About the Library

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Located on bustling Clematis Street in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach proudly serves our community with books, performances, classes, research, entertainment, technology, music and more.

You'll find all of the above throughout our four floors as we strive to inspire, inform and and provide people with support to enhance their quality of life.

We welcome residents and visitors alike every day. Come explore and find what you're looking for at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. If you live, work or play in West Palm Beach, we encourage you to get a library card.

In order to provide even better customer service, you can now begin the registration process online! Simply fill out the online form. You will then have access to all we have to offer.

— Lisa Hathaway, Director

Mission

Creating inspired lives by connecting people with information, ideas, and shared experiences.

Vision

Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach supports the community by fostering connections and enhancing quality of life by:

  • Encouraging a love of books and reading
  • Providing an expanded and enhanced collection of books, music, movies and digital resources
  • Serving as a collaborative community gathering and meeting space
  • Supporting businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, families, job seekers, veterans and economic development
  • Providing cost-effective services and resources
  • Nourishing and inspiring the City's diverse communities
  • Providing information and self-development opportunities
  • Connecting people with the newest technologies
  • Providing exceptional customer service

Strategic Plan

FY 25, FY26, FY27

The three-year strategic plan for the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach will provide the vision and the direction to serve the diverse and vibrant community of West Palm Beach in a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive manner. This plan will guide staff to offer engaging programming, provide the newest technological resources, support access to enhanced collections, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Goal One: Be A Gathering Place For Our City

  • Provide library programs that are responsive to the community.
  • Identify the opportunities and assets to cultivate collaborative relationships and community-based services.
  • Partner with local cultural organizations and City of West Palm Beach departments to provide programming and support.
  • Recruit local businesses and volunteers with subject expertise to provide informational programming.
  • Provide a safe, vibrant, clean, and fully accessible space.

Goal Two: Help Families And Young People Succeed

  • Create and inspire young readers with innovative, interactive, and research-influenced storytimes, activities, and initiatives.
  • Develop programs to enhance school readiness and student achievement.
  • Build strong collaborations with schools.
  • Support the emotional and social well-being of children, teens, and their families.
  • Provide services and intentional outreach via Mandel Mobile to support opportunity for all.

Goal Three: Create A Literate City

  • Explore and increase new technologies and products to expand upon the library's digital collection.
  • Expand the library's materials collection to reflect the diversity of the community.
  • Provide equitable and free access to all library services.
  • Offer courses for adult learners in adult basic education, English as a second language, citizenship, small business opportunities, and much more.

Goal Four: Make Technology Accessible To All

  • Promote digital equity by providing free access to the latest technology and digital trends.
  • Provide education responsive to community needs for effective and informed technology use.
  • Provide access to unique collections and non-traditional resources (e.g. Virtual Reality, 3D Printer, Technology & Innovation Center, Driving Simulator)
  • Identify funding opportunities for new equipment to improve library services.

Goal Five: Deliver Exceptional Customer Experiences

  • Create and maintain a positive work environment by providing the training and tools for staff to excel.
  • Hire and retain staff with excellent customer-service skills.
  • Evaluate customer experiences to create informed decision making.
  • Reduce or eliminate barriers to library services and resources.
  • Enhance or maintain transparency, efficiency, and consistency at all levels of service.

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