Library Advisory Committee tables lawsuit, reviews quarterly programs and presses for assistant director reinstatement

The Laredo Library Advisory Committee on Wednesday tabled a judge’s request about the Hatchet Book Group Inc. et al. v. Internet Archive lawsuit until the judge can attend, reviewed quarterly programming and branch checklists, urged council advocacy for reinstating an assistant library director in the FY26 budget and agreed to place an international book festival on the next agenda.

The committee voted to postpone discussion of the lawsuit after members said they lacked information because the judge who requested the item was not present. "Do you all think we should table it until he's here so that he can fill us in a little bit more on what he wanted to ask the attorney?" Committee Cochair Sandra Cavazos Ayala asked during the meeting. A motion to wait for the judge’s return carried.

Committee members spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing the quarterly program report for branches, with staff and commissioners highlighting growth in adult programming and electronic resource use. Committee members pointed to specific program attendance figures in the packet — story time (762 attendees across sessions), a Halloween event (738 attendees), and school outreach numbers (about 250 at Martin and 230 at Catherine Carver) — and praised efforts to diversify offerings to reach older adults as well as children and teens.

"We've gotten some wonderful comments about the diversity of adult programming that is being offered these days," a committee member said, noting staff efforts to expand classes and events aimed at adults. Staff also reported an uptick in electronic-database use and recommended patrons try services such as Hoopla, Libby and CloudLibrary.

Members discussed marketing and visibility of programs. Suggestions included larger entrance bulletin boards or electronic signage; one member noted an electronic board had been budgeted previously at about $20,000 but was not yet installed. Committee members said the library has begun routine newspaper coverage and purchased TVs for branches to display programs, and they encouraged continued use of social media and other outlets to boost attendance.

On staffing, members said an assistant library director position should be reinstated during FY26. Committee members said Dr. Richard Chamberlain indicated he would "push for reinstating this year," and they urged colleagues to speak with council members about the need for additional leadership to support a new director and expanded services.

The committee welcomed interim library staff Annalicia, who recently assumed duties after a retirement, and thanked outgoing staff for years of service. "I'm humbled and honored," Annalicia told the committee; "I think it's fun to work with people who love the library just as much as I do."

For future planning, a committee member proposed discussing an international book festival that would bring local and international authors to Laredo. The committee agreed to add the proposal to the Feb. 26 agenda for planning and budgeting discussion.

Procedural actions taken during the meeting included approval of the Dec. 18, 2024 minutes and scheduling the next committee meeting for Feb. 26 at the same location and time. The meeting adjourned after the committee completed the agenda.

The committee emphasized the need to connect program metrics with visible outreach (signage, media and in-branch displays), to continue expanding adult and teen life-skills programming (including financial-literacy and health-related services), and to advocate for FY26 budget support for an assistant director to sustain program growth and branch oversight.