Backup — original pdf

Backup

Austin Public Library 2026 Bond Proposal Updated Presentation, March 2025 library.austintexas.gov Agenda • Our Story: Values, History, and Previous Bonds • Current and Future Library Needs • Technical Criteria JB0 Our Core Values Who We Serve – We Welcome Everyone What we Provide – We safeguard access to information resources and spaces. How We Do It – We provide excellence in service and build trust through integrity, accountability, and teamwork History: A Century of Service 1926 – First Austin Public Library established by Grace Delano Clark. Opens with 500 donated volumes in rented space. 1928 Bond – First Permanent buildings - $150,000 1933 – First permanent Central Library building opens at 401 W. 9th St. (current Austin History Center Building). First branch opens – George Washington Carver Branch. 1934 – First APL Summer Reading Program 1933-1951 – Austin Public Library services and facilities racially segregated. 1951 – First Austin Public Library Bookmobile launches 1956-1968 – 12 new branches and locations added 1972 Bond – New Central Library (current John Henry Faulk building) and 4 new branches - $6 M 1979 – New Central Library opens 1980–1992 – Multiple branches open or are relocated/expanded JB0 History, continued: 1992 Bond - New branches and renovations - $8M 1998 Bond - Expansion, renovations, and tech improvements - $13M 2004 – Daniel Ruiz Branch grand opening; most recent all-new branch 2006 Bond – Funding approved for a new central library – $125 M 2010 – New Twin Oaks Library opens; most recent branch building 2012 Bond - Library Facility improvements - $13.4 M 2017 – New Austin Central Library opens at 710 W Cesar Chavez St. 2018 Bond – Library Infrastructure Improvements - $34.5 M 2023 – City Council Approves APL Strategic & Facilities Plan 2018 Bond, Proposition B – Libraries, Museums and Cultural Centers $128,000,000 for community and cultural facilities, libraries, museums, and cultural and creative arts facilities, and land acquisitions. Department Allocations Library Proposition B Site/Civil Projects History Center & Archival Repository Complex Interior Renovation Projects Roof Replacement & System Upgrades $34.5M $1.8M $16.5M $8.1M $8.1M Economic Development Libraries PARD Total Voter-Approved $27,000,000 $34,500,000 $66,5000,000 $128,000,000 2018 Bond EDD Parks Library 2018 Bond Project Overview The 2018 Library Bond Program is $34.5M. Proposition B provided funding for: • Rehabilitation and renovations to multiple branch libraries. • The first phase of the conversion of Faulk Library for the Austin History Center Campus. APL 2018 Bond spending projected to be exhausted by 2027: JB0 Austin Public Library Comprehensive Strategic and Facilities Plan Developed to provide a vision for Austin’s future library services and spaces, a strategic plan to guide APL for the next five years, and a guide to strengthening APL’s position as a key partner in the City for solving community issues. JB0 Strategic Plan, continued: Community input: • 5,400+ Austinites surveyed • 20+ Pop-up in-person community events • 500+ APL staff, stakeholders, and community partners Council approval: • Adopted by City Council March 23, 2023 CS0 Need for Growth: Library Sq.Ft. per Capita Need for Growth: APL Compared to Peer Libraries Square Feet Per Capita CS0 1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 SAN JOSE PUBLIC LIBRARY DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY AVERAGE TEXAS STATEWIDE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY Newly Expanded Service Area Effective March 11, 2024, Austin City Council expanded access to free APL Library Cards to any person in the Austin Limited Purpose Jurisdiction (LTD) or Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) • Est. combined 2024 population in the ETJ & LTD: 217,000 • Expanded service area not currently served by existing branch network. Full-purpose Jurisdiction LTD 2-Mile ETJ 5-Mile ETJ Existing Library Orange – City of Austin Blue – ETJ Pink – LTD Red dots – Library Locations Growth and Constraints • Branch Growth History: APL expanded rapidly in the TG1 1950s–1980s, adding many new locations and buildings– but that rate has slowed in recent decades. The last newly built relocated branch building, the Twin Oaks Branch, opened in 2010. CS0 • Small Branches, Fewer Services: For decades, overriding philosophy was for large Central Library and smaller neighborhood branches. Result: Central is a world-class facility, and smaller branches have limited space for anything other than shelves. • Space Shortage: APL’s 200,000 sq. ft. of branch space is insufficient for Austin’s growing population of 950,000+, • Population Growth: Austin’s population is projected to grow by 25% in 10–15 years, increasing the need for library space, especially in underserved west and south areas, where the current ratio of branch space to population size is well below the citywide average overall. Long-Range Plan Approved by Council in 2023 as part of Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan. Input for the plan included: • 5,400 community survey responses • 20 pop-up community events throughout Austin • surveys, workshops, and listening sessions with APL staff and external stakeholders. Recommends four new large regional library branches to serve as community hubs in service deserts, as well as suggested projects to expand, replace, and/or relocate over half of existing branches. 