About the Friends
Since the Library’s grand opening in The Plaza at Preston Center in January 2013, the Friends of the University Park Public Library has contributed more than $2.25 million to provide ongoing support for this community asset for lifelong learning.
Ways we support the Library and the community:
Programming
We provide live programs to educate, inspire and entertain our community. Our popular Meet Me at The Library Lecture Series hosts authors, professors, journalists and other luminaries monthly for engaging presentations that are free and open to the community.
Supporting local artists
We highlight and showcase the work of local artists, authors and civic groups to the community.
Celebrating and recording local history
We ensure the maintenance of and access to valuable and historical community records. Do you want to find out what your house looked like in 1929 and how much it sold for? The Friends and the Library, in affiliation with Preservation Park Cities, provide free access at the Library to these and many other important records about University Park.
Keeping the Library vibrant
Most importantly, we support the Library financially. Membership dues and other funds raised go directly to the UP Public Library. That means your contribution, no matter how large or small, has an outsized impact on maintaining the Library’s presence as a gathering spot for ideas, culture and residents in our community.
Here are a few ways that donations have been used in the past:
• Purchase new books and replace copies of much loved books
• Cover the cost of subscriptions
• Purchase and upgrade software programs
• Help upgrade technology
• Fund youth programs such as Summer Reading and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
• Purchase craft materials to help make stories come to life
Meet Me at The Library Lecture Series
The Friends’ Meet Me at The Library Lecture Series hosts authors, community leaders, professors, journalists and other luminaries for engaging presentations that educate, entertain and inspire. Recent topics have included Homelessness in Dallas, Inside the CIA, Local Crime Reporting and Authoring Children’s Books.
Lectures are typically held in the 3rd floor Community Room of the UP Public Library and are free and open to the public.
Summer Reading Program
Thanks to the Friends’ sponsorship, the UP Summer Reading Challenge brings a summer full of performers, fun activities and prizes to the community each year. In 2024, 486 participants logged more than 9,295 hours of reading, and 1,314 children and teens took part in the Library’s exciting lineup of summer programs. “We couldn’t do summer the way we do without the Friends of the Library. Their support makes it all possible. Our programming and prizes keep kids excited about reading all summer.” — Jackie Lott, Library Director.
Our support helps transform the Library into a lively hub of family-friendly fun and reading all summer long.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The Friends is proud to support the UP Public Library in participating in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, a national early literacy challenge. It is a fun, family-oriented approach to establishing strong early reading skills.
How can you help?
Consider today how you can help us to continue the Friends’ pivotal support of the Library and our community. Click on the links below to SUPPORT THE LIBRARY.
How can you help?
Consider today how you can help us to continue the Friends’ pivotal support of the Library and our community. Click on the links below to SUPPORT THE LIBRARY.