SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION September 23, 2024 – 6P.M. African American Cultural and Heritage Facility 912 E 11th Street 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 regular meeting on August 26, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Security by St. John Requejo, Facilities Services Manager, Ida Garza, Central Security Supervisor, and Lloyd Black, Branch Security Supervisor. 1. 2. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Partnerships by Jennifer Peters, Division Manager, Programs & Partnerships and Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian. Staff briefing on the September Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and creation of a working group to bring forward recommendations on strategic advocacy for library budget and initiatives to City Council. 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. 5.
Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, August , 2024 REGULAR MEETING 26 August 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the St John Branch Library, 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, , Magen Davis, Steve DeRosa, Mark Smith, Kezia Frayjo, Andrea Herrera Moreno Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Sheila Mehta, Vice-Chair, Christina Masters Commission Members Absent: none PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos Leon spoke to the commission regarding Criminal Trespass Notices received.on May 9, 2024, at the Old Quarry and May 13, 2024, at the Howson branch libraries. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the August 3, 2024, special called meeting. The minutes of the August 3, 2024, special called meeting were approved on Commisison Member DeRosa’s motion and Commisison Member Davis’ second on a 7-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on the City of Austin Mentor and Tutor Program by Odera Anyasinti, Program Administrator, COA Mentor/Tutor. The presentation was made by Odera Anyasinti, Program Administrator, COA Mentor/Tutor. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, August , 2024 3. Staff Staff briefing on the August 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. DISCUSSION 4. Discussion on Board and Commission recommendations related to the Austin Public Library provided in the City of Austin Public Engagement Report. The Commission reviewed the Board and Commission recommendations related to the library in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Public Engagement Report. The discussion focused on how to strategically advocate for the library, including providing public comment at council meetings and potentially forming a future workgroup. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval on a library commission member on the Poet Laurette Committee. The Commission approved Commission Member Frayjo to participate on the Poet Laurette Committee with Commission Member Smith’s motion and Commission Member Herrera Moreno’s second on a 7-0 vote. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Working Group for Budget Recommendations Advocating at City Council Meetings Library Safety and Security Summer Reading Recap Adjournment: Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m. without objection.
Library Commission Community Interest Announcement Commission Reception September 23, 2024, at 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. African American Cultural and Heritage Facility 912 E 11th Street Laura Polio 512-974-9624 A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur.
Director’s Report September 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 Facilities Update ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Capital Projects Update …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Gallery ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 APL Data & Numbers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 Programs ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………….6 Cardholders & Visitors …………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………….7 Circulation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………..8 Check Outs & Conference Rooms……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9 Platforms & Tech ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..10 Volunteers.………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………….………………….11 Budget & Expenditures .………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 HIGHLIGHTS Leadership Transitions This month marks the end of the tenure of Roosevelt Weeks as Director of Libraries at Austin Public Library. Having served as Director of Austin Public Library since 2017, Roosevelt Weeks has accepted the position of Library Director for Fort Bend County Libraries in Fort Bend County, Texas. Mr. Weeks’ final day as Austin Public Library Director will be September 27, 2024. Beginning September 28, 2024 current Assistant Director Hannah Terrell will become Acting Director for Austin Public Library. North Village Branch Renamed John Gillum Branch The Austin City Council has passed an ordinance renaming the North Village Branch Library on Steck Avenue after former Austin Public Library Facilities Manager John Gillum. John Gillum worked for Austin Public Library from 1979 until his retirement in 2019. He was the Facilities Planning Manager and later the Facilities Process Manager, overseeing every aspect of the planning design, construction, and renovation of all Austin Public Library facilities and playing a significant role in the relocation and development of the North Village Branch Library. APL Staff Development Day Austin Public Library leadership hosted a Staff Development Day themed “URL: Unreal, Relearn, and Learn” where all staff attended a day-long virtual working session. The day-long working session included a keynote speaker, leadership presentations, and 14 different cohort groups with 30+ staff in each group. The cohort groups were administered by leadership and guided staff through three themed learning sessions focused on adaptability and resilience. I.D.E.A.L. Summer Workshop Series This summer, APL's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access in Libraries (I.D.E.A.L.) office hosted the summer series "Organizational Culture Transformation” workshop. I.D.E.A.L partnered with AISD's Organizational Transformation Team to facilitate and explore essential topics of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in libraries. The collaborative series offered a dynamic range of thoughtfully designed sessions to deepen understanding and enhance daily operations by creating an inclusive library experience for all. Through interactive workshops and expert-led discussions, 1 participants were able to gain insight and learn practical tools to adopt equitable practices and policies that embrace differences and diverse communities. Spicewood Springs Branch Expand Language Learning Programs Over the past year, the number language learning …
S U P P O R T I N G C O M M U N I T Y T H R O U G H P A R T N E R S H I P S J e n n i f e r P e t e r s D i v i s i o n M a n a g e r , P r o g r a m s & P a r t n e r s h i p s L a u r a T a d e n a C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n t L i b r a r i a n S E P T E M B E R 2 3 , 2 0 2 4 WHY PARTNERSHIPS MATTER L e v e r a g e R e s o u r c e s E n h a n c e s e r v i c e o f f e r i n g s B r o a d e r c o m m u n i t y r e a c h S t r e n g t h e n c o m m u n i t y i m p a c t H e l p u s b u i l d c o m m u n i t y t r u s t L e a d t o c r e a t i v e a n d i n n o v a t i v e o p p o r t u n i t i e s PARTNERSHIPS AT APL W H A T I S A P A R T N E R S H I P A p a r t n e r s h i p i s a f o r m a l c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n t w o o r m o r e o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o w …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING 23 SEPTEMBER 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the African American Cultural and Heritage Center, 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, Magen Davis, Steve DeRosa, Mark Smith, Andrea Herrera Moreno Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Kezia Frayjo Commission Members Absent: Christina Masters PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León spoke to the Commission regarding various concerns. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the August 26, 2024, special called meeting. The minutes of the September 23, 2024, special called meeting were approved with the following amendments on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Herrera Moreno’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Masters absent. The amendments were: the removal of the wording, “Criminal Trespass Notices received.on May 9, 2024, at the Old Quarry and May 13, 2024, at the Howson branch libraries.”, and the addition of the wording, “various concerns.” Carlos León provided public comment to the Commission regarding approval of minutes concerns. Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Security by St. John Requejo, Facilities Services Manager, Ida Garza, Central Security Supervisor, and Lloyd Black, Branch Security Supervisor. The presentation was made by St. John Requejo, Facilities Services Manager, Ida Garza, Central Security Supervisor, and Lloyd Black, Branch Security Supervisor. Carlos León provided public comment to the Commission regarding security concerns. 3. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Partnerships by Jennifer Peters, Division Manager, Programs & Partnerships and Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian. The presentation was made by Jennifer Peters, Division Manager, Programs & Partnerships and Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian. 4. Staff briefing on the September 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. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and creation of a working group to bring forward recommendations on strategic advocacy for library budget and initiatives to City Council. The Commission approved the creation of a working group to include Commissioner Herrera Moreno as chair, with Commisisoner Smth, and Commissioner DeRosa to bring forward recommendations on strategic advocacy for library budget and initiatives to City Council …
