Trey Ford, the Denton Public Library technology librarian, explaining The Forge at North Branch Library to Robson Ranch residents (photo by Linda Bono)
Linda Bono
Raise your hand if you’re a bookworm. My hand is already waving wildly in the air! Join me and put your arm up—no one’s watching! And what bookworm doesn’t love a library?! So, how lucky are we to have our Robson Ranch Library right here on the property with the Denton Public Library (DPL) making regular visits to bring some of their services directly to residents?! On their visits, the Denton Public Library librarians also answer questions and provide information on all the resources they offer. If you haven’t made it to the Robson Library for a DPL visit yet, put it on your calendar for 2023. I think you’ll be glad you did!
On Sept. 21 three DPL librarians were in our Robson Ranch Library, in the CATC building, to sign up residents for DPL cards, to renew expired library cards, and to answer questions about using e-readers to download electronic books, audiobooks, movies, and other materials available digitally from the Denton Public Library. The librarians were happy to answer questions about their CloudLibrary and Hoopla digital services. On their September visit, they provided hands-on e-reader assistance to numerous residents and signed up 42 residents for library cards.
On Oct. 12 DPL’s Outreach Librarian Haley Phillips, and Technology Librarian Trey Ford, made a presentation in the Robson Library that covered The Forge Makerspace at North Branch Library, as well as DPL’s wide assortment of online resources. The Forge and the DPL’s online research tools (many of which can even be accessed from your home computer) are impressive!
Briefly, The Forge at North Branch Library is a creative space for crafters, coders, makers, and anyone wanting to learn a new skill or see their imagination come to life. It’s a makerspace that provides the knowledge to innovate, the space to collaborate, and the tools to help you bring your ideas to life. The Forge provides classes, meeting space, creative software, and innovative hardware, offering resources in 3D printing, electronics, robotics, web design, graphic design, digital art, animation, video editing, computer programming, and small business solutions.
More information on the Denton Public Library and all its resources, including The Forge, can be found at www.library.cityofdenton.com. There’s also a catalog of classes and events offered by the library, and it includes a wide range of interesting possibilities—just to name a few of the currently listed items: arts and crafts from Crochet 101 to Paper Marbling; technology including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; and various book clubs, including Books on Tap, where the library is combining “booze and books,” bringing book discussions to local bars and breweries.
While you’re thinking about libraries, be sure to check out the Robson Ranch Library website, too, at www.robsonlibrary.org.
“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”—Henry Ward Beecher