Library

Census 2020 Student Poster Contest

The Census 2020 Complete Count Committee and the City of Duncanville are sponsoring a poster contest to engage students in a discussion about the Census. The accurate counting of all people affects the entire community, and involving children in the process helps them understand the Census and its importance in our everyday lives.

Poster Contest Information

The Census 2020 Student Poster Contest is open to all Public, Private and Homeschooled students in grade categories K-5 and 6 – 12 living or attending a school in the Duncanville city limits.

Poster Theme

Middle & High School Students Theme: “Count Me”
Kindergarten – 5th Grade Students Theme: “Count Me Too”

Entry Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2020

  • Posters must have a positive visual and verbal message and illustrate this year’s theme.
  • Any two-dimensional medium may be used (crayon, paint, pencil, marker, photos, etc).
  • Suggested Poster size is 11” x 17”.
  • Student’s Registration Page MUST be attached to the back of the poster to qualify. Please complete both sections.
  • No professional or copyrighted material or images.

Art, Science & Math Teachers, Guidance Counselors and Home School teachers are encouraged to use this contest as part of their curriculum. All students are urged to submit a poster. The winning posters will be used by the Duncanville Census 2020 Complete Count Committee through the campaign in various avenues to promote the mission.

Posters are judged in two categories: Best Message and Most Creative

Posters can be mailed or dropped off at City Hall at 203 E. Wheatland Road, Duncanville, before 5:00 pm on the deadline. Winners and Duncanville ISD will be notified by email and invited to a City Council meeting for recognition, date TBA. Questions about the poster contest should be directed to Chasidy Allen Benson at callen@duncanville.com or 972-707-3871.

About the Census

The Constitution mandates that the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency, conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail. This year mark the first time that citizens will be able to respond to the census online.

The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding goes to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790. Participating in the census is required by law, even if you recently completed another survey from the Census Bureau. A complete and accurate count is critical for you and your community, because the results of the 2020 Census will affect community funding, congressional representation, and more.

January 23, 2020 in Community, Front Page News, Government, Library

2019 Duncanville State of the City

On January 16, 2020, the Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Celebrate Duncanville: State of the City event at Hilton Garden Inn. Approximately 200 attendees from various businesses and community organizations came together to celebrate Duncanville’s progress over the past year, including awarding Duncanville’s Man and Woman of the Year, as well as the Mayor’s Choice Award for two local businesses.

The State of the City presented by Mayor Barry Gordon shares community highlights and city accomplishments for the year.

State of the City Video

The Mayor’s speech and PowerPoint presentation is also available in its entirety.

Mayor’s Speech & Presentation

2019 Duncanville Man and Woman of the Year

Man of the Year was awarded to Duncanville Police Officer Doug Sisk, pictured center with Mayor Gordon and wife Marlyse.
Woman of the Year was awarded to community visionary Betty Dunn, pictured with husband Weymond.

2019 Mayor’s Choice Award: Businesses

Redbird Skateland
Quality Aspirators
January 17, 2020 in Community, Comprehensive Plan, Finance, Fire, Front Page News, Government, Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, Public Works, Utility

Congratulations to the 2019 Leadership Academy Graduates

Congratulations to the 2019 Duncanville Leadership Academy graduates! Fourteen Duncanville city employees from various departments graduated from the City’s annual Leadership Academy on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. The purpose of the Leadership Academy is to recognize and develop upcoming leaders amongst the staff who exhibit qualities of integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, influence and positivity.

2019 Duncnaville Leadership Academy Graduates

Members of the 2019 Duncanville Leadership Academy

  • Esther Wright, Senior Code Enforcement Officer
  • Jose Torres, Crew Leader Streets
  • Stephanie Lott, Librarian
  • Duaine Mayo, Police Officer
  • Christopher McCaleb, Police Lieutenant
  • Ronald Wilcots, Police Lieutenant
  • Richard Jones, Fieldhouse Operations Supervisor
  • Derrick Downs, Crew Leader Utility Billing
  • Daisy Guillen, Court Clerk
  • Mike Forester, Crew Leader, Irrigation
  • David Dunn, Assistant Utilities Operations Manager
  • Angelica Garcia, Building Inspections Coordinator
  • Ervey Morales – Skilled Maintenance Worker Parks
  • Jimmy Shelley – Maintenance Worker Streets

The Leadership Academy is a one-year program that meets monthly for leadership training, which also includes city-related topics such as Introduction to City Values and Culture, Community Engagement, Council Relations, Strategic Planning, etc. Midway through the program, academy members divide into three groups and select a city-related project they are responsible for researching, developing, and implementing. The group projects for the 2019 academy program include:

  1. City University – Establish and implement a city-wide training and development program for employees
  2. Senior Center Expansion – Research and recommend expanded programs/services for the Duncanville D.L. Hopkins Jr. Senior Center
  3. Employee “Walk In Your Shoes” Day – Create a program where employees rotate through departments/divisions to learn/observe what each department does in the city
December 12, 2019 in Community, Culture, Finance, Fire, Front Page News, Government, Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, Public Works, Utility

Library Announces 2019 Summer Reading Club Winners

Duncanville Public Library Summer Reading Club participants Aliyah Jones, Jacqueline Solis, Jaedon Wilhite, and Abigail Sanchez are the grand prize winners of Kindle Fire tablets, courtesy of The Friends of the Duncanville Public Library.

