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San Antonio Public Library

March 06, 2023

The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is the public library system serving the city of San Antonio, Texas. It consists of a central library, 29 branch libraries (as of the fall of 2017), and a library portal. SAPL was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2006.[1]

In 2003, SAPL celebrated its centennial. New patrons received special centennial gold library cards instead of the usual purple cards.

Central Library

 
Central Library Northeastern façade

The Central Library is a 240,000-square-foot (22,000 m2), six-story structure that opened in 1995 in Downtown San Antonio.[2] It is easily recognized by its bright-colored, striking "Mexican Modernist" design. The primary color of the building's exterior is popularly referred to by San Antonians as "Enchilada Red."[3]

The architect for the building was selected by a design competition held by the city in July 1991. The winning design is by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson-Dempsey & Associates of San Antonio.[4] Unique features of the library include a multi-story, bright yellow atrium and several outdoor plazas with landscaping and fountains intended to be used as outdoor reading rooms. In Legorreta's own words: "I wanted to break the concept that libraries are imposing."[5]

The library was financed through a $28 million bond to build a new Central Library. The bonds were approved by San Antonio voters in 1989. In addition, another $10 million in funding from private sources and the city's general budget helped finance the murals and artwork inside the library, as well as new furniture, equipment, and fixtures.[6]

The centerpiece of the library is a two-story glass blown sculpture named "Fiesta Tower". It was created by Dale Chihuly in 2003.[7]

Since its inauguration in May 1995, the new Central Library attracted a great deal of attention in architectural and library circles. After the new facility opened, circulation more than doubled from the previous year. The Central Library currently holds about 580,300 volumes.[8]

Texana and genealogy

The Central library also houses the Texana/Genealogy Department. This department has been a part of the Central library since its opening in 1995 and is located on the sixth floor. The department occupies approximately 10,000 square feet and has

  • approximately 60,000 microforms
  • 75,000 books (some of which cannot be removed from the library but can be viewed at the library)
  • 110 drawers of archival files
  • 11 map cabinets
  • extensive archival collections

The goal of the collection is to preserve and make available to patrons the history and culture of San Antonio, Bexar County, and Texas. [9] Patrons can come in during Texana operating hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday and Thursday) to study books and other items in the collection and receive assistance from staff if needed.

Note: The Texana/Genealogy Department is a Reference Only Collection. The materials are not allowed to leave the department, however, copies of some of the books are available for check out in the circulating collection. [10]

Latino Collection

The Latino Collection at Central is another expansive collection maintained and made available to the public.

It was established a year after the Central library opened in 1996, and was expanded to become the Latino Collection and Resource center in the Fall of 2017. This expansion allowed the collection to be transferred from the 6th floor of the library to the 1st where more patrons would have exposure and access to it. The 2017 expansion also allowed for space renovation and now there are "special spaces that allow the collection to be more meaningful and impactful through programming."[11]

The collection is made up of materials in Spanish, and by and about Latinx authors. Items can be checked out for 3 weeks and returned to any branch location with a Variance form. Patrons interested in checking out items would see the reference desk on the 1st floor.

Previous buildings

 
Carnegie Library, San Antonio, Texas (postcard, circa 1900-1924)

The previous Central Library building at 203 S St. Marys Street was renovated and reopened in 1998. The building, which is located on the River Walk, was renamed the International Center and is primarily used as office space. It houses the City's Department of International Affairs, the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Trade Commission of Mexico-BancoMext, Casa Tamaulipas, and Casa Nuevo Leonthe as well as the headquarters for the building's primary tenant, the North American Development Bank.

The original San Antonio Public Library building, which backs up to the Riverwalk at 210 Market Street, served as the main library from 1930 to 1968, and was from 1968 to 2005 the home of the Hertzberg Circus Museum. In 2006, it was leased to the National Western Art Foundation and underwent renovation to currently house the Dolph and Janie Briscoe Western Art Museum.

