Recent grants, awards, and donors

The Austin Public Library is fortunate to have terrific support groups that advocate and raise money for the Library.
 
The Austin Public Library Foundation was founded in 1995 by a group of volunteers committed to building a broad base of support for Austin's libraries. The Foundation works to increase awareness about the Library and its importance to the community and raises funds through individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. These funds are used to provide programs, equipment, and holdings in the Austin Public Library. For additional information about the Foundation visit http://www.austinlibrary.org/ or call (512) 542-0076.
 
The Friends of the Austin Public Library is comprised of volunteers dedicated to the support of the Austin Public Library. The organization started in 1962 to strengthen and enlarge the number of Austin citizens who take an interest in the Library's activities and to the promotion of reading and literacy in the community. The Friends raise money through ongoing and annual book sales and through memberships to the Friends organization. For additional information about the Friends visit http://www.austinlibrary.org/ or call (512) 440-1241.
 

GRANTS, AWARDS, AND DONORS
 
2012
 
National Endowment for the Humanities Grant Received
The Library has received notification that the National Endowment of the Humanities has funded the Terrazas Branch with the “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway.” This grant will promote community dialogue and engagement through a series of film screenings and supplemental programs to be offered in 2013. The Austin Public Library is one of fifty across the country selected to present these film screenings featuring America’s Popular Music. University of Texas scholar from the Sarah and Earnest Butler School of Music, Carolyn Polk O’Meara, will be facilitating discussions and Coordinator for the Sound archives of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, John Wheat, will contribute to the promotion of the series. Supplemental programming is being planned with potential to include the Victory Grill, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, an exhibit at Terrazas Branch prepared by the Austin History Center staff, and a visit with Video Archivist, Tim Hamblin at the Austin History Center Video Archives.
 
Dell Discovery Lab – Dell Powering the Possible Youth Learning
Funding for a second year of Dell Discovery Lab activities, August 1, 2012-July 31, 2012. Dell Powering the Possible Youth Learning has funded the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation for a second year of Discovery Lab operation. The Discovery Lab, located at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library, attracts underserved youth to the Library to explore science and technology. Over the summer months, youth have attended Science Fridays watching science related programs and followed by activities to expand and reinforce the learning. Seven Dell employee volunteers became presenters at the Science Rocks program hosted in June. The Discovery Lab emphasizes communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, innovation and creativity, and technological literacy in the underserved community. The goal of the work is to help youth succeed in school, work and life by mastering skills and content required for success in a highly globalized, technological economy.
 
Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program
Kathleen Houlihan, Youth Program Librarian, received a shipment of 92 books to catalog and add to the Second Chance Books collection from the Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program.  This program distributes contemporary art and culture related materials free of charge to libraries serving underserved populations in order to enrich and diversify library collections available to the underserved. Over ninety publishers participate in providing free materials to libraries who apply for the program. DUC operates under the program Art Resources Transfer, Inc., a non-profit organization with a commitment to document and support artists’ voices and work, making these voices accessible to the broadest possible audience.
 
Branding Iron Award from the Texas Library Association
Austin Public Library's Office of Programs and Partnerships won the TLA Branding award for its READ poster featuring emergency personnel-READ-Your Life Depends On It.
 
Shirley Igo Award from the Texas Library Association
The Doss School Librarians and the school PTA Committee “Read Across Doss” won the Shirley Igo Award from the Texas Library Association for the collaboration between the AISD public school and the Old Quarry Branch Library.
 
Frost Bank
Frank Schmitzer, Managing Librarian at the Hampton at Oak Hill Branch, accepted a donation of $2500 to be used by the branch for furnishings and other branch needs.
 
Austin Community Foundation
Bonita Snyder-Jones, Managing Librarian at the Howson Branch Library, received a donation of $250 from the Austin Community Foundation.
 
May 2012 Austin Chronicle Adult Spelling Bee – 10th Annual
This traditional fundraiser benefits the Austin Public Library. The May 17, 2012 event raised $428.75 for the Austin Public Library downloadable book purchase program.
 
2011
 
Dell Giving -- Dell Discovery Lab
Dell Giving awarded $65,928 to the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation in support of the program to establish the Dell Discovery Lab for young people at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library, The program places computer and communication equipment as well as staffing in the Discovery Lab where young people learn about science exercising their technological literacy skills, building creative and innovation skills, and practicing problem solving and critical thinking. Activities include communication and collaboration.
Another significant component of the program is the Dell Powering the Possible philosophy that Dell employee know-how can be contributed to the Discovery Lab to help make it a place where young people can grow to successfully participate in the global community.
 
