Itching to discuss books with someone other than your normal book club? Or maybe you're not looking to ditch the book group, but just want to see what else is out there. A little harmless philandering for the bibliophile. Whatever the case may be, the Austin Public Library, in cooperation with the Harry Ransom Center, has just the thing to satisfy all your literary urges. more ›

Attention Austin bibliophiles: the Austin Public Library will soon be cutting back the number of books on your reserve list. Currently you can have ten books on hold at a time; starting April 5, you will be limited to only five books on reserve. The reserve/hold program has become so popular, the library just doesn't have the staff or resources to keep up with it in its current state. The library hopes to go back to ten holds sometime in the future (most likely when the budgetary outlook improves). [City of Austin] more ›

The new Central Library holds many possibilities. Will it be primarily a place to check out and/or read books? Or more of a meeting space, with some books and a computer lab? Or a large computer lab with meeting space and some books? The Austin Public Library Commission has set a schedule for a series of public meetings in late October and early November to collect public input on what Austinites want from the eventual downtown library. The design team from Lake | Flato Architects and Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott will be in attendance to take your comments and answer any questions. The sessions are scheduled from 6pm-9pm at these locations: Manchaca Road Branch (10/27), Ruiz Branch (10/28), City Hall/Council Chambers (10/29), Carver Branch (11/10), and North Village Branch (11/12). [City of Austin] more ›

The Hulu/laptop combo has proved to be a great one, but watching stuff for free doesn’t always have to feel quite so conventional. Change things up this summer by heading to the Austin Public Library for a slightly more social alternative; each month you’ll have two chances to see an independent film free of charge (and free of “limited commercial interruption”) that you probably wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. more ›

City Manager Ott's budget shaving would cut library hours from 50 a week to 40. Spansion seized for $9 million owed in taxes. House committee assignments made today: Rep. Strama to chair the Technology, Economic Development and Workforce committee. Travis County authorities trying to get a 23-year-old woman extradited from Mexico for the videotaped sexual assault of two children. City Council says no to South Texas Nuclear Plant expansion. Lesbian couple tries to get a marriage certificate in Dallas County, taking part in National Freedom to Marry Day. Preservation Texas announces the most endangered historical buildings in the state. more ›

Former Texas Attorney General and Democratic politician Jim Mattox died last night in his sleep; he was 65. Water tower explosion in Giddings leaves 3 injured (one critically so). Rhoda Mae Kerr is now officially Austin's first female fire chief. Arrest warrant out for RRISD Special Education TA after he allegedly had an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student. North Village branch of the APL is closing as of Monday, Dec. 1 (until the new building is ready in the spring). Woman showering in an East Austin group home was injured by a bullet from a drive-by last night. Eyewitness ID process needs improvement in Texas. more ›

A few related Austin Public Library notes of note- more ›

City Manager Ott presented his proposed 2009 budget to the city today. Expect higher garbage and water rates, as well as rotating library branch closures. Public library usage up this summer. O ho, the Wells Fargo Tower has been sold. It looks like the Rio Grande levees will hold up after South Texas received a battering from Dolly. more ›

It's time to play the name game! The Friends of the Austin Public Library and the Monster Book Store, located at 5th and Mary in South Austin, are moving and looking for a new, snappier name. They want to tap the collective creativity of Austin. Suggestions will be accepted through February 14th. more ›

Photo from City of Austin Tree Planting CeremonySaturday, November 10Zilker Park Rock Gardens (2100 Barton Springs Road)(9am, Volunteers Welcome)[info]In observance of Veterans Day, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department is getting together tomorrow morning to plant 57 trees at the Zilker Park Rock Gardens: A special ceremony will honor the dedication and sacrifice of men and women who have fought to preserve our nation's liberty. Following the ceremony, volunteers organized by Tree Folks... more ›

Rock y Roll Dia’s second annual Dia de los Muertos concert takes place at 7 p.m. this Friday at La Zona Rosa. Hosted by VJ Paul Saucido (Sonido Boombox on ME Television), last year’s bash was marked by an appropriately eerie atmosphere, a sharp dressed Paul, and international and local musical talent. This year the event is a two day extravaganza, with music from Austin acts such as Boombox and Kanko, and out of state... more ›

We admit to using the Austin Public Library Online Catalog at least once a week to search for books we've heard about and to put books on hold. So we were happy to see that the online catalog was updated over the weekend. The "My Account" button in the top navigation now opens a new window for you to sign into, which is more private and secure for public computers than the previous setup. The... more ›

