To the good people of the library who have been sitting here.

Hopefully, you learned a lot about the trends of the city.

Um, okay, I would like to welcome the Houston Public Libraries Director Sandy Gaw and Laurie Covington to present Houston Library's proposed FY 2027 budget.

I also have um neglected to recognize Councilmember Tarsha Jackson, has been with us and staff from Councilmember Twilight Carter's office.

Um, so welcome all.

And with that, um Director Ga, you may begin.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

I am Sandy Gall, Houston Public Library Director, and I thank you for the opportunity to present Houston Public Libraries proposed budget for fiscal year 27.

Next slide, please.

I would like to acknowledge the exec the HPL's executive leadership team, along, again alongside me is uh Lori Covington, and also behind me uh there's Patrick Atkins, Stephen Chamberlain, Yolanda Fernandez, and we also have Ladonna Weens.

Also with us today is Nicholas Sawiki, Executive Director of Houston Public Library Foundation, and along with some of the Houston Public Library Foundation board members, Dr.

Margot Melcher Hernandez, Diane Shepard, and Ada Wing.

The key trend noted in 2026 is using libraries as a free community resource.

As a national trend, residents are turning to libraries for affordable access to books, technology, learning, entertainment, and lifelong enrichment.

At HPL, our one card in this possibilities message reflects that reality.

A single library card unlocks access to far more than books, connecting residents to digital resources, job support, educational tools, cultural experiences, technology, research basis, and programs for every stage of life.

Our mission, linking you to the world reinforces our commitment to equity, lifelong learning, and opportunity by ensuring that every Houstonian has free access to resources.

So far this fiscal year, HPL has welcomed 1.75 million in-person visitors, a 6% increase over last year, demonstrating the continued importance of physical library spaces.

I'm sorry, importance of physical library spaces in people's daily lives.

We saw a 30% increase in e-material checkouts with 5.1 million items borrowed, and physical circulation remains strong with over 3 million items borrowed, reflecting the strong and growing demand for books, media, and other resources that inform, entertain, and inspire.

Library programs remain at the heart of HPL's community impact.

More than 144,000 people participated in library programs this year, a 13% increase highlighting the library as an essential public resource.

HPL is a beacon of civic life and community connection.

This year, meeting room bookings increase by 49%, with over 17,500 17,585 reservations, and more than 67,000 attendees, a 27% rise.

Using library spaces for neighborhood library meetings, nonprofit gatherings, and public forums.

HPL has been a data-driven organization for years, and working with the city of Houston, we have incorporated additional key performance indicators to track trends, look for innovation, and tell the library's story.

The continued growth across visits, circulation programs, and community engagement demonstrates that libraries are not only relevant, they are essential infrastructure for strong and connected communities.

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Here's an overview of today's presentation.

Each section outlines how we are streamlining operations and aligning with the mayor's priorities.

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Our core services reflect our belief that equitable access to information, technology, and education is foundational to a thriving society.

We continue to provide high quality services citywide.

TechLink is aligned to our core values of innovation.

Our technology centers feature cutting-edge technology, including laser cutters, embroidery machines, podcasting equipment, and tools for video and music production.

Our dedicated team members in our neighborhood libraries and the central library are focused on innovation, connecting to the community, and operational excellence through 34 locations across the city.

At the History Research Centers, our archivists safeguard Houston's history, assist customers to utilize the resources, and ensure this important cultural heritage remains accessible, accurate, and available through our three history research centers.

Our diverse library collections go beyond books to include ebooks and audiobooks, online learning platforms, research databases, and the library of things with items such as bakeware, musical instruments, gardening supplies, and tools.

Houston Public Library spaces offer welcoming areas for community meetings and maintain historic properties available for special events and serve as cooling and warming centers during extreme weather.

HPL offers lifelong learning opportunities in literacy and education for all ages, including programs such as story times, art clubs, ELL classes, and citizenship preparation.

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HPL aligns strongly with the mayor's quality of life initiative.

