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Joining the conversation were Rebecca Ivey, North Branch Manager; Kerol Harrod, Chair of the Denton Public Library Board; and WyLaina Polk, Public Library Specialist. Together, they shared how the library’s winter initiatives extend far beyond reading—meeting real community needs with creativity and care.
At the heart of Denton Public Library’s winter programming is the Winter Reading Challenge, which runs through December and January and encourages readers of all ages to cozy up with a good book.
“It encourages children and adults and families to read during the winter months,” Ivey explained, noting that the program helps maintain learning whether school is in session or not. Beyond reading, the library partners with community organizations like United Way and the Tarrant Area Food Bank, hosting monthly resource sessions and mobile food pantries to support residents facing economic challenges.
A Warm Place to Be
One of the most impactful roles the library plays during winter is serving as a warming station for Denton’s unhoused population when other facilities may close due to inclement weather. “The library’s a warming station,” Harrod shared. “How we take care of our most vulnerable citizens says a lot about the society we live in… When people are hurting and left out, that’s not a strong community.”
This commitment reflects the library’s mission to transform lives, strengthen community, and inspire imagination—a mission brought to life daily through inclusive service.
Cozy Programs and Creative Spaces
Winter at the Denton Public Library is also about joy. Programs like Cozy Up and Cookies invite patrons to come dressed in their comfiest clothes, sip hot cocoa, and relax with a book. Seasonal favorites include outdoor story walks, bird walks, and special story times with Santa Claus.
Inside the North Branch, creativity thrives in The Forge, the library’s makerspace. “It’s wonderful seeing the creativity in that space,” said Ivey, describing how patrons use tools like 3D printers, sewing machines, laser engravers, and design software to create everything from gifts to art.
Serving Everyone—From Teens to Adults
The library’s programming spans all ages, with teen advisory boards, adult education workshops, bilingual story times, and hands-on discovery kits available for checkout. These kits include everything from STEM activities to adult cognitive enrichment resources designed to support memory and caregiving.
Importantly, the team emphasized that success isn’t measured only in attendance numbers. “Success is not just numbers,” Harrod explained. “If we can center people who have been traditionally marginalized, that’s part of the mission of public libraries, too.”
A True Community “Third Place”
As the episode wrapped, each guest reflected on what the Denton Public Library means to them—and to the community it serves. “It fosters community by giving people a third place to go,” Harrod said. “A place where everybody’s welcome.”
That sentiment was echoed by Ivey and Polk, both of whom have spent more than 25 years connected to the library as patrons and professionals. “That’s what I hope we are for our community,” Ivey shared. “To be here for the community.”
From warming stations to winter reading challenges, Denton Public Library demonstrates how libraries can meet seasonal challenges with compassion, creativity, and connection—reminding us that even in the coldest months, community can still feel warm.
Listen to the full episode on the Libraries Transform Texas podcast and past episodes on your favorite podcast program.
Every year in the fall, each of TLA’s 10 Districts holds a day-long meeting for local members, which is a fantastic opportunity for networking and learning.
