Established 1901 Branches 16 Circulation 4 million | Location Fort Worth, Texas Size 2,065,000 Population served 686,850 | |
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Fort Worth Library is the public library system that serves the city of Fort Worth, Texas. The Fort Worth Public Libraries consist of 12 branches including the central library, two regional libraries, and two satellite branches throughout the city.
Contents
History
In April 1892, 20 women formed the idea for the city's first library while meeting at the home of Jenny Scheuber. Under the Fort Worth Public Library Association, this association received its state charter and with the financial support from Andrew Carnegie they brought the Fort Worth Public Library into existence. Carnegie donated building funds for the construction of more than 2,000 libraries in the United States and from 1886 to 1919 he donated $56 million. Carnegie suggested to the founding women that they ask the local gentlemen for "the price of a good cigar" to help raise the necessary local supporting funds. When the City Council approved spending $4,000 per year to run the library, Carnegie contributed $50,000 for the building. The Carnegie Public Library of Fort Worth opened on October 17, 1901, at Ninth and Throckmorton streets.
Central Library
Fort Worth's Central Library expansion officially opened October 22, 1999.
On March 28, 2000 the Fort Worth Tornado caused over a million dollars in damage to the new Central Library.
Central Library has a spacious Learning Commons for patrons to enjoy a book, magazine, or use a computer.
Also, Central Library offers its users free Internet access at the computer lab or with WiFi. Computer classes are also available to promote information literacy.
"Meet the Computer" class covers the parts of the computer, computer vocabulary, using a mouse, and information about purchasing a computer. No computer experience necessary.
Hands-on class covers history, characteristics, navigation and simple searching.
Hands-on class covers obtaining and using a Web e-mail account, creating and sending messages, plus e-mail do's and don'ts.
Hands-on class covers creating, editing, saving and printing documents; cutting/pasting; formatting text appearance; creating numbered and bulleted lists.
Hands-on class covers Excel toolbars, rows, columns & cells; navigating Excel; creating worksheets; using formulas and functions; creating graphs.
Regional Libraries
Branches
Special libraries
Partner library systems
Partner systems, which accept the MetroPAC cards accepted by the Fort Worth system, include: