Texas State Library and Archives Commission Meeting
Minutes

1.    Welcome and introductions.

Chairman Tocker called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He stated that the meeting was being held via videoconference and that the agenda was posted with the Secretary of State on July 21, 2022. He welcomed everyone to the meeting.

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

Chairman Tocker took a roll call and established that a simple majority quorum was present. Commissioner Tegeler joined the meeting at 1:09 p.m.

3.    Approval of minutes of the June 3, 2022, Commission meeting.

Commissioner Tocker moved to accept the meeting minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Wong. The motion passed unanimously.

4.    Public Comment.

No public comments received.

5.    Conflict of interest disclosures

Chairman Tocker noted a conflict of interest with the FY 2023 Special Projects 75 Grant Recommendations for the Partners Library Action Network (PLAN). The organization sublets office space from the Tocker Foundation.

No other conflict of interest was notified.

6.    Discussion and approval of the agency’s 2024-2025 Legislative Appropriations Request.

Director and Librarian Gloria Meraz presented the Legislative Appropriations Request, FY 2024-2025 and asked for approval to submit the agency’s 2024-2025 Legislative Appropriations Request at the recommended budget amounts and exceptional items.
Commissioner Wong suggested to add actual numbers instead of percentages with real examples to have a stronger request for supporting digital inclusion efforts in small public libraries.

Commissioner Mann moved to approve the agency’s 2024-2025 Legislative Appropriations Request with the recommended budget amounts and exceptional items. He amended his motion to include adding Chair Wong’s recommendations regarding small libraries and additional text regarding the need for security. Commissioner Paup seconded the motion. All commissioners voted in favor and the 2024-2025 Legislative Appropriations Request was approved unanimously with the recommended changes.

7.    Approval of Annual FY 2023 Competitive Grant Awards

a.    Special Projects Grants

LDN Division Director Sarah Jacobson requested approval of the FY 2023 Special Projects Grants for programs that expand library services to all members of the library's community. It enables libraries to develop programs for populations with special or unmet needs.

Chairman Tocker moved to approve the FY 2023 Special Projects 25 Grants as recommended. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Tocker entertained a motion to approve and excluded himself on the Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) grant in the FY 2023 Special Projects 75 Grants category. Commissioner Wong moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Mann. Chairman Tocker abstained from the vote. All other commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Tocker moved to approve all the remaining recommended grants in the FY 2023 Special Project 75 category. Commissioner Tegeler seconded the motion. All commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

b.    Texas Reads Grants

LDN Division Director Sarah Jacobson requested approval for the Texas Reads Grant funds public library programs to promote reading and literacy within local communities. Programs may be targeted to the entire community or to a segment of the community.

Chairman Tocker entertained a motion to approve the funding under the 2023 Texas Reads Grant Program as listed. Commissioner Tegeler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wong. All commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

c.    TexTreasures Grants

LDN Division Director Sarah Jacobson requested approval of recommendations for funding under the 2023 TexTreasures Grant Program as listed. The TexTreasures Grant provides assistance and encouragement to libraries to provide access to their special or unique holdings, and to make information about these holdings available to all Texans.

Chairman Tocker entertained a motion to approve funding under the 2023 TexTreasures Grant Program as recommended. Chairman Wong so moved, seconded by Commissioner Paup.
All commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

d.    Regional ILS

LDN Division Director Sarah Jacobson requested approval of recommendation for funding under the 2023 Regional ILS Cooperative Grant Program as listed. The Regional ILS Cooperative Grant provides funds for programs that establish or enhance cooperative services among libraries that are members of the TexShare Library Consortium or the Texas Library System, or these libraries and community organizations.

Chairman Tocker entertained a motion to approve funding under the 2023 Regional ILS Cooperative Grant Program Recommendations. Commissioner Mann moved, seconded by Commissioner Paup. All commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

8.    Approval of amendment to FY 2022 Special Projects Grant, City of Converse, Converse Public Library (extend term).

LDN Division Director Sarah Jacobson informed the commission that there is no action to be taken on this agenda item.

9.    Acceptance of a gift of $500 or greater.

General Counsel Sarah Swanson presented information to the commission regarding notice received in April 2022 that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission had been named a beneficiary of the Dorothy Pope Management Trust. Under the terms of Ms. Pope’s will, TSLAC would receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her house in San Antonio.

The trustee requested the Commission sign a letter agreeing to terms regarding the sale of the house. Commissioners discussed the proposed sale process. Chairman Tocker moved to accept the gift but asked for additional information regarding the proposed sale price and process and stipulated that subsequent communication and potential negotiation on the sale price of the residence be handled by the Director and Librarian. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mann. Following the motion and second, Chair Wong recommended the commission accept the gift as presented. Chairman Tocker took a roll call vote. Commissioners Mann, Paup, Tegeler, and Tocker voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Wong voted no. The motion carried.

10.    Adjournment.

Chairman Tocker thanked the committee and staff for a thorough discussion and hard work and adjourned the meeting at 2:19 p.m.