REGULAR MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION June 24, 2024 – 6 P.M. Hampton at Oak Hill Branch Library 5125 Convict Hill Road 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: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Andrea Herrera Moreno Kezia Frayjo Mark Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Sheila Mehta, Vice Chair Cristina Masters Magen Davis Steve DeRosa 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 special called meeting on May 13, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Programs Update, by Jennifer Peters, Division Manager, Programs and Partnerships Staff briefing on the June Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and department facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. 1. 2. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the date, location and agenda for the Library Commission retreat DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of the 2023 Library Commision Report 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.
Programs Update June 24, 2024 Jennifer Peters, Div Mgr, Programs & Partnerships Office of Programs & Partnerships (AOPP) • Develops and manages a programming plan that aligns with the mission, vision, and strategic goals of Austin Public Library • Creates system-wide processes that enable programming staff to develop, execute, and evaluate high-quality programs • Sets standards and measures effectiveness so that Library and COA leadership recognize the value of library programming to the Austin community. FY23 Changes and Updates • Developed New Program Priorities • Created Programming Manual • AOPP Team Responsibilities • Defined Program, Priorities, & AOPP Scope • Program Planning and Purchasing Processes • Revised Program Plan Submission Form • Replace “how” with “why” • Evaluation • Updated AOPP Sharepoint Landing Page • Developed Online Program Plan and PRF Submission Process • Created Trackers for Program Plans and PRFs • Providing Trainings Impact Percentage Change Oct 2022-Mar 2023 to Oct 2023-May 2024 Total Programs 2212 3860 Oct 22- Mar 23 Oct 23- May 24 % Change 75% Total Attendance 52555 102305 95% Number of Programs 2 2 - t c O 2 2 - v o N 2 2 - c e D 3 2 - n a J 3 2 - b e F 3 2 - r a M 3 2 - r p A 3 2 - y a M 3 2 - n u J 3 2 - l u J 3 2 - g u A 3 2 - p e S 3 2 - t c O 3 2 - v o N 3 2 - c e D 4 2 - n a J 4 2 - b e F 4 2 - r a M 4 2 - r p A 4 2 - y a M Program Attendance 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2 2 - t c O 2 2 - v o N 2 2 - c e D 3 2 - n a J 3 2 - b e F 3 2 - r a M 3 2 - r p A 3 2 - y a M 3 2 - n u J 3 2 - l u J 3 2 - g u A 3 2 - p e S 3 2 - t c O 3 2 - v o N 3 2 - …
1 Director’s Report June 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 Facilities Update ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Capital Projects Update …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 Gallery ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 Active Projects Timelines ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6 Project Highlights………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 APL Data & Numbers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9 Programs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10 Cardholders & Visitors …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 Circulation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12 Check Outs & Conference Rooms……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13 Platforms & Tech ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..14 Budget & Expenditures .………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15 HIGHLIGHTS 1 Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month Austin Public Library proudly celebrated Asian, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AHPI) Heritage Month. Observed annually in May, Asian, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the AHPI community in our nation’s history. As part of the up to 30+ programs across the library system to celebrate AANHPI, the Central Library hosted a community celebration with programs and activities including: · Storytime, "Celebrating Asian Dragons", featuring dragon folklore and myths, shadow puppet show, flannel stories and songs and rhymes and dragon art activities. · Carnatic music (a form of Indian classical) with Nischal Ananda, South Asia Institute of Austin, performing on the Carnatic Violin. · Bollywood Improv Show, an improvised Bollywood-style "rom-com", led by Director, Sid Desai, a veteran Hideout improvisor and director. · Paper Lei Making with Austin History Center · Gift shop items featuring AANHPI brands Terrazas Reopens! Terrazas branch library reopened on May 18, 2024, revealing a fresh new appearance following a two-month revitalization project led by the APL Facilities and Information System teams. We are excited to offer an updated facility to the community as we head into our summer programming. Inaugural GABFest a Success Austin Public Library hosted the first-annual Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Central Library. The intention behind the Greater Austin Book Fest was to provide a valuable opportunity for authors, illustrators, and readers from Hays, Williamson, and Travis Counties to establish meaningful connections and engage with their community. The day-long event featured over 80 local authors hosting panel discussions and book signings, Storytimes from over a dozen local children’s authors, as well as interactive writing, bookbinding, and storytelling sessions for all ages. 2 Bike to Work Day 2024 The Bike to Work Day Team welcomed 138 bikers who stopped by the Library’s fueling station on their bike route. Participants engaged with a selection of books displayed, played with a “bike journey” spinner, and contributed to the APL bike zine. There was also APL-branded swag and a bike …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 13, May, 2024 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING 13, May 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Infante Huerta called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair, Sheila Mehta, Vice-Chair, Steve DeRosa, Mark Smith Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Chistina Masters, Magen Davis, Commission Members Absent: Kezia Frayjo, Andrea Herrera Moreno, PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the April 29, 2024, regular meeting. The minutes of the April 29, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Commission Member DeRosa's motion and Commission Member Smith’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commission Member Frayjo and Herrea Moreno absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Librarian III. 2. Staff briefing on Kids Block Party and Summer at Austin Public Library, by Alanna Graves, The presentation was made by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 13, May, 2024 3. Staff briefing regarding Cooling and Warming Center Activation, by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. The presentation was made by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. 4. Discussion of the May 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. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commisison Retreat Programs Update Budget Update in July App Update once available Adjournment: Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. without objection.
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 Library Commission Mission Statement: The Library Commission shall make recommendations to the city council on matters relating to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the public libraries. City Code Section 2-1-150 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. a. Commissioners were briefed about the library operations so as to be able to answer questions from the City Council members and their constituents. i. Staff briefing regarding Austin Public Library’s Community Service Coordinators. ii. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Public Library’s Proposed FY24 Budget iii. Staff briefing regarding Austin Public Library marketing iv. Staff briefing regarding an update on Austin Public Library’s current facilities projects and new construction/expansion v. Staff briefing regarding People Experiencing Homelessness and the Austin Public Library vi. Staff briefing regarding Austin Public Library Programming Annual Review and Work Plan 2023/2024 vii. Staff briefing regarding Austin Public Library Digital Services viii. Staff briefing on updated reconsideration procedures for Austin Public Library team staff and upcoming reconsideration committee ix. Presentation by Tim Staley, Executive Director, The Library Foundation, regarding The Library Foundation programs and services x. Presentation by Charles Peveto, President, Austin History Center Association, regarding Austin History Center Association programs and services xi. Presentation by Nehemiah Pitts, Chair, Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission, regarding Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Engagement xii. Staff briefing regarding Immigration Services xiii. Staff briefing regarding APL Facilities Project Updates, Feasibility Studies & Future Bonds xiv. Staff briefing on Kids Block Party and Summer at Austin Public Library Report. xv. Staff briefing regarding Cooling and Warming Center Activation xvi. Staff briefing on Programs Update, by Jennifer Peters xvii. Monthly briefings regarding the Austin Public Library Director’s b. Commissioners voted to create the following working groups: i. Unmet Needs Working Group c. Commissioners informed their respective City Council members about major issues facing the library. d. Commissioners served as liaisons to branches within their respective council districts. joining remotely. e. All meetings were held in-person with some commissioners occasionally f. Commissioners acted to appoint a member of the library commission to the Austin Public Library reconsideration committee. 2 Annual Review and Work Plan 2023/2024 g. Commissioners reviewed and passed the below recommendations: i. LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20231127-05 - Expand library …
