REGULAR MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION March 25, 2024 – 6 P.M. Pleasant Hill Branch Library 211 E. William Cannon Drive 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 Cristina Masters Courtney Rosenthal AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Lynda Infante Huerta, Vice Chair Steve DeRosa Andrea Herrera Moreno Sheila Mehta 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's regular meeting on February 26, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on the March Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. 1. 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and approval of a recommendation supporting the Austin Public Library's proposed budget for FY2025 with additional funding for unmet needs around books and materials, social workers, security and custodial positions, feasibility studies, and enhanced library cards. Discussion and approval for Commission Members to represent the Library Commission at multiple Board and Commission Meetings to advocate for support and funding for Austin Public Library Initiatives. 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 Austin Public Library Department, at 512-974-9624 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Library Commission, please contact Laura Polio at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov. 3. 4.
LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION # Support for Austin Public Library FY25 Budget Seconded By: Date: March 25, 2024 Subject: Support for Austin Public Library FY25 Budget Motioned By: Recommendation Support for Austin Public Library's proposed budget for FY2025 with additional funding for unmet needs around books and materials, social workers, security and custodial positions, feasibility studies, and enhanced library cards. Description of Recommendation to Council Requesting that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Austin Public Library budget for FY2025. Additionally, increased funding is requested for an increase of 6% to the books and materials budget, the addition of two, (2) FTE social worker positions, three, (3) FTE of additional security and three (3) FTE of additional custodial positions, $1.5 million for feasibility studies of new and expanded facilities, and the expansion of the enhanced library card initiative. Rationale: In FY 2023, the Austin Public Library completed a year-long strategic planning process to shape the work of the library for years to come. Input was provided for the plan through a community survey that received more than 5,400 responses, pop-up community events in 20 locations throughout Austin, as well as a series of surveys, workshops, and listening sessions with APL staff and external community stakeholders. The Austin Public Library Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan, adopted by the City Council in March 2023, lays out new strategic goals for the Austin Public Library, aligned with the City of Austin’s Imagine Austin 30-year strategic plan and the SD28 5-year strategic plan. Our recommended budget provides Austin Public Library with the resources needed to advance the five strategic goals laid out in that plan document, as well as to achieve the Library’s new Mission Statement: “Inspiring all to discover, learn, and create.” The proposed budget includes a 3% increase in the budget for materials, including digital materials, subscriptions, and databases. Austin’s population growth, and the increased cost of materials – especially e-books, which represent a fast-growing share of APL’s circulation and require expensive licenses. These proposed increases are necessary to keep up with inflation but do not represent a growth budget and may, in fact, lead to a reduction of e-resources and increased patron wait times to access materials. An additional 3% increase for a total of 6% to the books and materials budget would help close the gap. The Commission also supports funding the listed unmet needs of the library. 1 of …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, February, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 26, February 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 Cesar Chavez St., in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Smith called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Mark Smith, Chair, Lynda Infante Huerta, Vice-Chair, Courtney Rosenthal, Magen Davis, Kezia Frayjo Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Christina Masters, Andrea Herrera Moreno, Sheila Mehta Commission Members Absent: Steve DeRosa PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 29, 2023, regular meeting The minutes of the January 29, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Commission Member Rosenthal’s motion and Vice Chair Infante Huerta's second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner DeRosa absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding APL Facilities Project Updates, Feasibility Studies & Future Bonds by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager The presentation was made Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, February, 2024 3. Discussion of the February Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. The presentation was made by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 4. Report of recommendation by the Unmet Needs Working Group for the addition of social workers, security personnel, and other social support resources in libraries. Vice Chair Infante Huerta reported on the Unmet Needs Working Group Recommendation to improve library safety and holistic services for library patrons through the addition of two (2) full-time employees or contract social workers and three (3) security positions to the Austin Public Library department to be managed by library personnel. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation from the Unmet Needs Working Group for the addition of social workers, security personnel, and other social support resources in libraries. A motion to approve the recommendation from the Unmet Needs Working Group to improve library safety and holistic services for library patrons through the addition of two (2) full-time employees or contract social workers and three (3) security positions to the Austin Public Library department to be managed by library personnel was made by Commissioner Davis and seconded by Vice Chair Infante Huerta on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner DeRosa absent. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation to rename the North Village Branch Library. …
LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION # 20240325-3 Support for Austin Public Library FY25 Budget Seconded By: Vice Chair Infante Huerta Date: March 25, 2024 Subject: Support for Austin Public Library FY25 Budget Motioned By: Commissioner Masters Recommendation Support for Austin Public Library's proposed budget for FY2025 with additional funding for unmet needs around books and materials, social workers, security and custodial positions, feasibility studies, and enhanced library cards. Description of Recommendation to Council Requesting that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Austin Public Library budget for FY2025. Additionally, increased funding is requested for an increase of 6% to the books and materials budget, the addition of two, (2) FTE social worker positions, three, (3) FTE of additional security and three (3) FTE of additional custodial positions, $1.5 million for feasibility studies of new and expanded facilities, and the expansion of the enhanced library card initiative. Rationale: In FY 2023, the Austin Public Library completed a year-long strategic planning process to shape the work of the library for years to come. Input was provided for the plan through a community survey that received more than 5,400 responses, pop-up community events in 20 locations throughout Austin, as well as a series of surveys, workshops, and listening sessions with APL staff and external community stakeholders. The Austin Public Library Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan, adopted by the City Council in March 2023, lays out new strategic goals for the Austin Public Library, aligned with the City of Austin’s Imagine Austin 30-year strategic plan and the SD28 5-year strategic plan. Our recommended budget provides Austin Public Library with the resources needed to advance the five strategic goals laid out in that plan document, as well as to achieve the Library’s new Mission Statement: “Inspiring all to discover, learn, and create.” The proposed budget includes a 3% increase in the budget for materials, including digital materials, subscriptions, and databases. Austin’s population growth, and the increased cost of materials – especially e-books, which represent a fast-growing share of APL’s circulation and require expensive licenses. These proposed increases are necessary to keep up with inflation but do not represent a growth budget and may, in fact, lead to a reduction of e-resources and increased patron wait times to access materials. An additional 3% increase for a total of 6% to the books and materials budget would help close the gap. The Commission also supports funding the listed …
1 Director’s Report March 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights _______________________________________________________________________________ 3 Facilities Update __________________________________________________________________________ 5 Capital Projects Update _________________________________________________________________5 Gallery ______________________________________________________________________________ 6 Active Project Timelines _________________________________________________________________ 7 Project Highlights ______________________________________________________________________ 8 APL by the Numbers _____________________________________________________________________ 9 Programs and Outreach__________________________________________________________________ 9 Cardholder ___________________________________________________________________________ 10 Visitors _____________________________________________________________________________ 11 Circulation and Collections _____________________________________________________________ 12 Express Checkout and Holds ___________________________________________________________13 Technology _________________________________________________________________________ 14 Budget, Volunteers and Meeting Rooms ___________________________________________________ 15 3 HIGHLIGHTS March into Women’s History Month with APL Celebrate Women’s History Month in March with APL with an array programs spanning our library system. Special programs include a writing series by local author Spike Gillespie, opportunities to celebrate heroines with author talks, storytimes, book club discussions, and a kaleidoscope of arts and crafts, ignited by the brilliance of women artists. Join us as we embark on a global celebration of female achievement at our captivating library events! APL Total Eclipse Programming APL is hosting a cosmic extravaganza of events and experiences across the system leading up to the mesmerizing total solar eclipse set to race the skies over Austin on April 8, 2024. From out-of-this-world crafts and story times to inflatable Stars and Science Planetariums and visits from NASA; we are gearing up for this historic event. Solar Glasses will be distributed to the public (2 per person) starting on Thursday, April 4, 2024, until supplies last at all Austin Public Library locations. Once we are out, we will not be replenishing our quantities. APL has also partnered with CapMetro to provide free bus passes to people needing transportation to APL Watch Parties on the day of the eclipse. Passes are available through a QR code on flyers available at branches. APL is hosting ten (10) Total Eclipse Watch Parties taking place around Austin on Monday, April 8th. There will be a limited number of glasses, but lots of crafts and treats for participants to enjoy as we witness this extraordinary event together. Central Library / 12 – 2 PM Menchaca Branch / 11:30 AM – 2 PM North Village Branch / 11 AM – 2 PM Oak Hill Branch / 12-2 PM Pleasant Hill Branch / 12:30-2:30 PM Willie Mae Kirk Branch / 12 -2 PM Old Quarry Branch / 12-2 PM Twin Oaks Branch / 12 – 2 PM Windsor Park Branch / 12-2 PM Cepeda Branch / 12 – 2 PM 4 APL Summer Youth Volunteer Program The application …
