LIBRARY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING February 24, 2022 – 6 p.m. City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 1101 301 W 2nd St. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Library Commission may be participating by videoconference. 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. Public comment will be allowed via telephone at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely, members of the public must call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7420 or sharon.herfurth@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Wednesday, February 23. Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Julia Aguilar; Patricia Dabbert, Chair; JC Dwyer; Eric Frierson; Lynda Infante; Ryan Marquess; Courtney Rosenthal; Steven Self, Vice-Chair; Mark Smith and Lily Trieu AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of Minutes from the January 24, 2022 Regular Meeting 3. Briefings: Recycled Reads Bookstore, Hannah Terrell, Division Manager, Branch Services Book Selection and Reconsideration Policies, Slaven Lee, Customer Access Division Manager 4. Old Business: none 5. New Business a. Discussion of Budget Calendar and Boards and Commissions Recommendations for FY2022-23 Budget, Wendy Harrison, Financial Manager b. Discussion and possible action on a “Freedom to Read” working group c. Discussion of a possible commission planning retreat in March 6. Discussion of Director’s Report for February covering programming highlights, facilities, and APL Priorities 7. 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 (48 hours) 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 24 January, 2022 REGULAR MEETING 24 January, 2022 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 24, 2022 at the Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez, in Austin, Texas. Chair Dabbert called the Board Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Pat Dabbert, Vice Chair Steven Self and Commission Members Julia Aguilar, JC Dwyer, Eric Frierson, Lynda Infante, Ryan Marquess, Courtney Rosenthal, and Mark Smith Board Members Absent: Commission Member Lily Trieu Citizen Communication: General none 1. Welcome and Introductions Chair Dabbert welcomed the Commission members 2. Approval of Minutes from the December 13, 2021 Regular Meeting The minutes of the regular meeting were approved on a 9-0 vote. Commission Member Trieu absent. 3. Briefings: Town hall meetings on Digital Inclusion in partnership with the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission was given by Nehemiah Pitts, Chair, Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission and Khotan Harmon, Consultant, Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs, Financial Services Dept. Austin History Center Volunteer Services was given by Paul Lopez, Volunteer Services & Internship Program Coordinator 4. Old Business: none 5. New Business a. Discussion and possible action on Fine Free Libraries working group draft Recommendation20220124-5a: Eliminate Late Fees at Austin Public Library. Recommendation 20220124-5a: Eliminate Late Fees at Austin Public Library was approved on Commission Member Smith’s motion and Commission Member Infante’s second on a 9- 0 vote. Commission Member Trieu absent. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 24 January, 2022 6. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for January covering programming highlights, facilities, and APL Priorities Director Weeks gave the report. 7. Future Agenda Items Facilities Update Recycled Reads Update Freedom to Read | book challenges Planning Retreat Use of Central Rental Spaces Adjournment: Chair Dabbert adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. without objection.
Special Report January 2022 Volunteers Total Volunteers as of Jan-2022 Active Volunteers Volunteer Hours Salary Value x $26.43 = Volunteers Age Bracket Volunteers Race/Ethnicity Years of Service 713 40 299.35 $7,911.82 13-17 18-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 2 2 6 6 3 6 4 17 14 10 White Black/Af-Am Hisp-Latinx Native Am Asian Pacific Multi-Racial We revised the Volunteer Application in January 2022 to collect this data. This is optional/voluntary. <1 1-3 3-5 5 + Monthly Trends Active Volunteers Volunteer Hours Salary Value x $26.43 = 66+ 15 Not Provided Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 70 57 46 40 611.4 404.32 342.70 299.35 16,159.30 10,686.18 9,057.56 7,911.82 Locations with Volunteers as of January 2022 Twin Oaks – 7 Old Quarry – 3 Central – 6 Milwood - 4 Manchaca – 5 Hampton - 2 Recycled Read – 5 Carver - 1 Spicewood – 4 North Village - 1 History Center – 4 Milwood – 4 Contact: Emi Johnson, Business Process Consultant Monthly Activity Report 2/10/2022 2:38 PM