Branch libraries

In addition to the Central Library, SAPL has 29 branch libraries located throughout the San Antonio area. Some branches offer walking trails, fitness stations, and/or playgrounds.[12] During election season, certain locations become voting sites.[13]

 
Maury Maverick Jr. Branch Library
  • Bazan Library
  • Brook Hollow Library
  • Carver Library
  • Cody Library
  • Collins Garden Library
  • Cortez Library
  • Encino Library
  • Forest Hills Library
  • Great Northwest Library
  • Guerra Library
  • Igo Library
  • Johnston Library
  • Kampmann Library
  • Landa Library
  • Las Palmas Library
  • Maverick Library
  • McCreless Library
  • Memorial Library
  • Mission Library
  • Pan American Library
  • Parman Library
  • Potranco Library
  • Pruitt Library
  • San Pedro Library
  • Schaefer Library
  • Semmes Library
  • Thousand Oaks Library
  • Tobin Library
  • Westfall Library

Gallery

  •  
    Central Library Southwestern façade
  •  
    Central Library Southeastern façade

See also

References

  1. ^ "Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces 20th Anniversary of National Medal Program". Institute of Museum and Library Services. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  2. ^ Dillon, David (October 1995). "Texas Flower". Architecture. Vol. 84, no. 10. pp. 81–86. ISSN 0746-0554.
  3. ^ MacCormack, John (31 December 2011). "Legorreta's legacy: enchilada red". San Antonio Express-News.
  4. ^ Turner, Drexel (Fall 1991). "Going South: The New San Antonio Main Library" (PDF). Cite. Rice Design Alliance. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. ^ Mathis, Don (8 May 2015). "The Big, Red Central Library Turns 20". The Rivard Report. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  6. ^ Zapatos, Craig (2004). "Chapter 3: The San Antonio Public Library". In Webb, T.D. (ed.). Building Libraries for the 21st Century: The Shape of Information. McFarland & Company. pp. 41–49. ISBN 0-7864-2034-0.
  7. ^ San Antonio Architecture: Traditions and Visions. AIA San Antonio, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects. 2007. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-4243-3424-7. LCCN 2007923954. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Central Library". San Antonio Public Library. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  9. ^ "February 25 in San Antonio history..." Library. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  10. ^ "February 25 in San Antonio history..." Library. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  11. ^ "Latino Collection". www.mysapl.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  12. ^ "Locations". San Antonio Public Library. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  13. ^ Cowart, Caitlin (Fall 2017). "Feed Your Freedom at the San Antonio Public Library" (PDF). Texas Library Journal. 93 (3): 80–81. ISSN 0040-4446. Retrieved 2 May 2018.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Antonio Public Library.
  • Official website
  • , San Antonio Business Journal, 21 October 2014, archived from the original on October 22, 2014

