Library Commission Regular Meeting of the Library Commission - The Library Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Carver Branch, starting at 6:30 PM.
LIBRARY COMMISSION September 23, 2019 – 6:30 PM Carver Branch 1161 Angelina St. AUSTIN, TEXAS The Library Commission shall make recommendations to the city council on matters relating to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the public libraries. Section 2-1-150 of the City Code. Patricia Dabbert, JC Dwyer, Aimee Finney, Catherine Hanna, Deborah Pardo-Kaplan, Daniella Ramos, Steven Self, Beth Smyer, and Chad Williams AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. Citizen Communication: General The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes from the August 26, 2019 Regular Meeting 3. Welcome and Introduction of Carver Branch Manager, Doreen Boyd 4. Briefing: Summer Reading Wrap-Up: Sharon Herfurth, Division Manager, Office of Programs & Partnerships 5. Old Business: none 6. New Business: a. Discussion of briefing and agenda topics for future meetings, October – December 2019 b. Discussion and possible action a Recommendation to add a youth member to the Library Commission 7. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for September 2019 covering programming highlights, facilities, policies, and APL Priorities. 8. Discussion of commissioner visits to branch libraries 9. Future Agenda Items ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please call Sharon Herfurth at the Library Department, at 512- 974-7420 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Library Commission, please contact Sharon Herfurth at 512- 974-7420 or sharon.herfurth@austintexas.gov
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 23 September, 2019 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 23 September, 2019 The Library Commission convened in a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St., in Austin, Texas. Chair Hanna called the Board Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Catherine Hanna and Vice Chair Aimee Finney, Commission Members Patricia Dabbert, JC Dwyer, Deborah Pardo-Kaplan, Daniella Ramos, and Steven Self Board Members Absent: Commission Members Beth Smyer, and Chad Williams Staff in Attendance: Anne Bramblett, Assistant Director for Public Services; Dana McBee, Assistant Director for Support Services; Rachel Nguyen, Communications Manager, John Daniels, Facilities Planning Manager, Sharon Herfurth, Division Manager, Office of Programs & Partnerships, Emi Johnson, Business Process Consultant, Patti Fowler, Division Manager, Central Library; Wendy Harrison, Financial Manager; Pamela Bowles, Division Manager, Branch Services; and Joe Faulk, Information Systems Manager 1. Citizen Communication: Jelina Tunstill spoke about the Community Action Network (CAN). 2. Approval of Minutes from the August 26, 2019 Regular Meeting: The minutes of the regular meeting were approved on Commission Member Dabbert’s motion and Vice Chair Finney’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commission Members Smyer and Williams absent. 3. Introductions and Welcome: Doreen Boyd, Carver Branch Manager, gave an update about branch activities. 4. Briefing: Summer Reading Wrap-Up Sharon Herfurth, Division Manager, Office of Programs & Partnerships, gave an overview of 2019 Summer Reading for youth programs and participation. 5. Old Business: none Library Commission Meeting Minutes 23 September, 2019 6. New Business: a. Discussion of briefing and agenda topics for future meetings, October – December 2019 The following topics were suggested: Civic Engagement (October); APL Bookmobile services; Collections in foreign languages; Fine Free Libraries; APL Strategic Plan; Collection Development overview; Marketing of Recycled Reads and APL; Youth Task Force Update; Library Foundation; Revenue Generation; Equity of Services; Library Trends and how APL can Incorporate them; Library Commission Alignment with SD23 b. Discussion and possible action on a Recommendation to add a youth member to the Library Commission. No action was taken. 7. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for August 2019 covering programming highlights, volunteer services, revenue, and policy updates: Questions from commissioners included: How did the Library budget come out for FY20? Is there an APL organizational chart? What is planned for the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill reopening? Is there a public participation component to Library renovations? 8. …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26 August, 2019 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 26 August, 2019 The Library Commission convened in a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave., in Austin, Texas. Chair Hanna called the Board Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Catherine Hanna and Vice Chair Aimee Finney, Commission Members Patricia Dabbert, JC Dwyer, Deborah Pardo-Kaplan, Daniella Ramos, Steven Self, Beth Smyer, and Chad Williams Board Members Absent: none Staff in Attendance: Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries; Anne Bramblett, Assistant Director for Public Services; Dana McBee, Assistant Director for Support Services; Rachel Nguyen, Communications Manager, John Daniels, Facilities Planning Manager, Sharon Herfurth, Division Manager, Office of Programs & Partnerships, Emi Johnson, Business Process Consultant, Patti Fowler, Division Manager, Central Library; Wendy Harrison, Financial Manager; Pamela Bowles, Division Manager, Branch Services; Mindy Reed, Manager, Recycled Reads Bookstore; Joe Faulk, Information Systems Manager; Chip Pryor, IT Supervisor Sr.; David Faulkner, Program Specialist 1. Citizen Communication: Carlos Leon spoke about limited public forums. 