Director’s Report February 2022 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS HIghlights __________________________________________________________________ 3 Facilities Services ____________________________________________________________ 5 FY2018 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 5 FY2012 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 8 Austin History Center ________________________________________________________ 11 Library Priorities ____________________________________________________________ 12 Literacy Advancement ___________________________________________________________________ 12 Digital Inclusion & STEM _________________________________________________________________ 12 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion _______________________________________________________________ 13 Civic and Community Engagement _________________________________________________________ 13 Staff Development ______________________________________________________________________ 13 Workforce and Economic Development ______________________________________________________ 13 APL By the Numbers ________________________________________________________ 14 Collections Circulation January ____________________________________________________________ 14 HIGHLIGHTS 3 Austin Public Library Eliminating Overdue Fines Following Historic City Council Vote On February 17, the Austin City Council unanimously voted to eliminate fines for overdue library materials at Austin Public Library. “The Austin Public Library is committed to providing free and equitable access to all of our resources for the citizens of Austin,” stated Austin Public Library director Roosevelt Weeks. “We want to make sure our resources are available to those impacted the most by fines.” Late fines create a financial barrier for many people in accessing library materials, and have been found to be an ineffective way of encouraging materials returns. Studies of libraries in other communities that have eliminated late fines have found that ending late fines actually results in a higher rate of books being returned, as people are less likely to avoid the library if they are not concerned about having to pay money. In 2019, in acknowledgement that monetary library fines are a form of social inequity, the American Library Association passed a resolution encouraging libraries throughout the nation to discontinue fees for overdue library materials as a mechanism to increase library usage and expand access for all populations. Over 400 libraries in the United States have already removed fines for overdue materials. Earlier this year, the Austin Library Commission issued a unanimous recommendation to City Council that late fines be eliminated at Austin Public Library. “The Library Commission is very excited for what this change means for ensuring more equitable access to our libraries,” stated Patricia Dabbert, Chair of the Austin Library Commission. “I am grateful for the work my fellow commissioners have done in taking the lead on this issue. The move to going fine-free is not retroactive, but the Library is investigating equitable ways to help cardholders with existing fines so that they may continue using their cards. In 2018, the Austin Public Library eliminated fines for overdue children’s materials. Also, …
Austin Public Library Policy and Procedures Manual Subject: Materials Selection Policy Effective Date: August 5, 2012 Revised: October 1, 2021 Contact: Customer Access Division Manager Telephone: 974-7476 Department Director’s Approval: To articulate the principles, policies, and criteria that guide the staff in selecting materials to develop responsive collections for the library system and to inform the public on these principles and selection standards used by the Library. Purpose: Commitment: We are committed to providing easy access to books and information for all ages through responsive professionals, engaging programs, and state-of-the-art technology in a safe and friendly environment. Austin Public Library prioritizes a commitment to equity ensuring that all members of the Austin community have equitable access to library services and programs. Diversity and inclusion are about respecting, understanding, honoring, and welcoming all members of the staff and community into the library. Decisions about hiring, collection development, policies, and programming are made with a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. I. principles: Principles The Austin Public Library Materials Selection Policy is based on the following A. Materials are selected which provide for the interest, information, enlightenment, entertainment, education, development, and enrichment of all library customers, within budgetary constraints and availability of materials. B. The freedom to read, along with the freedom to hear and to view, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This freedom, essential to our democracy, will be upheld, supported, and defended in the selection and accessibility of all library materials. In this regard, the library upholds the principles of the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, Freedom to View, Statement on Labeling, and Free Access to Libraries for Minors as well as to the Texas Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Statement. C. Selection of materials does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content, viewpoint, implications, or presentation of the materials. D. The library staff does not serve in loco parentis. It is the parent(s), and only the parent(s), who may restrict their children, and only their own children, from access to library materials. Responsibility for children's reading rests with their parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s). Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may inadvertently come into the possession of children. E. The library is not a judicial body. Laws governing obscenity, subversive materials, and other questionable matters are subject to interpretation by …
