Congratulations are once again in order for the McAllen Public Library (MPL). The library garnered the Award of Excellence by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA) for the third consecutive year. MPL is one of only 43 libraries in Texas to receive the award in 2016.

“I am so proud of the MPL staff at all three locations,” said Kate Horan, Library Director. “We have more than 99,000 registered library cardholders and the staff work hard to bring the highest quality services and innovative programming for citizens of all ages and abilities.”

During the 2015-16 fiscal year, MPL received 991,659 visitors and answered 148,697 questions from patrons. The library circulated 668,899 books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, Blu-rays and more. Close to 54,000 people attended a wide range of programs and events which focused on literacy, arts and crafts, health and wellness, storytelling, and lifelong learning opportunities.

Horan says she is especially proud of services to children and young adults in the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to weeks of packed calendars for the Summer Reading Program, MPL offers the annual McAllen Book Festival for children and teens, coding classes, and many other programs to encourage learning and reading throughout one’s life.

“I think the McAllen Public Library has received this recognition for the past three years because it consistently brings high quality programs and services to all of our citizens,” McAllen Mayor Jim Darling said. “Our library continues to meet the evolving needs of our community members. We are so proud of this facility.”

The excellence award is open to all TMLDA members and the library they represent. Recipients must meet 10 areas of criteria to capture the award, including conducting a summer reading program; creating proof of marketing materials for the library and its events; and investing in collaborative efforts with schools, museums and other libraries, according to the TMLDA.

TMLDA, which began in 1966, aims to promote the public library profession, improve the methods of providing library service and maintain high standards of professional ethics.