Library Commission Community Interest Announcement Reception for Library Commission, Library Foundation and Austin History Center Association December 16, 2024 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 16, 2024 – 6 P.M. Austin Central Library Art Gallery 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: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Magen Davis Kezia Frayjo Andrea Herrera Moreno Mark Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Sheila Mehta, Vice Chair Steve DeRosa Melissah Hasdorff Cristina Masters 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 18, 2024. 2. 3. 4. 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. Discussion of the December Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Hannah Terrel, Interim Director of Libraries. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 5. 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 Library Department, at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov 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.
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Library Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES 18 NOVEMBER 2024 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the University Hills Branch Library, in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Infante Huerta called the Library Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair, Sheila Mehta, Vice- Chair, Melissah Hasdorff, , Mark Smith, Magen Davis, Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Steve DeRosa, Andrea Herrera Moreno, Kezia Frayjo, Christina Masters Commission Members Absent: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León spoke to the Commission regarding various concerns. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the October 28, 2024, special called meeting. The minutes from the regular meeting on October 28, 2024, were approved on a motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Vice Chair Mehta, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner DeRosa and Herrera Moreno absent during approval. Library Commission Meeting Minutes STAFF BRIEFINGS November 18, 2024 2. Staff briefing on Library Community Engagement by Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian, Austin Public Library The presentation was made by Laura Tadena, Community Engagement Librarian, Austin Public Library. 3. Staff briefing on the November Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. The presentation was made by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve a recommendation in support of Austin Public Library’s hotspot circulation program. The motion to increase the spending total allowed by Austin Public Library on the existing City of Austin wireless contract was approved with the following amendment on Commissioner Davis’s motion, Commissioner Hassdorf’s second, on a 9-0 vote. The amendment was: to remove the name T-Mobile from the language. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2026 Bond School Partnerships Nature Smart Programming Language Access Immigrant Services Passport Services Strategic Plan Roadshow Digital Inclusion Equity Initiatives Adult Programming Civic Engagement Signature Cultural Programming Budget Austin History Center Innovation Lab Poet Laureate ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. without objection.
Director’s Report December 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 1 HIGHLIGHTS APL Strategic Plan The implementation phase of Austin Public Library's Strategic Plan began on October 1st . This phase was launched with a Roadshow led by our Chief Administrative Officer and Business Process Consultant Senior, where they engaged with 40 different library work groups. The goal of the Roadshow was to educate staff about the Strategic Plan in a more intimate setting, fostering focused discussions and allowing for questions. Moving forward, the implementation phase will focus on identifying key data points, establishing systems, creating new policies and procedures, and collecting data to analyze during the baseline year. City Council Action On November 21, 2024, City Council authorized the negotiation and execution of an amendment to a contract for continued wireless communication services and equipment for all City departments with T-Mobile USA Inc., to increase the amount by $1,275,000 for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $1,600,000. Austin Public Library was added to the contract in order to secure the purchase of 500 T- Mobile 5G Inseego Wi-Fi Hotspots, to be added to the Library’s collection for circulation to the public. Our current collection of circulating Wi-Fi Hotspots from Moxee are reaching their end of life, and increased demand on the limited supply has resulted in long waits for the devices. The new Hotspots will be ready for circulation to the public beginning in January 2025. No upcoming scheduled council items have direct Library impact. Legislative Bills Bill pre-filing for the 89th Texas Legislature began on November 12, 2024. Austin Public Library, in conjunction with the City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Office, have identified the following bills as having a potential positive or negative impact on APL and its operations. SB 88 - Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor. Potential APL impact: Negative. SB 89 - Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain criminal offenses involving material or conduct that may be obscene or is otherwise harmful to children. Potential APL impact: Negative. 2 SB 242, HB 267, HB 1434 – (identical bill language) Relating to affirmative defenses to prosecution …