REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026, AT 6 P.M. AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER CAMPUS JOHN HENRY FAULK BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR MEETING ROOM 425 800 GUADALUPE STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 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 July 25, 2026. DISCUSSION 2. Presentation by Carol Eckelkamp, President of the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area on Collaboration - The Austin Public Library Commission and the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area. 3. Discussion of Future Advocacy Opportunities and Development of a Framework for Commission Engagement in the Next Year. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Centennial Celebrations by Baylor Johnson, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager. 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.
Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Austin History Center Campus, John Henry Faulk Building, 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 Holly Sabiston Edward Selig, Vice-Chair Elizabeth Hansen Lorrie Ann Mitchel Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Pamela Carlile Andrea Herrera Moreno Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Sheila Mehta PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León – TBD APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on July 25, 2026. The minutes from the July 25, 2026, meeting were approved with the following amendment, on Commissioner Hasdorff’ s motion and Vice Chair Selig’s second, on a 11-0 vote. The amendment was to correct the speaker’s last name on page one, under Public Communication: General, to read León. DISCUSSION Library Commission Meeting Minutes September 28, 2026 2. Presentation by Carol Eckelkamp, President of the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area on Collaboration - The Austin Public Library Commission and the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area. The presentation was made by Carol Eckelkamp, President of the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area. 3. Discussion of Future Advocacy Opportunities and Development of a Framework for Commission Engagement in the Next Year. Discussed. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Austin Public Library Centennial Celebrations by Baylor Johnson, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager. Baylor Johnson, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager provided the briefing. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Summer Programming Recap ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved, at the October 26, 2026, meeting on Commissioner Mitchel’s motion, Commissioner Sabiston’s second on a 11-0 vote.
Highlights & Updates Report Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries September 2026 Public Services Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Art for All Art for All started transforming the Austin Central Library garage into vibrant murals created by artists and Austinites experiencing housing insecurity. The first team began prepping walls and setting the foundation for a series of works that will unfold over the coming months. Participants earn same‑day pay while accessing on‑site support services, making the project both an artistic and economic lifeline. With new artists joining soon, the murals will continue to take shape in real time, bringing fresh color and powerful stories to a public space. Kittypalooza Tour Austin Public Library and Austin Animal Services teamed up for Kittypalooza Tour 2026, bringing adoptable cats, kitten‑themed crafts, and plenty of feline fanfare to branches across the city. With lively stops at Yarborough and Windsor Park and a finale at Central, the tour helped more than 60 kittens find new homes during peak kitten season. The event’s impact reflects the commitment of fosters, staff, volunteers, and community partners who make lifesaving connections possible. Tool Library The Tool Library is back, and it’s now a citywide service that makes borrowing tools as easy as placing a hold on a book. With online requests and pickup available at any branch, Austinites no longer need to trek to a single location. They can grab what they need right in their own neighborhood. The updated system comes with a few new guidelines, including 21‑day checkouts, in‑person returns at circulation desks, and a one‑time waiver for first‑time borrowers, all designed to keep the collection circulating smoothly. 3 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Centennial Planning Updates August at Austin Public Library was marked by defining moments, and none more significant than Austin City Council’s decision to designate Austin a Book Safe Harbor, reaffirming the city’s commitment to protecting the freedom to read and intellectual freedom. The measure, introduced by The Library Foundation and championed through the Austin Library Commission, signaled strong support for equitable access to library materials at a time when book challenges are escalating across Texas. Council members emphasized the importance of diverse stories, and Austin Public Library affirmed its century‑long responsibility to provide them. Alongside this historic milestone, Centennial celebrations continued across the city. University Hills kicked off the month with its 40th Anniversary Arcade Day. It was a …