Texas Library Association Wayne Williams Library Project of the Year:  YomiCon
The Austin Public Library was awarded $500 for its award-winning program for teens, YomiCon, a one-day festival held annually to celebrate anime. This program is attended by hundreds of teens and their parents.
 
Walmart Foundation
$500 has been funded for YomiCon support by the Walmart Foundation.
 
Google Search Appliance/Austin Public Library Friends Foundation
Google provided their search appliance free of charge to the Austin Public Library through the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation, a value of $65,000. This gift is used by the Library Technical Services Division to help index internal files and make them more accessible to the staff.
 
ARRA BTOP TEAL Tech Exchange
The Austin Public Library was awarded $750 to train staff to teach classes at the Carver Computer and Job Search Center as part of the effort to help individuals in Austin find employment and expand their work opportunities. This grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, Texas Expertise, Access, and Learning Project.
 
Dell Giving Pilot Project
$20,000 in equipment and dollars was provided in support of the Connected Youth Teen Centers at the Austin Public Library. This pilot project preceded the development of the Dell Discovery Lab at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library
 
2011 Texas Book Festival Collections Enhancement Grant
$2,497 was awarded to Southeast Community Branch for Spanish Language materials for youth. The Texas Book Festival awards dollars to implement or continue innovative literacy programs, support technology enhancements, and to support collection enhancement. The Southeast Community Branch Library award was one of fourteen provided by the Texas Book Festival in 2011.
 
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation funded the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation in the amount of $152,000 for year three and four of the Connected Youth program at the Austin Public Library. This program consists of ten Teen Centers providing equipment and activities for youth, primarily in underserved areas of the city. The Centers funded in 2011 include Oak Springs, St John, Terrazas, Ruiz, Cepeda, Carver, Faulk Central Library, Manchaca Road Branch, Windsor Park, and University Hills.
Goals for the program include: emphasizing mobile media creative programs and activities for youth that will have a positive effect on academic success, hiring interns to assist with operation of the Teen Centers and deployment of technology, collaborating with the Dell (Giving) Make a Difference community engagement program to brainstorm ways to reduce barriers youth face when using Library resources, building content for the Youth Web Presence from the Library, and creating broader awareness for the Connected Youth program so that more teens will have access to it.
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation continues to anchor this program, but a diverse array of funding resources are needed to move the program forward. Giving opportunities exist in five areas: Connected
Youth Intern Fund, Connected Youth Technology Fund, Connected Youth Program Support Fund, Connected Youth Collection Fund, and Connect Youth Spaces Fund.
 
CTLS Digital Literacy Corps Grant I and II
This grant provided training for library staff in Computer Basics, E-mail Basics, Internet Basics, Searching for a Job Online and Applying for a Job Online at University Hills, Little Walnut Creek and Carver branches, and the Faulk Central Library in Part I. Part II included Hampton at Oak Hill, Yarborough, and Oak Springs.
 
National Endowment for the Humanities and American Library Association
Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women was a discussion series featuring women’s rights and the role of women like Louisa May Alcott and Elizabeth Ney in advancing arts and social reform in society. This $2500 grant program was led by Sharon Herfurth with activities occurring at the Howson Branch Library over a period of weeks. Dr. Gretchen Murphy from the University of Texas at Austin facilitated the discussion.
 
Great Stories Club IV Award
Kathleen Houlihan, Youth Outreach Librarian, received a Great Stories Club IV award that provided a round of book discussions at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center for incarcerated youth.
 
People and Stories/Cuentos y Platica
Kathleen Houlihan received training, books and financing to hold book discussions at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos, a non-profit organization based in New Jersey, is the lead agency receiving this funding that enables twenty libraries in ten states to participate in this major literature project for youth, Story Talk/Cuentos y Plática. Kathleen Houlihan will be leading APL’s implementation of Story Talk under the direction of Anita Rizley. This grant is supplied by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Story Talk will become part of the Second Chance Books program beginning in 2011 after APL staff receives training on how to conduct the program which is expected to include short story reading followed by discussion with the youth to explore the stories. Story Talk participants will be marginalized youth, ages 14-18, who are not usual humanities audiences. These participants are at-risk, reading below grade level, and are in difficult circumstances. Many have not succeeded in school.
The Second Chance Books program will receive books to give to the incarcerated youth to read and discuss. Titles include Hate List by Jennifer Brown, Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers and The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees. Author, Coert Voorhees made a trip to Austin to visit onsite at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center as part of the grant program.
 
