The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation was chartered in 1993 as an independent, non-profit organization. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the Fort Worth Public Library system by mobilizing resources for and promoting services of the Fort Worth Public Library system, in conjunction with the Fort Worth City Council, the City Manager and the Library Staff. The mission of the Foundation is to ensure that the City of Fort Worth has a Great Public Library system by having excellent facilities, quality and innovative services, and widespread community appreciation and utilization of the library as an educational and cultural institution.

The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was chartered in 1993 to bring together public and private funding in support of the public library. Community leaders grew concerned when structural flaws in the existing Central Library facility had resulted in more than 100 leaks into the main floor of the library endangering the collection and the computer center. At this time the library system was not a priority of the City Council and severe economic times had necessitated years of budget cuts affecting hours, staffing and ultimately materials. The newly established Foundation Board worked with elected Officials and city staff to reverse this trend and restore the public library to a place of prominence in the community.

Foundation Accomplishments
The Raise Your Voice for the Library Capital Campaign was successfully completed in 1999, bringing almost $5,000,000 in private funding to the Central Library Expansion and Enhancement Project. New spaces at Central include the 33,000 square foot youth center, expanded media center, grand entrance hall, and 3rd Street circulation area. The funding also provided for a 6,600 square foot gallery suitable for exhibitions, receptions and small performances in the former plaza area, and a 900 square foot office for The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation within the Central Library.

The public/private partnership continued in the 2001 Centennial year as the Library Foundation served as the catalyst in securing funding for a Master Services Plan for the Fort Worth Public Library. The Foundation first identified $200,000 in private funding, then worked with city staff and elected officials who agreed to provide the remaining $175,000 needed to fund the plan through city and library funds. The plan was completed in 2003.

2003 marked the 10th Anniversary of the Library Foundation and the Great Cities Have Great Libraries Campaign was unveiled. The replacement of the Fort Worth Public Library’s Integrated Library System was selected as the first funding priority. Working again in partnership with the City of Fort Worth, the foundation provided one-half of the cost, $500,000 in private funds, for the new system which went live in July 2005. In March 2006 the Foundation completed a Campaign for the Library Collection, providing a $250,000 match for budget funds from the City of Fort Worth to begin to address the needs of the Library Collection.

Late in 2006 the Foundation received notice of a bequest of $1.6 million. The funds will be used to create an endowment and as seed money for projects to renovate and fully develop the Central Library. In 2008 the Foundation will design and implement a Literacy Program for the tri-north branches of the Fort Worth Public Library.

The Foundation has worked to increase understanding of the importance and an awareness of the assets of the public library in our community. Through numerous community outreach events including a city-wide read, A Tale for Our Town…Fort Worth Reads Together, the Owsley Children’s Author Series, the Libraryfest book festival, Texas Bound, and the new “Food for Thought” Luncheon Lecture Series, thousands have developed an appreciation for our library system.

The Foundation continues to raise additional funds for the Library’s Summer Reading Program and other targeted needs through direct grants and Annual Sponsorships. Foundation fundraising events, the annual Cigar Smoker and October Gala, have been helpful in expanding the base of private support for the Fort Worth Public Library system.

Since 1993 The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation has raised almost $10,000,000 in private funding to benefit the Fort Worth Public Library system.
Download a summary of the Foundation's contributions to the library.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS
The Foundation's Newsletter
Winter 2007 Newsletter
Summer 2007 Newsletter
Fall 2006 Newsletter

Copyright 2008. The Fort Worth Public LIbrary Foundation. All Rights Reserved.