Dallas Public Library buildings are still closed due to the pandemic, but the beautiful new Vickery Park branch will begin curbside services today/Feb. 2.
The $8 million Vickery Park facility, located on Park Lane across from Costco, has 18,000 square feet of space for resources, classes and community meetings. A youth center, funded by the Crystal Charity Ball, will offer STEM kits, coding courses and technology not readily available at home or school. Programs are planned to assist job seekers and English language learners. A colorful children’s play area sits just outside the front door.
The library boasts 90 Wi-Fi hotspots available for checkout and will soon begin loaning laptops for use at home. Plans are underway to extend the free public Wi-Fi signal to allow internet access outside the library while the building is closed, as has been done at other Dallas libraries during the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, because of COVID this is not the grand opening we wanted,” said Jo Giudice, director of libraries. “But I hope residents will start taking advantage of our Library To Go service to check out materials and maybe get a library card for the first time.”
Library patrons may begin requesting books and other materials on the library’s website here or by calling the branch directly at 214-671-2101. The Library To Go service will be available by appointment Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday noon to 7.
The Vickery Park branch is at 8333 Park Lane.