Kids Need to Read
Second Chance Books received a Kids Need to Read grant of books from the Kids Need to Read Foundation. This Foundation emphasizes service to disadvantaged children, particularly youth in the middle and young adult age group.  The Kids Need to Read Foundation recognizes that stressed populations, such as juvenile offenders, impoverished urban teenagers, and youth with learning challenges experience high dropout rates due to illiteracy, yet they are overlooked. By providing books of interest to teens, literacy improves and along with that success in school improves. The books awarded will be used at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center in the browsing collection established by the Library to help motivate youth to read.
 
2011 Loan Star Libraries
$258,110 was received to fund library personnel and materials using direct aid from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.  This direct aid program ended in 2011.
 
2011 Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee
The annual tradition continues raising $578 for the Austin Public Library Downloadable Books Program.
 
2010
 
Trailblazers: Mexican American Firsts
Thirty-two Mexican American Trailblazers were  selected in a community-wide process resulting in an exhibit in the Austin History Center and a travelling exhibit funded with $3000 from Humanities Texas for schools. The individuals were also honored with a reception as part of the overall programming for the larger project.
 
Bluford Books Grant
Second Chance Books coordinator, Kathleen Houlihan, received the Bluford Books Grant from the Townsend Foundation for the Second Chance Books program at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center.
Townsend Press, Inc. was founded by John Langan who designed a young adult novel series using topics that successfully engage reluctant readers. All of the stories in the Bluford Series take place at Bluford High School, a fictional urban high school in a predominantly African American setting. As part of the grant, the Library will conduct a twice a year measurement using a survey and to report the results to the Embracing the Child Foundation. These books will be used in a book club with youth who are in the Leadership Academy portion of the Juvenile Justice Center.
 
Pease Papers Acquisition Project Friends of the Governor’s Mansion donation
The Friends of the Governor’s Mansion agreed to make a donation, through the Austin History Center Association, to the AHC’s project to acquire a collection of papers related to former governor E. M. Pease. The Austin History Center goal to fund the purchase of known Pease papers and provide staff to process the papers is an ongoing project.
 
Dell Foundation
The Dell Foundation provided $50,000 for the support of interns to staff the Connected Youth Teen Centers in ten locations across the Library. The Dell foundation contribution is one of the final grants made before dissolution of the Foundation.
 
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation Donation
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation donated ten used laptops to the Austin Public Library Youth Services Division for use in the Connected Youth Program.
 
2010 Texas Book Festival Awards APL $10,000
In October the Austin Public Library celebrated three 2010 Texas Book Festival Grants totaling $10,000. The St. John Branch received a $2,500 grant to purchase Spanish language materials, the Oak Springs Branch was awarded a $2,500 grant for ESL and GED materials, and the Carver Branch received a $5,000 grant for technology to fund laptops for use within the Library. Texas Book Festival officials attended the ceremonies and Managing Librarians Deborah Coronado, Steve Reich, and Michael Abramov provided examples of the materials purchased with the funding.
 
ARRA BTOP TEAL 3-Year Grant
Austin Public Library received $63,162 to establish a job search center at the Carver Branch Library. This Computer Training and Job Search Center is part of the statewide Technology Expertise, Access and Learning for all Texans grant providing 12 laptop computers and training equipment to be used to help people find employment. Funding for this project is provided to the State of Texas, Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,  Broadband Technology Opportunities Program  Public Computer Center federal stimulus funding.
The Library established the Computer and Job Search Center at the Carver Branch offering a range of computer training classes to the public using existing library staff as trainers. The overarching goal is to be part of the solution in helping people with job skill development that will lead to their employment. Learning to use computers to search for and apply for employment is one of these skills. Many people coming to the Library to use public computers have basic computer skill needs that this grant helps satisfy.
 
