Bookmarks, Dallas, Texas

Our final library visit in the great Lone State started with a visit to the mall. Yes, the mall! As we were researching the libraries in the area in preparation for our visit, we came across a listing for Bookmarks, a Dallas Public Library branch located in NorthPark Center. We were intrigued by the concept of a library branch in a mall. We’d seen one example in Savannah but were curious to see it in another location.

When you first see it in person, it’s unassuming. It looks like a typical mall storefront. You can see from signage, though, that it is a part of the Dallas Public Library system. We walked into the space and immediately noticed it was small. You can see the entirety of the library from the front.

We had the opportunity to speak to the librarian at the desk and asked a few questions. Our biggest question: how did a library get in the mall? It turns out the owner of the mall reached out and asked for a branch to be located there. We proceeded to ask more questions to get an idea of how this library is run.

Bookmarks is a small branch that primarily serves children from the ages of infancy to five years old. The library’s programming is what draws people in. Because it is so small, overcrowding can be an issue - especially in the summer. The librarian admitted that there are times they must act as bouncers to limit the number of people coming into the space. 

Of course we also had to ask whether there were ever any issues with people leaving children unattended. Just to be clear, unattended children are not allowed. The policy clearly states that someone over the age of 18 must stay with a child. The small space allows that policy to be enforced. 

Physically, the space is necessarily compact. The walls are lined with short shelves filled with children’s books with charming art to accent it. The soft seating and toys dispersed throughout the room invite patrons to stay a while. What drew our eye as we walked further in was a play area and mural at the end of the room. The Atmos Energy logo was displayed here and after learning about its initiatives from the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, we assumed that the Atmos Energy company had a hand in making this area of the branch a reality. 

We eventually made a turn around the room, and saw it was divided by a decorative structure that could also be used by patrons. There were tables and chairs, but it also contained elements where children could play. The end of the structure had two public computers. This was tucked away in a corner that didn’t allow for an exit, so we had to turn around and double back to leave. 

Overall, this is a cute library branch. It serves the needs of the younger community, and it’s made accessible by being in a mall. A library in a mall is an innovative idea. We love to hear about other examples, please reach us at infor@librarylandproject.org to share!