Library Commission Community Interest Announcement Reception for Library Commission, Library Foundation and Austin History Center Association December 18, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur. Laura Polio 512-974-9624
1. REGULAR MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION December 18, 2023 – 6 P.M. Austin Central Library Special Event Center 710 W Cesar Chavez St. AUSTIN, TEXAS This meeting is being held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online virtual participation. Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Laura Polio, 512-974-9624, laura.polio@austintexas.gov . CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Mark Smith, Chair Magen Davis Kezia Frayjo Andrea Herrera Moreno Sheila Mehta Victoria Vogel AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Lynda Infante Huerta, Vice Chair Steve Derosa Melanie Haupt Cristina Masters Courtney Rosenthal PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the library commission regular meeting on November 27, 2023. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation by Tim Staley, Executive Director, The Library Foundation, regarding The Library Foundation programs and services. Presentation by Charles Peveto, President, Austin History Center Association, regarding Austin History Center Association programs and services. Presentation by Nehemiah Pitts, Chair, Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission, regarding Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Engagement. Discussion regarding Library Commission outreach and community engagement opportunities. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing regarding Immigration Services, by Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian III, Diana Miranda-Murillo, Spanish and World Languages Selector, Librarian II, Carmaleta McKinnis-Williams, Equity Inclusion Program Manager, Austin Public Library. Discussion of the December Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American 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 Laura Polio at the Library Department, at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at …
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Library Commission Meeting Minutes 27, November, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 27, November 2023 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina Street, in Austin, Texas. Chair Smith called the Board Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Mark Smith, Chair, Lynda Infante Huerta, Vice-Chair, Courtney Rosenthal, Kezia Frayjo, Sheila Mehta, Victoria Vogel, Magen Davis, Andrea Herrera Moreno Commission Members Absent: Melanie Haupt, Christina Masters Public Communication: General None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the October 23, 2023, regular meeting The minutes of the October 23, 2023, regular meeting were called for approval on Vice Chair Infante Huerta’s motion and Commission Member Herrera Mehta’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commission Member Haupt and Masters absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Resources Librarian. 2. Staff briefing regarding Austin Public Library Digital Services, by Amy Mullin, Electronic The presentation was made by Amy Mullin, Electronic Resources Librarian. 3. Staff briefing on updated reconsideration procedures for Austin Public Library team staff and upcoming reconsideration committee, by Christina Nelson, Customer Access Division Manager. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 27, November, 2023 The presentation was made by Christina Nelson, Customer Access Division Manager. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 4. Report of recommendations by the Unmet Needs Working Group. The report of the Unmet Needs Working Groups was given by Vice-Chair Infante Huerta, including a recommendation to expand library access by eliminating the non-resident fee for those who live in limited-purpose and extra-territorial jurisdictions. Chair Smith appointed the working group to work on additional issues of unmet needs and bring updates and recommendations to future meetings. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation from the Unmet Needs Working Group regarding expanding library access and eliminating the non-resident fee for those who live in limited-purpose and extra- territorial jurisdictions. The motion to approve expanding library access and eliminating the non-resident fee for those who live in limited-purpose and extra-territorial jurisdictions was approved on a motion by Vice Chair Infante Huerta and seconded by Commission Member Davis on a 6-1 vote, with Commission Member Courtney Rosenthal voting against, Commission Members Melanie Haupt and Christina Masters absent and Commission Member Kezia Freyjo off the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6. Discussion regarding Library Commission outreach and community engagement opportunities. Discussion was held regarding recent outreach and community engagement opportunities by Library Commission Members. 7. Staff briefing on …
2 Director’s Report December 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights _______________________________________________________________________________ 3 CIP and Small Projects_____________________________________________________________________5 APL by the Numbers ______________________________________________________________________ 9 Cardholder __________________________________________________________________________ 10 Visitors ____________________________________________________________________________11 Circulation and Collections_____________________________________________________________ 12 Express & Holds ____________________________________________________________________13 Technology ________________________________________________________________________ 14 Programs and Outreach________________________________________________________________ 15 Volunteers and Meeting Rooms__________________________________________________________ 16 HIGHLIGHTS APL at Texas Book Festival APL Central Teen Librarians Letty Leal and Kathleen Houlihan continued their outstanding efforts by actively promoting APL Teen Services and the highly successful Banned Camp program within the community. At the recent Texas Book Fest, Leal and Houlihan engaged approximately 300 participants in bookmark art-making at their teen activity tent. They also conducted two lively rounds of Youth Author literary trivia. This outreach initiative resulted in meaningful connections with teens who were previously unfamiliar with Teen Central, generating interest in the library's programs and volunteer opportunities. Several parents expressed enthusiasm about bringing their teens downtown to Teen Central after the positive engagement at the event. APL Strategic Plan Workgroups We are thrilled to announce the commencement of the implementation phase of our Strategic Plan. The department is currently establishing cross-functional workgroups of APL staff with diverse skill sets and expertise to collaborate on goal-driven