SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION October 28, 2024 – 6P.M. John Gillum Branch Library 2502 Steck Ave. 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 Melissah Hasdorff 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission's special called meeting on September 23, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Summer 2024 Programming by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Bond Progress Update by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. Staff briefing on the October Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approval of the 2025 Library Commission Meeting Schedule 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 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 Affrican 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.” 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. Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 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 with Commissioner Davis’ motion and Vice Chair Mehta’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner …
REGULAR MEETING of the LIBRARY COMMISSION October 28, 2024 – 6P.M. John Gillum Branch Library 2502 Steck Ave. 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 Melissah Hasdorff Sheila Mehta, Vice Chair Cristina Masters Magen Davis Steve DeRosa AGENDA REVISED CALL TO ORDER 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission's special called meeting on September 23, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Summer 2024 Programming by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Bond Progress Update by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. Staff briefing on the October Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approval of the 2025 Library Commission Meeting Schedule WORKING GROUP UPDATE 6. Update from the Strategic Advocacy Working Group. 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. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Proposed Scope for Library Commission Working Group Working Group Members: Smith, DeRosa, Herrera Moreno Directive from October 23, 2024, Commission Meeting “Working group to bring forward recommendations on strategic advocacy for library budget and initiatives to City Council.” Working Group Proposed Scope The Library Commissioners seek ways to better advocate for APL and strategically connect with City Council members and other Commissioners to support the library's financial and collaborative efforts. Strategic Area: Galvaze support for the Library’s financial plans Understand the annual budgeting cycle and create a calendar to help Commissioners communicate with their City Council members and others to support APL’s goals Understand the 2026 Bond plan as it pertains to the APL and create a calendar for activation, communication, and advocacy by Commissioners Draft up a request for a new/improved section in the monthly Directors Report that includes APL’s priorities that can assist commissioners in focusing their advocacy message Strategic Area: Galvanize support for the Library’s priorities by communicating and collaborating with other Commissions and City Council meetings Identify CoA Commissions that have overlapping interests and initiatives - Running list: CTCC, PARD, PUBLIC HEALTH, AFD, APD, African American Resource Advisory Streamline and clarify the process for Library Commission members to represent at other CoA Boards and Commissions Assign board member to contact other commissions Identify individual point of contact in each commission Work with other commission board members to identify and prioritize common goals. Identify a way for the APL team to share with the Library Commission when Library business is part of City Council agendas Draft up a request for a new/improved section in the monthly Directors Report that includes APL’s priorities that can guide Commissioners activation Establish a process to communicate inter-commission collaborations to the Council. - - - - - - Identify and nurture APL advocates within the City Council members - - - - - -
2025 Meeting Schedule for the Library Commission The Library Commission meets on the last Monday of each month. LOCATION DISTRICT 6 PM Carver Branch | 1161 Angelina St Little Walnut Branch | 835 W Rundberg Ln Menchaca Rd Branch | 5500 Menchaca Rd 1 4 5 9 2 7 3 9 10 10 3 Faulk | 800 Guadalupe Street Southeast Branch | 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd Yarborough Branch | 2200 Hancock Dr Cepeda Branch | 651 N Pleasant Valley Rd Twin Oaks Branch | 1800 S 5th St Howson Branch | 2500 Exposition Blvd Old Quarry Branch | 7051 Village Center Dr Ruiz Branch | 1600 Grove Blvd. MEETING DATES & TIMES 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM Monday, January 27 Monday, February 24 Monday, March 31 Monday, April 28 Monday, May 19* Monday, June 30 Monday, July 28 Monday, August 25 Monday, September 29 Monday, October 27 Monday, November 17* 6 PM Monday, December 15* 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM Central | 710 W Cesar Chavez St. 9 *Date Change Due to Holiday The purpose of the board is to make recommendations to the City Council on matters relating to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the public libraries. § 2-1-150
1 Director’s Report October 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 Update At the end of September, Hannah Terrell, former Assistant Director, transitioned to Acting Director of Libraries. Hannah brings 20 years of library experience, both in school and public libraries, and has been with Austin Public Library for the last three years. Hannah will serve in an interim capacity while the City of Austin hosts a search for the next Director of Libraries. Banned Books Week In 1982, the rise in book challenges led to the creation of Banned Books Week, an annual celebration of the freedom to read. This year, The Library Foundation, in partnership with PEN America Austin and Austin Public Library, supported events and Banned Book Club Kits. These kits, available in all APL libraries, contain books frequently targeted for censorship and are designed for ongoing discussions about banned books all year long. Most kits have 8 copies of the same book. Banned Books Week ran from September 22-28, 2024 APL Vinyl Brunch Carver branch had its first Sunday Vinyl Brunch series on September 8. The event had a total of 53 in attendances and showcased DJ Boozwa. APL’s Carver Branch location houses a vinyl record collection of a few hundred records, spanning from a pressing of the first album from The Jackson 5 to jazz collections from the 60s and 70s. The Carver Branch is the only one of Austin Public Library’s system of 20 locations that has vinyl records available for checkout. Recycle Reads Guitar Meetups Recycled Reads will start a monthly meet up of guitar students to practice and learn from each other. The first meet up took place at the end of September, where participants met to choose a song or songs to practice with a group. In October, they will host Voces y Guitarras, a monthly meeting where participants can perform and play their chosen songs. Menchaca Turns 50 Menchaca Branch Library celebrated 50 years on September 28! This branch has a rich history that dates back to the 1940s. The establishment of this branch was initiated as a component of a comprehensive effort aimed at extending library services and materials to underprivileged communities in …
Ala nna Gra ves Libra ria n III: Summer Experience Coordina tor a la nna .gra ves@a ustintexa s.gov | 512-974-7311 Program features a summer learning ch a lle n ge , pr iz e s, a n d ov e r 3 0 0 f r e e e v e n t s f r o m J u n e 1st - Au gu st 10 t h 2 0 2 4 Summer Learning Ch a lle n ge THIS SUMMER, WE CHALLENGE YOU TO READ, LEARN, AND EARN FREE PRIZES READ COMPLETE EARN 600 Minutes Learning Badges Free Prizes Learning badges are scaled for each age group : babies & toddlers, kids & tweens, teens, and adults HOW T O PART ICIPAT E Online Pa pe r Logs Available at APL Locations or PDF download at library.austintexas.gov/summer FREE PRIZES! FREE PRIZES! FREE PRIZES! CHALLENGE FINISHER STATS 2023 2024 % difference Minutes Logged 2,157,070 3,383,106 +56.83% increase Readers Enrolled 4,256 6,265 +47.2% increase Prizes Distributed 2,763 4,145 +50.01% increase *CONGRATS TO RUIZ FOR GIVING OUT THE MOST PRIZES (435)! CHALLENGE FINISHER STATS 2023 2024 % difference Babies, Toddlers & Pre -K 776 1,012 +30.4% increase Kids & Tweens 1,331 1,712 +28.6% increase Teens Adults 146 512 173 +18.5% increase 1,248 +143.75% increase TOP 5 BOOKS LOGGED BY AGE GROUP by Bill Martin Jr. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Giraffes Can’t Dance Llama Llama Red Pajama The Very Hungry Caterpillar Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Giles Andreae by Anna Dewdney by Eric Carle by Bill Martin Jr. The Chalice of the Gods Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix b y Re b e c c a Ro s s Ruthless Vows The Summer I Turned Pretty Heartstopper b y A lic e O s e m a n b y J e n n y Ha n b y Ric k Rio r d a n b y J . K. Ro w lin g Babies & Toddlers Kids & Tweens Teens Adults Dog Man : The Scarlet Shedder b y D a v P ilk e y The Wild Robot b y P e t e r Br o w n Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets b y J . K. Ro w lin g Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir New Dragon City b y M a r i …
