ARLINGTON, Texas—Inside the Arlington Public Library, quiet reading nooks and busy computer stations coexist with lively programs meant to spark curiosity.

For Library Director Norma Zuniga, that balance is at the heart of what modern libraries should do: serve as “a bridge from curiosity to opportunity for a vibrant Arlington.”
Zuniga, who has worked with the city’s library system for 25 years and served as director for the last five, said the role of libraries has changed but remains essential.

“People still have this image of libraries as these old, dusty, yellowing pages where everybody’s going to tell you to be quiet,” she said. “That’s not the libraries of today.”

A career built on literacy

Zuniga began as a children’s librarian, where her passion for empowering young readers guided her work.

“I love reading. I think it’s a skill set that people don’t give enough credit for how much you’re going to need it,” she said. “Not just the reading part of it, but the comprehension side of it.”

Her early years included designing programs to make books come alive—whether with Harry Potter afternoons or Captain Underpants-themed activities. She said the goal was to connect children to stories in ways that made reading joyful rather than a chore.

“That really is what propels the joy of reading—making it an experience,” Zuniga said.

Serving the whole community

Today, Arlington Public Library serves residents of all ages with a mix of traditional resources and creative programs. Chess clubs, Dungeons & Dragons sessions and even spice tastings are part of the calendar.

“Our philosophy is we want to create a community of readers and a community of learners,” Zuniga said.

Among the most popular programs is Discover Summer, a reading initiative that offers incentives and hundreds of events each June and July. The program aims to help students maintain reading skills during the break from school.

“Technology is frying our brains,” Zuniga said. “We need to be able to understand what we’re reading. Discover Summer is intended to maintain those skills so when students go back in the fall, they’re not as rusty.”

Throughout the year, seasonal challenges encourage patrons to keep reading — whether it’s logging books in a winter break app challenge or earning badges during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Balancing books and technology

One of the library’s biggest challenges, Zuniga said, is balancing the rise of digital content with the enduring demand for print books.

“We want to stay up with the times,” she said. “We want to stay up to speed with emerging technologies and make sure the library offers technology to bridge the digital divide. But at the same time, we’re trying to encourage reading.”

Electronic books, audiobooks and magazines continue to see rising use, but Zuniga says she still prefers holding a book.

“For me, it’s all about balance,” she said. “I’m on the computer all day long for work, so I need to take it upon myself to balance that out.”

The Arlington library system now integrates technology throughout its services, from online card applications to mobile printing. But Zuniga said none of those advances replace the human connection at the heart of library work.

“It’s really a career that empowers others,” she said. “We don’t get to keep anything. We’re passing on a skill to make their life better.”

Partnerships and outreach

The Arlington library also works beyond its walls, connecting with schools, summer camps and apartment complexes to reach people who may not visit on their own. Reciprocal borrowing agreements with Mansfield and Kennedale extend resources across city lines, while residents of Pantego and Dalworthington Gardens are granted access through local partnerships.

Even the library’s physical presence is designed to challenge stereotypes. Its downtown branch is an 80,000-square-foot building that hosts everything from tutoring sessions to cultural events.

“Marketing is a key component to everything we do,” Zuniga said. “We want to let people know that libraries are still out there.”

A mission for Arlington

Zuniga said it’s easy to summarize her vision of the library’s role in the community.

“Our goal is to be a bridge from curiosity to opportunity for a vibrant Arlington,” she said.

Whether through a child discovering their first favorite book or an adult finding community at a club meeting, Zuniga said the library’s mission is to connect people to what they need most.

“We may not have all the answers, but we will connect you,” she said. “Our role is to serve as a bridge.”