Backup — original pdf

Backup

1 APL Public Programming Highlights & Facilities Updates Hannah Terrell, Interim Director July 2025 HIGHLIGHTS Carver Library Hosts Austin African American Book Festival The Austin African American Book Festival (AAABF) returned to the Carver Library and Museum on Saturday, June 28, celebrating Black literature, history, and culture. This year’s theme, “Our Stories, Our Voices,” emphasized the importance of honoring and amplifying African American narratives. Festival highlights included a conversation between best- selling author Walter Mosley and Paul Coates, as well as a presentation by historian Peniel Joseph on his upcoming book, Freedom Season. Austin’s Poet Laureate, Zell Miller III, performed original work, and the Carver Library hosted an engaging children’s program featuring story time, crafts, and readings led by author Alice Faye Duncan. Nature Smart Libraries Initiative Earns Grant and National Spotlight Austin Public Library’s Nature Smart Libraries initiative continues to serve as a model for integrating literacy, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. In June 2025, APL received a $75,000 Special Projects Grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to support new StoryWalk® installations, multilingual and sensory-inclusive programming kits, staff training, and systemwide nature programming. The initiative was also featured as a national case study in Nature-Smart Libraries: A Toolkit by the Children & Nature Network and highlighted in Library Journal’s July 2025 article on innovative partnerships between libraries and parks. Literature Live! Presents: Wild and Wacky Weather This summer, Literature Live launched Wild and Wacky Weather, a playful puppet show exploring Texas’s famously unpredictable climate. Through three imaginative stories, each told in a different puppetry style, audiences are taken on a journey filled with sunny songs, windy whimsy, and frigid folly. Recommended for ages 3 and up, the show began its run on June 9 and continues through July 24, traveling to library branches across the city. APL Awarded $15K from Austin Community Foundation’s Forever Austin Fund The Forever Austin Fund is a permanent community resource that enables investment in Austin’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities. The Forever Austin Fund supports the giving of a collection of field-of-interest funds, unrestricted funds, and donor advised funds. Austin Public Library, specifically Austin History Center, was recently awarded $15,000. This grant will fund a project in partnership with Austin History Center Association for “Creating Community: A Digital Twin of Historic Austin,” which aims to develop 3D historical models and related technologies. Special Events Updates In June 2025, Central Library Event Services hosted 18 events, including 13 rentals, 5 co- sponsorships, and 1 film/photography request, with an estimated attendance of 2,670 (excluding the Kids Block Party). Event Coordinators also supported the June 7 Kids Block Party through pre- planning, vendor coordination, and day-of logistics. Co-sponsorships included events with the Economic Development Department, Impact Austin, the Library Foundation, the City Manager’s Office, and the Austin History Center Association. City-hosted events featured the Youth Initiatives Intern Orientation, the Transportation Department’s Lighting Plan Open House, and the City Manager’s Executive Workshop. City Council Action There are no items scheduled for the upcoming Austin City Council meeting that would have a direct impact on Austin Public Library's operations. Legislative Bills Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation on July 9, 2025, calling a Special Session of the Texas Legislature that begins at 12:00 PM on Monday, July 21. The governor listed 18 agenda items for consideration during the Special Session, and while none of the listed agenda items touch on issue areas that APL specifically had been tracking for impact on libraries, the governor can add agenda items to his call. APL staff will continue to work with the Austin Intergovernmental Relations Office (IGRO) on tracking and analyzing any bills that would impact the library. Budget & Expenditures Facilities Services 2026 Bond The Austin Public Library 2026 Bond Development aims to enhance communities by positioning libraries as key hubs for education and resources. The initiative will focus on expanding access, improving facilities, and integrating sustainable practices to support the city's growth, ensuring equitable opportunities for learning, health, and cultural engagement. The Library Commission will review and provide input as part of the public engagement planned for this fall, which will incorporate community feedback gathered through surveys, events, and outreach efforts. APL Data & Numbers (as of June 30) 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Programs by Audience 248 295 45 June Program Type 40 10 588 Adult/Fam Teen Children In-Person Virtual Outreach PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS VISITORS ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS 25,730 233,285 181 APL Data & Numbers (as of June 30) Circulation Type Digital 340,384 Physical 325,836 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 Digital Circulation 146,308 136,140 49,151 8,303 482 June EBOOK EAUDIO EVIDEO EMUSIC PERIODICAL 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 Circulation Audience 311,869 205,337 120,499 28,515 June Adult Physical Youth Physical Adult Digital Youth Digital CARDHOLDERS 357,651 (Active) 4,954 (New) DIGITAL ACCESS 39,061 (Wi-Fi Connections) 29,724 (Computer Sessions)