REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025, AT 6 P.M. RUIZ BRANCH LIBRARY 1600 GROVE BLVD 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. 2. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on September 29, 2025. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on October 27, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on prospective advocacy initiatives to support the Austin Public Library Centennial Celebrations in 2026. 4. 5. Discussion and approval of a Library Commission representative to the Austin Public Library Honorary Centennial Planning Committee. Approve the 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule of the Library Commission. STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. Staff briefing on the November 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.
APL CENTENNIAL GOALS • To celebrate 100 years of Austin Public Library in a variety of ways and look forward to the next century • To tell APL’s story and clearly showcase the library’s value to the public • To invite the public to collectively reflect and share what they value. about APL 2026 DATES • Kick off celebrations systemwide February 16, 2026 • Grand Celebration at Central on October 17, 2026 • End systemwide celebrations December 23, 2026
APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Hannah Terrell, Interim Director Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Highlights Spicewood Springs Branch Marks 40 Years of Community Impact The Austin Public Library welcomed the community to the Spicewood Springs Branch 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 1st, honoring four decades of service, learning, and neighborhood connection. Guests enjoyed a lively afternoon featuring family-friendly activities, special presentations including Austin’s first Poet Laureate Zell Miller III, and opportunities to reflect on the stories, people, and programs that have shaped the branch’s legacy. Finger Weaving at APL RHIZOMATIC: Essentials Creative Essentials Creative presents Rhizomatic, an immersive installation on view during October at the Central Library. This series of double-sided tapestries reimagines native Texas plants through cultural storytelling, artistic interpretation, and botanical research. Supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department, Rhizomatic honors ancestral knowledge and inspires new relationships with the Texas landscape. 3 APL hosted a hands-on finger weaving workshopat several library locations, led by Doug Martin, aCitizen of the Cherokee Nation and TERO-certifiedfinger weaver. Participants learned the traditionalloom-free weaving method and practiced thediagonal pattern by creating keychains or lanyardsto take home. Martin, who teaches Cherokeelanguage, crafts, and history in his community,shared his cultural expertise while demonstratinghow ancestral techniques continue to informcontemporary artistry. AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Special Events Updates In October 2025, Central Library Special Events hosted 18 programs, including 14 rentals and 4 co- sponsorships, with an estimated total attendance of 2,242. Co-sponsorship highlights included events with the Library Foundation (Yang Shuang-zi’s Taiwan Travelogue and The Day the Books Disappeared), the African American Heritage Network’s Speed Mentoring Event, and the City of Austin Economic Development Department’s For Women, by Women: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurship. The City’s Economic Development Department held the event For Women, by Women: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurship on October 16th. Recycled Reads Transition City Council Updates/Legislative Bills There have not been any recent Austin City Council agenda items nor have there been any legislative bills that would have a direct impact on Austin Public Library. Budget and Expenditures 4 A “Recycled Reads Transition Workgroup” has been established to develop timelines and createoperational plans for the transition of the Recycled Reads program from a single bookstore location ina leased privately-owned storefront to a systemwide program with materials sales at all Austin PublicLibrary locations. These timelines will allow for …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Carver 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 Pamela Carlile Sara Gore Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Andrea Herrera Moreno Edward Selig Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Sheila Mehta, Vice-Chair Melissah Hasdorff Magen Davis PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León – TBD APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on August 25, 2025. Library Commission Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 The September 29, 2025, minutes were approved on a motion by Commissioner Carlile, seconded by Vice Chair Mehta and Commissioner Gore. The motion passed on a 9–0 vote. The August 2, 2025, minutes were approved to be amended on a motion by Commissioner Selig, seconded by Herrera Moreno. The motion passed on a 9-0 vote. The amendment was under Staff Briefing, item 7 , line 3: the word “her” was changed to “their.” The posted agenda contained an incorrect date, and actions taken on dates not on the agenda. Necessary votes will be retaken at future meetings to ensure compliance with public notice requirements. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the 2026 annual schedule of the Library Commission. The motion to approve the Library Commission 2026 Meeting Schedule was approved with the following friendly amendments on Commissioner Selig’s motion, seconded by Commissioner Gururaj and Commissioner Carlile on a 9-0 vote. The friendly amendment from Chair Infante Herrera was to update the date and location of the March meeting to March 23, 2026, at the Central Library. This was accepted by Commissioner Selig, Commissioner Gururaj and Commissioner Carlile. STAFF BRIEFING 1. 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. The briefing was presented by Katherine Cantrell, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Nancie Mathis, Passport Services Administrative Supervisor and Josh Wilkinson, Sales & Events Manager. 3. Staff briefing on the October APL Public Programming Highlights and Facilities Updates, by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director of Libraries. The briefing was presented by Hannah Terrell, Interim Director. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2026 Meeting …
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 - Present 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. 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. 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.
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 23* 6 PM Central, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St 7 4 9 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 31 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 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
