The Colony Public Library has received the 2021 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA). TMLDA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League.
Each year TMLDA confers awards for outstanding contributions to public libraries. To successfully receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award, the applicant must exhibit excellence in each of 10 categories:
- Services to underserved populations either through outreach, special programs, collaborations with other libraries or organizations, special classes, special collections, etc.
- Enhanced service to the public during the past year either through increase in service or a change in type of services
- Innovative and effective current marketing materials highlighting basic services and publicity about specific programs the library offers
- Cultural, topical, and educational programming for adults and families
- Literacy support for all ages
- Summer reading club
- Collaborative efforts with community organizations
- Workforce development support
- Digital inclusion support by providing public internet access, digital literacy training, and offering library services online
- Professional staff training to include training opportunities for staff at all levels
The Colony Public Library demonstrated distinction with its many programs and services including offering a Play-Learn-Grow Early Learning Space, hosting a Summer Reading Challenge, partnering with UNT Health Science Center Library to provide a health information kiosk, implementing drive-thru window service, creating a seed library, circulating mobile hotspots for internet checkout, and expanding 24/7 WiFi access to the parking lot.
According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 565 public libraries exist in Texas. Of those libraries, only 59 received this award in 2021.