Southlake Library staff matrix team, bringing fun treats and words of affirmation to her colleagues.  

Next time you visit the library, be sure to say hello to Marva and compliment her on her hard work. Her creativity and enthusiasm create a magical world for everyone who walks through our doors to enjoy! 

The Summer Reading Program thrived thanks to the generosity of its sponsors. The Southlake Public Library is incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made our 2024 Summer Reading Program a resounding success. Sponsors are truly the backbone of our program, bringing joy and inspiration to the kids of the Southlake Public Library.  

Thanks to the incredible donations of Frost Bank and Peppa Pig, we were able to offer some of our most cherished prizes, including a Nintendo Switch and a snow cone machine. These fantastic prizes have become favorites among our participants. 

The Library Foundation of Southlake played a pivotal role this summer by sponsoring a visit from New York Times Best Selling author James Ponti. James delighted our young readers with an engaging writing workshop, guiding them through the process of creating their own stories. Additionally, the foundation hosted a two-week writing workshop camp, teaching the principles and guidelines for crafting fun and imaginative stories. 

The Friends of the Southlake Library are an indispensable part of our library community. They not only keep our book donations organized and ready for sale but also generously sponsor most of the Summer Reading prizes. Their generous donations make it possible for us to offer both small and large prizes. These prizes bring immense joy and excitement to the faces of our young participants, who absolutely love receiving them! 

Thank you to these wonderful sponsors for their contributions, which made our Summer Reading Program such a memorable experience for all the kids and parents who visited the Southlake Public Library. Their support has helped foster a love of reading and learning in the library community. 

To learn more about our sponsors and their contributions, visit the following links: 

Learn more about the Library Foundation of Southlake

Learn more about the Friends of the Southlake Library

Learn more about Frost Bank

Learn more about Peppa Pig Theme Park

To foster a love for reading and prepare young minds for school, Southlake Public Library offers the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program. Families with children from birth to 5 years old are invited to participate in this exciting initiative. Here’s how it works:  

  1. Come to the Southlake Public Library: Families can sign up for the program at the front service desk. They will receive a starter packet containing essential materials.  
  1. Read, Read, Read! The premise is simple—read books! Parents, caregivers, and children can explore a wide variety of books, from picture books to bedtime stories. The goal is to collectively read 1000 books before the child enters kindergarten.  
  1. Track Your Progress: Families can keep track of their reading progress using provided reading logs. Each book counts, whether it’s read by a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver.   
  1. Celebrate Milestones: As kids reach milestones (every 100 books, up to 1000), we will help celebrate their achievements.   
  1. Prepare for Kindergarten: The program not only promotes literacy but also prepares children for kindergarten. Reading aloud helps develop listening skills, attention spans, and a love for stories. 

The first Masterworks concert of the season, hosted by the Southlake Public Library, will kick off on Friday, March 17, 2023, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with themed giveaways, pizza, and a live performance by the Journey Tribute Band, Escape. Food vendors will begin serving pizza and dessert at 6 p.m. and the band will begin at 7 p.m. 

Arts Council Northeast (ArtsNet) and the City of Southlake are delighted to present the return of the Masterworks Concert Series this spring with guests appearances by local chefs! So, grab your lawn chair, cooler, picnic blanket, friends, and family members, and head on over to the Rustin Pavilion for a relaxing evening in the Southlake Town Square.

Families, friends, and groups of all ages will enjoy visiting Southlake to discover a wide range of music genres and styles throughout the concert season. Local and regional talent will be performing at Rustin Pavilion in Southlake Town Square on various Fridays throughout the spring.

