Library’s Inaugural Building A Dream Gala Featured Arlington Bestselling Author Sandra Brown

By Arlington Public Library

Posted on March 30, 2017, March 30, 2017

More than 130 library supporters enjoyed an elegant evening at the Arlington Museum of Art on March 25, 2017, for the Arlington Public Library's inaugural Building A Dream Gala.

Sandra Brown, New York Times bestselling author and long-time Arlington resident, was the series' first featured guest. The evening included live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and exclusive silent auction items. Guests also enjoyed remarks from Ms. Brown and other speakers about why they support the Downtown Library.

"The accessibility of books is a huge issue," Ms. Brown said. "Books and stories are outreach in a time when we need ways to bring us together. The Downtown Library's new programs will cross gender, generational, and socioeconomic divides to become an example for communities all around the country."

Ms. Brown and her husband Michael are long-time library supporters and see the library as a hub of everything to be proud of in Arlington. She currently serves as honorary chair of the Dream:CENTRAL capital campaign for the new Downtown Library.

Mary and John Hibbs, co-chairs of the capital campaign, agreed that literacy and education are the true equalizers of a community.

"Someone invested in me as a child by taking me to a library, and because of that, I was the first in my family to graduate from college," John Hibbs said. "The Arlington Public Library and out other educational groups are doing the same thing to stop generational poverty here in our community. I'm asking all of you to contribute what you can to that cause."

Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams described the Downtown Library as a "center for learning and innovation in the heart of our community." He commended both Arlington's City Council and the library's staff, including Director of Libraries Yoko Matsumoto, for boldly committing to a new model of library services. "This facility is where dreams will become reality in our community."

Building A Dream is a new series of premier fundraising events presented by the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library in support of the new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library.

The City of Arlington and the FFAPL have formed a public-private partnership in to raise funds for the new building, which is currently under construction north of City Hall. After the library opens to the public in 2018, the gala will continue to support programming and events based out of the new location.

This year's event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Downtown Arlington,Tarrant County College, Southwest Bank, Pinnacle Management, Frost Bank, and Joe and Doreen Bruner.

Click here to see how you get involved in the new library.