SURVEY ASKS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Replies to the LWV-Denton survey on funding of the Denton Public Libraries are coming in! Library users indicate what library services they use. Then they answer some important questions:

• 1) Who should be issued a library card to use the services of the Denton Public Library (DPL)?

• 2) How do you think the services of the DPL should be funded?

• 3) What is your opinion of the plan to impose fees of $50 per household per year on DPL users who are nonresidents? and

• 4) What action should the DPL take after the fees for nonresident users have been in effect for six months?

TAKING A LOOK AT FUNDING OF THE DENTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Eva D. Poole, Director of Libraries, will share her observations on the impact of this year’s change in funding of the Denton Public Libraries at the LWV-Denton meeting on November 17.

Support from the Denton County Commissioner’s Court had been eroding for several years, but the 2005-2006 budget year is the first year in recent memory that the county has provided no financial support for the Denton public libraries. Initiation of a $50 per household charge for library cardholders who do not live in the city of Denton has brought diverse reactions from the public.

Eva Poole has held her current position with the city of Denton since May 1993. Other library experience on her resume includes Library Director at San Jacinto College South in Houston; Head of Public Services at San Jacinto College Central, in Pasadena; and Children’s Librarian at Ector County Public Library in Odessa.

Ms. Poole received her B.A. degree with a major in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University in 1974 and her Master of Library Science degree from the same institution in 1976. She served as President of the Texas Library Association (the largest state library association in the U.S.) in 2003-2004.

Eva Poole’s presentation at the LWV-Denton November meeting will be our introduction to the issue adopted at Annual Meeting 2005 for a new study.

The library funding study committee has developed a survey of library funding that is ongoing until November 15. Surveys are available at all three public libraries in Denton as well as on line at the LWV-Denton web site, www.lwvdenton.org. Preliminary results from the survey will be shared with members at the November 17 meeting.

Sondra Ferstl

RECAP OF OCTOBER 13 MEETING

On October 13 members of the Corporate Marketing in Denton ISD study team brought League members up to date on business interests and involvement in the Denton school district. Due to the rising cost of fuel, advertising on school buses has resurfaced as a potential source of revenue. The investment of businesses in the Advanced Technology Center has become a subject of serious interest.

General agreement was reached on most of the consensus questions which will serve as the basis for a consensus statement. Subject to the Board’s approval of the position statement, it will be presented to the Denton School Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Maggie Dodd

PRESIDENT’S PODIUM

Thank you to all who attended our October meetings. I had to miss the consensus meeting on Corporate Marketing in DISD, but I understand it was an outstanding program.

Pat Devereaux led us through a lively and informed discussion at our other October meeting on the proposed constitutional amendments with interesting comments and opinions from members and guests. I have received very favorable comments on the LWV-TX Voters Guide for this election.

If you are a reader and support public libraries, plan to attend our next general meeting on Thursday, November 17 at the Emily Fowler Library. (See details in this VOTER.) Have you filled out our questionnaire concerning library funding? If not, copies are available at the circulation desks at Emily Fowler and the North and South Branch Libraries.

Congratulations to Peg LaPoint, Program Vice President, on her appointment to the Resource Conservation Council for North Central Texas Council of Government (COG) – Solid Waste Program. She is our resident environmental expert and it is nice to see her recognized by COG.

Sue Smith