2018-01-08 Minutes DENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
MINUTES OF LIBRARY BOARD
North Branch Library- The Forge
January 8, 2018
Attending: Alice Mankoff, Laura Cantu, Amy Taylor, Sarah Gamblin, Sashenka Lopez
Absent: Kate Margolis, Sherry DeBorde
Library Staff. Jennifer Bekker, Trey Ford, Technology Librarian
CALLED TO ORDER: Called to order by Alice Mankoff at 5:35.
PUBLIC FORUM: No members of the public present.
APPROVE MINUTES
The December 11, 2017 meeting minutes were approved. Taylor made the motion to approve;
Gamblin seconded.
LIBRARY REPORT: Jennifer Bekker
• Trey Ford, Technology Librarian gave a tour and presentation about The Forge, the
makerspace at the North Branch Library. Before it became makerspace, it was a
computer lab, often unused. From 2014 forward, this makerspace veers toward
electronics/tech focus.
Use of the Forge technology is available to all, even those without a library card. The
space can be reserved for groups or organizations during open unscheduled hours. There
is some collaboration with schools, especially school librarians.
The Forge contains 12 public PCS and 1 instructor computer; 2 big screens attached to
instructor computer; two 3D printers; 2 IMACS (IMACS and instructor computer have
adobe creative suite. All other PCS have basic office materials); other items include: USB
microphone, guitars, Arduino kits, soldering irons, and snap circuits.
Types of classes offered include programming, web design, design in general, creative
cloud suite, 3D printing class, and"What's Inside Your Computer" class.
• TechSoup for Libraries
The Library is working with the City's Technology Services department to upgrade
library computers. The Library will use TechSoup to significantly reduce software costs
for the operating systems, MS Office, and Adobe products.
TechSoup is a non-profit organization that works with software vendors to provide
donated software for public libraries. For example, work with Microsoft Office to get
95% off product. Adobe Software is offered at half the cost.
• Library Staff Development Day, Feb. 23, 2018
The Library will close for its mandatory annual staff development day. The day's
itinerary includes speakers, the Annual Report from director and breakout sessions.
• Online Library Card Signup
This allows our citizens an opportunity to sign up for a library card from home. It is not
an immediate full-service card.
Initial plan:
o Citizen fills out the online form.
o The entry generates an email to staff.
o Staff create an e-card and emails that to the customer.
o The customer can then check out ebooks and use databases.
o The online card expires in 30 days. At that time, the customer would need to
come in to their show ID. No physical materials are checked out until an ID is
shown.
o Demo for this program is coming soon.
• Texas Library Association membership and annual conference
Members of board are invited to become members of TLA and attend the annual
conference in Dallas, April 3-6, 2018. Membership and registration fees will be paid by
the library.
FOUNDATION REPORT: Jennifer Bekker
• Checking account: $15,676.51
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY REPORT: No report. Sherry DeBorde was not present.
NEW BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 5: City Council luncheon meeting at the library to hear the Library Annual Report and
Strategic Plan update.
February 12: Next Library Board meeting at the South Branch Library, Meeting Room—will
receive the Annual Report presentation
Meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Taylor