Learner Web-Literary Coalition of Central Texas
The Austin Public Library is participating in Learner Web, a grant application funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, aimed at increasing use of broadband access by low-income, low-literate and/or Limited English speaking adults and out-of-school youth.
Portland State University (OR) is the prime recipient and creator of the Learner Web partnership which establishes a multi-state support system for broadband adoption by vulnerable adults; those with low literacy and proficiency with the English language. In the Central Texas area, the Austin Public Library will be one of several partners in this effort to increase literacy levels.
Other participating partner agencies include Austin Free-Net, Community Action, Inc. (San Marcos), Adult Education Division, Austin Community College District, San Marcos Public Library, Workforce Solutions, Capital Area, and Workforce Solutions, Rural Capital Area. The implementation of the Learner Web will take place over a multi-year period ending March 31, 2013.
Participation, at the Ruiz Branch Library, Faulk Central Library, and Little Walnut Branch Library, will include providing access to existing broadband services to help improve literacy levels in Central Texas. Expectations are that more people will become aware of broadband access available to them through libraries, new resources and instruction leading to increased literacy will be provided using Learner Web at libraries, and broader awareness of community needs will grow among the partner organizations.
 
IMLS 2010 National Leadership Grant, Libraries and E-Government Project: New Partnerships in Public Service
A multi-state grant, the Libraries and E-Government Project: New Partnerships in Public
Service, was funded by the IMLS 2010 National Leadership Grant. Austin Public Library participated in this grant. APL’s commitment was to work closely with immigrants through the New Immigrant Centers providing support. This grant developed a Web-based resource to help libraries and governments provide better e-government-related services such as filing taxes, applying for citizenship, enrolling children in schools, and applying for social services. The grant aims to reduce costly duplication of effort.
This grant was proposed by the American Library Association and includes the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission; state library agencies in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey; the Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; the Government Printing Office; and a number of public libraries.
 
Home Depot Gift Card
The Home Depot Foundation provided a $2500 Home Depot Gift Card to be used to develop the landscaping at the front of the Hampton at Oak Hill Branch Library. The landscaping will be conducted by volunteers from the community, most notably the Oak Hill Rotary Club which has provided benches, the gazebo, and created a trailhead leading to the watershed protection pond and Learning Tree in Beckett Meadows.
 
Great Stories Club III – New Horizons
Kathleen Houlihan received $150 and free books for book discussions to be held at Second Chance Books at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center.
 
2010 TLA Branding Iron Award
The Austin Public Library's Office of Programs and Partnerships won the 2010 Branding Iron Award for Outdoor Advertising for the second year in a row for its bus wraps promoting the summer reading program.
 
2010 Loan Star Libraries $309,801
This direct aid program funded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission funds materials and personnel for the Austin Public Library.
 
2010 Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee
The annual tradition continues raising much needed funding  for the Austin Public Library.
 
2009
 
RBC Blue Water Community Action, Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada funded the Library to teach children about watershed protection in the Hampton at Oak Hill Branch Library area using the natural environment as the classroom. The RBC Blue Water Community Action work will result in children from the local schools learning more about the Beckett Meadows and watershed area directly adjacent to the Hampton at Oak Hill Branch Library. The City Watershed Protection Review department and the Science Curriculum Group at AISD will be involved in this project which will further enhance work already completed by the Oak Hill Rotary Club. The Oak Hill Rotary Club has previously provided a trail head, benches, and support for exploration of the meadow area which contains a pond and other interesting features. The “Learning Tree,” an Escarpment Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis), standing more than 50 feet tall in the meadow won the Tree of the Year Award in 2007. We expect a representative of the Royal Bank of Canada to deliver the check for $4500 US dollars, to the Austin Public Library Foundation.
                                      
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded the Cepeda Library with $3000 dollars to purchase books and create programming that will bring the Brooke Elementary School children in special needs classrooms into the Cepeda Library for special attention to foster enjoyment of reading. The Children’s Librarian, Jean Holland, worked closely with Brooke Elementary to engage children with reading in their classrooms and at the Library. Brooke Elementary is close enough to the Library for the special needs classes to walk to the Library and as they do, they learn various life skills such as understanding traffic light signals. When they use the library, they learn how to check out the books, address the library staff, care for their library cards and select their own materials to use. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help with the implementation or expansion of literacy programs for students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.
 
Preserve America Designation
Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage.
This prestigious and significant designation recognizes communities that protect and celebrate their heritage; use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.
Austin’s reputation as a leader in cultural and historic preservation is greater than any other City in the state. We love our historic identity, our landmarks, and the rich story of Austin. It's a foundation of our local cultural identity, expressed through our art, music, and even politics. Preserve America is a federal program that supports community efforts to preserve America’s historic and cultural legacy. It makes a big difference in our ability to secure funding for activities, programs and improvements to preserve historic sites and neighborhoods in Austin. This is particularly important at a time when available funding is spread thin.
 
