Backup — original pdf

Backup

Highlights & Updates Report Hannah Terrell, Director of Libraries May 2026 Public Services Highlights AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Highlights Austin is a Poem Austin is a Poem was held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Austin Central Library as part of the library’s centennial celebrations. Hosted by inaugural Austin Poet Laureate Zell Miller III, the free event brought together community members for an evening of poetry, hip-hop, movement, and storytelling. Performers such as Ebony Stewart, DJ Notion, Eddie Vega, Siobhan Cook, and BLAKCHYL filled the Special Event Center with vibrant, creative energy. The gathering marked a major in- person celebration of Austin’s literary and artistic culture, honoring 100 years of the Austin Public Library’s presence in the city. “ ...hitched to everything... “ The exhibition “…hitched to everything…” by Sherry Tseng Hill at the Central Library from April 9 to July 5, 2026, and showcases her exploration of the delicate, interconnected systems within the natural world. Through translucent mulberry paper and intricate hand stitching, she highlights small but essential organisms such as fungi, insects, and decaying leaves, that sustain ecosystems despite often being overlooked. During the Art Tour and Workshop on May 10, 2026, visitors can learn how her layered materials reflect the complex balances of soil, water, air, and the unseen spaces around us. The exhibit invites audiences to reflect on these hidden contributors and the urgency of protecting the environment they support. 3 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Centennial Planning Updates The Austin Public Library’s Centennial celebration spans February through December 2026 and is organized in three trimesters: Roaring ’20s programming in the spring, Summer Learning and themed programs in the summer, and system‑wide celebrations in the fall. Major events include Party at Central on October 17 and branch celebrations on December 16, with festivities concluding December 23. Throughout the year, History Harvests are collecting community photos, documents, and memories for inclusion in the AHC Centennial exhibit, which opens June 2026 and will feature mini‑exhibits or banners at every branch. A community‑driven Centennial art installation for the Central Library grounds is underway through a partnership with Design Austin, Gensler, and ALTXYOU, with fabrication occurring May through September and installation planned for October or November. Partnership efforts continue to expand Centennial visibility, including collaborations with Austin Beerworks, Desnudo Coffee, and the Austin English Tea Company, all featured in the APL Gift Shop. A CapMetro Cares Centennial bus wrap will support outreach events. The library card design contest remains open until June 1, with winning designs to be released in September for National Library Card Month. Since February, APL has delivered 32 Centennial programs with 783 attendees, and additional celebrations, exhibits, and promotional efforts will continue to roll out through the end of the year. 4 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Public Programming Highlights Special Events Updates In April 2026, Central Library Special Events hosted a total of 22 events, including 17 rentals, 5 co- sponsorships, plus 2 film/photo requests with a total estimated attendance of 3,111. Co-sponsorship partners include: Texas Black Legacy Foundation – 2026 TBLF Honoree Award and Scholarship Reception (4/1) The Library Foundation – Library Giving Day (4/1) Urban Music and Cultural Fest Inc. – 20 Year UMCF Community Excellence Gala (4/2) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas – Promising Futures Scholarship Ceremony (4/4) th Headwaters School – Spring Concert (4/30) COA Departments: Austin Water (rental) – Austin Water Annual Recognition & Awards Ceremony (4/24) Breakdown below: 22 events grand total 17 rentals 5 co-sponsorships 2 photo sessions 3,111 estimated attendance Budget and Expenditures 5 Facilities Services Updates APL Facility Services 7 Data & Numbers APL Data and Numbers (as of April 30th) 9 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Data and Numbers 10 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Data and Numbers 11 AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY APL Data and Numbers 12