The Carrollton Public Library is making moves to cater to its diverse patronage with an infusion of $2,500 in grant funds from the Texas Library Grant, awarded by the Texas Book Festival, to bolster its Korean-language collection. According to a recent announcement on the City of Carrollton's official website, this financial boost is set to expand the variety of books available in Korean, including both fiction and nonfiction works across genres such as cooking, wellness, self-help, and parenting.
In selecting the new titles, the library staff did not work in isolation; instead, they sought the guidance of native Korean speakers and professionals well-versed in Korean cultural nuances, the aim was to curate books that resonate with the community and elevate the library's existing catalog. The push for more Korean-language content follows a visible demand—library circulation stats had shown that Korean materials were often checked out, and a 2022 survey revealed a strong public interest in expanding this section.
"One of our goals is adapting resources to reach residents who may have never used the Library before, in addition to expanding our collection based on what current patrons want to see," Collection Resources Supervisor Gabriela Montantes articulated the library's dual aim, as per the City of Carrollton. People both familiar and unfamiliar with the library's offerings stand to gain from this initiative, aiming to make the library a more inclusive space for Carrollton's diverse populace.
The Carrollton Public Library joins the ranks of 44 other Texas libraries that were recipients of the grant in 2024, continuing a tradition of library enhancement that the Texas Book Festival has championed since 1996, with the festival's proceedings fortifying library collections across the state to better serve their patrons needs. Carrollton's citizens may now explore the new Korean-language materials, housed exclusively at the Hebron & Josey Library, and residents can get their free library card, and browse the full catalog, among other services by visiting the library's website.
