Writer’s legacy leads to wish list

By Mary Wilonsky

Karen Blumenthal, the acclaimed writer and a fierce advocate for libraries, loved her nearby Forest Green library, but knew that her Northeast Dallas neighborhood deserved better.

Her years of lobbying for the Dallas Public Library system included an emphasis on the need to replace the small, inadequate Forest Green branch, and her efforts are coming to fruition with a new building scheduled to open in 2021.

Sadly, Karen is not here to celebrate her achievement. The award-winning journalist and author of young adult nonfiction passed away suddenly last May.

To honor her memory, Karen’s friends and admirers have launched a fundraising campaign to enhance the new library — on Greenville Avenue just south of Forest Lane — and turn Forest Green into a truly exceptional community center.

“Forest Green was such a big part of Karen’s life, and it means so much to us to have this wonderful new library become part of her legacy.” said Scott McCartney, Karen’s husband. 

In the digital age, McCartney said: “Karen showed us that libraries are more important than ever. They’re community resources for children and learning centers for people seeking a better life, bringing the latest and greatest to everyone, regardless of income. And for Karen, libraries were the backbone of her research and writing life. Every book she wrote — all 12 of them — started at the library.’’

The wish list for Forest Green includes technology upgrades, interactive learning supplies, and furniture for play centers, reading areas and an early literacy station. The price tag is $85,000, and about $35,000 has already been donated to Friends of the Dallas Public Library in Karen’s memory.

“We hope to raise more than just the remaining $50,000,” said Mary Wilonsky, executive director of the Friends. “Anything over that amount will go toward a permanent endowment to support materials enhancements and programming at Forest Green for years to come.”

Wilonsky said Blumenthal, a long-time Friends of the Dallas Public Library board member and Municipal Library Board member representing District 10, was instrumental in ensuring that the city’s 2017 bond package included funds for a new Forest Green branch.

“The city is building a fine new library, more than twice the size of the old one,” she said. “As a tribute to Karen, we want to turn a good library into a great one that will serve the community in so many ways. This was her vision, and we are proud to carry on her work.”

For more information about Karen Blumenthal and her work, go to karenblumenthal.com/. For more about the new Forest Green library, and to donate to the fund in Karen’s memory, go to supportdpl.org/forest-green-wish-list.