Don’t worry about dinner on concert nights. The locally owned 1956 Pizza truck, accompanied by a dessert truck, will be serving specialty pizzas cooked by guest chefs throughout the Masterworks Concert series. The proceeds for guest chefs' specialty pizzas will go to their favorite charity. For example, Executive Chef Jose Soto has selected Ronald McDonald House. Here’s what a couple of guest chefs had say about their love for pizza:

Private Chef Aly Romero

Private Chef Aly Romero

Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen

Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen

Aly Romero, Jeremy Berlin, and other featured chefs will unveil their specialty pizzas at 6 p.m.—an hour before each concerts begins—giving you time to place your order before the show starts. You might even get to try the Mayor’s very own pizza creation if you attend the concert on May 5! For more information about the bands and chefs go to www.VisitSouthlakeTexas.com. In the meantime, here’s a quick glance at the Masterworks Concert Series schedule:

2023 MASTERWORKS CONCERT SCHEDULE

Bands begin at 7 pm; Guest chefs begin at 6pm.

  • Friday, March 17, 6-8 pm - Escape (Journey Tribute Band)
    • Chef - Gary Kemp, Owner of 1956 Pizza
  • Friday, March 31, 6-8 pm - The Wanda King Big Band (Big Band Blues)
    • Guest Chef - Executive Chef Jose Soto, Sky Creek Kitchen + Bar
  • Friday, April 14, 6-8 pm - The Vinyl Stripes (50 & 60's Rock and Roll)
    • Guest Chef - Mike Lafavers, Owner and Manager of Feedstore BBQ
  • Friday, April 21, 6-8 pm - The After Party (Variety Hits)
    • Guest Chef - Private Chef Aly Romero
  • Friday, May 5, 6-8 pm - Michael Hix (50's & 60's Classics)
    • Guest Chef - John Huffman, Mayor of Southlake
  • Friday, May 12, 6-8 pm - Zack King (Country)
    • Guest Chef - Elizabeth Huffman, Mayor's Wife
  • Friday, May 19, 6-8 pm - Me & My Monkey (Beatles Tribute Band)
    • Guest Chef - Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen
  • Friday, May 26, 6-8 pm - Satellite (90's Hits)
    • Guest Chef - Gary Kemp, Owner of 1956 Pizza

The first Masterworks concert of the season, hosted by the Southlake Public Library, will kick off on Friday, March 17, 2023, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with themed giveaways, pizza, and a live performance by the Journey Tribute Band, Escape. Food vendors will begin serving pizza and dessert at 6 p.m. and the band will begin at 7 p.m. 

Arts Council Northeast (ArtsNet) and the City of Southlake are delighted to present the return of the Masterworks Concert Series this spring with guests appearances by local chefs! So, grab your lawn chair, cooler, picnic blanket, friends, and family members, and head on over to the Rustin Pavilion for a relaxing evening in the Southlake Town Square.

Families, friends, and groups of all ages will enjoy visiting Southlake to discover a wide range of music genres and styles throughout the concert season. Local and regional talent will be performing at Rustin Pavilion in Southlake Town Square on various Fridays throughout the spring.

Don’t worry about dinner on concert nights. The locally owned 1956 Pizza truck, accompanied by a dessert truck, will be serving specialty pizzas cooked by guest chefs throughout the Masterworks Concert series. The proceeds for guest chefs' specialty pizzas will go to their favorite charity. For example, Executive Chef Jose Soto has selected Ronald McDonald House. Here’s what a couple of guest chefs had say about their love for pizza:

Private Chef Aly Romero

Private Chef Aly Romero

Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen

Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen

Aly Romero, Jeremy Berlin, and other featured chefs will unveil their specialty pizzas at 6 p.m.—an hour before each concerts begins—giving you time to place your order before the show starts. You might even get to try the Mayor’s very own pizza creation if you attend the concert on May 5! For more information about the bands and chefs go to www.VisitSouthlakeTexas.com. In the meantime, here’s a quick glance at the Masterworks Concert Series schedule:

2023 MASTERWORKS CONCERT SCHEDULE

Bands begin at 7 pm; Guest chefs begin at 6pm.

