The Mansfield Public Library has received the 2022 Achievement of Library Excellence award.
The Texas Municipal Library Directors Association recognized the local library’s quality services, collaboration with community, outreach to underserved communities, and more with its top honor. Mansfield is one of 73 public libraries, out of 542 in Texas, to receive the recognition.
“Our Library is a place where anyone can go to learn, grow, and have remarkable experiences,” Mayor Michael Evans said. “Our residents should take pride in knowing the library services available to all members of our community are some of the best in the state.”
The award is judged on a library’s impact in the community and ability to provide evolving services that fit today’s needs such as digital inclusion, community participation and leadership, literacy support, workforce development, innovative marketing, and more.
Receiving this award continues a tradition for the Mansfield Public Library, which has been recognized more than 13 times.
“Our goal at the Library is to provide lifelong learning and earning an honor like this shows that we are on the right track,” said Yolanda Botello, Library and Historical Services Director. “The library is more than just a place for books, our team works hard to offer residents valuable services within our library walls or out in the community.”
The Mansfield Public Library offers various media for library card holders to borrow and hosts a wide variety of classes, clubs, events, and programs. In 2022, the Library underwent a major renovation called The Library Renewed, that included new programming space, new technology, furniture, and more.
“Through their hard work and dedication to the community, our Librarians have earned this recognition,” City Manager Joe Smolinski said. “To receive this honor during a year when we had to close the facility for renovations during the busiest time of year, says a lot about the efforts and innovation our team brings every day.”