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Harlingen Public Library reports rising use and requests more staff, building upgrades
Summary
Library Director Donna Campbell reported increased visits, circulation and digital usage last year and requested staff additions, ADA/restroom upgrades, LED lighting, new carpet and ongoing computer replacements to support services.
Harlingen Public Library Director Donna Campbell presented a staff and facilities report to the City Commission, highlighting usage increases and facility needs.
Campbell said the library has 23 full- and part-time staff members, more than 100,000 physical items and a digital collection of about 120,000 items. Last year the library recorded 141,229 physical checkouts, 23,971 digital checkouts and 90,000 visitors. The library offered 1,169 programs for children, teens and adults with 16,961 attendees and provides 60 public computers that logged 15,217 uses in the previous year.
Campbell outlined grant and donation support, noting roughly $1.2 million in donations and grants since 2016 and listed partners including United Way, AARP tax prep, Junior League of Harlingen, Texas State Library programs and local nonprofit groups. She asked the commission to consider two additional full-time library assistants and an additional full-time library associate, plus a volunteer/outreach coordinator to support increased service demand.
Facility requests included new carpeting, LED lighting upgrades, replacement of older public computers on a rotating cycle, and restroom improvements specifically for the children’s/family restroom. Campbell said volunteers and grant funding have been critical to past renovations and program support.
Commissioners thanked the library for its work and said they would consider staffing and capital requests during the budget process and explore grant opportunities.
