Library director reports rising attendance, announces Innovation Zone soft launch and summer programming

The Farmers Branch library director told the board the library saw strong program attendance and is preparing to open its Innovation Zone to the public.

The director reported "nearly 1,300 people" attended library events in April, including about 175 at an eclipse viewing event, roughly 345 monthly attendees at English-as-a-second-language classes and about 300 monthly participants across baby bounce and toddler story time programs. The director said staff are working hard to engage the community and highlighted a recent online mention listing the library among favorite public libraries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Staff outlined plans for the summer reading kickoff with a theme described as "Adventure begins at your library." The director said the library will run a soft launch of an Innovation Zone at the kickoff: "We'll have our equipment out... We'll have, starting the day after, so on 2nd, the Glowforge will be available for reservations. The 3D printer will be available for reservations. We'll have our Cricut available for use, sewing machines." The board also discussed recruiting volunteers to staff community events and using a short sticker-survey at outreach booths to learn patron preferences and optimal program times.

Facilities work was also noted: staff thanked facilities for installing a new air-conditioning unit and quickly repairing a section of ceiling in the children—9s area that fell, which was fixed within a week. The library will continue to bring program and policy items back to the board for future meetings.