2009 Texas Book Festival Awards
 
2008 Texas Book Festival monies were distributed in 2009 awards announced mid- April. Manchaca Branch Library was awarded $2500 to purchase books for the Western genre portion of the collection which was heavily weeded during the Library’s closure. Beth Solomon, Anita Fudell, and Tom Moran are all instrumental in the successful work on this award to enrich the Western genre.
At the Pleasant Hill Branch Library, customers were rewarded with additions to the art collection with a focus on Southwest Art and Texas artists purchased with their $2500 check from the 2008 Texas Book Festival Awards. Branch Manager, Patti Fowler carefully assessed gaps in the collection and will be purchasing wonderful books with her check and promoting the collection with instructional classes taught by local artists on bead making and jewelry making. She featured local art on the walls and creating books displays to attract customers to the new materials.
 
Celebrate Urban Birds from the Cornell University Ornithology Lab
The project manager for this grant was Margaret Dahl, who planned a Celebrate Urban Birds community event at the Windsor Park Branch Library with family activities and bird watch fun. $250 was the award amount.
 
Preserving the Voices of Austin and Travis County Elderly Mexican American Residents: An Oral History Project
Humanities Texas funded an oral history project of the Austin History Center, Preserving the Voices of Austin and Travis County Elderly Mexican-American Residents Project. Gloria Espitia was the project manager for this $1209 grant. A workshop for the public on conducting oral history and month-long interview activity during Older Americans Month (May) as well as a panel discussion event were part of the grant. The goal was to collect 50 interviews from individuals over 65 years of age.
 
Austin Community Foundation Acquisition of the Governor Elisha Marshall Pease Collection
The Austin Public Library Foundation successfully submitted a request for funding of a portion of the Acquisition of the governor Elisha Marshall Pease Collection, 1834-1890s (Archival Papers) project and received funding in the amount of $5000 for acquisition of several important letters for the Austin History Center
 
2009 Loan Star Libraries
Loan Star Libraries funding of $229,149 was a direct aid grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, improving library services to all Texans.
 
National Safety Council Occupational Excellence Achievement Award 2009
Received by Library Safety Officer Toni Maldonado on behalf of the Library.
 
The Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee, May 2009
Traditional Spelling Bees with loads of fun are held annually to raise funds for the Library.
 
2008
 
Austin Community Foundation Acquisition of the Governor Elisha Marshall Pease Collection
The Austin Public Library Friends Foundation successfully submitted a request for funding of a portion of the acquisition of the Governor Elisha Marshall Pease Collection, 1834-1890s (Archival Papers) project.
 
Great Stories CLUB II – Breaking Boundaries
The Round II book awards included the Austin Public Library Second Chance Books program designed for the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. The books selected contain stories about teens who have overcome the boundaries in their lives. This award includes the award winning books:
•The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, 2006
•Black and White by Paul Volponi, 2005
•Luna by Julie Ann Peters, 2006
 
Summerlee Foundation Acquisition of Governor Pease Archival Papers
The Austin City Council accepted the grant agreement with Summerlee Foundation in the amount of $7,500 for purchase of a portion of the Governor Pease Archival Papers.
 
The International Year of Astronomy Great Observatories - Image Unveiling
The Austin Public Library participated in February celebrations for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy during the month of Galileo’s birth (1564). The unveiling featured a large display provided as part of the celebration. The Library displayed the large images in several locations before it ends up in its permanent location. The Austin Nature and Science Center and several planetariums and universities in Texas also participated.
 
University of North Texas -- Summerlee Foundation
The University of North Texas funded by the Summerlee Foundation is providing $2500 in services for the Austin History Center digitization of the Neal Douglass photographs project.
 
Fetzer Institute and American Library Association - Love and Forgiveness in the Light of Death
This book discussion series took place in 2009 at the University Hills Branch Library, funded with $2500. It featured: Jazz by Toni Morrison; Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee; The Death of Ivan Illych by Leo Tolstoy; Paula by Isabel Allende; and The Dead by James Joyce. Organizations that supported this effort include the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Friends of the Austin Public Library, University Hills Book Club, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. KLRU-TV, Austin PBS publicized the program. Frank Schmitzer was the project director for this series of book discussions.
 
