Sneak Peek Video: Austin’s New Central Library Grand Opening Scheduled For Saturday…..Finally!
The Austin Central Texas Library is full of style, art, community, culture, entertainment, events, food…..and maybe a new best-friend or two if you love to read!
by, Melissa Jewett, Publisher
The City of Austin and the Austin Public Library Foundation will host a Grand Opening ceremony on Saturday for the much anticipated opening of the Austin Central Library, with the festivities kicking off at 10 AM.
A Facebook invite requires an RSVP for the ribbon cutting ceremony, which is scheduled for today at 11 AM.
A private gala was held last night, and will open today from 1 PM- 6 PM, allowing the general public a chance to explore this beautiful one of a kind building……where you should expect to find a whole lot more than you might at your own local library.
The Austin Central Library has held two major complaints from Austin taxpayers, with the cost and time overruns, there will be a huge sigh of relief from all when the doors are finally opened today.
In 2006, Austin voters approved a $90 million bond, with two additional funding increases, it now stands at a whopping $125 million.
The original projected opening date was in 2016 and then it was pushed to May 2017.
In March 2017, the Austin City Council was informed that the opening date was once again pushed out with no end date in sight.
Designed by the renowned regional area architectural firm Lake|Flato and the national design firm Shepley Bullfinch.
According to our sources, it was built with it’s share of salvaged materials from Seaholm Power Plant, and holds large vast windows that allows enormous amounts of natural light to flood in, where you can see the best views that Austin has to offer.
At 198,000 square feet, it has cozy spaces to curl up and read, chat or meetup with old or new friends. Special attention was paid to create walls that would will help to absorb sound using acoustic material.
It will also include a cafe, a roof top garden, atrium, laptop vending machine, a large event room that can accommodate 500 – 600 people with catering available.
According to the City of Austin’s website, The Central Library, was designed to be flexible enough to serve the community for the next hundred years, and forms the backbone of the Austin Public Library system.
This flagship facility provides access to digital information, technology and community resources as well as a good old fashion book or two, with the scent readers love.
Located in the Seaholm EcoDistrict, the Central Library forms part of the vibrant hub of residential, office and community gathering spaces that reflect Austin’s spirit of originality and soul.
The Austin Central Texas Library is full of style, art, community, culture, entertainment, events, food…..and maybe a new best-friend or two if you love to read!
Event details library.austintexas.gov/event/central.
Central Library Floor Map
What does the Central Library offer?
Knowledge
Fiction books: novels, bestsellers, mystery, thriller
Nonfiction books: biographies, cookbooks, self-help, how-to
Children’s books (ages 0-12): picture, chapter and informative books
Teen books: young adult fiction, graphic novels/manga, fantasy
World language books: Spanish and 14 others
Alice in Wonderland: adult and youth special collections
CDs: pop/rock, indie, country, blues, hip hop, latin, world
DVDs and Blu-rays: movies, TV shows and educational videos
Local books and music: a taste of Austin’s creative scene
Technology
PC and Mac: public use computers
Tech Petting Zoo: (5th floor) try portable electronic devices
150 self-check portable devices for use inside the building: Macbooks, Chromebooks, iPads, HP Tablets and AfterSchool Edge
Google Fiber WiFi: free access
Inspiration
Shared Learning Rooms: study groups, conferences, workshops
Reading Porches: overlooking Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake
Central Atrium: provides internal natural light during the day
Roof Garden: Live Oak tree, habitat for butterflies, solar installation
Caw by Christian Moeller: 37-foot-tall kinetic sculpture that resembles a cuckoo clock with a swinging pendulum
To find out more visit Austin Central Library’s website at http://library.austintexas.gov/central
Take a sneak peak before anyone else!