Austin Public Library Austin Public Library Centennial Campaign Update Centennial Campaign Update Austin Library Commission Meeting | Sept. 28, 2026 Baylor Johnson, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager Agenda: 1. Centennial Events and Programming Updates 2. Centennial Honorary Sculpture at Central Library Updates 3. Centennial Library Card Art Contest 3. Centennial Partnership Updates 4. Recognition and Civic Milestones 5. Q&A and Discussion 2 Centennial Events and Programming Updates In Circulation: A Century of the Austin Public Library Exhibit at the Austin History Center Opened to the public with a free public reception on Sunday, September 20. Hundreds of attendees explored exhibit with archival objects and artifacts telling the 100-year story of Austin Public Library from its founding to today. Reception also included artists, a screenprinting station, collage crafts, food, tours of the Austin History Center archives, and Black Austin Tours through Historic Block 101. 3 Centennial Events and Programming Updates Centennial Party at Central Celebration from October 17, from 10 AM – 5 PM Opening Ceremony at 9 AM in Shoal Creek Amphitheater Austin PBS Family Fest 10 AM – 1 PM KUT News’ ATXplained Project 4 PM – 5 PM Live Music throughout the day Live Cooking Demonstration by Chef Jess of L’oca d’Oro Poetry Readings from Austin Poet Laureate Zell Miller III Drop-In Collage activity with Austin History Center 4 Centennial Events and Programming Updates Centennial Party at Central, continued Type-In with Austin Typewriter Ink Printing Press Posters with Austin Book Arts Center Digital Illustration with APL Innovate Seed Gathering Birthday Crown Decorating Teen Zine Making “Adventure Book” prize pick-up AND MORE! Full details at library.austintexas.gov/100party 5 Honorary Sculpture at Central Library Sponsored by The Library Foundation and designed and fabricated by Design Austin. Goals: Celebrate 100 years of Austin Public Library in a variety of ways to look toward the next century. Tell APL’s story and clearly showcase the Library’s value to the public. Invite the public to collectively reflect and share what they value about APL. Small group of staff developed Creative Touchstones to drive the design process: Inspiring All to Discover Learn and Create Reflect APL’s story Not just past; future too Celebrating Human-Made Culture Layers of Storytelling From the personal to the Citywide Truly, …
Collaboration The Austin Public Library Commission & The League of Women Voters of the Austin Area Goal: To engage, educate, and empower voters. 2 Agenda 1. About the League of Women Voters 2. 2026 Midterm Election Key Dates 3. LWV–APL Collaboration Opportunities 4. Voter Education Resources/Q&A 3 About the League of Women Voters rightquestion.org 4 About the League of Women Voters Mission: Empowering voters, defending democracy. Vision: We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. Value: We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. LWV.org 6 About the League of Women Voters The League is a nonpartisan political organization. The League is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Membership is open to all people 16 years of age or older. LWV.org 7 What we do: Voter Education Advocacy • The Voters Guide • Public-policy research • Voter registration and turnout • Advocacy and education in • Candidate forums • Civic Education support of LWV positions at the local, state and federal • Community engagement and level. education LWVAustin.org 8 2026 Midterm Election Information 9 2026 Midterm Election Key Dates Register to vote or up by Monday, Oct. 5 Early voting starts Monday Oct. 19 Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30 Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 lwvaustin.org/Upcoming-Elections 10 Collaboration Opportunities LWV–APL 11 Voter Registration Support for libraries ● Provide printed resources ● Offer in person voter registration ● VOTE411.org - “Check Your Registration” ● LWVAustin.org - “Register to Vote,”Voting in College,” “Need help voting” LWVAustin.org VOTE411.org 12 Voter Registration • Young Voters: High schools, vocational schools, and community college students • Newly Naturalized Citizens • Formerly / Currently Incarcerated Voters • VOTE411.org users 13 Voter Education Share nonpartisan election Information ● VOTE411.org/ALA & the Voters Guide ● ALA-LWV-toolkit printed materials ● LWVAustin.org ● Co-host events ● Candidate forums ● Civic Holidays ● Social media VOTE411.org/ALA 14 The Voters Guide Visitors look to libraries to share trusted nonpartisan voter information. ● Includes national, state, and local offices and propositions on the ballot ● Covers local races in Travis County ● Available in English & Spanish. ● Free to the public ● Printed copies are provided to local libraries before early voting. lwvaustin.org/Voters-Guide 15 The Voters Guide A nonpartisan resource for voters. ● Includes national, state, and local offices …
Library Commission Meeting Minutes July 25, 2026 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2026 The Library Commission convened in a regular meeting on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Austin Central Library in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Infante Huerta called the Library Commission meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Lynda Infante Huerta, Chair Edward Selig, Vice-Chair Pamela Carlile Sara Gore Dr. Suchitra Gururaj Elizabeth Hansen Sheila Mehta Lorrie Ann Mitchel Holly Sabiston Commissioners Absent: Melissah Hasdorff Andrea Herrera Moreno PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos Leon – APL Rules – Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES Library Commission Meeting Minutes July 25, 2026 1. Approve the minutes of the Library Commission regular meeting on June 29, 2026. The minutes meeting were approved on a motion by Vice Chair Selig and a second by Commissioners Gore and Mitchel. The motion passed on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Hasdorff and Herrera Moreno absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on Library Facilities, Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager. Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager provided the briefing. 3. 4. Staff briefing on Library FY2027 Proposed Budget, John Cabiya, Austin Public Library Financial Manager II. John Cabiya, Austin Public Library Financial Manager II provided the briefing. Staff briefing on Library Safety and Security, Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager. Cody Scott, Austin Public Library Facilities Process Manager provided the briefing. DISCUSSION 5. Discussion regarding the Library Commission Annual Internal Review and Report Submission. Discussed Discussion on potential further action and advocacy regarding the Book Safe Harbor Recommendation. Discussed 6. Discussion and identification of Commission priorities for the upcoming year, including goal setting and strategic focus areas. Discussed FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Civic Engagement Centennial Summer Wrap-up Library Commission Meeting Minutes July 25, 2026 ADJOURNMENT Chair Infante Huerta adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m. without objection.