78% of our programs directly support this vision.

Our administrative services are aligned to a government that works, with 22% of our programs supporting efficient government, efficient governance.

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This slide outlines how the library plans to eliminate the gap of 1,174,728 while safeguarding our state accreditation, which is critical to the library's operations and long-term sustainability.

Maintaining accreditation ensures the library meets established standards of service, staffing, resources, and facilities.

By maintaining this commitment to serving the public effectively, accreditation allows us to receive significant discounts on databases, qualify for competitive grants, and participate in the statewide interlibrary loan system.

These benefits are vital to delivering high quality, cost-effective services to our community.

To remain compliant, we must maintain at least one item per capita in the collection.

The current budget must exceed or meet the three-year average of local operating expenditures, and maintain 40 unique hours per week.

To achieve the required reduction while protecting accreditation, we propose a $70,265 reduction in tech link, a total of $1,054,463 reduction in library materials purchasing, a total of $50,000 reduction in furniture repair and cleaning.

Most importantly, these reductions will not compromise the library's accreditation.

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This slide represents the library's expenditures by fund.

The proposed fiscal year 27 general fund budget totals $50,531,053.

The special events fund is also captured here with the budget of $313,325.

The increase reflects the addition of 1.5 FTE to help support dividends held at the Julia Idison building.

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This chart illustrates personnel versus nonpersonnel budget expenditures.

Personnel costs account for 75% of the total budget.

The remaining 25% consists of non-personnel expenses, which include collections and operational needs.

Our investment in people reflects our belief that service delivery starts with skilled and committed library staff.

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This slide shows changes across program areas with reductions tied to realignment of full-time employees.

The library operations program has been split into two programs, reflecting the evolving service of HPL and our desire to track performance for these areas separately.

History Research Center's program consists of three existing and award-winning centers.

Neighborhood Libraries and Central Program contains the staff from across 34 locations.

The special events program coordinates library and private events in HPL's historic properties.

Digital strategies will transition to HIITs in fiscal year 27.

TechLink is now a separate program from Digital Strategies with our four existing locations plus the soon-to-be Tech League Vincent.

HPL has an increase in FTEs with the dash with additional staff for TechLink Vincent.

Restricted funds in administrative services have increased by over 1 million.

The following slides provide program descriptions along with the key performance measures that have been developed as a result of the EY study.

Next slide, please.

Administrative services drives strategic initiatives that strengthen library operations, improve service delivery, and advance organizational goals.

This program supports executive leadership through operational coordination, strategic planning, performance analysis, and data-informed decision making to ensure the library continues meeting the evolving needs of Houston communities.

Administrative services also lead staff training initiatives, volunteer coordination and grant management to support organizational growth and long-term impact.

This program also shapes and manages the library's brand, public relations, and communication strategy to strengthen public awareness and community engagement.

Through media relations, marketing, digital platforms, website management, email communications, and internal communication tools.

Administration services ensures consistent, timely, and effective communication with both customers and staff while promoting the library's programs, services, and community impact across all channels.

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Library Collections program manages the development, acquisition, organization, and distribution of all library materials to ensure equitable access to diverse quality collections and services.

This program oversees the selection, cataloging, processing, and system-wide distribution of physical and digital materials.

Library Collections also manages fleet operations, mail and supply distribution, transportation logistics, and related operational services that support daily library functions across all locations.

In addition, this program oversees library card services and manages learning link partnerships with local school districts to expand student access to library resources.

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The central and neighborhood libraries program oversees library operations, customer service, public computer assistance, passport services, and day-to-day service delivery.

As the library's largest division, the program includes more than 280 FTEs dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and community-centered services for Houston residents.

The division is also supported by more than 600 volunteers who contribute over 11,000 service hours annually, helping expand service capacity and enhance customer experience across the system.

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The History Research Center's program preserves, manages, and provides access to Houston's rich historical and cultural records through archives, digitization initiatives, research services, and public history programming.

The program ensures residents, researchers, students, and visitors have access to unique collections that document the city's diverse communities and stories.