2. Approval of Minutes from the July 22, 2019 Regular Meeting: The minutes of the regular meeting were approved on Vice Chair Finney’s motion and Commission member Williams’ second on a 9-0 vote. 3. Introductions and Welcome: Michael Abramov, North Village Branch Manager, gave an update about branch activities. 4. Presentation: Austin Library Foundation Cecily Sailer, Programs & Events Director gave an overview of Foundation fundraising activities and programs. 5. Old Business: a. Discussion and possible action on Recycled Reads Working Group Recommendation. The following citizens spoke: Carlos Leon, Bob Stevens, Steve Neel, Barbara McArthur, Chip Harris, and Nancy Harris. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26 August, 2019 Library Commission Recommendation 201900826-5a: The Future of Recycled Reads was approved on Commission Member Ramos’ motion and Vice Chair Finney’s second on a 9-0 vote. b. Update, discussion and possible action on Library Youth Policies. Citizen Carlos Leon spoke. Anne Bramblett, Assistant Director for Public Services and Pam Bowles, Division Manager, Branch Services gave a presentation on Positive Youth Engagement at APL. 6. New Business: none 7. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for August 2019 covering programming highlights, volunteer services, revenue, and policy updates: Director Weeks covered APL locations used as cooling centers; HVAC repairs at the Austin History Center, and Drag Queen Storytime. 8. Discussion of commissioner visits to branch libraries: Chair Hanna went with her mother …
Subject: Addition of a Youth Member to the City of Austin Library Commission Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Add a [voting] position on the Library Commission to be filled by a member of the Austin Public Library Teen Library Council. Description of Recommendation to Council In an effort to increase positive youth engagement, the APL Youth Advisory Task Force has recommended that the Library Commission include a youth member (someone between 13-18 years of age) from the APL Teen Library Council as a [voting?] member of the Commission. This addition will allow the Commission to more effectively include youth perspectives as they make recommendations regarding library policies and procedures. Rationale: The Austin Public Library serves all ages, but a significant percentage of library patrons are children and youth. For teens, the public library provides a safe place to be when school is not in session as well as a place to learn and develop important life skills. Recently, a Youth Advisory Task Force undertook a review of its policies and procedures surrounding children and youth in the library. One of the Youth Task Force recommendations is to have a member of the Library Commission who is between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. Having a youth member would assist the Commission in making recommendations regarding the health and safety of youth patrons as well as the best ways to foster their development into engaged and productive citizens. Adding a youth member to the Library Commission would support the Austin Public Libraries Strategic Priorities of Lifelong Learning; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and Civic and Community Engagement. It would also support the City’s strategic priorities in the following areas: • Safety: Being safe in our home, at work, and in our community. • Health and Environment: Enjoying a sustainable environment and a healthy life, physically and mentally. • Culture and Lifelong Learning: Being enriched by Austin's unique civic, cultural, ethnic, and learning opportunities. __________________ Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sig
1 September 2019 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS HIghlights __________________________________________________________________ 3 Exhibits ________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Facilities Services ____________________________________________________________ 4 FY2018 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 4 FY2012 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 6 Cepeda Branch / Hampton Branch Monthly Report __________________________________________ 9 Faulk Building / Austin History Center Monthly Report __________________________________________ 11 Interior Renovations Monthly Report ________________________________________________________ 14 Roof Replacements & Systems Upgrades Monthly Report _______________________________________ 16 Austin History Center ________________________________________________________ 18 Library Priorities ____________________________________________________________ 