Dallas Public Library wins Innovations Award

The Dallas Public Library’s GED Testing and Workforce Development Project has been recognized for its innovation as a tool for Dallas adults to earn their GED by the Urban Libraries Council. Having a GED allows Dallas residents to hold better jobs and earn high wages. In some parts of Dallas, nearly 50 percent of adults over the age of 25 have less than a high school education.

Dallas Public Library’s GED Testing and Workforce Development Project was created to address the needs of the nearly 28 percent of Dallas County adults with less than a high-school education. Dallas Public Library opened the first GED testing center in a public library in Texas and has since become the leader among Dallas area certified testing centers. In 2016, the library administered the most exams (870) with the most graduates (131) and highest pass rate (79 percent). The Library also offers scholarships for qualifying learners.

“By offering GED testing in our Central Library and full scholarships in partnership with Atmos Energy, we have lowered barriers for adults seeking to change their lives. The testing center allows the library to walk with adults through their GED journey and beyond to pursuing better jobs or higher education,” said Jo Giudice, Director of Libraries.