This program also actively pursues grant opportunities to supplement city funding and advance long-term preservation and accessibility efforts through digitization projects.

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The library spaces program manages all aspects of library spaces, overseeing the planning, maintenance, safety, and optimization of library facilities to ensure welcoming environments for Houston residents.

Through strategic coordination with the city's General Services Department and Parks and Recreation Department.

Library Spaces works to enhance and maintain high-quality public spaces.

This program also leads efforts related to safety, wellness, emergency preparedness, and security to help ensure safe and accessible library environments for customers and staff.

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The Literacy and Education Program develops and delivers literacy initiatives and educational services for customers of all ages.

This program builds strategic public and private partnerships, leads community outreach efforts, manages grants, and coordinates special events that expand access to learning opportunities throughout Houston.

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The special events program plans and manages corporate, private, nonprofit, and city events held within the library's historic properties, creating unique experiences that connect residents, organizations, and visitors to some of Houston's most iconic civic spaces.

The revenue generated directly supports the maintenance of the historic Julia Idison Building.

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The Tech Link program delivers innovative technology focused services and creative learning opportunities through specialized centers.

This program oversees operations across tech link locations, providing residents with access to multimedia labs, podcasting and audio video recording studios, makerspaces, and technologies such as 3D scanning and digital creation tools that support workforce development, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and creative expression.

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While we are not a revenue generating department, the library supports the city's general fund through passport services and special revenue.

Special events revenue.

Special events revenue helps to maintain the historic Julia Edison Building.

The space is becoming a premier place with bookings for weddings and private events already into fiscal year 28.

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This site provides an overview of the department's revenues by fund from fiscal year 25 actual to fiscal year 27 proposed.

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This site provides revenue by program for the general fund.

As a reminder, we are not a revenue generating department.

This slide reflects the changes made in fiscal year 27.

We move passports from administrative services to neighborhood libraries in central.

Additionally, the historic preservation program has moved to the special events program.

The revenue will be reflected in these programs moving forward.

While the library ended fines for late books in January 2023, we continue to collect fees for lost or damaged books as shown in administrative services.

Next slide, please.

Houston Public Library remains relevant for our community.

We're looking forward to a busy and engaging summer.

The summer reading program registration is now open, and the program is for everyone, not just youth.

This year, HPL is challenging all Houstonians to join the movement to celebrate reading, including our fellow City of Houston employees and departments.

We are gearing up for FIFA World Cup with an exhibit from the art of soccer as well as an interactive soccer experience at the Central Library, and of course, great books to check out.

We're also celebrating America's 250th birthday at all library locations on June 27th with literacy and creative activities for all ages.

Beyond literacy, we continue investing in spaces and opportunities.

The Vincent Tech Link will be open this fall, and design and construction is underway for the Hispanic History Research Center, and we are proudly commemorating the 100th anniversaries of the Julia Edison Building Heights Library and the Gregory School, and the 50th anniversaries of the Jones Building and Shepherd Acres Home Neighborhood Library.

Five institutions rooted in Houston's cultural fabric.

At Houston Public Library, it may be one card in its possibilities, but that single library card unlocks access to far more than books.

It connects residents to digital resources, job support, educational tools, cultural experiences, technology, research databases, and programs for every stage of life.

We truly fulfill our mission of linking you to the world.

Thank you for your time and continued support.

I welcome any questions you may have.

Thank you, Director.

I appreciate your presentation.

Mayor Pro Tem Castax Tatum.

Thank you, Director.

Definitely excited about Vincent Branch Library coming technically opening in the fall.

Had a couple of questions.

What's what's the number of employees that we have across our entire library system?

It's about 460.

Okay.

Has that changed over the last couple of years?

Do uh are we usually around 460 employees?

Has that changed?

I mean, it changed with Vermeepo last year.

We lost 37 people.

I can't hear you.

We lost 37 people last year with Vermeepo, so that did it it has declined, so we have a lower number of employees.