20 Literacy Advancement ___________________________________________________________________ 20 Digital Inclusion & STEM _________________________________________________________________ 20 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion _______________________________________________________________ 20 Civic and Community Engagement _________________________________________________________ 21 Staff Development ______________________________________________________________________ 21 Workforce and Economic Development ______________________________________________________ 21 APL By the Numbers ________________________________________________________ 22 Performance Indicators for August _________________________________________________________ 22 Revenue ______________________________________________________________________________ 22 Volunteers ____________________________________________________________________________ 22 Policies _______________________________________________________________________________ 22 3 HIGHLIGHTS Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Reopening October 21 The Austin Public Library, Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd., will reopen to the public on Monday, Oct. 21, after being closed since last year for a complete renovation. The public is invited to a reopening celebration from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill. Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8, is expected to attend. 10 10 10 Recycled Reads 10 Year Anniversary On October 10 we will be celebrating 10 years of Recycled Reads goodness! Diverting over 3000 tons of materials from the landfill since we have started, Recycled Reads has become a place where individuals, other library systems in Central Texas, and groups can drop off their books for a chance of a second life. Recycled Reads provide books and media for mostly two dollars and under, and is a fun place to hunt for book treasures. It is a gathering place for poets, re-use minded individuals, Fix-It Clinics, crafters and collectors, book and music lovers. Come join us to help us mark this 10th year of operation! We will be having: Live Music with Joe Blanda A reusable mug decorating craft A discussion about Sustainable Party Planning by Bernadette Noll And more! Exhibits Entre Líneas, curated by Coka Treviño features the work of artists María Fernanda Barrero, Luisa Duarte, and Jenelle Esparza, celebrating women in Latin American and Hispanic communities. Historically, much of this group’s contributions have fallen in between the lines. This exhibition explores displacement, labor, boundaries, and fragility, in hopes to evoke pride and empower Latinas …
Summer Reading Program 2019 Report Programs for ages 5-10 142 programs with 14,782 attendees We had a lot of fun this summer with some terrific programs! We had 7 different in-house created kit programs this year (Fairy Houses, Geronimo Stilton Party, Halloween in Summer, Magical Creatures, Space Camp, Super Narwhal and Jelly Party, Water Art). We hosted 16 different performers this year including the Austin Symphony, 123 Andres, All Rhythms, Austin Opera, Austin Reptile Show, Bernadette Nason, Bright Star Theatre, Buffalo Soldiers, Carolina Storyteller, Elizabeth Kahura, Magician John O’Bryant, Magik Theatre, Pollyanna Theatre, Rolie Polie Guacamole, Sandbank Shadow Factory, and Bill Balboa from Sea Grant Texas. APL’s in-house puppet troupe, Literature Live! also performed Jack and the Bean-stalk! Super Narwhal and Jelly Party Buffalo Soldiers Magical Creatures: How many more of these are there--can we go to all of the magical creatures programs? Halloween in Summer: "We had the best time OMG it was so much fun!!! Great program if this summer!! We have the best Library system around!!" Austin Opera: “The Austin Opera program for kids was great! Just the right mix of entertainment, fun and culture.” Buffalo Soldiers: "The Buffalo Soldiers were great. My grands loved participating in the storytelling activities. They gave informative in-formation about dangerous animals if ever in areas with them & what to do--we remained afterwards to ask more questions." Austin Symphony Partnership 7 programs at Central with 6,494 attendees “Loved having the Austin Symphony at the Milwood Library! My kids enjoyed having live music and touching/playing the instru-ments. This exposure is invaluable, and I appreciated it was available at the local library.” “A great exposure to kids to violin, cello, and other instruments in a very kid friendly manner. Thank you for the opportunity!” “We loved having Symphony events in North Austin!” Austin Symphony Art Park This was our second year of hosting this annual Austin tradition at the library and it was spectacular. We had an overwhelming response and are already planning for 2020 and 2021. The Austin Symphony creates 2 hours of programming that includes an instrument petting zoo for hands-on experience, 2 symphony performances per program, as well as storytelling and crafts. It is jam packed with experiences for all ages. This year we also had the opportunity to hold two symphony programs in the branches and they were so success-ful we are looking forward to expanding that to more …