initiatives and measures. The teams will kick-off in January 2024. Passport Services APL Passport Services has processed over 7,600 applications this year and is 31% over initial projections for fiscal year 2023-24. Passport Services continues to participate in the monthly naturalization ceremonies hosted at APL, which adds an additional 10-15 applications in the weeks following these events. Howson November Dig It: Gardening in Texas Howson Library partnered with Austin Resource Recovery for their November Dig It: Gardening in Texas monthly event. Local gardener Austin Davenport taught attendees about soil health and composting processes and ARR provided each attendee with a kitchen compost collector to empower everyone to start the process of reducing waste, while making nutrient rich soil. Gardener Ila Falvey commented that “Class was great! I love the mini compost bins. I can't wait to start composting at home! “ 3 Portuguese-English Storytime at Milwood Austin Public Library staff at Milwood are excited to bring Portuguese-English storytime sessions to Milwood. Through a collaboration with Cultral Brasil, the storytimes aim to accommodate the sizable Brazilian community in proximity to the library and North Austin. Cultura Brasil's staff members are enthusiastic volunteers who will conduct a monthly storytime similar to the model by the Austin …
Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) & Public Comment Opportunity Update Nehemiah Pitts III, Chairman Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission (CTTC) City of Austin 1 Agenda 1. Introduction & Overview 2. Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) Preview 3. Public Comment Information Session 4. CTTC Outreach Plans 2 1. Introduction & Overview Digital Equity & Inclusion The All Together For Digital Inclusion - Stakeholder Summit 2023 successfully convened in the aftermath of significant federal funding ($3.3 Billion) being released to Texas for broadband infrastructure and equitable access, as well as the creation of the Broadband the Texas Infrastructure Fund Constitution in November of 2023. in spotlight The Summit aimed to educate participants about the various organizations Digital Divide, committed to achieving Digital Inclusion in Central Texas, and catalyze a call to action for collaboration, partnership, and public comment in response to the recently released Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program 5-year plan draft and the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP). Digital Equity & Inclusion The Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA) constitutes a network of nonprofits, educational institutions, stakeholders other businesses, including the Community Technology & Commission Telecommunications Technology (CTTC), Division (CTD), Austin Public Library (APL), and the Library Commission working together every day to enhance our community's engagement in a digital society, thereby fostering a more digitally inclusive Austin. Community Digital Equity is “a condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society,democracy, and economy; Necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services” according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment (BEAD) - $3.3B Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) Expands high-speed internet access by funding planning, deployment, and adoption Ensure people and communities have the skills and tech to participate in the digital economy $5M in planning funds to: $3M in planning funds to: ● ● ● ● Help close the availability gap Develop 5-year action plan Conduct research and data collection Facilitate publications, outreach and communications support Source: IIJA Statute Connect Texas, Digital Opportunity Plan and Public Comment Preview, BDO 11/16/2023 Presentation ● ● ● ● Help close the digital opportunity gap Develop Digital Opportunity Plan Reach covered populations Foster partnerships through engagement; establish a planning coalition What is Digital Opportunity? ❖ Digital Literacy ❖ Affordable Service ❖ Applications and online content ❖ Internet-enabled devices ❖ Quality technical support …
Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit 2023 Summary Report Nehemiah Pitts III, Chairman Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission (CTTC) City of Austin 1 1. Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit Historical Framing Agenda 2. Call(s) to Action: Public Comment, Collaboration, & Education 3. Thank yous & Acknowledgements 4. Next Steps 2 1. Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit Overview Digital Inclusion - Stakeholder Summit 2023 - Summary Report The All Together For Digital Inclusion - Stakeholder Summit 2023 successfully convened in the aftermath of significant federal funding ($3.3 Billion) being released to Texas for broadband infrastructure and equitable access, as well as the creation of the Broadband Infrastructure Fund in the Texas Constitution in November of 2023. The Summit aimed to educate participants about the Digital Divide, spotlight various organizations committed to achieving Digital Inclusion in Central Texas, and instigate a call to action for collaboration, partnership, and public comment in response to the recently released Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program 5-year plan draft and the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP). Held on Friday, December 1st, at the Austin Public Library Special Events Center downtown, the inaugural Summit achieved these goals by assembling a diverse group of representative stakeholders, including community leaders, public officials, digital inclusion practitioners, governmental and NGO leaders, city service providers, internet services providers, nonprofit entities, industry thought distinguished researchers, technology experts, and leaders—all rallying under the theme… The event commenced with an indigenous people's land acknowledgment, emphasizing the importance of education, collaboration, partnership, civic engagement, and funding-focused public comment submissions. The focus of the event briefly remained on the history of Austin after the US. Civil War and the formation of a municipal strategy for growth and development. 5 6 A City Plan for Austin Texas (1928) We then delved into the root causes of the Digital Divide in Austin, TX, tracing historical challenges stemming from the 1928 City Plan, which led to racial segregation, restrictive covenants, industrial zoning, and decades of infrastructure underinvestment for marginalized groups. Disparate Outcome Areas for Marginalized Communities ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Gaps in Wealth and Income Health Disparities Educational Attainment Disparate Impacts in Housing Gentrification and Displacement Climate Resilience Public Safety Access to Opportunity includes Digital Redlining and the ensuing This inequalities infrastructure, device access, and capabilities that endure to this day. in 7 2. Call(s) to Action: Public Comment, Collaboration, & Education Why attend a Stakeholder Summit focused on …