Library Commission Regular Meeting of the Library Commission - The Library Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, October 28, 2019 at the University Hills Branch, starting at 6:30 PM.
LIBRARY COMMISSION October 28, 2019 – 6:30 PM 4721 Loyola Ln. 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. General Communication & Communication on Agenda Items: The first 5 speakers signed up for citizen communication 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 during the time set aside for general citizen communication. Those who wish to speak on agenda items must be signed up prior to the meeting being called to order and will be allowed three minutes to speak when the agenda item comes up. Patricia Dabbert, JC Dwyer, Aimee Finney, Catherine Hanna, Deborah Pardo-Kaplan, Daniella Ramos, Steven Self, Beth Smyer, and Chad Williams AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Citizen Communication: General 1. Approval of Minutes from the September 23, 2019 Regular Meeting 2. Welcome and Introduction of new Library Commission Member Julia Aguilar 3. Briefing: Library Wraparound Services: Emi Johnson, Business Process Consultant 4. Old Business: a. Discussion and possible action on youth participation on the Library Commission 5. New Business: a. Discussion and possible action on meeting schedule for 2020 b. Discussion and possible action on civic engagement 6. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for October 2019 covering programming highlights, facilities, policies, and APL Priorities. 7. Discussion of commissioner visits to branch libraries 8. 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 28 October, 2019 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 28 October, 2019 The Library Commission convened in a Regular Meeting on Monday, October 28, 2019 at the University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln., in Austin, Texas. Chair Hanna called the Board Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Catherine Hanna, Commission Members Julia Aguilar, Patricia Dabbert, JC Dwyer, Deborah Pardo-Kaplan, Daniella Ramos, Steven Self, and Beth Smyer Board Members Absent: Vice Chair Finney and Commission Member Chad Williams Staff in Attendance: Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries; Anne Bramblett, Assistant Director for Public Services; Dana McBee, Assistant Director for Support Services; 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 Citizen Communication: Carlos León spoke about citizen communication on agenda items. 1. Approval of Minutes from the September 23, 2019 Regular Meeting: The minutes of the regular meeting were approved on Commission Member Dwyers’s motion and Commission Member Dabbert’s second on an 8-0 vote. Vice Chair Finney and Commission Member Williams absent. 2. Introductions and Welcome: Carlos León spoke. District 9 Library Commission Member Julia Aguilar, was introduced. 3. Briefing: Library Wraparound Services Emi Johnson, Business Process Consultant, gave an overview of wraparound services throughout the Austin Public Library system. 4. Old Business: a. Discussion and possible action on youth participation on the Library Commission Carlos León spoke. No action taken. The item will be put on a future agenda when more information is available. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 28 October, 2019 5. New Business: a. Discussion and possible action on meeting schedule 2020. A draft schedule will be presented at the next meeting. Meeting locations will alternate between branches and the Central Library. b. Discussion and possible action on civic engagement Carlos León spoke. John Lawler, Census Coordinator for Travis County and the City of Austin, gave a presentation about local Complete Count Committee and their activities. Commission Members Dwyer and Smyer presented their report on civic engagement activities taking place at Austin Public Library and other peer libraries. They will write a draft recommendation supporting APL participation in 2020 census efforts. Chair Hanna appointed a civic engagement working group, including Commissioners Williams, Smyer, Dwyer, and Ramos. 6. Discussion of …
Civic Engagement and the Austin Public Library: A Preliminary Report by City of Austin Library Commissioners JC Dwyer and Beth Smyer October 22, 2019 Purpose of this report ThisreportaimstoprovidetheLibraryCommissionwithanoverviewofcivicengagementwork withintheAustinPublicLibrarysystem(APL),includingworkcurrentlyunderway,opportunitiesin FY20 and recommendations to strengthen this work in FY21 and beyond. Definition of Civic Engagement Inthisreport,“civicengagement”isdefinedasactivitiesthatfurtherthegoalofaninformedlocal citizenrythatisactivelyengagedinshapingpublicdiscourseandparticipatinginthedecisionsthat affecttheirlives.Thisworkcentersthevaluesofinclusionandequityintheco-creationofpublic understanding and public policy. Itdoesnotrefertoindividualorhousehold-levelservicestypicallyconsidered“socialwork”(suchas publicbenefitsoutreachorhomelessservices),althoughsomelibrarysystemsgrouptheseactivities together.Whileitdoesincludeactivitiesdesignedtoincreaseparticipationinpublicelections,itis never partisan or agenda-driven. Why Do This Work? Civicengagementisarisingareaofinterestamongmanylibrarysystems,funders(e.g.Kettering Foundation)andnationallibrarygroups(e.g.AmericanLibraryAssociation,PublicLibrary Association, Urban Libraries Council). According the Urban Libraries Council: 1“Publiclibraries,workinginclosepartnershipwithlocalgovernmentandthemanyavailable resourcesandexperts,arewellpositionedtoprovidetheconsistent,close-to-home, sustainedleadershipthatcontributestocommunitysuccess.Theyaretrusted,stable, apolitical,safe,andpositive—inshort,idealcivicengagementleaders.Atatimewhentrust ingovernmentremainslowandmanycitizensfeeldisconnectedfrompublicinstitutions, libraries offer a bright light for producing long-term results.” 