Surprise Thanksgiving gift Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
$25,000 provided through the Austin Public Library Foundation from the MSDS Foundation further supported youth programming at the Austin Public Library.
 
Images of Valor:  US Latinos and Latinas of World War II – Humanities Texas
A $650 grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, funded a travelling exhibit at the Terrazas Branch, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez through December 2008.
 
TexTreasures Grant
The TexTreasures Grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission provided the public access to local history using multiple online resources. The total amount of the grant was $12,889.
 
Austin Public Library Foundation/Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
The Austin Public Library (Friends) Foundation was awarded $185,000 to refresh and create mobile workstations using laptop computers at the 10 Wired for Youth Centers.
 
Austin Public Library Foundation/Dell Foundation
$50,000 to fund the salaries of interns from the University of Texas at Austin School of Information to assist library staff at the Wired for Youth Centers across the library was accepted by the Austin Public Library (Friends) Foundation.
 
Frontline/WORLD and American Library Association – Social Entrepreneur Series
Frontline/WORLD, in coordination with the America Library Association, provided a $500 grant to host two library based community dialogues concerning social entrepreneurship: The Power of the Social Entrepreneur; and its follow-up session, Developing An Action Plan were funded. The Austin Public Library was one of 40 academic and public libraries awarded this grant, which seeks to encourage community discussion about social entrepreneurship. 
 
Picturing America Grant National Endowment for the Humanities
Picturing America is an initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The program uses art as a catalyst for the study of America. Large art panels and a teacher’s guide were received and placed at the Faulk Central Library and the Spicewood Springs Branch Library.
 
2008 Texas Book Festival Awards
Awards from the 2007 Texas Book Festival funds have been received. The total of $15,000 will be used to fund fiction and nonfiction materials for the Ruiz, Terrazas, and University Hill Branches and the Faulk Central Library, as well as laptop computers for the Ruiz Branch. Stephanie Neely, Branch Manager at Ruiz, said the Ruiz grant would purchase materials of special interest to the SafePlace clients who frequent the branch. At least 40% of the titles we purchase will be in Spanish.
 
Second Chance Books Project
The Second Chance Books Project, which provides books, discussion groups and writing workshops for thousands of incarcerated teens in central Texas, was honored at the State Capitol on January 24th as a finalist for the Humanities of Texas Annual Award. On hand to receive the award were Devo Carpenter, Alison O’Reilly, Blair Parsons, Heath Rezabek and Anita Rizley.
 
2008 Loan Star Libraries
This direct aid program to public libraries provided $149,000 in funding to support the creation of the Austin Public Library virtual library program.
 
The Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee, May 2008
Traditional Spelling Bees with loads of fun are held annually to raise funds for the Library.
 
2007
 
2007 Texas Books Festival Grants 2006
Using 2006 Texas Book Festival dollars, the Austin Public Library received three award for collection enhancement at Cepeda Branch, Oak Springs Branch, and Old Quarry Branch.
 
National Endowment for the Humanities – We the People Bookshelf
Little Walnut Creek Branch was one of 2000 libraries to be a recipient of the “We the People Bookshelf”. The recipient receives fifteen thematically related books, which embody the theme of “Becoming American”. “We the People Bookshelf” encourages young people to read classic literature and explore the ideas and ideals of America.
 
The Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee, May 2007
Traditional Spelling Bees with loads of fun are held annually to raise funds for the Library.
 
2006
Texas Library Association Branding Iron Award
Awarded for Van Wraps and the Wired for Youth PSAs
 
2006 Texas Book Festival Collection Enhancement
Using 2005 Texas Book Festival dollars, the Library received in 2006, collections were enhanced at the Carver and Windsor Park Branches with $2500 each.
 
The Austin Chronicle Spelling Bee, May 2009
Traditional Spelling Bees with loads of fun are held annually to raise funds for the Library.
 
2004 - 2005
 
2004 Loan Star Libraries, Interlibrary Loan, CTLS
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Grants
The Austin Public Library system receives grants from the Texas State Library & Archives Commission that funds Interlibrary Loan, Central Texas Library system and Loan Star Libraries (youth programming) programs for the system. In FYE 2004 and 2005 APL received $1.2 million each year to fund these programs.
 
