Texas State Library and Archives Commission Meeting
Minutes

February 18, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission met in person on Friday, February 18, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas.

Madam Chair Wong called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting, noting the absence of Commissioner Garza. She stated that the meeting agenda was posted with the Secretary of State - Texas Register - on February 9th, 2022.

2.    Roll call for members and establishment of a quorum.

Madam Chair Wong took a roll call and established that a quorum was present.

3.    Approval of minutes of November 5, 2021, Commission meeting.

Madam Chair Wong moved to approve the minutes for the November 5, 2021, Commission meeting. Commissioner Mann seconded, Commissioner Tocker agreed, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

4.    Public Comment.

Madam Chair Wong acknowledged the persons, who signed up for public comments:

1. Marry Woodward, President elect of the Texas Library Association: "The fear that the threat of criminal prosecution for purchasing a book, someone doesn't agree with, is frightening and beyond anything I've seen in my 35 years as a school librarian. It will cause librarians to shy away from selecting materials that might be deemed inappropriate by some but are sorely needed by some of the students that we serve. A robust library collection with lots of choices for varying ability levels and interests is essential for students to be able to practice the skill. As they choose books on various topics of interest to them, they exercise their imaginations build empathy for others and improve their learning outcomes. And when Librarians are limited in their ability to choose books using their professional expertise and knowledge of their school community, it is really the students who suffer."
    
2. Jill Bellomy, Chair of the Texas Association of School Librarians: "The school library is vital to a student's education. Research shows that students in schools with a quality school library program learn more, get better grades and score higher on standardized test scores than their peers in schools without libraries. We must protect and continue to develop our Texas school libraries. It is imperative that administrators and school boards uphold the policies in place when facing censorship efforts and that Librarians are trusted as the highly trained professionals, they are to build relevant library collections and create safe spaces for students. Thank you for your support of Texas school librarians and libraries, this support directly benefits students and allowing them to write, to read, access to engaging collections of welcoming spaces and the chance to develop into the best people they can be."
    
3. Robin Cashman, Junior High School Librarian and the current Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee: " The last couple of years have been trying for school Librarians. We know there are many students who rely on the library as a haven, both physically and emotionally. Professionally I know I need to serve my students and purchase books of interest to 11-to-14-year old's, but I also don't want to be in the news having what parents deem controversial material. After I had several students asking for books relating to LGBT Q, I made a collection list within destiny, the cataloging system of titles. However, due to the challenges going on now I am scared that a parent will protest about my list. I've had many students thank me for helping them find books which deal with characters like them, like what they're going through etc. We talked about tolerance of others, but how can we begin to understand if we can't read about it? As a librarian I support parents, making decisions for their child or children. It's when they try to make decisions for all children, based on their own beliefs, that I take issue."
    
4. Wendy Woodland, Director of Advocacy and Communications for the Texas Library Association: "I'm here today to express support for the proposed collection development resource guide and to also ask that the Commission consider beginning the process of reviewing the school library program standards that specifically relate to collection development. As you've heard this morning Librarians are facing a lot of challenges, when it comes to collection development and providing a framework for these policies will help school Librarians tremendously, particularly those in smaller districts who may be the only librarian for multiple campuses as they work with administrators, to ensure that current updated policies are in place that serve their communities. Additionally, a transparent proactive process of reviewing the school library program standards that involve stakeholders, will ensure that the standards reflect current best practices in librarianship. These policies are essential to ensure that collections meet the broad and varied interests and learning styles of students."

5.    Conflict of interest disclosures

No conflict of interest notified.

6.    Acceptance of a gift of $500 or greater. McFarland Estate to TBP and NHPRC grant to ARIS

TSLAC received a donation of $3,475 from the estate of Gustave McFarland for the Talking Book Program. Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to accept the gift, seconded by Commissioner David Iglesias. Motion was approved unanimously.

Acceptance of a grant received of $39,824 from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to support activities of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. All commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
 

7.    Approval of the following contracts greater than $100,000, contract renewals, and amendments.

Talking Book Program devices ($750,000) and Data Center Services (not to exceed $450,000, including up to $350,000 for Office 365 update and up to $100,000 for staff augmentation)

Approval to increase the existing DCS contract in an amount not to exceed $450,000 to cover the costs as outlined above.

All Commissioners were in favor and motion carried unanimously.

8.    Approval of 2022 Family Place grants.

Approval of recommendations for funding for the 2022 Family Place Libraries Grants.

Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to approve the recommendations for funding the 2022 Family Place grants. Commissioner Iglesias seconded and Commissioner Tegeler agreed.

The motion carried 5 to 1.

9.    Libraries and Talking Book Program Committee update.

a.    Approval of collection development resource guide
    Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to approve, Commissioner Mann seconded, and Commissioner Tegeler agreed.

b.    School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas, 13 TAC §4.1 (discussion only) Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion      to approve, Commissioner Givens seconded, and Commissioner Tegeler agreed.

c.    Approval of reallocation of Federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds
    Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to approve, Commissioner Man seconded, and Commissioner Iglesias agreed.

All Commissioners voted in favor and motions carried unanimously.

10.    Archives and Records Committee update

No action requested. Information item only

11.    Update on Federal American Rescue Plan Act projects

No action requested. Information item only

12.    Amendments to 13 TAC §6.10(a) and (b), Texas State Records Retention Schedule and University Records Retention Schedule

Approval to publish notice of proposed amendments to 13 TAC §6.10, regarding the Texas State Records Retention Schedule in the Texas Register for comment.

Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to approve, Commissioner Tocker seconded, and Commissioner Givens agreed. All Commissioners voted in favor and motion carried unanimously.
 

13.    New 13 TAC Chapter 10, Archives and Historical Resources

a.    §10.1, Definitions
b.    §10.2, Public Access to Archival State Records and Other Historical Resources

Approval to publish the proposed new sections in the Texas Register for the purpose of receiving public comment.

Madam Chair Wong entertained a motion to approve, Commissioner Tocker seconded, and Commissioner Mann agreed. All Commissioners voted in favor and motion carried unanimously.

14.    Report of the Director & Librarian on TSLAC operations

No action requested. Information item only

15.    Report on agency expenditures summary

No action requested. Information item only

16.    Talking Book Program demonstration

No action requested. Information item only

17.    Discussion of 2022 planning calendar

No action necessary; for discussion only.

18.    Future commission meeting dates

Select preferred commission meeting date(s).

•    April 8, 2022
•    May 12, 2022, 1 p.m. – focused on contracts
•    June 3, 2022

19.    Adjournment.

Madam Chair Wong thanked the committee and staff for a thorough discussion and hard work.

There being no further business before the committee, Commissioner Mann moved to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Tocker seconded. Madam Chair Wong adjourned the meeting at 11:59 a.m.