RECOMMENDATION 20220322-003a: EXPAND FUNDING FOR AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ARCHIVISTS — original pdf

Recommendation

HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅵ EXPAND FUNDING FOR AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ARCHIVISTS Strategic Direction: Culture and Lifelong Learning Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Solis Recommendation to Council: Expand funding for Austin History Center archivists that is specifically earmarked for outreach and creating exhibits. Additionally, expand funding to cover expenses associated with recording oral history. Expand funding by $100,000 for the LatinX Community Archivist to hire or train LatinX community to preserve history. Background and Rationale: As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. They collect and preserve information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history. The Austin History Center has limited capacity to complete projects with current funding. Each archivist has a budget of $5,000. This funding is not adequate for outreach, creating rotating exhibits, and recording oral history. Each archivist needs expanded funding to effectively complete job responsibilities. The Austin History Center has limited capacity to help preserve the LatinX experience in Austin. The Austin History center compiled the LatinX Resource Guide which contains valuable materials about Austin’s Mexican American communities. However, significant gaps in the Latinx Communities collection remain and continued work to fill the gaps is needed. An increase in the budget by $100,000 for the LatinX Community Archivist to hire or train LatinX community to preserve history is recommended. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: Garay Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair