REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025, AT 6 P.M. CARVER BRANCH LIBRARY 1161 ANGELINA STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission may be participating via video conference. 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, contact Laura Polio, 512-974-9624, laura.polio@austintexas.gov. Sheila Mehta, Vice Chair Magen Davis Sara Gore Andrea Herrera Moreno CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Pamela Carlile Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Melissah Hasdorff Edward Selig AGENDA 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 regular meeting on August 25, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the 2026 annual schedule of the Library Commission. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. 4. Staff briefing on the Austin Public Library Strategic and Administrative Services Division by Katherine Cantrell, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Carmaleta McKinnis-Williams, I.D.E.A.L. Program Manager, Nancie Mathis, Passport Services Administrative Supervisor and Josh Wilkinson, Sales & Events Manager. Staff briefing on the October APL Public Programming Highlights and Facilities Updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Laura Polio at the Austin Public Library Department, at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Library Commission, please contact Laura Polio at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov.
Austin Public Library Strategic and Administrative Services Division (ASAS) Austin Public Library - ASAS Division Data and Strategic Planning Data and Strategic Planning Sales and Event Services Sales and Event Services Mentor/Tutor Program Mentor/Tutor Program Passport Services Passport Services I.D.E.A.L. I.D.E.A.L. Austin Public Library | October 27, 2025 Data & Strategic Planning Katherine Cantrell, Interim Chief Administrative Officer Austin Public Library | October 27 Data Management & System Improvement Reports State Accreditation Annual state and national surveys Training Track & Display Strategic Plan data City of Austin KPIs City of Austin Strategic Plan 3 APL Strategic Plan 01 02 03 04 05 Goal 1 Provide Community-Centric Programs and Services Goal 2 Design and Develop Spaces for Community Connections Goal 3 Foster Stakeholder Relationships Goal 4 Expand Library Access Goal 5 Engage Staff Sales & Events Services Josh Wilkinson, Special Events Manager Austin Public Library | October 27 Events Services Overview • Manage external rentals and co-sponsored events to generate revenue. • Support Library priorities: community programs, space development, and stakeholder engagement. • Generate $350,000+ annually in revenue to fund Library initiatives. • Ensure accessibility with a 50% discount for non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies. Spaces SPECIAL EVENT CENTER (UP TO 450 GUESTS) ROOF GARDEN & INDOOR LIVING ROOM (UP TO 250 GUESTS) ART GALLERY (UP TO 175 GUESTS) DEMONSTRATION AREA (UP TO 80 GUESTS) OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER (UP TO 25 GUESTS OR ADD ON SPACE) Operations Customer Service: • Event planning • Contracting & invoicing Vendor & Facilities Management • A/V • Catering • Security • Custodial Co-Sponsored Events Fee waivers for events aligning with Library & City priorities 7 Results & Alignment Economic & Community Contributions 200+ events annually, generating $350,000+ in revenue 15,000 - 22,000 visitors per year, many discovering Library services for the first time Aligning with Library’s Mission & Vision Equity & Inclusion: Providing accessible spaces for all community members. Education & Engagement: Hosting diverse events that introduce attendees to Library resources. Sustainability: Revenue reinvested to enhance Library programs and spaces. 8 Mentor/Tutor Program Odera Anyasinti, Administrator Austin Public Library | October 27 CITY OF AUSTIN MENTOR/TUTOR CITY OF AUSTIN MENTOR/TUTOR PROGRAM PROGRAM The City of Austin Mentor and Tutor Program allows City employees to volunteer in mentoring and tutoring roles with any of seven programs approved by the Austin Independent School District (AISD), for up to two hours per week during the workday with supervisor …
Library Commission 2026 Meeting Schedule MEETING DATES & TIMES LOCATION DISTRICT Monday, January 26 6 PM Milwood Branch, 125 Amherst Dr Monday, February 23 6 PM Little Walnut Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln Monday, March 30 6 PM Menchaca Branch, 5500 Menchaca Rd 7 4 5 Monday, April 27 6 PM Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Dr 2 Monday, May 18* 6 PM Old Quarry Branch,7051 Village Circle Dr 10 Monday, June 29 6 PM Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd Saturday, July 25* 10 AM Central, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St 8 9 Monday, August 24 6 PM Spicewood Springs, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd 6 Monday, September 28 6 PM Austin History Center Campus, 800 Guadalupe St 9 Monday, October 26 6 PM Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr Monday, November 16* 6 PM University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln 3 1 Monday, December 14* 6 PM Central, 710 W Cesar Chavez St 9 *Date Change Due to Holiday or Retreat 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
Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 29, 2025 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Howson Branch Library in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Infante Huerta called the Library Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Sheila Mehta, Vice-Chair Magen Davis Sara Gore Melissah Hasdorff Edward Selig Commissioners Absent: Pamela Carlile Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Andrea Herrera Moreno PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Sara Black (remotely) Carlos León APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on August 25, 2025. The August 25, 2025, minutes were approved with the following amendment at the September 29, 2025, regular meeting on a motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Gore. The motion passed on a 6–0 vote. Commissioners Carlile, Gururaj Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 29, 2025 and Herrera Moreno were absent. The amendment was to correct a typographical error in Item 1, Approval of the Minutes, by changing “Commissioners” to “Commissioner” on line two. Carlos León provided public communication to the Commission. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing on the Outcomes and Highlights of the Summer at Austin Public Library Program by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. The briefing was presented by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. 3. Staff briefing on the September APL Public Programming Highlights and Facilities Updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. The briefing was presented by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director. Carlos León provided public communication to the Commission. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the 2026 Library Commission Meeting Schedule. The Commission discussed the 2026 Library Commission Meeting Schedule. 5. Discussion regarding the Community Meeting held on September 11, 2025, by District 7 and Austin Public Library concerning the Recycled Reads program. The Commission discussed the Community Meeting held on September 11, 2025, by District 7 and Austin Public Library concerning the Recycled Reads program. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Passport Services I.D.E.A.L - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access in Libraries ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. without objection.
APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Hannah Terrell, Interim Director October 2025 Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Highlights “Unboxing the Archives” Welcomes Visitors Back to AHC On Sunday, October 7, AHC hosted Unboxing the Archives: Our Records, Our Stories, offering the public a “sneak peek” of the transformed History Center. The event’s new exhibit explored how archives preserve diverse narratives that shape our collective understanding of the past. Guests enjoyed a vibrant afternoon featuring music from DJ Chorizo Funk and DJ Hunt, catering from local vendors, and a special appearance by U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. The event underscored the History Center’s role in connecting community through storytelling, creativity, and shared history. Austin Lima Sister Cities: “Peru Unveiled” On Saturday, September 27, Austin Public Library and the Austin Lima Sister Cities Committee presented Peru Unveiled at the Central Library. The weekend celebration honored Peruvian art, heritage, and culture through music, dance, and storytelling. Performances included traditional dances by Tusuy Sonqo Perú, Wayra Perú, and Agrupación Folclórica Orgullo y Tradición. Guests also enjoyed a theatre performance by Miki Vargas and a lively cooking demonstration by Chef Majo con Sabor, hosted by Adolfo Aguilar. Film screenings and a panel discussion on Peruvian identity and cultural storytelling rounded out the event. Hip Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit Dancers and guests celebrate Peruvian culture at Peru Unveiled. Austin Public Library is partnering with the LBJ Library and Foundation to promote Hip Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit, on loan from the GRAMMY Museum. The exhibit runs from October 4, 2025 through January 4, 2026. To celebrate, Carver Branch Library will host a Vinyl Night on November 7 with music, games, and a guest speaker. 3 The exhibit immerses visitors in hip-hop’s historythrough a 200-song playlist and rare artifacts thatshowcase the culture’s evolution. Highlights includeChuck D’s handwritten “Fight the Power” lyrics, LL CoolJ’s Kangol hat and TROOP jacket, DMC’s Adidas andfedora, Egyptian Lover’s gold Roland 808, Questlove’sdrumsticks, and signature pieces from MC Lyte, DozeGreen, and The Notorious B.I.G. AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Special Events Updates In September 2025, Central Library Special Events hosted 16 programs, including 9 rentals, 7 co- sponsorships, and 2 photography sessions, with an estimated total attendance of 2,366. Co-sponsorship highlights included the CATRAC Educational Symposium, the Texas Book Festival Lineup Reveal, and the 75th Anniversary of UT Press. City departments …
