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- Southlake Public Library Task Force
Saturday, April 20, 2024
At their June 7 meeting, the Southlake City Council gave direction to City Staff to locate the Southlake Library within the Carillon Parc development.
They also recommended that a performing arts space be included as part of the new Library.
Earlier this year, the Library Task Force was charged with researching and envisioning options for a new Library outside of Southlake Town Square. A new location and the possibility of a performing arts space were just part of their considerations.
The Council’s guidance follows two open houses and town hall meetings hosted by the Library Task Force and a Library Board meeting. All three public gatherings allowed the Task Force to report on what they had learned during the research process.
“This is, to me, is good governance. It’s a lot of folks coming together and doing really intentional work and really thoughtful work, work that is deliberate,” said Mayor John Huffman. “…at the end of the day, it’s designed to seek out as much community input as possible because ultimately, when this gets built, it’s your Library.”
To watch the item in its entirety, please visit this link: https://southlaketx.new.swagit.com/videos/175130?ts=3352
Following the recent Library Task Force Town Hall meetings, the team will take its next steps regarding a possible new location for the Southlake Public Library.
The Task Force announced three site options at both meetings: Bicentennial Park, Carillon Parc, and Parkwood Drive (near Southlake Boulevard and Byron Nelson). They also shared ideas about facility priorities, complimentary amenities, and funding sources.
You can watch recordings of the Town Hall meetings at https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/332/On-Demand-Video.
“We heard some wonderful and thoughtful ideas and comments from residents,” said Southlake Councilmember and Library Task Force co-chair Ronell Smith. “Now, we will work with the Library Board and then the City Council to see where we can go next.”
Happening this week, the Library Board will meet in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. for their regularly scheduled meeting. During the meeting, the board will hear from the Task Force about their work and recommendations. Following the Library Board meeting, the next step for the Task Force is to present their recommendation at the June 7 City Council meeting.
Following their May 11 meeting, the Library Task Force will meet again on May 16, 2022, to get residents’ thoughts and ideas about a possible new location for the Southlake Public Library.
The Library Task Force announced three possible site options: Bicentennial Park, Carillon Parc, and Parkwood Drive (near Southlake Boulevard and Byron Nelson). They also discussed facility priorities and complimentary amenities.
“This Task Force has invested a lot of time researching and gathering information,” said City Councilmember and Task Force Co-Chair Kathy Talley. “To present it to residents, receive their feedback, and work those insights into our recommendations is the best way to ensure that it’s a library for all.”
The May 11 meeting is available online. It includes the presentation given by the Library Task Force and feedback provided that evening.
May 16 meeting
The second Town Hall meeting will take place Monday, May 16, 2022, and will start with an open house from 4:30 – 6:00 pm in the Town Hall lobby. The Open House is an opportunity for attendees to visit with the Library Task Force members.
Then at 6:00 pm, the Library Task Force will present their findings in the Council Chamber. The Library Task Force will talk about what they have learned through their studies and on their site tours. and conversations with the community.
If you cannot attend the meeting on the 16th, it will be broadcast live on the City’s website www.CityofSouthlake.com/VideoOnDemand. You can also provide your thoughts to the Library Task Force through an online comment card. The online comment card will be available through Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 5:00 pm. Visit CityofSouthlake.com/LibraryTaskForce and click the online comment link.
The Library Task Force invites residents to attend the Library Task Force Town Hall meetings on May 11th and 16th to give feedback about a potential new public library.
“The Task Force has been working hard the last several months,” said Councilmember Ronell Smith. “All of us are looking forward to talking with people about what we’ve learned and hearing the priorities of our residents.”
Library Task Force Town Hall Meetings
Each Town Hall will start with an open house from 4:30 – 6:00 pm in the Town Hall lobby. The Open House invites attendees to informally visit with the Task Force before the meeting begins at 6:00 pm.
Then at 6:00 pm, the meeting will move into the Council Chamber, and the Task Force will talk about what they’ve learned and provide recommendations for onsite location, facility priorities, and complementary amenities. The Task Force has also looked into funding options and will share their insights at the meeting.
If you cannot attend the meeting, the meeting will be broadcast live on the City’s website CityofSouthlake.com/VideoonDemand. You can also provide your thoughts to the task force through an online comment card. Visit CityofSouthlake.com/LibraryTaskForce to provide your feedback and for more information about the Task Force and its work.
With a charge to work towards a new public library, the Southlake Library Task Force is getting ready to host two Town Hall meetings.
“We are so excited about the possibilities for the Southlake Library,” said Councilmember Kathy Talley. “We’ve got some ideas about its location, programming, amenities, etc., but we need resident feedback, and that’s where the town hall meetings will come in.”
Task Force Background
In December 2021, Mayor Huffman appointed Councilmembers Kathy Talley and Ronell Smith to lead a Library Task Force to research options and make recommendations for a new Southlake Public Library. 
Councilmember Chad Patton and Incoming Councilmember Shawn McCaskill, and 15 Southlake community members. The team comprises members from the Southlake Library Board and Southlake Arts Council members, the Southlake Women’s Club, Southlake Chamber of Commerce, PTO Organization presidents, youth representatives, ambassadors for Southlake’s special needs, and nonprofit business leaders.
The Task Force has broken up into subcommittees that are currently hard at work researching, studying, and addressing critical issues and will ultimately provide recommendations for site location, library facility needs, accompanying amenities, and financial considerations. Potential sites and amenities will be evaluated on how well each option supports the library’s mission, meets community needs, enhances the community, and supports financial and success goals.
Save the Date
The Task Force looks forward to sharing what they learned and their recommendations with Southlake residents at the Library Task Force Town Hall Meetings on Wednesday, May 11th, and Monday, May 16th.
Join the Task Force for an Open House from 4:30 – 6:00 pm, with the Town Hall meeting and a Task Force presentation immediately following in the Council chamber. The public is invited to share their comments and thoughts during both meetings.
Please visit CityofSouthlake.com/LibraryTaskForce for more information.