  • Friday, March 17, 6-8 pm - Escape (Journey Tribute Band)
    • Chef - Gary Kemp, Owner of 1956 Pizza
  • Friday, March 31, 6-8 pm - The Wanda King Big Band (Big Band Blues)
    • Guest Chef - Executive Chef Jose Soto, Sky Creek Kitchen + Bar
  • Friday, April 14, 6-8 pm - The Vinyl Stripes (50 & 60's Rock and Roll)
    • Guest Chef - Mike Lafavers, Owner and Manager of Feedstore BBQ
  • Friday, April 21, 6-8 pm - The After Party (Variety Hits)
    • Guest Chef - Private Chef Aly Romero
  • Friday, May 5, 6-8 pm - Michael Hix (50's & 60's Classics)
    • Guest Chef - John Huffman, Mayor of Southlake
  • Friday, May 12, 6-8 pm - Zack King (Country)
    • Guest Chef - Elizabeth Huffman, Mayor's Wife
  • Friday, May 19, 6-8 pm - Me & My Monkey (Beatles Tribute Band)
    • Guest Chef - Jeremy Berlin, Owner and Manager of Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen
  • Friday, May 26, 6-8 pm - Satellite (90's Hits)
    • Guest Chef - Gary Kemp, Owner of 1956 Pizza

The Southlake Library Task Force is scheduled to present its recommendations to the City Council on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

“The level of engagement on this issue has been extraordinary,” said Councilmember and Task Force Co-Chair Kathy Talley. “We have heard from hundreds of community members who are passionate about this new opportunity and what it will mean to Southlake.”

Many citizens used an online comment form to share their thoughts. Councilmember Talley noted that the comment form will be open until Monday, June 6, 2022.

“It’s vital that our residents have the opportunity to get involved in such an important decision,” said Talley.

Earlier this year, the Library Task Force was charged with looking closely at the future of the library and working with the community to envision a new space that welcomes people at the front door and invites them to experience a library in a whole new way.

          

After visiting libraries and community spaces in other DFW Metroplex cities, the Task Force hosted two Open Houses and Town Hall Meetings. Those meetings held on May 11, 2022, and May 16, 2022, helped provide the Task Force with citizen feedback and allowed them to report what they had learned through the research process. Then, on May 25, 2022, the Task Force presented location options to the Library Board, facility amenities, and complementary uses that could be incorporated into the facility.

The Council will review the Task Force recommendations and the Library Board’s feedback at the June 7 meeting. The public is invited to the in-person meeting or can watch online. The meeting starts at 5:30 in the Town Hall Council Chamber. The Task Force is expected to present their findings at approximately 7:00 p.m. following Executive Session.

Whether you are in a small town or a major city, the public library is the centerpiece that helps bridge the gap between resources and the community which is why the Southlake Public Library is a beloved masterpiece.

Being an educational resource to an entire community is a big responsibility, but the Southlake Public Library takes on the challenge with grace and pride.

They work diligently to provide free access to the tools and information Southlake citizens seek to improve their lives, whether that's learning a new skill or finding their next great reading adventure.

They also offer programs, workshops and exhibitions for customers of all ages to enjoy, from Summer Reading Programs to literary works by diverse artists and writers.

Need a particular book? No problem. In efforts to expand their collection and make them readily available, the Southlake Public Library partners with over 34 North Texas libraries coordinating through an interlocal partnership between libraries to share digital content via the  Cloud Library app.

Their overall goal is to be the heart of the community where all are welcome to learn and grow.

So, if you’re in need of a great place and resource to fill your heart with warmth and mind with creativity, come visit the Southlake Public Library, where learning is love and coffee is served daily.

For more information about the services offered at Southlake Public Library, please visit us online or follow us on Facebook.

The Southlake Library is proud to introduce two new library card designs for patrons, which showcase the artistic talent of Southlake residents.