Um have a question about charging stations.

I got a um question from a constituent that the charging stations at Shannon Walker were inoperable.

Does the library operate those charging stations that are at the libraries, or is that done by somebody else?

And do we know if they will be operable anytime soon?

So we did receive the request, um, I believe from Rumika Allen, our uh uh council member liaison, so we are looking into it, and so can we get back to you on that?

Sure.

Um, and then I want to talk about passports.

Um I know at one point I I remember uh statistic was that passport offices generated maybe a million dollars.

Um is that still kind of the estimate that we are seeing in our passport offices and is that we have four passport offices and libraries?

Five five passport offices and libraries.

What libraries are those?

I know Stella Link and Shannon Walker.

Sorry, it's six.

I can't count six.

It's Ely, Central, Collier, Park Place, Stella Link, and Walker.

So are all are we seeing a lot of passport activity in these libraries?

Um activity is down a little bit this year.

We think based on the economy, things like that.

So it's it's down closer to 800,000 so far this year.

Last year we made a little over a million.

And this shirt because we are in May right now, so we still have a little bit of time, so it could possibly increase to um possibly over 900,000.

So it's gonna be just shy of a million.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Vice Chair Castillo.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Director.

I um I also had some passport questions to tag on to the Mayor Pro Tem's comments.

Uh, are there any plans to expand um beyond the six locations that we currently have?

Not currently.

No, and what would um what would that entail?

Would that entail more staff?

Would that entail you know equipment?

All of the above.

And is there a estimate on what that would cost?

We have some specific um costs that we can share with you.

Okay, that'd be great.

Um, and then on the tech link, uh, very excited about that program and and where it's headed.

I heard there's one coming in the fall.

Any others uh projected to come online next fiscal year?

We currently don't have any for next fiscal year.

None besides besides the one.

Okay, and uh the KPIs are encouraging.

Um I know a lot of them are new, but good to see that uh those were those are the deliverables that we'll be tracking through through that program.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you all.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh you mentioned volunteers.

How many volunteers work?

Um we have about 600 volunteers throughout the year so far.

They've worked about 11,000 hours.

Okay.

I assume that helps considerably.

It does.

Okay.

Do you try and expand the number of volunteers as well?

And I I didn't even realize there were volunteers at the library, so maybe we all need to communicate that a little better.

Oh, we actually have.

Last year we had about three or four hundred volunteers, and this year we had six hundred, so we've definitely increased it.

They help a lot, especially with programs and shelving.

Okay.

Um, and director, we had a meeting about two or three months ago.

Yes.

Um, I'm really uh encouraged by the increase in engagements at the individual libraries, especially what y'all have done at uh some of the lower attended libraries.

So I think y'all have done a nice job.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I I submitted a bunch of questions in writing, which I know you'll get to.

One thing I would I noted when you were going through the some of the slides that we're still, and you talked about the importance of accreditation.

You're just not you're not tracking it, but we're obviously going for it every year.

I mean, we have to reapply every year for that.

Okay, we have to submit the report to the state every April.

Okay, so that's definitely going on.

And tell me a little bit about what uh what money you receive from the foundation and what that supports.

So every year we receive money for a spending plan.

And so, and last year we roughly received about 800,000.

Okay.

So it varies.

Just across your different divisions.

Okay, that's one of the questions I put it in writing, so you can just give me a breakdown there.

Any other questions from council members?

Okay, don't see any, so thank you very much for the presentation and for all of the good work that you do at the Houston Public Library.

We'll move now to public speakers, and I appreciate you moving through that fast.

You knew I was bumping up against the clock.

Um first we'll hear from Laura Gallier.

I want to say first of all, thank you to Houston Public Libraries and for this presentation.

There's a lot in here that I didn't know.

I am not a big user of the library because I'm not good at returning books, but I do have um some stories.

You don't even get fined anymore, so couldn't tell that.

Um but I do have some good stories to tell you.

