DPL Spins Patrons Right Round | One Cool Thing

The Dallas Public Library (DPL) found a way to publicize its hidden vinyl record collection, clear its shelves of items that needed weeding, make some money, celebrate the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library’s 33rd anniversary, and show its patrons a good time—all at once. On the evening of September 17, 2015, the library held a record sale and party, complete with a DJ, refreshments, and a cash bar, dubbed the 33 1/3 party in honor of both the branch’s birthday and the revolutions per minute speed of LP records. The event “was really fun,” said organizer Heather Lowe, manager of DPL’s fine arts division, “much better attended than in our wildest dreams.” Thousands of weeded records were put up for sale at $2 apiece, with a 25 album per person limit. At the end of the evening, the library had netted more than $6,000.