1 ULC Civic Engagement Report, accessed 10/18/19. CivicengagementworkisbroadlyalignedwithAPL’svisiontoplayakeyrolein“makingAustina dynamiccreativecenterandthemostlivablecityinthecountry.”ItisalsocloselyalignedwithCity Council’s Strategic Direction 2023 strategies, including: 2●Enhance communication and collaboration between City Council, City staff, and community members to enhance transparency, trust, and shared decision making. Ensure collaboration is strengthened by accessible, timely, and accurate information sharing. (GTW#5) ●Engage community members on the matters that impact them in ways that are timely, convenient, meaningful, and honor their communication preferences; and equip employees to better engage vulnerable and historically marginalized communities. (GTW#6) ●Create a new integrated approach to managing community members’ multiple relationships with different City departments to strengthen feedback loops, build trust, and improve satisfaction. (GTW#8) As well as the following City Performance Metrics: 3●PercentageofeligibleresidentswhoareregisteredtovoteandwhoparticipateinCity elections (disaggregated by race and geography). (GTW.E.1) ●Percentageofresidentswhoexpresshighlevelsofsatisfactionwiththeoutcomesoftheir engagement with the City. (GTW.E.2) ●PercentageofresidentswhobelieveAustinvaluesdialoguebetweenresidentsand government. (GTW.E.3) ●Numberof[stakeholder]engagement/outreachactivitiesbydepartment,Councildistrict,time and type of activity. (GTW.E.4)\ Current Areas of Civic Engagement SeveralAPLbranchlibrariesandstaffarealreadycommittingtheirlimitedtimeandresourcesto strengthencivicengagement.Thefollowingsectionsummarizestheiraccomplishmentsand providesexamplesofhowotherlibrarysystemsandlocalorganizationsarecommittedtosimilar work. Census Outreach What is the opportunity? ThedecennialCensusisamassiveefforttocounteverypersonresidinginournationonApril1st, 2020.Theresultswillbeusedtoallocatepoliticalrepresentation,aswellasbillionsofdollarsin publicandprivateresourcesoverthefollowingdecade.TheCityofAustinisamajorparticipantin ourlocalCompleteCountCommittee(CCC),whichaimstoensureanaccuratecountbyoffering 2 Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Master List of Strategies, accessed 10/18/19 3 Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Metrics List, accessed 10/18/19 outreachandassistancetotraditionallyundercountedcommunities,includingAustiniteswith low-incomes, immigrants, LEP families and others (see Map in Appendix). What is APL doing? APLhasformedaninternalstaffcommitteetoassisttheCCC.Plansarebeingdiscussedtoinclude Censuspromotion/educationalmessaginginexistingcommunicationschannelsandevents;using librarianswithlaptopsasmobileoutreach/accesspoints;andreservingcomputerstationsinsome branchesforpatronstocompletetheCensusonline.CensusProgramManagerJohnLawlerhas suggestedthatbranchesinundercountedcommunitiescouldalsoactasclearinghousesfor promotional materials and organizing neighborhood volunteers. Who else is doing this work in Austin? TheU.S.CensusBureauhasopenedaregionalofficeinAustintodirectlocalhiringandpromotional efforts.AlocalCCCincludingpublicofficials,privatebusinessesandnonprofitshasbeenformedto coordinateworkinthisarea.TheCityofAustin/TravisCountyhasjointlyhiredaCensusProgram Manager(Lawler)toassisttheCCC.TheUnitedWayofCentralTexasisintheprocessofhiringa similarpositiontoactonaregionalbasis.Localnonprofitsandchurchesareplanningtooutreach their communities. What are other library systems doing? TheTexasStateLibraryandArchivesCommission,aswellastheAmericanLibraryAssociation haveformallyrequestedtheassistanceoftheirmembersincarryingoutthecensus(seeAppendix). TheDallasPublicLibraryhascommittedtopushingCensusmessagingthroughalltheirexisting public programs for children (e.g. storytime) and adults (e.g. ESL classes). Voter Registration & Participation What is the opportunity? Votingisthecornerstoneofcivicengagement.AlthoughAustinhasahighoverallvoterregistration rate(95%in2018),thefranchiserequiresconstantmaintenance,andisnotequitablydistributed 4amongallAustincommunities.VoterparticipationinAustinismuchlower(61%in2018).Under 5statelaw,librariesareallowedtopromotevoterregistrationaswellasserveaspollinglocationson election day. 4 Daily Texan, “Nearly 95 percent of Travis County is registered to vote, setting ‘modern-day record.’” Accessed 10/18/19. 