Amarillo Public Library Recognized by
Texas Municipal Library Directors Association—Again!

10th consecutive Achievement of Excellence Award for APL

For the tenth year in a row, Amarillo Public Library has earned the Achievement of Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. Of the 542 public libraries in Texas, only 102 received the 2024 award. To successfully receive the award, a library must exhibit excellence in each of ten categories:

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 support community that demonstrate how the library served the community with excellence during the past year.

Director of Library Services Amanda Barrera says APL’s track record of earning the recognition is a testament to the Library’s excellent staff. “We have earned this accolade each of those years because of our staff’s hard work, collaboration, and dedication. I couldn't be more grateful to work with such an amazing group of people.”

A few particular highlights from Amarillo Public Library in 2024 include the Library’s new Digital Navigators program, The American Revolution Experience traveling exhibition, Adventure Begins at Your Library Summer Reading Club, collaborations with community groups include Panhandle Community Services, Panhandle PBS, and multiple City of Amarillo departments, Stitches for Warmth outreach program that contributed hundreds of warm items to the community’s unhoused population, and the continued success of the Library’s pop culture convention, AMA-CON.

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. “Some of our most popular programs would not be possible without funding from our Friends of the Library group, and City of Amarillo leadership has an impressive history of working to ensure all Amarillo citizens have access to library services. It’s thanks to support from all these groups that APL is once again recognized as one of the top public libraries in Texas.”