All the winners, Aliyah, 6, Jacqueline, 9, Jaedon, 14, and Abigail, 15, reside in Duncanville. Kids and teens who completed the 20-hour reading log were entered in the grand prize drawing. The four winners were randomly selected out of 702 kids and teens who completed reading logs this summer.

A Universe of Stories was this year’s Summer Reading Club theme, and the library offered 75 free programs. Each year, the Duncanville Public Library hosts the summer reading club to provide incentives to encourage kids and teens to read over the summer. Studies show participation in summer reading programs enables children to maintain essential reading skills during their summer vacation. And, as a result, they are better prepared for the upcoming school year.

For more information about the library and its programs, visit www.duncanville.com/library or call 972-780-5050.

                    

August 8, 2019 in Community, Front Page News, Library

Duncanville Public Library Upgrades Online Interface

On Monday May 6, 2019 the Duncanville Public Library is switching over to a new Integrated Library System that will provide a robust, user-friendly online experience for patrons. The web-based software manages the library catalog, circulation, patron accounts, library materials cataloging and records management. Not only will users benefit from the latest library technology, but it also improves back end functionality to make facilitation of library services more efficient and streamlined. Patron accounts will feature automatic renewals, push notifications with reminders and the ability to search the e-books catalog.

Below are a few of the new features patrons can expect:

  • Automated renewals
  • Text notifications
  • Option to receive notifications in English or Spanish
  • Suggest books through the catalog and get staff responses
  • Browse the displays from home
  • Browse the items in the New area from home
  • Parents can view their children’s checkouts without having to log in separately
  • Make your own lists and view staff-created lists
  • Get notified when it’s almost time to renew your card
  • If Overdrive has items that fit your search, you’ll see that at the top of the page
  • “Did you mean” feature in search results
  • Limit search to currently available items
  • View – and clear – your PAC search history (only when logged into your own account)
  • If you typically only use e-resources, that activity will  be recognized in the Integrated Library System so that we know you’re an active patron
  • Staff have a lot more options for customization and making things work better

Visit the Duncanville Public Library!

April 15, 2019 in Front Page News, Library

People of Duncanville mini-interview

Sulema L.

  • What is your name and what do you do?  My name is Ms. Sulema Lira and I have been a bilingual elementary teacher in Duncanville for 5 years.
  • What’s your favorite free-time activity? Taking my son and daughter to the Duncanville city parks.
  • What’s something you’re proud of that others might not know about? (e.g. accomplishment, experience, skill) I’m proud of all of my accomplishments in life: graduating college, my 10 year experience in business, my 5 year experience in finance, and my 5 year experience as a bilingual elementary teacher. But most of all, I am proud of my children and the home I have built for them here in Duncanville.
  • How long have you lived in Duncanville? I have been a part of the Duncanville community for 8 years due to employment,  but I officially moved here last June.
  • What’s your favorite part of living here? The small town feel in a large metroplex. Also, the school district is pretty great.
  • What’s something that could be improved? Red Bird Mall could use a makeover.
  • What’s a favorite memory of Duncanville that you have? My favorite memory is teaching kindergarten as my son started kindergarten at Fairmeadows Elementary.  Another favorite memory is bowling at Red Bird Bowling Lanes with my family and friends.
February 20, 2018 in Library, People of Duncanville

Introducing Notary Services

Beginning on November 1, 2017 the Library will begin offering notary services. These services are low cost (only $1) and are open to all. You do not have to be a resident of Duncanville or a member of the Library in order to use the notary service.

F.A.Q.

  • Patrons must present their photo ID (issued by a governmental agency or a passport issued by the United States)
  • Documents presented must include the Notarial Certificate. Duncanville Library Staff will not print out or offer advice concerning Notarial Certificates
  • Patron must bring along a witness if needed. Library staff or other patrons cannot be solicited for transactions.
  • Documents to be notarized must be in English
  • Notaries may not notarize public record documents or photocopies of public record documents
  • Bring the document in its entirety with you to your appointment
  • There is a $1 fee per signature
  • Cash or check only payable at time of service
  • No Refunds
  • Notary may not complete an I-9 form.
  • Services are limited to Acknowledgments only.
  • Service not available on Mondays.

 

October 23, 2017 in Library

Sweep It Out Saturday

Sweep It Out Saturday is scheduled for October 7, 2017, from 8 am to 1 pm down James Collins Boulevard. Bring your paper for shredding, old electronics to be recycled, donations for Goodwill, bulky trash and brush for the dumpsters or volunteer to help clean up litter.

This event is made possible through partnerships with Goodwill, Keep Duncanville Beautiful, DFW Reclaimers and Republic Services.

Click here for the flyer

September 13, 2017 in Community, Library, Public Works

People of Duncanville

Mary Ann’s Duncanville Memories:

“When my husband began applying for promotions in 1984, I didn’t think much of it. Minot, ND? Yikes. Too cold. Baltimore? Too crowded. When one came through in Dallas, I felt weak. I loved my house and my job. My mother lived a few blocks away (read: babysitting). I played flute and piccolo in the local symphony. But I did what people do and said yes. (Babysitting grandmother was able to go on without us, luckily.) We looked everywhere for a house. Highland Park was nice, but oh my. Finally, driving across the bridge over I-20 on Camp Wisdom, I felt at peace. The schools were good, the people friendly, the commute to downtown Dallas reasonable. My husband thrived. My job let me transfer. No symphony job, but they do let me buy a ticket. I still love it here – it’s a beautiful little city that’s well maintained and has great people. I’m planning to stay!”

August 23, 2017 in Community, Library, People of Duncanville Comments (0)