Tag Archives: Austin Public Library
Amid push to ban books, library commissioners brush up on the basics
With efforts to take books off library shelves ramping up in some parts of Texas, Austin’s Library Commission took the timely step of reviewing the city’s policies to see how our public collections are protected. The commission and the Austin…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Mar 1, 2022
Austin joins growing list of cities eliminating library late fines
An ordinance eliminating late fees at the Austin Public Library has received unanimous approval from City Council, making Austin the latest of nearly 400 cities across the country to adopt such a policy. The ordinance, sponsored by Council Member Kathie…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Feb 22, 2022
Library Commission pushes for fine-free books
Austin librarygoers may be in luck: The Library Commission unanimously voted Monday to do away with late fees for overdue library books. While City Council still has to approve the resolution in order for fine-free libraries to become the new norm,…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Jan 26, 2022
In push to raise funds, History Center makes a bid for formal partnership with the city
The Library Commission has postponed the decision to officially recognize the need for an agreement between the Austin History Center Association and the city of Austin. According to the proposed agreement from the association, the group would have a seat…
City Hall • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • May 7, 2021
Libraries set to begin reopening in May, despite City Council resolution
Amid concerns about vaccination rates, City Council has pushed back the day Austin Public Library employees will return to their physical workplaces. The change is not expected to impact a plan to begin reopening public libraries on May 10. “I…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 2, 2021
Austin libraries receive funding to help low-income students
With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing a dramatic rise in the number of online classes and amount of schoolwork, some students in low-income households, who may not have access to the internet or own a personal computer, are being left behind.…
Austin • By Miriam E Jewell • Oct 22, 2020
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Audit: Ex-employee stole $1.3 million from city
Randall Whited, a former employee of Austin Public Library, stole at least $1.3 million from the city by purchasing printer toner with a city credit card and reselling it online, according to an investigation released by the Office of the City…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 6, 2020
How Austin Public Library adjusted to the pandemic
Early on a Tuesday morning, Austin’s Central Library would normally be a bustling place. But today, patrons like East Austin resident Todd Fitzgerald arrive one at a time, wait for the phone call to announce that their books are ready,…
Austin • By Minka Atkinson • Oct 2, 2020
City begins reopening library, pool facilities
City libraries and pools are reopening for the summer beginning this week. Beginning today, Austin Public Library begins its phased reopening of library branches across the city. In phase two, which started today, book drops at branches are open. Books…
Austin • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 1, 2020
Library Commission discusses proposed FY21 budget
In a virtual meeting convened April 27 to discuss its proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget, the Library Commission recommended a 3.2 percent (or $1.7 million) increase over Fiscal Year 2019-20, including an increase to the materials budget by 3.6 percent…
Budget • By Nina Hernandez • May 6, 2020
Library Commission punts fine-free initiative amid Covid-19 uncertainty
The Library Commission pledged to keep working on its Fine-Free Libraries program Monday, with the understanding that it may take a year or more to win City Council’s approval due to the budgetary uncertainty caused by Covid-19. “I think there…
City Council • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 28, 2020
Petitioners may collect signatures outside libraries
The Austin Public Library has adopted new rules relating to free speech and petitioning at city libraries, according to a memo Library Director Roosevelt Weeks sent to the mayor and Council last week. That memo states that the new rules…
