The City of Carrollton has received the 2025 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA,) an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. The Carrollton Public Library (CPL) has achieved recognition for the second year in a row after also winning in 2024.

Of the 516 public libraries in Texas, only 101 received this award in 2025, putting CPL in the top 20 percent of all public libraries in the state.

To successfully receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award, the library must exhibit excellence by providing services to underserved and special populations, marketing in innovative ways, pursuing collaborative efforts, offering enhanced services through unique or expanded programming, providing literacy support, providing for digital inclusion, supporting workforce development, promoting cultural, topical, and educational programming, comprehensively training staff, and offering other unique services to their community.

"The Carrollton Public Library is honored to receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award for the second year in a row," Rachel Young, Carrollton Public Library Interim Director, said. "This award recognition not only allows us to showcase our high-quality services, but also the hard work and dedication of the Library team to implement them. We're excited to continue an excellent standard of service into 2026."

CPL demonstrated distinction through the implementation of new and enhanced services directly tied to patron feedback. Notably in 2025, the Library launched new and more accessible online library catalog software with a suite of user-friendly features including enhanced browsing, multiple language options, and access to a digital Library card barcode. Additionally, the Library received a Texas Book Festival grant allowing for the expansion of Korean language materials in juvenile and adult collections to continue serving Carrollton's large Korean population. CPL also introduced StoryWalk^© at Clifford Hall Park, an interactive way for families to combine reading and time in the outdoors while promoting early literacy, physical activity, and family time together.

Library staff continued community outreach efforts in 2025, particularly for underserved populations. By offering twice yearly Family Place workshops, the Library connects families with young children to resources and information related to early childhood growth and development. CPL continued to offer regular bilingual English and Spanish Story Time. Through collaborations with AARP and United Way of Denton County, patrons from low-income households could access free tax assistance.

In addition to enhanced services and community outreach programs, CPL also demonstrated excellence through a commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community through cultural, topical, and educational offerings. Seasonal exhibits featuring women inventors and a history of vaqueros, as well as a live percussion performance during Black History Month and story times featuring Korean folktales, united the Carrollton community in appreciation of diverse backgrounds.

To learn more about CPL's continued growth and improvement over the last year, read the 2025 Annual Report. For a complete list of programs and services, and to sign up for a free Library card, visit cityofcarrollton.com/library.