Denton Announces Library Service Enhancements

Denton, TX—In a bid to better serve the community and cater to the evolving needs of library patrons, the City of Denton has announced several updates and enhancements to its library services. These changes will be implemented starting Thursday, August 1, 2024, and are designed to improve accessibility, expand available resources, and enhance the overall experience for library users.

Key Updates to Library Services:

1. Extended Hours at South Branch Library: The South Branch Library will increase its operating hours from 61 to 64 hours per week. This extension includes earlier opening and closing times on Mondays and longer evening hours on Thursdays. The new schedule is as follows:
   • Monday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (previously Noon – 9 p.m.)
   • Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (unchanged)
   • Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (unchanged)
   • Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (previously 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
   • Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (unchanged)
   • Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (unchanged)
   • Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (unchanged)
   These adjustments aim to accommodate the diverse schedules of the library’s patrons, providing more opportunities for community members to access library services.
2. Adjusted Hours at Forge Makerspace, North Branch Library: The Forge Makerspace at North Branch Library will see a reduction of five hours in its weekly drop-in availability. However, the number of days on which these services are available will increase, allowing the library to better align with the usage patterns of its patrons. The updated schedule is:
   • Monday: Closed (unchanged)
   • Tuesday: 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (previously 2 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
   • Wednesday: Closed (unchanged)
   • Thursday: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (previously 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
   • Friday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (newly added hours)
   • Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (unchanged)
   • Sunday: Closed (unchanged)
   The Forge Makerspace will continue to offer scheduled classes and “book-a-librarian” appointments, ensuring that patrons have access to specialized support and learning opportunities throughout the week.

Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning: Jennifer Bekker, Director of Denton Libraries, highlighted the importance of these changes in fostering community engagement and lifelong learning. She stated, “Our goal is to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone in our community can access the resources they need to learn, explore new ideas, and connect with others. A library is more than a place to borrow books; it’s a vital hub for community engagement and lifelong learning. These service hour adjustments are a reflection of our flexibility to better serve families, students, and others by making the library more accessible and a supportive resource for all.”

For more information about these updates and the services offered by Denton Public Libraries, residents are encouraged to visit the Denton Public Libraries website.