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials The Austin Public Library staff selects materials for all collections in accordance with the criteria stated in the Materials Selection Policy. By completing this form, you are requesting that the Library: Remove item from collection Please provide the following information: Type of Material: _____________________________________________________________________ (book, recording, periodical, etc.) Title of Work: ________________________________________________________________________ Author of Work: ______________________________________________________________________ Have you read, viewed, or listened to the entire work? If not, with which parts are you familiar? Yes No Have you read reviews of the work? If so, please tell us where: Yes No Are there portions of this work to which you specifically object? If so, please cite page numbers: Yes No Why do you feel the Library should reconsider this work? Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials _____________________ Date _____________________________________________________________________________________ Your Name _____________________________________________________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________________________________________________ Organization Represented (if any) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ Library Location _____________________________________ Staff Signature _____________________________________ Date Received Staff please send form to Library Director immediately. Request for Reconsideration of Library materials FOR STAFF USE ONLY Collection Development Manager opinion: Director: Agree Disagree Comments: OUTCOME
Presentation Prepared by: Hannah Terrell, Division Manager of Branch Services Ze ro Wa s t e Go a l To p ic s We 'll Co v e r How Communities Have Defined Zero Waste | US EPA Th e Re c y c le d Re a d s Bo o k s t o re Se rv ic e s is t o im p le m e n t t h e Cit y 's Ze ro Wa s t e in it ia t iv e . Th is s e rv ic e re p u rp o s e s , re c y c le s o r s e lls b o o k s t h a t a re d is c a rd e d b y t h e lib ra ry o r d o n a t e d b y re s id e n t s . Th is s e rv ic e a c c e p t s a n d s o rt s in c o m in g d o n a t io n s , t o s h e lv in g a n d o rg a n izin g m a t e ria ls t o u p c y c le fo r c ra ft in g . Ma t e ria ls m a y a ls o b e s o ld t o Go o d w ill In d u s t rie s o f Ce n t ra l Te xa s , Th rift b o o k s , o r s e n t t o Au s t in Re s o u rc e Re c o v e ry t o p u lp . 1 6 . 4 2 5 T O N S D O N AT E D T O G O O D W ILL Octob e r 2021 1 3 . 2 8 T O N S D O N AT E D T O G O O D W ILL Nove mb e r 2021 1 4 . 4 2 T O N S DONATED T O G O O D W ILL De ce mb e r 2021 Donations 694 BOXES …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 24 February, 2022 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING 24 February, 2022 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a Special Called Hybrid Meeting on Thursday, February, 2022 at the Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101, 301 W Cesar Chavez, in Austin, Texas. Chair Dabbert called the Board Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: In-person - Chair Pat Dabbert, Commission Members Courtney Rosenthal and Mark Smith Virtually - Vice Chair Steven Self, Commission Members Julia Aguilar, JC Dwyer, Lynda Infante, Ryan Marquess, and Lily Trieu Board Members Absent: Eric Frierson Citizen Communication: General None 1. Welcome and Introductions Chair Dabbert welcomed the Commission members and took roll call of members present. 2. Approval of Minutes from the January 24, 2022 Regular Meeting The minutes of the regular meeting were approved on a 9-0 vote. Commission Member Frierson absent. 3. Briefings: Recycled Reads Bookstore was given by Hannah Terrell, Division Manager, Branch Services; and Book Selection and Reconsideration Policies was given by Slaven Lee, Customer Access Division Manager 4. Old Business: none 5. New Business a. Presentation and discussion: Discussion of Budget Calendar and Boards and Commissions Recommendations for FY2022-23 Budget, Wendy Harrison, Financial Manager, gave the presentation. b. Discussion and possible action on a “Freedom to Read” working group Library Commission Meeting Minutes 24 February, 2022 The creation of a Freedom to Read working group was approved on Commission Member Rosenthal’s motion and Commission Member Smith’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commission Member Frierson absent. The group will report back to the commission with recommendations for action to support public access to diverse library materials and to resist library censorship efforts. c. Discussion of a possible commission planning retreat in March Chair Dabbert will share two (2) possible dates for a 2-hour planning retreat in March with Commission Members. 6. Discussion of Director’s Monthly Report for December covering programming highlights, facilities, and APL Priorities Director of Libraries, Roosevelt Weeks, gave the report. 7. Future Agenda Items Facilities Update – March 2022 Enhanced Library Cards – March 2022 Civic Engagement – April 2022 Adjournment: Chair Dabbert adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. without objection