Donations made to the Austin Public Library Foundation
Harcourt Inc. donated $1,000
Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody, $1,000
Krafts Food Global, Inc., $1,000
AvenueOne Properties, $200
 
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation - Wired for Youth/Cyberlifeguard
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation continued their support of this program with a three-year grant of $150,000. This history of this funding reaches back to 1999 when the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation offered the Austin Public Library Foundation a challenge grant of $500,000. The Dell Foundation’s funding established ten Michael & Susan Dell Wired for Youth technology centers at Library branches throughout the community in areas with large populations of at-risk teens and pre-teens. The Wired for Youth Program was designed to help bridge the “digital divide” for youth who are least likely to have access to personal computers and technology. Through the Cyberlifeguard Program, the Library hired part-time mentors to keep the centers open longer hours in the summer and during the school year, expanding the capacity of the Wired for Youth Centers and offering more special programs and classes.
 
Applied Materials Wired for Youth/Cyberlifeguard
Applied Materials donated $10,000.
 
Texas Gas Service – Mayor’s Book Club
Texas Gas Service donated $5,000 to the Mayor’s Book Club.
 
W3 Data, Inc.
W3 Data, Inc. donated $430 to the Mayor’s Book Club.
 
The Austin Project – Eager to Learn
The Austin Project, a federal funding source, continued to provide support for the Eager to Learn project providing funds totaling $15,209.55. The Eager to Learn program is a collaborative effort on the part of youth services programs throughout the Austin community. The Austin Public Library offered special Storytimes and other outreach efforts through this program.
 
Cepeda Music Garden Project
The Cepeda Music Garden project is intended to recognize the contribution of East Austin musicians and to raise awareness about this important aspect of the City’s musical history.  The master plan includes a “Wall of Fame” honoring African American and Latino East Austin musicians as well as improved landscaping, pedestrian amenities and a small amphitheater. Funding for this project came from multiple sources includng:
SBC Foundation -- $2,500
CDM -- $500
Southwest Strategies Group, Inc. -- $200;
Greater Austin Transportation Co. -- $2,500
Capital Metro -- $1,000
Pedro SS Services, Inc. -- $2,500;
URS - $1,000;
H-E-B -- $1,000;
Ray Reese Contractors -- $1,000
Earth Tech -- $1,000
Wells Fargo -- $1,000
City of Austin -- $2,500.
 
Summer Reading Program
H-E-B continued their support of this program with $2,500.
 
Dia de los Ninos/Day of the Child
The Dia de los Ninos is an annual celebration through Mexico that recognizes children, pays homage to their importance in society, and endorses their well-being.  The goals of the program are:  1) to promote family sharing of books, reading and learning; 2)  to increase family awareness of community resources that provide shared literacy/learning opportunities for parents and children; 3)  to celebrate culture and heritage as powerful tools in promoting learning and communication within families.
Austin American-Statesman donated $3,000 to this project
Austin Children’s Museum donated $2,500
Frito Lay donated $500
 
The SBC Foundation
The SBC Foundation gave $15,000 for technology hardware upgrades.
 
Buy One for the Library
Whitepages.com donated $10,000 to the Library.
 
Weinert Foundation
The Foundation supported the VICTORY Tutorial program with an annual gift of $2,000.
 
The Wal-Mart Foundation
Southeast Austin Community Branch received a $1,200 donation from the Wal-Mart Foundation.
 
IBM
Little Walnut Creek Branch received a donation from IBM -- $1,000.
 
2005 Texas Book Festival
Using Texas Book Festival funds from 2004 dollars, collections were enhanced at:
Faulk Central -Early Literacy books  $2500
Spicewood Springs Branch-Texas History  $2500
Howson Branch-Graphic Novels  $2500
Ruiz Branch-Young Adult and Youth collection  $2500
 
Literacy Initiative-Interns for outreach to immigrant populations.  $5000
 
2004
 
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation -- Wired for Youth/Cyberlifeguard
In 1999, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation offered the Austin Public Library Foundation a challenge grant of $500,000.  The funding established ten Michael & Susan Dell Wired for Youth technology centers at Library branches throughout the community in areas with large populations of at-risk teens and pre-teens.  The Wired for Youth Program was designed to help bridge the “digital divide” for youth who are least likely to have access to personal computers and technology.  Through the Cyberlifeguard Program, the Library hires part-time mentors to keep the centers open longer hours in the summer and during the school year, expanding the capacity of the Wired for Youth Centers and offering more special programs and classes.
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Pledged $50,251 for Wired for Youth
 
Applied Materials donated $12,000 to the Cyberlifeguards component of the program
 
Austin Community Foundation, which provided $9,700 
 
Dell Foundation -- Connected Communities
The grant from the Dell Foundation was $50,000 pledged over two years provided part-tme interns to the Wired for Youth program.
 
