REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2026, AT 10 A.M. AUSTIN CENTRAL LIBRARY, 4TH FLOOR 710 WEST CESAR CHAVEZ 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. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Pamela Carlile Sara Gore Melissah Hasdorff Sheila Mehta Holly Sabiston Edward Selig, Vice Chair Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Elizabeth Hansen Andrea Herrera Moreno Lorrie Ann Mitchel 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 held on June 29, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing on Library Facilities, Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager. Staff briefing on Library FY2027 Proposed Budget, John Cabiya, Austin Public Library Financial Manager II. 4. Staff briefing on Library Safety and Security, Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager. DISCUSSION 5. 6. 7. Discussion regarding the Library Commission Annual Internal Review and Report Submission. Discussion on potential further action and advocacy regarding the Book Safe Harbor Recommendation. Discussion and identification of Commission priorities for the upcoming year, including goal setting and strategic focus areas. 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 about the Library Commission, please contact Laura Polio, Department Executive Assistant, at 512-974-9624 or laura.polio@austintexas.gov.
FY 2026-27 Budget Timeline POLICY INPUT FORECASTING & BUDGET DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DELIBERATION & ADOPTION NEW FISCAL YEAR MARCH 31 APRIL 21 MAY 19 JULY 16 JULY 22 JULY 28 JULY 30 AUG. 4, 6 AUG. 12-14 OCTOBER 1 Board & Commission Recommendations Due Financial Forecast Presentation to City Council City Council Priority Setting City Manager’s Proposed Budget Presentation Community Input and Work Session Work Session Public Hearing and Work Session Work Session Budget Readings & Tax Rate Hearings First Day of the Fiscal Year MAR APR MAY JUL AUG OCT BOARDS & COMMISSIONS BUDGET PRIORITY SURVEY COMMUNITY INPUT MEETINGS & CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT TOWN HALLS OCT. 1 – SEP. 30 July 22, 2026 35 Austin Public Library – General Fund FY 2027 Proposed Budget: $80.0M 0.0% Increase Personnel – $46.4M Allocated - $22.3M Programmatic - $11.3M FY 2027 Positions: 451.6 FTEs Net Change: -11.0 FTEs 22 Library Facilities 6,475 Library Programs 694 Outreach Events July 22, 2026 13 Austin Public Library– General Fund Performance Highlights Department Key Performance Indicators Description FY25 Actual FY26 Target FY26 Estimate FY27 Target Number of library initiatives targeting underserved populations Number of active card holders from priority populations Percent of staff trained in de-escalation and safety protocols 21.00 25.00 26.00 31.00 25,511 25,000 23,398 26,250 NA 11.00 11.00 25.00 Program Highlights Net Programmatic Change: $133,596 • $449,000 increase in funding, including 5 facility management positions, to support the full utilization of the Austin History Center Campus, which integrates the recently reopened John Henry Faulk Building and the original Austin History Center building. • $315,000 reduction in funding for temporary personnel budget, with the savings reallocated to other departmental priorities. July 22, 2026 14 Austin Public Library – All Funds Expenditure by Fund Other Fund Highlights General Fund, $80.0M, 95.7% • $1.1 million in one-time funding from the Library Facilities Maintenance and Improvements Fund for audio-video equipment, lighting improvements, and a new loading dock at the Austin History Center Campus. Library Facilities Maintenance and Improvements, $3.6M, 4.3% July 22, 2026 15
Library Commission Meeting Minutes June 29, 2026 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Hampton at Oak Hill 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: Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Pamela Carlile Elizabeth Hansen Sara Gore Holly Sabiston Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Edward Selig, Vice-Chair Lorrie Ann Mitchel Commissioners Absent: Melissah Hasdorff Andrea Herrera Moreno Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Sheila Mehta PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on May 18, 2026. Library Commission Meeting Minutes June 29, 2026 The minutes meeting were approved on a motion by Vice Chair Selig and a second by Commissioner Mitchel. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Mehta, Hasdorff, Gururaj and Herrera Moreno absent. DISCUSSION 2. Discussion regarding the agenda for the July 25, 2026, Library Commission Retreat. Discussed. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 3. Report of the recommendation by the Book Safe Harbor Working Group. Vice Chair Selig provided the update. 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. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council to reaffirm and expand the previously adopted Freedom to Read Resolution (20220901-086) and further designate the City of Austin as a Book Safe Harbor, was approved on Commissioner Mitchel’s motion, Commissioner Carlile’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Mehta, Gururaj, Hasdorff, and Herrera Moreno absent. STAFF BRIEFING 5. Staff briefing on the June 2026 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 Annual Internal Review Report Budget Facilities Update Security Library Commission Meeting Minutes June 29, 2026 ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m. without objection.
