DeSoto, Texas – The DeSoto community has long known its library is something special. Now, the rest of the state does, too.
The DeSoto Public Library has been named a recipient of the 2025 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA), placing it among the top 20 percent of public libraries statewide. Out of 545 public library systems across Texas, only 101 libraries earned the 2025 distinction. The award recognizes libraries that demonstrate exceptional service, innovation, and measurable community impact.
“We’re honored to receive the 2025 TMLDA Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award, said Library Director Heather McEntee, “celebrating the heart, impact, and dedication our library team brings to the DeSoto community”.
The DeSoto Public Library earned this recognition through expanded partnerships, enhanced programming, and services designed to support learning at every stage of life. A key partnership with the DeSoto Independent School District provides professional development opportunities for ISD educators at both the library and DeSoto High School, strengthening connections between classroom instruction and community resources.
The library has also introduced book kits for children, teens, and adults, encouraging literacy, family engagement, and lifelong learning across the community.
If you want to learn a new language, the DeSoto Public Library has you covered with their new Mango Languages database, giving card holders free access to more than 70 world languages and dialects. This new resource complements culturally responsive programming such as Spanish Story Time, further supporting multilingual learning and inclusion.
Together, these initiatives reflect the DeSoto Public Library’s evolution into a modern, community-centered institution that extends well beyond traditional library services.
As part of the Achievement of Excellence recognition, the library will receive official award materials from TMLDA, including a digital medal and promotional resources. A congratulatory video recognizing the library’s achievement will also be released in the coming weeks.
For more information about the DeSoto Public Library and its programs, visit the City of DeSoto’s website or follow the library on social media.
