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Library director announces two new staff, new volunteer system and election use of community hub
Summary
Library Director Maria reported two recent hires for programming and STEAM/makerspace support, said a new volunteer registration system will launch within a week, and confirmed early-voting equipment delivery and related building use; the board was briefed on upcoming community events including Santa & Cookies and outreach activities.
Maria, the Farmers Branch library director, told the board the library added two staff members this month and will launch a new volunteer registration system ahead of a busy event season.
"Taylor and Rachel are both, just got started this past month," Maria said, identifying Taylor as a programming librarian and Rachel as a STEAM library assistant who will focus on makerspace and STEAM programming. The hires, Maria said, are intended to strengthen teen programming and makerspace offerings.
Maria also announced the library will roll out a new volunteer system called Give Bowl (described in the packet as the program the library will use) to register and schedule volunteers. The system will allow patrons to see volunteer opportunities and sign up online.
The director reported the community hub will host election equipment and early voting activity; equipment was expected to arrive on Tuesday and the hub will be closed to other uses until the start of early voting on the 21st. Maria said staff anticipate heavy foot traffic and are preparing line-management practices.
Maria reviewed upcoming outreach and seasonal events: a story-time picnic at the Nature Preserve, an outreach visit to Ponson Houses (listed in the packet), trunk-or-treat at McLaughlin/Kirkland where staff will decorate a vehicle, and the annual "Santa & Cookies" event scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. The board discussed volunteer coordination for these events; members agreed to serve and to coordinate photo-taking and volunteer buttons for the Santa event.
Maria also said the library will soon offer 12 opt-in newsletters (reader advisories) covering different genres and recommended titles the library holds.
Board members asked procedural questions about volunteer sign-ups and how volunteers are notified; Maria described the Give Bowl rollout as intended to make volunteer opportunities visible and self-service for patrons. The director said she will coordinate volunteers for outreach events and asked board members to notify staff if they cannot attend scheduled volunteer shifts.
The director’s report closed with staff workload and outreach updates; no formal board action was required.
