In 2003, the Arlington Public Library System celebrates 80 years of service to the community. The kick-off celebration begins Saturday, Jan. 11. The celebration launches a library card registration campaign with birthday cakes and entertainment at all public library branch locations. Kickoff activities at the George W. Hawkes Central Library on Abram Street will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature train rides, entertainment and a special appearance by Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom.

Library Director Rick Smith said the purpose of the seven-month long birthday celebration, themed "Books, Bytes and Beyond," is to reflect on 80 years of service and invite citizens to explore their local library. After the January 11 kickoff celebration, free activities will occur monthly at all libraries through July 12. (A calendar of events is attached.)

The year was 1923 and more than 20 organizations representing local schools, churches and civic groups combined efforts to establish a public library at the corner of Center and West Main streets in a bank building. The library was one of 15 branches of the Tarrant County Free Library System. It opened March 19, 1923 with only 20 books available for check out. The population in Arlington was only about 9,000 people. The mayor was W. H Rose.

Today, the City’s public library system has four branch locations and the George W. Hawkes Central Library, which opened January 20, 1973. It turns 30 years old this year.

City officials say 61,327 library cardholders borrowed 1.5 million materials from the Central Library and four branch libraries during 2002. More than 70,000 people attended library programs and 7,818 children were enrolled in the Summer Reading Club. A fifth branch library is scheduled to open in October 2003 in southeast Arlington.

"The public library system continues to be an important part of the community, providing opportunities to increase knowledge and literacy," Smith said. "With the Internet and other advanced forms of technology, the library provides an even greater opportunity for information gathering and exchange."

80^th Birthday Celebration

Festivities at all libraries

• Freedom on My Mind - Film presentation and discussion - Central Library, Jan. 26, 3-5 p.m.
• Genealogy Workshops - Central Library, Feb. 1 and 22, 2-4 p.m.
• Arlington High School Jazz Band - Central Library, Feb. 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Step Dance Program and lecture about the dance, music, and sports of the 1930s - Central Library, Feb. 9, 3-4 p.m.
• African American Storytelling - All library locations – Feb. 15

(Northeast Branch at 10:30a.m.; Central Library at 2 p.m.; East Branch at 2 p.m; Woodland West Branch at 2 p.m. and Southwest Branch at 3:30 p.m.)

This best selling author will share the benefits of reading to children at the First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m.

UTA professors Jerry Rodnitzky and Allan Saxe look at the cultural impact of the 1970s through movies, music, and literature in this special lunchtime series at the Central Library.

Citywide initiative encourages residents to simultaneously read a selected book by a Texas author.

Celebrating our cultural diversity with events at the Central Library and the East Branch.

Celebrating birthdays around the world through the annual Summer Reading Program

A special "THANK YOU" to our patrons and supporters.