Carroll High School Senior Bella Hanson and Southlake resident, John P. Denk Jr., were selected by Mayor Laura Hill and the Mayor’s Alliance for Unity & Culture as two of the winners of the “We are Southlake” Poster Contest last September. The contest was held to kick off celebrations for the City’s 64th birthday and encouraged artists to visually represent what they love about Southlake. “We were thrilled to see the creativity of our incredible community,” stated Mayor Hill at the time.

This spring, when the Library decided to order new library cards, two of the winning submissions were selected for the card designs.

“The Southlake Library is very excited to be able to promote the talent of residents and celebrate their gifts by using the winning artwork designs for the two new library card covers,” stated City Librarian Cynthia Pfledderer. “The artwork chosen recognizes the vibrant culture and community pride of Southlake.”

Bella Hanson is a talented artist and is looking forward to attending Texas A&M next year after graduating in May from Carroll High School.  Hanson is an AP Art Student and cheerleader, and her artwork has been selected previously by the City as a winning submission for another contest.

John P. Denk Jr. has been a Southlake resident for almost seven years and comes this way most recently by way of Chicago, although he grew up just outside of the DFW metroplex.  He is an Art School graduate and has been a commercial and graphic artist.

If you haven’t visited the Southlake Library, or it has been a while, please stop by soon! The Library has exciting upcoming programs for Summer planned, and you can always stay informed of what is going on by following the Southlake Library on social media at Facebook and Instagram.

Artist - Bella Hanson

 

Artist - John P. Denk Jr.

Parents don’t have to know it all!

The Southlake Public Library now offers an online tutoring program called Brainfuse to help students of all ages with help with their homework.

The program provides students with access to live tutors every day from 2 - 11 p.m. in a variety of subjects. The platform also allows students to schedule sessions with friends in a private virtual study room.

“This program is great for our students because tutors are easily accessible online in the evenings to suit a busy kid’s schedule,” City of Southlake Library Deputy Director Cynthia Pfledderer said. “Students can create and share flash cards, tests and games to personalize their learning experience.”

Sign up is free! Just use your Southlake Public Library card to set up your user ID and password.

Happy studying!

Are you a fan and frequent visitor to the Southlake Public Library? You’re in good company.

In 2019 alone, the library received more than 135,000 visitors.

According to a recent Gallup poll, Southlake isn’t the only city across the country receiving attention from visitors. The survey, taken from December 2-15, 2019, revealed that Americans visit their local public library an average of 10.5 times per year. That’s nearly twice as much as attending a movie at a movie theater, which occurs at a rate of 5.3 times per year.

A quick stroll through Southlake’s Public Library, and you’ll understand its popularity and draw. From free coffee or tea to reading nooks for children and adults alike, the library has a cozy, quiet atmosphere. It also has a host of resources for all ages, including computers, meeting rooms and, of course, stacks of books.

If the book stacks are intimidating, you might ask the library staff for help locating a book or even reading suggestions. If there’s a younger reader with you, the team might suggest checking out their most popular book, Barbie: A fairy secret, which has been checked out 1,093 times!

While books may line the walls, the library offers much more than just reading material.

“Our goal is to make the library a fun place for discovery and a welcoming place to spend time,” Cynthia Pfledderer said. “We look at every aspect of the Library and ask – how do we make this the best it can be with our available resources?”

For staff members, improvement at the library is always a moving target because the needs and interests of the community are continually evolving.

“Fortunately, our staff is energized by the challenge. We love finding new ways to delight our patrons,” Cynthia said. “There’s just no substitute for knowing your community, and the trick is to stay connected to them so the ideas come organically.”

Items available for check out at the Southlake Public Library include audiobooks on CD, eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, DVDs, music CDs, magazines, business journals, online research databases, and online children’s books. Library cards are available to Southlake residents with a proof of residence address or property ownership. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to obtain a library card.

The Southlake Library is located on the first floor of Town Hall in Southlake Town Square at 1400 Main Street, Suite 130, Southlake, TX 76092. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and closed on Sunday.

For more information on the Library, visit https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/93/Library.

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