Lewisville public library interview

Name and title: Carolyn Booker, Director of Library Services
Library name: Lewisville Public Library, Lewisville, TX
How many libraries are in your system? We are a one library city.
Staff size: 41 employees
Community size: 102,000
Collection size: 143,600 titles, 164,100 items including eBooks and eAudio.

What are you most proud of about your library?
The variety and quality of programming across all age levels is what sets apart the Lewisville Public Library.  The staff work incredibly hard and are constantly trying new things and bringing exciting opportunities to the people who visit us.

What was your most popular event for teens or adults?
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I would say that our biggest event to date was our Harry Potter Day.  We led up to it with a great deal of themed out decorations which did double duty as advertising and a backdrop for the evening.  During the event we had Harry Potter trivia, a photo wall, wand decorating, temporary tattoos, a costume contest, and more.  We had all kinds of things for all ages and had huge participation. 

​Our teens and adults show up month after month for crafty events.  We get real regular attendance at these programs.  This summer our teens have had great fun with a painting program and a microwave mug cooking class.  Another fun event which is in its second year is Teens Vs. Adults Trivia.  We get some great inter-generational rivalry going with these!

Is there a new technology that you are excited about using at the library?
Our Library opened a makerspace and also a digital media lab in 2018.  The Hive is our makerspace and includes all kinds of opportunities that really excite me.  I’m thrilled by the possibilities in that space for creativity, connection and innovation.  The Laser Cutter is definitely the most popular and has tons of potential uses for all kinds of projects.  I’m excited to have it and the software to support its use.  I don’t think that it will ever get old.

Excerpt from the Lewisville Public Library website about the Hive:

The Hive, Lewisville Public Library's makerspace, is home to innovation and creativity. The Hive features two 3D printers, a laser cutter, a Carvey CNC milling machine, sewing machines, an embroidery machine, and more.

https://library.cityoflewisville.com/gathering-space/the-hive

What is the biggest challenge facing your library?
The biggest challenge facing the Lewisville Library is reaching our community.  We are a one-library city that serves over 100,000 residents and the larger Denton County Community.  We are also annexing the area known as Castle Hills in 2020, which is the size of many small cities.  The Library would love to serve all these people, but reaching such a large area is a challenge.

Since Lewisville has such a big population and area to cover, do you think you will ever get a second branch? Do you feel like that would solve problems? What are the roadblocks to adding another branch, if you were to pursue that?
I'm not sure if Lewisville ever will get a second branch.  In our 50-year history, we did operate two locations for a while.  One was in Old Town and the second Library was in our current location.  City Council decided to open one large Library to serve all of Lewisville, and that is when our current expansion and renovation took place about 12 years ago.  We have a beautiful building that does gather people from all over.  Just last week we had a family tell us that they drive from Frisco (30 minutes) and make a day of it!  Running errands, getting lunch, and checking out from our great collection.  
 
I do think that another branch would be well used by our community and I am interested to hear what Castle Hills wants from our Library.  I would love to partner with another department to offer a location with services further South.  There is nothing like this in the works right now.
 
Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share?
Working in Libraries is an incredible blessing.  There are so many ways to serve the community and each Librarian brings unique skills, interests, and abilities to the table.  The variety of work really attracted me to this field and continues to keep me engaged and interested.

​Thank you, Carolyn Booker and Lewisville Public Library, for being my first interview!

Please email me at bossylibrarian@yahoo.com if you would like to have your library featured!