Highlights & Updates Report Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries July 2026 Public Services Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Highlights Kids Block Party Austin Public Library hosted its annual Kids Block Party at Central Library, transforming the first-floor event center into a DINO-mite pop-up dinosaur museum. Families enjoyed a pop- up Dinosaur George museum with fossils, themed storytimes, crafts, book giveaways, and a CapMetro bus storytime featuring author Lindsay Leslie reading Gus Hearts the Bus. Paleontologists from the Texas Natural History Museum answered questions, while Austin Park Rangers led nature activities and STEM play included robotics demos. The event launched APL’s summer reading program, engaging young readers and families in an interactive, educational, and unforgettable kickoff to summer fun. Tuneful Tales with the Austin Symphony Orchestra Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Tuneful Tales brought vibrant, family‑friendly performing arts programs to Austin Public Library branches across the city. More than 2,000 children visited Central Library, University Hills Branch, and Windsor Park Branch to experience musical storytelling performed by ASO chamber ensembles and local storytellers. Each event featured hands‑on arts activities led by certified Orff Schulwerk educators or interactive music stations at Central Library, creating joyful, imagination‑sparked moments that turned library spaces into lively hubs of creativity for young audiences. 3 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Centennial Planning Updates Austin Public Library’s Centennial year reached new heights in June, marked by landmark achievements and citywide enthusiasm. The 100‑Year Carver Branch Juneteenth Community Cookout brought families together in celebration, blending food, music, and history with the debut of Freedom Legacies: Visual Reflections of Austin’s Juneteenth Festivities, a new Austin History Center exhibit honoring generations of Juneteenth traditions. Across the city, the festivities were impossible to miss. CapMetro introduced a striking Centennial‑themed bus now circulating through Austin’s neighborhoods, while APL’s Central Library earned national acclaim as one of TIME Magazine’s 25 Buildings That Represent America—described by sociologist Eric Klinenberg as “a palace for the people.” Central Library also became a hub of live storytelling as KAZI 88.7FM broadcast overlooking the atrium, interviewing APL Director Hannah Terrell and highlighting both summer initiatives and the library’s yearlong Centennial programming. Among the standouts is APL’s Summer Reading & Badge Challenge, recently named one of the best things to do in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. Running through August 8, the program invites participants to read for 600 minutes and complete three activity badges to earn …
7/24/2026 2 1 APL Facilities Division Update APL Facilities Division Update Cody Scott | Facilities Process Manager 1 2 Objectives Introduction Safety and Security Active projects Pending projects Developing projects Deferred Maintenance Austin History Center Campus Art for All Project 7/24/2026 Facilities Division BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS 30 Staff INVENTORY CONTROL 9 Staff MAINTENANCE CONSTRUCTION 15 Staff 4 Staff SAFETY AND SECURITY 40 Staff Total 100 Staff Members 3 4 Security Leadership Cody Scott Facilities Process Manager Jason Rosson Security Manager Lloyd Black Library Security Supervisor Ida Garza Library Security Supervisor Vacant Library Security Supervisor Vacant Emergency Planning Coord. St John Requejo Security Coordinator TCSO Peace Officers Vacant positions have been posted 3 4 2 Regional Coverage NORTH DOWNTOWN SOUTH Little Walnut Old Quarry John Gillum Milwood University Hills Windsor Park Howson Spicewood Yarborough St John Zaragoza Warehouse 11 Locations Central Austin History Center Campus 2 Locations Terrazas Twin Oaks Cepeda Ruiz Pleasant Hill Menchaca Carver Southeast Hampton at Oak Hill Willie Mae Kirk 10 Locations Safety and Security Priorities Library Staff Training • Civilian Response to Active Attack • De-escalation Training • Emergency Preparedness Training APD Collaboration • Meetings with APD Downtown Area Command have started to strengthen collaboration Expand collaboration efforts to all APD Commands using lessons learned • Enhance Emergency Preparedness • FEMA Disaster and Emergency Response Training 5 6 7/24/2026 5 6 3 Cross-Departmental Collaboration Criminal Trespass Notice (CTN) Working Group 7 City Departments Austin Public Library Parks & Recreation Homeless Strategies & Operations City Attorney’s Office Austin Police Department Austin Facilities Management Austin Management Services Key Outcomes Citywide CTN approach Consistent staff training Balance safety & public access Review forms & processes Ongoing interdepartmental coordination Next Coordination Meeting August 3, 2026 Thank You 1 7 8 7/24/2026 7 8 4 Slide 7 1 [@Scott, Cody] let me know what you think ☺ Valdez, Lucero [Library], 2026-07-22T20:26:05.328 Public Library Facilities Projects Public Library Facilities Projects Active Projects in 2026 Hampton at Oak Hill: Substantial Completion Willie Mae Kirk: Furniture and Floor Plan Under Review May Late Summer/Early Fall Winter 2027 Carver Roofing Old Quarry 9 10 7/24/2026 10 5 Pending Projects for 2027 Little Walnut 18-months 18 months Menchaca Menchaca Youth Wall Concept 11 12 7/24/2026 11 12 6 Menchaca Floor Layout Circulation desk concept Little Walnut Youth Wall Concept 13 14 7/24/2026 13 14 7 Little Walnut Floor Plan Little Walnut Exterior 15 16 7/24/2026 15 …