Uh some of you may know uh our cultural um historian, local cultural historian Harrison Guy, the director of the Fifth Ward Redevelopment Committee or department, and the founder of Urban Souls, and he produces a dance program once or twice a year.

And a couple of years ago, and I go to them uh each time, and a couple of years ago it was going to be Colored Carnegie, and I thought, oh boy, a dance show about a library.

Um, but it was about the first um library in the city of Houston that was open to black residents, and it was actually a very moving ballet performance.

And I'm mentioning that because out of all the things that this cultural historian of Houston could be producing a dance program about when he only gets one or two per year at the hobby center, that's what he chose.

So these libraries are really very important.

Secondly, um I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with another uh Houston cultural icon, Kelton Sam's, who led the lunch counter sit-ins in Galveston back in the day, and he uh in the last things he did in his career was to be the project manager for the African American library, the Gregory School, and at the Clayton Genealogical Library, and he told me that when the Gregory School was converted, when he did that work, the roof was completely caved in.

Uh so in Houston, I don't know how long, but in Houston you can imagine what um he had to deal with, and I'm really grateful that there was a visionary uh mayor at that time, Lee Brown, and there was federal funds available to do this sort of thing, which of course there wouldn't be right now, and so in connection with that library in my ill-fated uh campaign for public office recently, I met my two paid canvassers um one time at this African American library, primarily because in my mind, because it was air conditioned and it was quiet and we could talk and it was a really hot day, but I was late, and um by the time I got there, these two young black men looked different to me, and I was like, what what happened here?

They looked taller and their eyes were bigger, and they said they had never really appreciated what elected people could do until they saw what was in this building, even though the main exhibit was down.

And so I just wanted to share with you that these cultural resources are critical to the humanity of the people who live um in the city, and they make elected officials uh uh make people understand why it's important to vote and be part of the process.

Thank you very much, Laura.

Appreciate your comments.

Um, next, Doug Smith.

I'll make it quick.

One of my questions was what is tech link?

And she explains what it is, and then I just realized we have tech link at the A Lee School.

Secondly, I just want to call attention to one of their long-term goals, and this is for all the council people, but particularly the district council people sustain equitable access across all communities, ensuring consistent access to library services, technology, and programs.

Make sure that that's happening in your district because it's really important.

And I don't know whether everybody feels equally served, but this is a goal, and you should make sure it happens.

And finally, under the literacy and educational programs, they have three categories in their performance.

Annual number of students served, annual number of workforce literacy classes, number of early literacy, and it's like 60,000, 9,000 and 56,000 this year, and they're all non-c not applicable for next year.

Hopefully, those programs aren't going away because they sound like really valuable programs.

Yeah, I think a lot of the departments are just changing their metrics to be, but I but we can ask, we can get more clarification.

That's all.

Okay, great.

Thank you, Doug.

Always great to see you.

Terry Chen.

Good morning, council members, staff, and HPL staff.

The library department's vision is to be the most trusted source of information, fostering a connected and informed community where all Houstonians have equitable access to resources and innovative tools to thrive in a global society.

And I love this vision, and I think the library can do that if they're fully funded to be open and staffed and continue to provide free classes and meeting spaces.

However, our libraries aren't open enough to fulfill this vision.

Most libraries don't open until noon or 1 p.m.

on the weekdays, and some don't open at all on Fridays and Saturdays.

And like Doug just mentioned, is this equitable amongst all of the districts?

What messages are you sending to the neighborhoods like Northside and Pleasantville, mostly Latino neighborhoods that don't have open public libraries on Fridays?

So please consider expanding the Houston Public Library budget to be to be able to keep libraries open six days a week from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

at a minimum.

Our communities, especially the elderly, young children, immigrants, and working class people depend on the library.

So what is the plan to increase visitors while still having a massive decrease in staff?

And is it possible to bring back metrics under tech link that show utilization of tech at the libraries like computer users, unique devices connected to Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi sessions?

I think these, alongside with the number of people attending tech link workshops, give us valuable data about people using the specific resources within the library system.

