HomeMy WebLinkAbout28269-01-2026 - City Council - OrdinanceORDINANCE NO. 28269-01-2026
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19, "LIBRARIES," OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS (2015), AS AMENDED,
TO REVISE ARTICLE II, SECTION 19-15, "DEFINITIONS AND
POLICIES," TO UPDATE THE DEFINITIONS OF "LIBRARY
MATERIALS," "LIBRARY SERVICES," AND "NONRESIDENT
STUDENT"; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council is authorized to amend the Code of the City of Fort Worth
to ensure that library policies reflect current practices and promote access to library resources;
WHEREAS, the Fort Worth Public Library seeks to modernize and clarify key definitions
related to library materials, services, and eligibility for certain card types;
WHEREAS, updating the definition of "library materials" to explicitly include digital
items will better reflect the library's offerings;
WHEREAS, broadening the definition of "library services" will more accurately
encompass the full range of resources and programs provided by the library; and
WHEREAS, including homeschooled students in the definition of "nonresident student"
will promote educational access for all students regardless of schooling type.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
SECTION 1.
Article II, Section 19-15, "Definitions and Policies," of Chapter 19, "Libraries," of the
Code of the City of Fort Worth (2015), as amended, is hereby amended in part by revising the
definitions of "library materials," "library services," and "nonresident student" to read as follows:
LIBRARY MATERIALS. Any bec4, prxphl. , ,
t, th1 ufac+ t, o .,, f
the lib fafy thfetig, the ^ ,st,,..-,afy ehee . eut p educe of s,iz11i1•rar-f Ito in librlar,
use. All physical and digital items provided by the library for check out or in -library use.
LIBRARY SERVICES. Shall include, but not be limited to, access to available
information and recreational materials, aceess to uter- teehnelogy sefviees,^�
son€ererrEe feem,meeting roamsz ter-itim f4c-ilities alll tottechnolo�!v, spaces and
programs sponsored by the library.
NONRESIDENT SUTDENT. A nonresident individual who is currently enrolled in
grades We h 12, inZuzive—, of-a�rnmlly reeegnized edueatien l an accredited
educational organization or homeschooled.
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code of the City of
Fort Worth, Texas (2015), as amended, except where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct
conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, in which event conflicting
provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or
decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the
remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same
would have been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any
such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect following its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Taylor C. Paris
Senior Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: January 27. 2026
Jannette S. Goodall,
City Secretary