2026 Bond Technical Criteria Development Relevant data sources identified: APL Strategic & Facilities Plan COA Strategic Anchors COA Department Master Plans Dallas & San Antonio Bond Criteria AI-assisted analysis to surface commonalities and areas of focus Additional staff review Technical Criteria & Rubric Technical Criteria • Equity & Community Impact • Connectivity & Accessibility • Public Health Outcomes • Project Feasibility & Readiness • Resiliency & Sustainability • Community & Stakeholder Engagement • Economic & Social Vitality • Funding Commitment & Leverage • Master Plan Alignment • Safety & Security JB0 Equity & Community Impact Technical Criteria – Example and Rubric Description: Ensures equitable access to resources for underserved communities through data-driven service delivery. Max Points: 20 (Score 1-5 points, scale factor x4) Alignment with Department Masterplans Access to Resources: Ensures resources for underserved communities using data-driven approaches. Infrastructure Resilience Sustainable Practices Best Aligned Strategic Goal: •Provide Community-Centric Programs and Services •Expand Library Access Alignment with COA Anchors: •Equity •Community Trust & Relationships •Affordability Score 1: No new services are introduced, and no service gaps are closed. Score 2: The project introduces minimal new services or closes service gaps, but with limited impact on addressing the needs of the underserved community. Score 3: The project introduces a moderate range of new services or closes some service gaps, meeting some needs of the community but lacking a comprehensive strategy to support underserved populations. Score 4: The project introduces a strong range of new services or closes significant service gaps, designed to meet the specific needs of underserved populations, enhancing access and community well-being. Score 5: The project introduces a comprehensive array of new services or fully closes critical service gaps, specifically tailored to address the diverse needs of underserved and marginalized populations, ensuring significant positive community impact JB0 Proposed 2026 Austin Public Library Bond Projects New Branch Library All-new community hub serving East Austin Land Acquisitions For future library construction Facilities Expansions Enhancing existing network Safe and Secure Libraries Protecting and supporting in times of crisis The 2026 Bond Election presents a critical opportunity to begin implementing Austin Public Library's city council-approved facilities recommendations, ensuring APL meets the growing needs of Austin’s diverse communities through expansion, innovation, and sustainability. A Second Century of Possibilities APL will celebrate it’s 100th year in 2026. The 2026 Bond is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a successful second century of Austin Public Library by expanding access, putting our branch network on the cutting edge of library design and customer experiences, and bringing world-class opportunities to Discover, Learn, and Create to underserved communities throughout our city. Northeast Regional Library, Louisville, KY (2023 Winner) Taylor Street Apartments and Little Italy Branch Library, Chicago, IL (2023 Winner) Pictured: recent branch libraries to receive AIA/ALA Library Building Awards, demonstrating innovative design for branch libraries. Valente Library, Cambridge, MA (2021 AIA/ALA Winner) Indian Creek Library, Olathe, KS (2022 AIA/ALA Winner) Roxbury Branch, Boston, MA (2021 AIA/ALA Winner) “[In 2017], Austin opened a new world-class Central Library in downtown, and that building remains the crown jewel of the city. However, our neighborhoods deserve world-class library facilities too. The plan adopted by the City Council today lays out a vision for growing and updating our entire library system to meet the needs of the rapidly changing, dynamic city we serve.” on Austin City Council’s adoption of the Austin Public Library Strategic and Facilities Plan -- Roosevelt Weeks, former Director of Libraries, Questions? Thank You library.austintexas.gov