In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024, Sam T. Wilson Public Library continued to grow in our services and to provide learning opportunities provided for our Arlington community. Lisa Lance, former Library Director, served our library in the first half of the year, before moving to Texas to run another library. I joined as Director in January 2024, moved to Arlington in April, and have truly enjoyed getting to know our patrons and this community. We meet new Arlington residents almost weekly, when they come to get their library cards, and it is fun to see the growth of our town through its people.
The Library has fulfilled our goal of remaining a vital community space, open and available 40 hours a week. Patrons are deeply connected to the Library, enjoying our many programs and services that extend beyond our physical and digital collections. Read on for a recap of a wonderful and eventful year for all involved with the Sam T. Wilson Public Library.
Jennifer Jenkins, Library Director
Our Mission
LIBRARY VISITS
New Cards
REFERENCE ENCOUNTERS
CRAFT KITS PROVIDED
We offer:
- Physical Collection – books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks
- Digital Access to Libby (eBooks, magazines and audiobooks)
- Access to the Tennessee Electronic Library: research databases and learning resources
- Educational Programs and Services
- Personalized Reading Recommendations
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Home and Traditional Schooling Support
- Career and Resume Building Assistance
- Computer Access and Assistance
- Printing, Scanning, Copying Services
- Meeting/Tutoring Space
Collections
Sam T. Wilson Public Library offers downloadable eBooks and audiobooks from the Libby App, which supplements our collection and serves the needs of patrons who might be going on a trip and want access to various audiobooks, for example. Our patrons also enjoy borrowing privileges from the Millington Public Library, and vice-versa. Finally, the State of Tennessee provides the Tennessee Electronic Library for use across the state – this is a collection of databases and resources used for adults and children, for education and research needs.
Most Popular Adult Title
It Ends With Us
Most Popular Young Adult Title
Catching Fire
Most Popular Children's Title
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer
When asked what she loves about the Library, Lucille U. said: “Books! Especially chapter books. I’m getting better at reading. But also all the things to do at the library.”
– Lucille U. (Age 8), Patron
In our local collection, we added a Spanish collection for our Spanish-speaking patrons and we also began a Library of Things program consisting of Library Backpacks with books and educational toys, across various topics. Learning about the alphabet, colors, telling time, and tying shoes as well as dinosaurs, space, and construction are just some of the topics for our Backpacks.
TOTAL PHYSICAL CIRCULATION
TOTAL EMATERIALS CIRCULATION
TOTAL CIRCULATION
Programs
In FY 2023-2024, Sam T. Wilson Library offered a variety of programs across ages and backgrounds. Storytime, Builder’s Club, and STEM activities continued to be popular programs for children while, Book Club and Knitting Club for Adults, and Chess, and Art remained available for all ages!
TOTAL PROGRAMS
TOTAL PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
“We patronize the library on a weekly basis. Initially I got a library card for books. But we quickly began taking our daughter (7) to the weekly Builders Club and STEM Night. We soon became regulars. We started attending the monthly art class and both enjoy expressing our creativity. I have taken my youngest (3) to the Toddler Story Time on Tuesdays and she loves seeing other children. These days we use the library for so much more than borrowing books. It has become a place of friendship and community. We participate in the seasonal bookmark contest and always look forward to Spring for the Seed Library. The Sam T. Wilson library has become our “3rd Place” for myself and our children.”
– Charlotte M., Patron
In 2024, new programs were added in the summer:
- Spanish Saturday offered once a month introduced Spanish words and pronunciation, with kids and adults learning different topics each week.
- Literacy Pop! helped supplement children’s reading skills while away from school. Beginning readers played sight word bingo and other learning games on our Library Patio, and enjoyed Popsicles at the end.
- Finally, we hosted homeschool families for Homeschool Hangout on Wednesday mornings to share ideas, encourage community building, and expand library programs and engagement.
Summer Reading
Patrons of all ages had fun exploring “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” the theme behind Sam T. Wilson Public Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program. We kicked off the program with a Summer Reading Carnival event attended by 225 eager participants. Other large events included Magic Mr. Nick’s Dino Crew, our Shelby Forest Park Ranger event, and the Dixon Art Gallery’s Art2Grow programs. We especially enjoyed watching the competition for most minutes read grow between two boys in the Junior age category – they each read over 10,200 minutes in a 6-week period – more than 28 hours per week!
TOTAL REGISTRATIONS
BOOKS READ
BADGES CLAIMED
PRIZES AWARDED (LEVEL 1-5)
As part of our Summer Reading Programming, we added Bingo for all ages with two sessions on Mondays. This is a beloved, well-attended, and VERY lively and competitive program with lots of prizes and fun. We offered a Treasure Map art program, and Making Dragon Eggs art program in support of our “Adventure” theme along with some fun Pop-Up programs like Friendship Bracelet making on other days. Chalk Fest Saturday was a hit, and Tie Dye Palooza involved lots of creativity – both programs were held in our parking lot area under the trees. Our Summer Bookmark Contest had 88 entries, and we have so enjoyed seeing our community’s talent and creativity shine through this program!
SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
PROGRAM ATTENDEES
MINUTES READ (EARLY READER - TEEN)
In partnership with the Library Friends of Arlington, we developed a wonderful relationship with Memphis 901 FC soccer club, resulting in a corporate sponsorship purchasing soccer game tickets for all of our Summer Reading participants. Overall, we had phenomenal sponsor support for our Summer Reading Program, and had a record amount of in-kind donations, used for programs and prizes.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Library Friends of Arlington, and Community partners for another fantastic Summer Reading Program!
Thank You, Partners
We appreciate the many partners who contributed
this past year to our programs and overall mission
of supporting the Arlington, Tennessee community
and our patrons.
- Town of Arlington Staff
- Library Friends of Arlington
- Sam T. Wilson Library Board
- Arlington Senior Center
- Arlington Community Schools
- Business supporters of our Summer Reading program and prizes
- Library Systems & Services staff