The Texas Municipal Library Directors Association has once again honored Amarillo Public Library with its exclusive Achievement of Excellence Award. In a letter announcing the award, TMLDA President Michelle Cervantes reports that only 101 of Texas’ 516 public library systems earned the 2025 award, putting APL in the top 20% of Texas libraries.

Director of Library Services Amanda Barrera says APL has been able to earn the award for so many years because of the library’s dedicated and outstanding staff. “Our team is innovative, collaborative, dedicated, and exceptionally hardworking. TMLDA’s continued recognition of their work is incredibly gratifying.”

Evaluation is based on ten categories, and a library system must demonstrate excellence in all ten to earn the award:

1. Services to underserved populations through outreach, special programs, collaborations with other organizations, or special collections
2. Innovative and effective marketing materials highlighting services and publicity about specific library programs
3. Collaboration with community organizations
4. Enhanced service to the public either through an increase in service or additional type of services
5. Literacy support for all ages
6. Digital inclusion through public internet access, digital literacy training, and online library services
7. Workforce development support
8. Cultural, topical, and educational programming for adults and families
9. Professional training opportunities for staff at all levels
10. Other services that demonstrate how the library served the community with excellence during the past year.

A few particular highlights from Amarillo Public Library in 2025 include the introduction of APL Mascot Fable the Library Dragon, the launch of the Library’s SocialRx and Memory Café programs, and the continued success of the “Color Our World” Library Summer Reading Club and AMA-CON, Amarillo’s largest pop culture convention. Collaborations with community groups include Panhandle Community Services, Panhandle PBS, High Plains Food Bank, Acts Community Center, Potter and Randall counties, and multiple City of Amarillo departments.

Barrera says the award is also possible because of financial support provided by Friends of the Amarillo Public Library and leadership support from the Library Advisory Board, City of Amarillo Management, and the Amarillo City Council. “APL’s Friends of the Library group provides funding for some of our most popular and impactful programs, and City of Amarillo leadership has an impressive history of working to ensure all Amarillo citizens have access to library services. APL's recognition as one of the top public libraries in Texas would not be possible without continued support from all these groups.”