Backup — original pdf

Backup

1 Director’s Report March 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights _______________________________________________________________________________ 3 Facilities Update __________________________________________________________________________ 5 Capital Projects Update _________________________________________________________________5 Gallery ______________________________________________________________________________ 6 Active Project Timelines _________________________________________________________________ 7 Project Highlights ______________________________________________________________________ 8 APL by the Numbers _____________________________________________________________________ 9 Programs and Outreach__________________________________________________________________ 9 Cardholder ___________________________________________________________________________ 10 Visitors _____________________________________________________________________________ 11 Circulation and Collections _____________________________________________________________ 12 Express Checkout and Holds ___________________________________________________________13 Technology _________________________________________________________________________ 14 Budget, Volunteers and Meeting Rooms ___________________________________________________ 15 3 HIGHLIGHTS March into Women’s History Month with APL Celebrate Women’s History Month in March with APL with an array programs spanning our library system. Special programs include a writing series by local author Spike Gillespie, opportunities to celebrate heroines with author talks, storytimes, book club discussions, and a kaleidoscope of arts and crafts, ignited by the brilliance of women artists. Join us as we embark on a global celebration of female achievement at our captivating library events! APL Total Eclipse Programming APL is hosting a cosmic extravaganza of events and experiences across the system leading up to the mesmerizing total solar eclipse set to race the skies over Austin on April 8, 2024. From out-of-this-world crafts and story times to inflatable Stars and Science Planetariums and visits from NASA; we are gearing up for this historic event. Solar Glasses will be distributed to the public (2 per person) starting on Thursday, April 4, 2024, until supplies last at all Austin Public Library locations. Once we are out, we will not be replenishing our quantities. APL has also partnered with CapMetro to provide free bus passes to people needing transportation to APL Watch Parties on the day of the eclipse. Passes are available through a QR code on flyers available at branches. APL is hosting ten (10) Total Eclipse Watch Parties taking place around Austin on Monday, April 8th. There will be a limited number of glasses, but lots of crafts and treats for participants to enjoy as we witness this extraordinary event together. Central Library / 12 – 2 PM Menchaca Branch / 11:30 AM – 2 PM North Village Branch / 11 AM – 2 PM Oak Hill Branch / 12-2 PM Pleasant Hill Branch / 12:30-2:30 PM Willie Mae Kirk Branch / 12 -2 PM Old Quarry Branch / 12-2 PM Twin Oaks Branch / 12 – 2 PM Windsor Park Branch / 12-2 PM Cepeda Branch / 12 – 2 PM 4 APL Summer Youth Volunteer Program The application window for APL’s popular Summer Youth Volunteer Program is open until March 31, 2024. Last summer, APL's Summer Youth Volunteer Program welcomed close to 100 participants, providing youth with invaluable tools and resources for learning. Their contributions in assisting our staff and customers with essential tasks throughout the library system were instrumental and we look forward to continuing this tradition of empowering youth and enhancing our community's library experience. Staff Development Day 3/22/2024 APL's inaugural staff development day (SDD) for 2024 is scheduled for March 22, 2024. This first SDD, designed and spearheaded at the branch/division level under the theme of "Accountability Leading to Sustainability," presents an excellent opportunity for teams to develop stronger connections and pause from their routine tasks to collectively focus on broader objectives, such as team building, training, budget and aligning current projects and programming with the APL strategic plan. All branch locations will be closed for the day. APL has scheduled three (3) staff development days for 2024.  Friday, March 22 – in person led at the branch/division level  Friday, August 16 - virtual  Friday, December 13 - in-person Austin Public Library Gift Shop and Local Author Consignment Program Have you visited the APL Gift Shop at the Central Library recently? Our shop features an enticing selection of Austin Public Library branded merchandise, literary-themed items, and one-of-a-kind gifts sourced locally. Every purchase directly supports the Austin Public Library. As part of our dedication to equity, diversity, and the promotion of independent voices, we've launched the Local Author Consignment Program at the shop. Through this initiative, we showcase books printed by independent presses or authored by local writers in the APL shop at Central. In January and February, 2024, we proudly consigned 15 authors, with many of the books quickly flying off the shelves within weeks. The overwhelming demand led us to place additional orders for some to replenish our inventory. Join us in celebrating and supporting our vibrant local literary community at the Library Gift Shop! Capital Projects Updates Faulk Building and History Center  Cepeda Trail  95% Construction Phase  Updates: Faulk building progress includes addressing  punch walk items, asphalt repaving, and landscaping.  Stonework and landscaping at the History Center is  wrapping up and interior storm window installation  remains. Partial Stocking TCO obtained for items  storage.  Next Milestone: Phase 1B work to continue in April  2024; 80% Construction Phase    Expected End: 2nd quarter 2024  Actual Start: Nov. 4, 2022  Carver and Yarborough  Permitting Phase  Updates: Carver: will be going through solicitation to  obtain new bids for the Re‐Roof, Heating, air  conditioning, and decking replacement; Controls for  Carver will also be updated.  Yarborough: Project Manager from Capital Delivery  Office has received the final quote to proceed with the  scope of work for Yarborough’s Re‐Roof, heating, air  conditioning, and controls upgrade.  Next Milestone: Carver solicitation for new bids  Yarborough: permit approval, of current plan set with  Council approval in April.  Expected Start: 3‐6 months  Actual Start: TBD  Hampton Parking Lot Extension  Site Plan and Schematic Design 40%  Updates:  Regional Storm Water Management and the  Hampton Project Team met to discuss potential ways  forward for the Hampton Parking Expansion.  Storm  Water Management granted approval of a Detention  Pond waiver from the originally construction. Approval  was granted to use the existing detention waiver for  the parking expansion and the future branch  expansion  Next Milestone: Parking lot design and understanding  of how the Library and Watershed will cost share.  Expected Start: Summer 2024  Actual Start:  TBD  Construction Phase  Updates: The Cepeda Trail Project will be substantially  complete at the end of March.  Next Milestone: Groundbreaking near the trail  alignment from Gonzalez to Cepeda, survey crew has  already marked the area. Once completed a ribbon  cutting will be schedule in late March or Early April.  Expected End: April 2024  Actual Start: November 2023  Old Quarry, Willie Mae Kirk, & St. John  Design Phase   Updates: Reviewing floor plans and finish selections for  presentation. Coordinating efforts between different  work groups within APL for scheduling purposes. Roof  bidding and envelope work proposals ongoing.  Next Milestone: Old Quarry will begin work in July, with  Willie Mae Kirk to follow. Award contracts for work.  Finalize finish and furniture selections with stakeholders.  Expected Start: Old Quarry construction July 15, 2024.  Actual Start: TBD  Howson  Construction Phase  Updates: Air conditioning upgrades 95% complete, and  re‐roof is expected to begin in March or April.  Circulation desk and meeting room upgrade in final  design phase  Next Milestone: Re‐Roof and Interior  Expected Start/End: June  Little Walnut and Menchaca  Design Proposal Phase  Updates: Finance has requested additional  documentation from consultant and amendment  proposal will not be accepted until this is submitted.  Next Milestone: Scope and fees approval; documents  submitted to Finance for approval of amendment.  Expected Start: 02/01/2025   Actual Start: TBD  Last Revised 03‐21‐24  5 Gallery Faulk Building and History Center  Cepeda Trail  Last Revised 03‐21‐24  6 Active Project Timelines Last Revised 03‐21‐24  7 Project Highlights APPROPRIATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS Appropriated Obligated Little Walnut and Menchaca $5,237,997.00  $455,509.00  Hampton Parking Lot Extension $751,000.00  $481,157.00  Carver and Yarborough $3,088,651.00  St John, Old Quarry, and Willie Mae $4,215,000.00  $534,291.00  $389,983.00  Howson $994,000.00  $393,637.00  Cepeda Trail $307,000.00  $261,278.00  Faulk and History Center $19,382,250.00  $18,577,449.00  Potential Closures     Construction   Last Revised 03‐21‐24  8 APL BY THE NUMBERS  March 2024 Programs & Outreach Talk Time attendees at Central dis- cussing the new vocabu- lary they’ve learned. Central cooking Club attendees sampling and discussing Asian baked goods to celebrate Lunar New Year. Innovate Digital Makerspace Creative Conversations, a partnership program with the Austin Film Society at Central 9  Cardholders Alesia Lani Concert (above) and Angélique Fer- rão Portrait Workshop (below) at Central Li- brary’s Black History Month Celebration. Works of art at the Cepeda Branch Black History Month program As part of Black History Month, North Village hosted one of two performances by Kydd Jones at libraries. 10  10 Visitors Hampton at Oak Hill Youth Librarian Kristin delighting some of our youngest customers during Books & Babies Program! Hampton at Oak Hill Lunar New Year Festival was a huge success with over 200 participants! Awesome art from Hampton at Oak Hill branch The Art of Henna program. 11  Circulation 12  Express & Holds Southeast branch outreach to parents at Sanchez Elementary. Community Conversations program (above) and youth programming events (below) at Southeast branch. 13  Technology Lunar New Year Celebration with the Texas Lion/ Dragon Dance Team at Twin Oaks and Spice- wood Springs branch 14  Budget, Volunteers and Meeting Rooms Lunar New Year and Black History Month festivities at Winsor Park branch. 15