And will the increased staffing in administrative services and library operation departments lead to an increase in library open hours?

And will there be more programs?

We will get those answered for you.

Thank you.

Thank you for coming.

And Rain Eatman.

Oh, Rain, I don't see her today.

Okay.

Anyone else like to make comment about the Houston Public Library budget?

Okay, come on up.

Just give us your name when you sit down.

Hello, my name is Jessica Campos.

Um, I didn't really prepare a speech, but I have plenty to say.

Um, I actually am homeschooling my kiddo, um, and the library has become a survival for our communities, became become survival.

Um, for especially for the immigrant community, for our elders, for our homeless.

Um, we see every day that there's a big need for libraries.

Um, one thing I have noticed is there there's a big difference when I go to the Montrose Library and I go to our Denver Harbor Cliff Tuttle Library.

There's a huge difference.

The technology, the furniture, I mean, everything is different.

Um, right now, we need you.

I don't know if you've heard of friends of HIC libraries, but they have a map that shows the high poverty areas that have lost their libraries in the schools.

I mean, it's it's very clear that we in the high poverty areas don't have access to education.

My husband has taken on this job of building little free libraries, and just uh last month we put one up in Denver Harbor, and it's already been filled four times.

The need is there.

We need books, we need education.

This is the worst time for us families.

I mean, I'm having to pull out my kid.

I don't even have the means.

I I should be working, but I can't because of the district and all of the changes that are happening with everything.

I mean, education sped, everything is affecting our working class families, and we need you.

We need our libraries.

Our libraries have become a hub for education, for learning, for safety, for um for learning English.

I mean, that's the other thing that was removed from schools.

We used to have access to GED classes, to English classes.

All that is gone.

We need help.

We need more funding into our libraries.

Our libraries is a support.

It's it's a it's a lifeline for us right now.

Thank you so much for your comments.

Thank you.

I agree.

Libraries are a wonderful treasure in Houston, and we need to do all we can to make sure they're operating as most for the most hours, and we also have to look at the all the operational expenses, but they're a big there are a big cultural hub of our city, and appreciate your coming and bringing your daughter to put a fine point on it.

We're needing homeschool, I mean, uh, like homeschool locations, and the library is free.

Um, so this is a place that I've been using to start uh homeschool co-ops, and there's lots of moms that are doing the same.

So, yes, we need more space.

We need it play areas for our children.

We need it to be more welcoming, more colorful, more fun for our kids, um, and really just for the whole community.

Great.

Thank you so much for your advocacy.

Thank you.

All right, anyone else?

One more.

Come on up.

Hi, everyone.

Good morning, city council.

My name is Sarah.

I'm a teacher and artist here in Houston.

I love the libraries.

I love taking my students to the Houston Public Libraries and my nephews and my niece, and it's wonderful.

I just want to point out the irony is that back to back, you have two departments, the library and the police.

The library that actually, you know, department that actually keeps communities uplifted and safe versus police, and we've seen how many times throughout this year and in the past, how police has not protected and kept our community safe.

So I just want to point out that irony and whoever put that schedule together.

That was really wise.

Thank you very much.

All right, seeing, oh, we have one more speaker on the Houston Public Library.

Hi, good morning, I'm Mo Cortez.

I reside in District C, but I used to live in District A.

Uh, I just want to uplift what the other speakers had said is that if you go to the library at Abnora and Gessner, right there, I think the Hillendal library compared to the Montrose Library, it's night and day.

And there's a lot of immigrant community that live out there off of Gastner and M.

Nora.

So I just ask you to invest more for time full-time equivalents, but also uh the hours as well.

10 a.m.

to six is pretty good, six hours a day.

I'll uplift that as well.

And uh thank you, I guess.

Yeah.

Thank you very much for your advocacy.

Okay, we are going to not take a really a break since we're running behind, and we we are going to start right in with the Houston public.

I mean, with the Houston Police Department budget workshop.

As soon as HTV can switch the the presentations, we'll get started with