Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, February, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 26, February 2024 THE LIBRARY COMMISSION MINUTES The Library Commission convened in a meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 Cesar Chavez St., in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Smith called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Mark Smith, Chair, Lynda Infante Huerta, Vice-Chair, Courtney Rosenthal, Magen Davis, Kezia Frayjo Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: Christina Masters, Andrea Herrera Moreno, Sheila Mehta Commission Members Absent: Steve DeRosa PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 29, 2023, regular meeting The minutes of the January 29, 2024, regular meeting were approved on Commission Member Rosenthal’s motion and Vice Chair Infante Huerta's second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner DeRosa absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding APL Facilities Project Updates, Feasibility Studies & Future Bonds by Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager The presentation was made Cody Scott, Facilities Process Manager. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, February, 2024 3. Discussion of the February Director’s Report covering public programming highlights, and APL facilities updates, by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. The presentation was made by Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Libraries. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 4. Report of recommendation by the Unmet Needs Working Group for the addition of social workers, security personnel, and other social support resources in libraries. Vice Chair Infante Huerta reported on the Unmet Needs Working Group Recommendation to improve library safety and holistic services for library patrons through the addition of two (2) full-time employees or contract social workers and three (3) security positions to the Austin Public Library department to be managed by library personnel. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation from the Unmet Needs Working Group for the addition of social workers, security personnel, and other social support resources in libraries. A motion to approve the recommendation from the Unmet Needs Working Group to improve library safety and holistic services for library patrons through the addition of two (2) full-time employees or contract social workers and three (3) security positions to the Austin Public Library department to be managed by library personnel was made by Commissioner Davis and seconded by Vice Chair Infante Huerta on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner DeRosa absent. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation to rename the North Village Branch Library. A motion to approve the recommendation to rename the North Village Branch Library to the John Gillum Branch Library was made by Commissioner Rosenthal and seconded by Commissioner Frayjo on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner DeRosa absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS Year 2025 budget. 7. Discussion regarding potential recommendations related to the Austin Public Library’s Fiscal Discussion was held regarding potential recommendations related to the Austin Public Library’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Library Commission Meeting Minutes 26, February, 2024 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Feasibility Studies Budget Recommendation Recommendation to approve Commission Members representing the Library Commission at multiple Board and Commission Meetings to advocate for support and funding for Austin Public Library Initiatives Recommendation for Austin Public Library participation in future City Homelessness Planning and Studies for April Agenda Adjournment: Chair Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m. without objection. The minutes of the February 26, 2024, regular meeting were approved at the March 25, 2024 meeting on Commission Member Master’s motion and Vice Chair Infante Huerta's second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Frayjo, Rosenthal, Mehta absent.