20250331-007 Support for Austin Public Library FY26 Budget — original pdf

Recommendation

LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250331-7 Date: 03/31/2025 Recommendation Subject: Support for Austin Public Library FY26 Budget Motioned By: Commissioner Davis Seconded By: Commissioner Selig Support for Austin Public Library's proposed budget for FY2026 with additional funding to support Austin Public Library's service enhancements, including an increase to the books and materials budget, social worker positions, menstrual equity supplies, enhanced law enforcement presence, and one-time funds for site analysis and feasibility studies Description of Recommendation to Council Requesting the Austin City Council approve the proposed Austin Public Library budget for FY2026. Additionally, increased funding is asked for an increase of 6% to the books and materials budget, the addition of two FTE social worker positions, funds to continue the law enforcement partnership with Travis County, ongoing funding to provide menstrual equity supplies, and $1.5 million for feasibility studies of new and expanded facilities. Rationale In FY 2023, the Austin Public Library completed a year-long strategic planning process to shape the work of the library for years to come. Input was provided for the plan through a community survey that received more than 5,400 responses, pop-up community events in 20 locations throughout Austin, as well as a series of surveys, workshops, and listening sessions with APL staff and external community stakeholders. The Austin Public Library Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan, adopted by the City Council in March 2023, lays out new strategic goals for the Austin Public Library, aligned with the City of Austin’s Imagine Austin 30-year strategic plan and the SD28 5-year strategic plan. To implement this City Council-approved Strategic Plan, Austin Public Library needs one-time funding of $1.5 million for feasibility studies for new and expanded facilities to meet the infrastructure objectives contained in the strategic planning process completed in 2023. The proposed Austin Public Library budget includes a 3% increase for materials, which include digital materials, subscriptions, and databases. Austin’s population growth and the increased cost of all materials, especially e-books, which represent a fast-growing share of APL’s circulation and require expensive licenses, have put a strain on the materials budget. These proposed increases are necessary to keep up with inflation, but do not represent a growth budget and may lead to a reduction of e-resources and increased patron wait times to access materials. An additional 3% increase for a total of 6% to the books and materials budget would help close the gap to prevent the library from reducing resources and increasing wait times. Every day throughout the library system, staff assist Austinites who are experiencing homelessness, in need of warming or cooling stations, or coping with complex problems of substance abuse, mental health, and medical assistance. Many library patrons have multiple needs that require specialized training, and some library visitors can be obstreperous, abusive, or violent. While the Library is ready and willing to assist these persons and can provide a valuable link to vital services, staff need support in the form of 2 social workers to assist with the large number of customers who need additional care, information, and support. Another aspect to keeping Austinites safe in the library is the highly successful partnership with Travis County law enforcement, which has increased safety and reduced the escalation of incidents at library branches. We support the library’s request for funding to continue that partnership pilot so they can continue to ensure all library customers experience a safe environment when patronizing the library. The Commission also supports funding the listed service enhancements for the library, which include funds to support menstrual equity supplies at each library branch. Menstrual equity ensures equal access to menstrual products for all people who menstruate to address the barriers and inequalities faced by individuals who lack the resources or societal support to manage their menstrual cycles with dignity. Austin Public Library is an ideal place to distribute menstrual equity supplies, as it is a welcoming, trusted, accessible community space that serves individuals from diverse backgrounds and provides essential resources for all. While the Commission supports all funding requested by library staff in the FY 2026 budget, the Commission is especially interested in increased funding for the following projects: ● Funding increase of 6% to the materials budget ● Additional funding to support 2 FTE of social worker positions ● Funding to continue the law enforcement partnership with Travis County ● Ongoing funding to provide menstrual equity supplies ● Funding of $1.5 million for feasibility studies for new and expanded facilities to meet the infrastructure objectives contained in the strategic planning process completed in 2023 For: Chair Infante Huerta, Vice-Chair Mehta, Commissioners Carlile, Davis, Frayjo, Gore, Selig, Smith Vote: 8-0-0-3 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: Commissioners Gururaj, Herrera Moreno, Hasdorff Attest: ____________________________ Laura Polio, Library Commission Staff Liaison