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Kilgore Memorial Library opens makerspace pilot, schedules focus groups for comprehensive-plan input
Summary
Library director Deb Robertson and new makerspace coordinator Quentin Borwin briefed the board on upcoming community focus groups for the county comprehensive plan and on a funded makerspace pilot with open houses next week for disability-service partners.
Kilgore Memorial Library Director Deb Robertson and the library's new makerspace coordinator, Quentin Borwin, told commissioners the library will host county comprehensive-plan focus groups next week and a series of makerspace open-house sessions funded through an American Library Association grant.
Robertson said the countywide focus-day sessions are intended to gather community input about needs the library could meet and that facilitator Nicole from NTPD (the consultant named in the library packet) will run three sessions during one day to accommodate work schedules. "Next week is going to be a big week at the library," Robertson said, noting the library had provided handouts to commissioners with times and topics.
Quentin Borwin described the makerspace pilot, funded through a grant Robertson secured, and said the library will host small open houses for disability-service partners before a larger public opening later. The makerspace open houses are scheduled as follows: Monday, March 24, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, March 26, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.; and Thursday, March 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Borwin said these early sessions are "not a public grand opening" but are targeted to disability agencies (PACE, Mosaic, Art Garden) to test equipment and programming; a later public grand opening will be scheduled when the makerspace has full equipment and dedicated space.
Robertson said the initial makerspace setup will occupy a carved-out area in the library near the meeting room and that some shelving and repurposed paperback collections will be relocated to create the space. The library will offer simple projects during the pilot (tumblers, canvas bags, bookmarks) for attendees to take home and to help staff refine training and scheduling.
Contact and participation information were provided: the makerspace coordinator may be reached via the library office line or at create@cityofyork.ne.gov for scheduling and questions about the pilot open houses. Robertson asked commissioners to note the library's role as a community resource and to encourage participation.
No formal board action was requested on the library items at the meeting.