5 Texas Tribune, “Look up Texas midterm turnout in your county against historic numbers.” Accessed 10/18/19. What is APL doing? APLcurrentlymakesmail-invoterregistrationformsavailableateverybranch,althoughtheir presenceisnotalwaysobvious.Newlibrarycardapplicantsarealsoaskedwhethertheywouldlike amail-inform.TheTravisCountyElectionsOfficehistoricallypartnerswithAPLonanannual, system-wideeventatwhichVoluntaryDeputyRegistrars(VDRs)stafftablesatseveralbranchesto assistpatronsinregistering.OnesourceinvolvedsuggestedthiseventdoesnothaveastrongROI intermsofnewlyregisteredvoters.In2019,ninebranchesalsoservedaspollinglocationson election day. Who else is doing this work in Austin? Variouspolitical,nonprofitandcivicgroupsinAustinconductvoterregistrationdrivesandturnout efforts,howevertheseareusuallyeitherpartisanorfocusedonasinglepopulationorissue.Toour knowledge,noentityengagesinauniversal,citywideturnoutstrategy.TheCityandCountymake educationalresourcesavailabletothepubliconhowandwheretovote.TheCountyconducts ongoing voter registration, primarily …
M I L E S T O N E S C O M M U N I T Y C O L L A B O R A T I O N S S T A F F T R A I N I N G S C O N F E R E N C E S Pop Up Resource Clinics Austin Yellow Bike Project Veterans Affairs American Youth Works Front Steps Austin Resource Recovery Fix-it-Clinic Refugee Round Table PROGRAM 1 Security Workshops iSpeak Language Access Trainings Texas Library Association Annual Conference Restorative Practices Community- Building Veterans and Family symposium Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness
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. …
1 October 2019 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS HIghlights __________________________________________________________________ 3 Exhibits ________________________________________________________________________________ 4 Facilities Services ____________________________________________________________ 5 FY2018 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 5 FY2012 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 7 Cepeda Branch / Hampton Branch Monthly Report _________________________________________ 10 Faulk Building / Austin History Center Monthly Report __________________________________________ 12 Interior Renovations Monthly Report ________________________________________________________ 15 Roof Replacements & Systems Upgrades Monthly Report _______________________________________ 17 Austin History Center ________________________________________________________ 19 Library Priorities ____________________________________________________________ 21 Literacy Advancement ___________________________________________________________________ 21 Digital Inclusion & STEM _________________________________________________________________ 21 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion _______________________________________________________________ 21 Civic and Community Engagement _________________________________________________________ 22 Staff Development ______________________________________________________________________ 22 Workforce and Economic Development ______________________________________________________ 22 APL By the Numbers ________________________________________________________ 23 Performance Indicators for August _________________________________________________________ 23 Revenue ______________________________________________________________________________ 23 Volunteers ____________________________________________________________________________ 23 3 HIGHLIGHTS Hampton Branch at Oak Hill is Now Open The Austin Public Library, Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd., reopened to the public on Monday, Oct. 21, after being closed since last year for a complete renovation. One of the most visible interior improvements to the facility is a new Kalwall skylight that fills the main area with natural light. A new designated “quiet room” will give customers a space to read and relax away from the main area. The branch now has an improved digital infrastructure with all new data wiring and connections for faster internet service. Other improvements include a roof replacement; upgraded computers; upgraded plumbing fixtures; modernized heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls; new circulation desk and other furniture; all new carpets throughout the library as well as a fresh coat of paint. Modifications were also made to ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. AVAFest Veteran Conferences Central Library will host a two-day Veteran Writers Conference offering conversation and networking with screenwriters, poets, novelists, storytellers, songwriters and more! Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27 A Health and Wellness Conference will follow the following Saturday & Sunday, November 2 & 3. The conference, by and for veterans and their family members, as well as the individuals and organizations who serve them, will offer information on pathways to healing through community and the arts. Mayor’s Book Club 2019 The Library Foundation & Austin Public Library invite you to join us for the final event of the 2019 Mayor’s Book Club. Author Susan Orlean will discuss her bestseller and New York Times Notable Book The Library Book with Texas Literary …
