The Austin Public Library is turning to county sheriff's deputies to address worsening safety and security issues across its system.

The overview

Since April, the APL has spent more than $16,000 on extra security support from off-duty law enforcement at the Central Library downtown. On July 18, City Council could sign off on spending up to $200,000 to expand those services at multiple branch locations over the coming years.

The new APL safety initiative has involved a handful of Travis County Sheriff's Office employees taking shifts at the library while off duty. The added enforcement responds to an "across-the-board increase" in violations—such as drug use, theft, trespassing, threats and violent incidents—reported at city libraries since the pandemic began, APL spokesperson Baylor Johnson said.

While the library system's security division already has 37 full-time employees, Johnson said additional help is now needed to deter possible criminal activity, and ensure the safety of library visitors and staff.

"Libraries are public spaces where everyone is welcome and are one of the last public places where a person can simply go indoors without having to purchase something. While it is a wonderful thing that Austin Public Library is welcoming to all, sometimes incidents arise where individuals at our libraries violate library use rules," Johnson said in an email.

By the numbers

More than 2,300 rule violations of all types were reported at Austin's nearly two dozen library facilities since October, according to APL. Of those, nearly half—1,141—led to a person being asked to leave library property for anything from repeated minor rule violations to criminal activity.

A city document laying out the new funding proposal pointed to an uptick in negative activity, including physical attacks, but Johnson said more information on instances of violence against APL customers and staff wasn't immediately available.

As of mid-July, APL used $16,645 of its personnel funding to bring extra officers downtown. A proposed extension of the work with county officers would cost $40,000 annually over five years, subject to annual renewals; the first year would serve as a pilot program.

Johnson said that funding supports the presence of officers and vehicles during library business hours, subject to law enforcement availability and funding levels. The program is not an official initiative under the Travis County Sheriff's Office and doesn't involve on-duty deputies.

Quote of note

"While it goes a bit beyond our ability as library professionals to comment on the underlying causes, given the very public nature of library spaces, libraries are often on the front lines for issues impacting large cities, including mental health and substance abuse. While APL staff, including security staff, have done an excellent job responding to the challenges, and keeping our spaces safe and welcoming to all, having additional law enforcement support will help deter some of the types of incidents that require law enforcement response, as well as quickly provide our staff with the support they need should such incidents arise," Johnson said.