Eager to Learn
The Eager to Learn program is a collaborative effort on the part of youth services programs throughout the Austin community.  The Austin Public Library offered special Storytimes and other outreach efforts through this program.
 
The Austin Project, a federal funding source, provided $8,586.22 for this project.
 
Mayor’s Book Club
The Mayor’s Book Club is a community-wide project designed to emphasize the importance of reading and to build community.  Everyone in Austin is invited to read the same book.
 
Texas Gas Service donated $5,000 to the Mayor’s Book Club project.
 
Summer Reading Program
Family literacy services are the cornerstone of everyday life at the Austin Public Library and are central to the delivery of youth services.  The Summer Reading Program engenders a lifelong love of books and information in the children who participate.  The program begins in late May and ends in early August.  The objectives of the Austin Public Library’s Summer Reading Program are to attract children and their parents to the Austin Public Library and make them aware of the rich resources it has to offer and to introduce children to reading at an early age and help them develop a love of literature in order to promote literacy and success in school.
H-E-B donated $2,500 for this important program.
 
Storytime Connection
Being read to is an important first step in learning to read.  Many of the preschool children who need reading readiness cannot attend Library programs.  As young children of Austin’s working families, they are in childcare centers during the day, and many centers do not have the resources for trips to the Library. Storytime Connection volunteers bring Storytime once a week to childcare centers in low-income neighborhoods, giving kids critical reading readiness experiences.
The Dell Foundation pledged $25,000 for this program
Topfer Foundation donated $15,000
Target donated $2,500 to Storytime Connection
Junior League of Austin donated $43,000 through the Austin Public Library Foundation.
 
Tokyo Electron Donated $1000 to Ruiz Branch:  Multi-language Collection
 
Target donated $2,500 for Children’s Book Week and $4,000 for Youth Programming.
 
New Immigrants Project
In 1999 the Austin Public Library responded to Austin’s increasingly diverse population by developing the New Immigrants Project, creating four centers at location in neighborhoods with heavy concentrations of new immigrants.  Clients study English with books, audiocassettes, videos, and computer programs and access the Internet.  They attend classes on basic computer skills and English free of charge.
Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation donated $2,500 to the New Immigrants program.
 
VICTORY Tutorial
VICTORY Tutorial, a partnership between the City of Austin and the Austin Independent School District, links volunteers with students at branches of the Austin Public Library.  Volunteers in Communities Tutoring Our Responsible Youth “VICTORY” offers free tutoring to students in grades 1 – 12 at designated branches of the Austin Public Library. Students are matched on a 1:1 basis with volunteers from the greater Austin community.  The student/tutor pairs meet at regularly scheduled sessions in the library for a minimum of an hour each week to work on homework assignments and skills for which the student needs extra reinforcement and practice.  Tutoring sessions are held in the late afternoon or early evening Monday through Thursday.
Weinert Foundation donated their annual gift of $2,000 to this fund.
 
Austin Chronicle Adult Spelling Bee
The adult spelling bee has become a tradition with the adult spelling bee naming the Austin public Library as the beneficiary of the funds raised in this annual event. The event started in 2003
 
Long Foundation
Donated $3,500 to Terrazas Branch Spanish Language Youth Collection.
 
The Austin Public Library Foundation is supported with donations for operations from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation $30,000 donation
James R. Dougherty Foundation, $1,000 donation
Frost National Bank $1,500 donation
Harcourt, Inc., $1,000 donation
Milton, Burton, Foster & Collins $1,000 donation
Locke, Liddell & Sapp $1,000 donation
 
The Austin Public Library Friends Foundation was founded in 1995 by a group of volunteers committed to building a broad base of support for Austin’s libraries. The Foundation works to increase awareness about the Library and its importance to the community and raises funds through individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. These funds are used to provide programs, equipment, and holdings in the Austin Public Library. The Friends of the Austin Public Library and the Foundation merged in 2006 to continue joint support of the Library and is now known as the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation. For additional information about the Foundation visit http://www.austinlibrary.org/ or call (512) 542-0076.