Rowlett library advisory board urges planning for larger facility as federal IMLS funding is uncertain

The Rowlett Library Advisory Board presented its annual report to the Rowlett City Council on May 5, reporting increasing library use and program growth and asking to be included in future facility planning as the city evaluates municipal complex options.

The board said physical circulation and visits rose in fiscal 2024, while digital checkouts climbed 14 percent, and requested a follow-up meeting in September to discuss library planning and branding. The library’s director also warned an executive order affecting the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services could reduce future grant and service funding for Texas libraries.

Erin Decker, chair of the Library Advisory Board, told council members the board continues outreach and benchmarking with nearby systems and wants “to be a part as we are exploring how this new library comes to be” and to meet again in September to discuss planning and design.

Laura, director of library services, said the library won the Achievement of Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association for the 20th consecutive year and reported usage figures: approximately 167,000 physical checkouts and 67,000 digital checkouts in the prior year. She said the library averaged about 559 weekly summer-reading submissions and ran 79 summer programs with 4,737 attendees.

“The digital stuff, I think it is people are…