In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025, Sam T. Wilson Public Library continued to grow in our services and to provide new and unique learning opportunities for the Arlington community. The library is a hub for reading and learning, providing programs that bring our community together, and overall information access and literacy. 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
The Boyfriend
Most Popular Young Adult Title
Cinder
Most Popular Children's Title
The Scarlett Shedder
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 offer 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.
This year we added some backpacks for older children, including Logic puzzles, Money Math, and Astronomy.
TOTAL PHYSICAL CIRCULATION
TOTAL EMATERIALS CIRCULATION
TOTAL CIRCULATION
Programs
In FY 2024-2025, 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 for Adults, and Chess and Art programs 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 contests 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 2025, some of our summer favorite programs were offered:
- Family Movies & Popcorn was a new program offered on Mondays this summer, with raffle prizes!
- 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. A special program around Gardening for Kids was continued all summer, and our families enjoyed harvesting what they planted at the Community Garden, thanks to our Master Gardener leader.
Summer Reading
Patrons of all ages had fun exploring “Color Our World,” the theme behind Sam T. Wilson Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program. We kicked off the program with a Summer Reading Foam Party event attended by 300 eager participants. Other large events included a local author plus our Arlington Fire Department at the Park, our Shelby Forest Park Ranger events, and the Dixon Art Gallery’s Art2Grow programs. The competition for most minutes read was won by a boy in the Junior age category who read over 12,970 minutes in a 6-week period – more than 36 hours per week! This beat his second place performance last year. Our runner up was in the Adult category, reading 12,901 minutes or over 35 hours per week over 6 weeks. We had more Adult participants this year, which was great to see, and ages toddler to 97 participate.
PARTICIPANTS
BOOKS READ
BADGES CLAIMED
PRIZES AWARDED (LEVEL 1-5)
As part of our Summer Reading Programming, we continued 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. Chalk Fest Saturday was a hit, and Tie Dye Palooza involved lots of creativity, with over 50 items created.
SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
PROGRAM ATTENDEES
MINUTES READ
In partnership with the Library Friends of Arlington, we provided a full slate of “Color Our World” Summer Reading programming and events for our community. 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