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 is somewhat of a sense that maybe now is not the time to continue this […]
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Posted inAustin
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 were adopted on Oct. 8, 2019, about 20 months after people gathering signatures on petitions […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Drip, drip, drip
Givens has broken… It turns out that Givens Pool is failing faster than predicted, and a February memo from the Parks and Recreation Department advises its immediate closure. The department identified Givens as one of seven pools in critical condition in the 2014 Aquatics Assessment. Since then, $260,000 has been spent toward its continued operation, […]
Posted inCity Council
Faulk Library renovation opens conversation on Downtown Community Court
The Austin History Center downtown is ready to expand into the first floor of the adjacent John H. Faulk Library, but the building needs some work. City Council will consider a contract for design services Thursday to get the ball rolling on the expansion and renovation project, but some members of Council are concerned the […]
Posted inAustin
Austin Public Library is checking out whether to stop charging for overdue materials
The Austin Library Commission is looking into eliminating overdue fees for all materials in the city’s public library system. The Austin Public Library stopped charging fees on overdue materials checked out for kids in 2018. Now the commission has created a three-person working group to analyze the feasibility of a completely fine-free system. Penalties for […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: APL Director Roosevelt Weeks
Curious about the latest at Austin Public Library? This week we go straight to the stacks to discuss just that. Listen in below as Austin Monitor reporter Jack Craver talks with Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. Austin Monitor Radio is produced in partnership with KOOP 91.7 FM. The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations […]
Posted inCity Hall
After 13-year-old’s arrest, black advocates demand library policies that create safe spaces for all
Teacher Njera Keith was entering the Carver Branch of Austin Public Library with a 6-year-old student when they saw a police officer patting down 13-year-old LaTashia Milligam. The teenager was handcuffed and had no shoes on. Keith said her young student immediately began shaking. “She’s shocked that this little girl that we were just interacting […]
Posted inAustin
Tense meeting over arrest at library
The Library Commission heard impassioned testimony Monday night over the arrest last month of a 13-year-old girl at the Austin Public Library’s Carver branch. Activists showed up to the meeting at the Terrazas branch on Cesar Chavez Street to urge the library system to adopt new policies aimed at avoiding police calls while Library Director […]
Posted inCity Council
City proposes ditching Recycled Reads
Some City Council members are alarmed at a proposal from city staff to phase out Recycled Reads, a service operated by the library system that repurposes, recycles or sells books that are discarded by the library or donated by residents. Staffers have asked Council to approve a contract subleasing much of the space at RR’s […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: We’re back, and so is this
Taking her talents… Ellen Troxclair, whose term on Austin City Council concludes with today’s swearing-in ceremony that’ll install Paige Ellis as the new representative for District 8, is taking her focus on property tax issues to the state level. News broke Friday that Troxclair has joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a senior fellow. […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Lord of the files
Pig-headed politics… At a recent City Council work session, Council members were discussing proposed changes to the ordinance that dictates the extent to which people can exercise their First Amendment rights on library grounds. Specifically, what limits, if any, should be placed on those canvassing for candidates or gathering signatures for petitions outside of libraries. […]
Posted inCity Hall
Libraries plan to designate areas for petitioning
After a month of consultations with the Law Department over the language of the rules governing petitioning on library property, the Austin Public Library may have found a compromise. Instead of limiting petitioning to sidewalks surrounding the libraries, which groups have said restricts their access to library customers, the department is suggesting designating a location […]