Starting today, City of Austin is offering free Arabic lessons (written and spoken) to anyone interested. The classes run weekly on Wednesdays through December 5. You'll need to pre-register by calling 512-974-7500 Introduction to Spoken and Written Arabic Austin Public Library - Ruiz Branch 1600 Grove Blvd 6-8pm... more ›

For 2008, Capital Metro is planning to double bus fare for adult passengers from 50 cents to $1. Other fares would increase in proportion (students would have to pay 50 cents instead of 25 cents for local/rapid routes); the Dillo would remain free for everyone. In their informational brochure(.pdf), Capital Metro makes a point of saying that the current fares have been the same since 1985, while operational costs keep going up. Is this... more ›

After vehemently encouraging Austinites to indulge in the splendor of live musical entertainment, Mayor Will Wynn's charisma is now focused on more literary pursuits. Wednesday, March 28th, at 7pm marks the official start of the annual Mayor's Book Club. For the sixth installment of the book club Mayor Wynn has chosen Stephanie Elizondo Griest's Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana. To get readers in the mood, the City of Austin is... more ›

Believe it or not, there's a bunch of activities going on around town this week other than SXSW. This week's IST List won't include our usual bevy of music and film events; for those, we recommend that you check out our Interactive Guide to SXSW Parties and the Other Side Guide, respectively. We'd also like to welcome LAist editor Tony Pierce and Gothamist arts editor Jen Carlson, both of whom will be joining us... more ›

MONDAY [12] benefit • Everychild House Party 2007 at Stubb's ($25/$10 Adults/Children) books • Quincy Troupe presents The Architecture of Language at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Texas Music Museum presents "JAZZ," a six-part film/discussion series with Dr James Polk at Austin Public Library, Carver Branch (7pm) film • Darkon: The Movie at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Half-Cocked at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown food • Central Market Cooking Class with Chef Vance Ely: Gentlemen Entertain:... more ›

Citizens of Austin, the Mayor's Book Club has made its 6th annual selection and your compulsory reading assignment for Spring 2007 is Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana by Stephanie Elizondo Griest. A part of the Austin Public Library's Keep Austin Reading program, the goal of the Mayor's Book Club is "to to develop a community experience through reading and discussion of a shared book." No need to mail book reports into City Hall, reading Around the Bloc really isn't compulsory, but it is highly recommended. more ›

Dia de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, has been steeped in Mexican tradition since the Aztecs initiated a celebration of departed ancestors. It might not be Halloween but it’s still a gala, and ME Television wants to make it a party. Powered by VJ Paul Saucido, METV's Sonido Boombox has become a vital voice in Latin music circles in Austin. La Zona Rosa will host Sonido Boombox’s latest benefit (titled “Rock... more ›

J.K. Rowling has truly secured her place in the world’s collective consciousness. Not only does the Harry Potter Empire reach into bookstores and retail outlets and movie theatres all across the globe, but it’s inspiring the creation of indie pop bands whose music is based solely on HP characters and plotlines. Seriously, Rowling just might be the most powerful media force on Earth. But, self-made billionaires aside, it’s really all about kids having a good... more ›

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We went to Carnaval. And loved it. SXSW full list of bands and movies updated. Cat Power backs out of SXSW and cancels tour. Ausitn art goes green. Tired of run-of-the-mill valentine's day activities? We got you covered. We reviewed the new documentary The Outdoorsmen: Blood, Sweat and Beers. And laughed our asses off. For about $600 in fees, your band can play a showcase at Waterloo Records during SXSW. The week in interviews:... more ›

As you are probably well aware by now, the New York Times has made parts of their online edition available only to those who wish to pay for it. Since we are broke, that demographic does not include us, so we have been missing out on the NYT Select pieces online. That means no David Brooks, no Maureen Dowd, etc. However, we have found a way to get around all the rigamarole. You will need an Austin Public Library card, which you should have by now anyhow, and a computer, obviously. more ›

M O N D A Y 12 film · QT6 at the Drafthouse Downtown: Documentary Night (7pm and 9:45pm) music · David Garza at Cactus Cafe [Austinist Review] music · Black Angels, Modey Lemon, Rubble and Skullening at Emo's [Austinist Review] outdoors · Park Day at Zilker! Making Austin Home is putting on a huge day of "rest, relaxation and distraction" for Katrina survivors. (10am-6pm) [More Info] T U E S D A Y 13theatre... more ›