REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026, AT 6 P.M. HAMPTON AT OAK HILL LIBRARY 5125 CONVICT HILL ROAD 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. Edward Selig, Vice Chair Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Elizabeth Hansen Andrea Herrera Moreno Lorrie Ann Mitchel CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Pamela Carlile Sara Gore Melissah Hasdorff Sheila Mehta Holly Sabiston 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 May 18, 2026. DISCUSSION 2. Discussion regarding the agenda for the July 25, 2026, Library Commission Retreat. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 3. Report of the recommendation by the Book Safe Harbor Working Group. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL 4. Approval of an updated recommendation to the Austin City Council reaffirming and expanding the previously adopted Freedom to Read Resolution (Resolution Number 20220901-086) and further designating the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. STAFF BRIEFINGS 5. Staff briefing on June 2026 Austin Public Library Public Programming Highlights and Facilities Updates, by Hannah Terrell, 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 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.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20260623-04: Book Safe Harbor Date of Approval: June 29, 2026 Recommendation: Designate the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. Description of Recommendation to Council: Requesting that the Austin City Council adopt a resolution that designates the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor rea(cid:431)irming and expanding the previously adopted Freedom to Read Resolution (Resolution Number 20220901-086). Rationale: Background Across the country and in the State of Texas, libraries are confronting aggressive challenges to materials in their collections. School libraries have been the primary target of these incidents.1 While public libraries are a lesser target, these challenges are occurring there, too.2 3 Since 2021, the State of Texas has passed several bills to restrict public access to books.4 5 Challenges and complaints often cite explicit content, issues around race, gender identity and sexuality, and sex education.6 We continue to believe it is a core mission of the public library to provide quality information from diverse viewpoints, especially on these kinds of topics. We also continue to believe that book bans and these undue challenges are attacks on open access and free inquiry, which are essential to our democracy. 7 On April 18, 2022, the City of Austin Library Commission sent a recommendation to City Council to support and protect the "Freedom to Read" as a result of the numerous challenges to the access of literature and library materials 8, resulting in Resolution 20220901-086.9 With sustained e(cid:431)orts at local, state, and national levels to ban access to literature and educational material, the nationwide Book Safe Harbor movement (also known as the Book Sanctuary movement) has emerged to protect access to information and literature. A book safe harbor provides unwavering support and protection for the freedom to read.10 Becoming a book safe harbor means a city is dedicated to protecting books and resources (physical or digital) that are endangered, challenged, or banned. This movement has championed the right to read all books, without censorship or limitation to access. Successful designations in the State of Texas include the Harris County Library System. 11 12 The "Freedom to Read" is a constitutional right13 that should continue to be protected and reinforced by the City's status as a Book Safe Harbor should undue challenges arise at the Austin Public Library. This designation aligns with the public, as 71% of Americans oppose book bans.14 All patrons …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20260623-04: Book Safe Harbor Date of Approval: June 29, 2026 Recommendation: Designate the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. Description of Recommendation to Council: Requesting that the Austin City Council adopt a resolution that designates the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor rea(cid:431)irming and expanding the previously adopted Freedom to Read Resolution (Resolution Number 20220901-086). Rationale: Background Across the country and in the State of Texas, libraries are confronting aggressive challenges to materials in their collections. School libraries have been the primary target of these incidents.1 While public libraries are a lesser target, these challenges are occurring there, too.2 3 Since 2021, the State of Texas has passed several bills to restrict public access to books.4 5 Challenges and complaints often cite explicit content, issues around race, gender identity and sexuality, and sex education.6 We continue to believe it is a core mission of the public library to provide quality information from diverse viewpoints, especially on these kinds of topics. We also continue to believe that book bans and these undue challenges are attacks on open access and free inquiry, which are essential to our democracy. 7 On April 18, 2022, the City of Austin Library Commission sent a recommendation to City Council to support and protect the "Freedom to Read" as a result of the numerous challenges to the access of literature and library materials 8, resulting in Resolution 20220901-086.9 With sustained e(cid:431)orts at local, state, and national levels to ban access to literature and educational material, the nationwide Book Safe Harbor movement (also known as the Book Sanctuary movement) has emerged to protect access to information and literature. A book safe harbor provides unwavering support and protection for the freedom to read.10 Becoming a book safe harbor means a city is dedicated to protecting books and resources (physical or digital) that are endangered, challenged, or banned. This movement has championed the right to read all books, without censorship or limitation to access. Successful designations in the State of Texas include the Harris County Library System. 11 12 The "Freedom to Read" is a constitutional right13 that should continue to be protected and reinforced by the City's status as a Book Safe Harbor should undue challenges arise at the Austin Public Library. This designation aligns with the public, as 71% of Americans oppose book bans.14 All patrons …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes May 18, 2026 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the St. John Branch Library in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Infante Huerta called the Library Commission meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Sara Gore Melissah Hasdorff Sheila Mehta Edward Selig, Vice-Chair Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Elizabeth Hansen Holly Sabiston Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Pamela Carlile Andrea Herrera Moreno Commissioners Absent: Lorrie Ann Mitchel PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on April 27, 2026. Library Commission Meeting Minutes May 18, 2026 The minutes meeting were approved, as amended, on a motion by Commissioner Gore and a second by Commissioner Hansen. The motion passed on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Mitchel absent. The approved amendments correct the spelling of the name “Scanlon” by changing the character “i” to “l” on line 2 and line 5 of Page 2, under Agenda Item 2 in the Discussion section. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 2. Update from Working Group regarding Austin as a Book Safe Harbor. Commissioner Mehta provided the update. STAFF BRIEFING 3. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Reconsideration Process by Christina Nelson, Branch Services Division Manager, Austin Public Library. The briefing was presented by Christina Nelson, Branch Services Division Manager. 4. Staff briefing on Summer at Austin Public Library and Kids Block Party, by Alanna Graves, Librarian III, Austin Public Library. The briefing was presented by Alanna Graves, Librarian III. 5. Staff briefing on the April APL Public Programming Highlights and Facilities Updates, by Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries. The briefing was presented by Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Book Safe Harbor Working Group One ATS Reorganization Recycled Reads ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. without objection.
Highlights & Updates Report Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries June 2026 Public Services Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Highlights Greater Austin Book Fest (GAB Fest) Austin Public Library hosted the third annual Greater Austin Book Festival on May 16 at the Central Library, featuring over 200 local authors and drawing more than 800 attendees. The free event included panels and workshops on writing, publishing, and marketing, and authors sold their books directly to readers. Poet Laureate Zell Miller III led a workshop on performing poetry, and participating authors expressed strong appreciation and excitement for future festivals. Mayor’s Teen Town Hall 2026 As part of the Mayor’s USA250 Community Read Challenge, the Mayor’s Teen Town Hall was hosted by the Austin Public Library in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on May 22, 2026, at the Gallery. The event brought together 24 students and 7 chaperones from Akins Early College High School, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Austin High School, Crockett Early College High School, International High School, Navarro Early College High School, and Northeast Early College High School for a unique civic engagement opportunity with Mayor Kirk Watson. Student representatives from each participating campus had the opportunity to ask questions and share their perspectives on issues affecting young people and the Austin community. Mayor Watson also shared his personal journey, experiences in public service, and insights into local government, creating a meaningful dialogue that encouraged civic engagement and leadership among participants. 3 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights History Harvest The John Gillum Branch Library hosted a History Harvest on May 30 as part of APL’s Centennial celebration, inviting community members to share photos and memories for inclusion in the Austin History Center archives. Attendees contributed stories, scanned photos, and wrote memories, and received a free APL 100 coffee mug. Centennial Planning Updates Centennial programming includes the rollout of the Adventure Booklet, with staff encouraged to increase in‑branch promotion after community feedback indicated limited awareness of the program. Additional summer offerings featured themed adult and teen programs such as vintage cake decorating, cheese tasting, the Library’s 100th Birthday Bash, mini piñatas, and Decoden workshops. Several History Harvests were completed in collaboration with the Austin History Center, with additional events scheduled at John Gillum, Milwood, and Old Quarry. Planning also continued for APL After Dark on July 10, a Roaring Twenties–themed evening event for adults, with …