Coordinates: 29°25′56″N 98°29′34″W / 29.43231°N 98.49275°W / 29.43231; -98.49275

March 06, 2023
antonio, public, library, sapl, public, library, system, serving, city, antonio, texas, consists, central, library, branch, libraries, fall, 2017, library, portal, sapl, awarded, national, medal, museum, library, service, 2006, 2003, sapl, celebrated, centenni. The San Antonio Public Library SAPL is the public library system serving the city of San Antonio Texas It consists of a central library 29 branch libraries as of the fall of 2017 and a library portal SAPL was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2006 1 In 2003 SAPL celebrated its centennial New patrons received special centennial gold library cards instead of the usual purple cards Contents 1 Central Library 1 1 Texana and genealogy 1 2 Latino Collection 2 Previous buildings 3 Branch libraries 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksCentral Library Edit Central Library Northeastern facade The Central Library is a 240 000 square foot 22 000 m2 six story structure that opened in 1995 in Downtown San Antonio 2 It is easily recognized by its bright colored striking Mexican Modernist design The primary color of the building s exterior is popularly referred to by San Antonians as Enchilada Red 3 The architect for the building was selected by a design competition held by the city in July 1991 The winning design is by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson Dempsey amp Associates of San Antonio 4 Unique features of the library include a multi story bright yellow atrium and several outdoor plazas with landscaping and fountains intended to be used as outdoor reading rooms In Legorreta s own words I wanted to break the concept that libraries are imposing 5 The library was financed through a 28 million bond to build a new Central Library The bonds were approved by San Antonio voters in 1989 In addition another 10 million in funding from private sources and the city s general budget helped finance the murals and artwork inside the library as well as new furniture equipment and fixtures 6 The centerpiece of the library is a two story glass blown sculpture named Fiesta Tower It was created by Dale Chihuly in 2003 7 Since its inauguration in May 1995 the new Central Library attracted a great deal of attention in architectural and library circles After the new facility opened circulation more than doubled from the previous year The Central Library currently holds about 580 300 volumes 8 Texana and genealogy Edit The Central library also houses the Texana Genealogy Department This department has been a part of the Central library since its opening in 1995 and is located on the sixth floor The department occupies approximately 10 000 square feet and has approximately 60 000 microforms 75 000 books some of which cannot be removed from the library but can be viewed at the library 110 drawers of archival files 11 map cabinets extensive archival collectionsThe goal of the collection is to preserve and make available to patrons the history and culture of San Antonio Bexar County and Texas 9 Patrons can come in during Texana operating hours 9 00 AM 5 00 PM Wednesday Friday Saturday or 12 00 PM 8 00 PM Tuesday and Thursday to study books and other items in the collection and receive assistance from staff if needed Note The Texana Genealogy Department is a Reference Only Collection The materials are not allowed to leave the department however copies of some of the books are available for check out in the circulating collection 10 Latino Collection Edit The Latino Collection at Central is another expansive collection maintained and made available to the public It was established a year after the Central library opened in 1996 and was expanded to become the Latino Collection and Resource center in the Fall of 2017 This expansion allowed the collection to be transferred from the 6th floor of the library to the 1st where more patrons would have exposure and access to it The 2017 expansion also allowed for space renovation and now there are special spaces that allow the collection to be more meaningful and impactful through programming 11 The collection is made up of materials in Spanish and by and about Latinx authors Items can be checked out for 3 weeks and returned to any branch location with a Variance form Patrons interested in checking out items would see the reference desk on the 1st floor Previous buildings EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Carnegie Library San Antonio Texas postcard circa 1900 1924 The previous Central Library building at 203 S St Marys Street was renovated and reopened in 1998 The building which is located on the River Walk was renamed the International Center and is primarily used as office space It houses the City s Department of International Affairs the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau the Trade Commission of Mexico BancoMext Casa Tamaulipas and Casa Nuevo Leonthe as well as the headquarters for the building s primary tenant the North American Development Bank The original San Antonio Public Library building which backs up to the Riverwalk at 210 Market Street served as the main library from 1930 to 1968 and was from 1968 to 2005 the home of the Hertzberg Circus Museum In 2006 it was leased to the National Western Art Foundation and underwent renovation to currently house the Dolph and Janie Briscoe Western Art Museum Branch libraries EditIn addition to the Central Library SAPL has 29 branch libraries located throughout the San Antonio area Some branches offer walking trails fitness stations and or playgrounds 12 During election season certain locations become voting sites 13 Maury Maverick Jr Branch Library Bazan Library Brook Hollow Library Carver Library Cody Library Collins Garden Library Cortez Library Encino Library Forest Hills Library Great Northwest Library Guerra Library Igo Library Johnston Library Kampmann Library Landa Library Las Palmas Library Maverick Library McCreless Library Memorial Library Mission Library Pan American Library Parman Library Potranco Library Pruitt Library San Pedro Library Schaefer Library Semmes Library Thousand Oaks Library Tobin Library Westfall LibraryGallery Edit Central Library Southwestern facade Central Library Southeastern facadeSee also Edit Texas portalAlamo Area Library System BiblioTech San Antonio References Edit Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces 20th Anniversary of National Medal Program Institute of Museum and Library Services 19 February 2014 Retrieved 1 May 2018 Dillon David October 1995 Texas Flower Architecture Vol 84 no 10 pp 81 86 ISSN 0746 0554 MacCormack John 31 December 2011 Legorreta s legacy enchilada red San Antonio Express News Turner Drexel Fall 1991 Going South The New San Antonio Main Library PDF Cite Rice Design Alliance Retrieved 30 April 2018 Mathis Don 8 May 2015 The Big Red Central Library Turns 20 The Rivard Report Retrieved 23 April 2017 Zapatos Craig 2004 Chapter 3 The San Antonio Public Library In Webb T D ed Building Libraries for the 21st Century The Shape of Information McFarland amp Company pp 41 49 ISBN 0 7864 2034 0 San Antonio Architecture Traditions and Visions AIA San Antonio a chapter of the American Institute of Architects 2007 p 72 ISBN 978 1 4243 3424 7 LCCN 2007923954 Retrieved 1 May 2018 Central Library San Antonio Public Library Retrieved 3 May 2018 February 25 in San Antonio history Library Retrieved 2020 02 25 February 25 in San Antonio history Library Retrieved 2020 02 25 Latino Collection www mysapl org Retrieved 2020 02 26 Locations San Antonio Public Library Retrieved 2 May 2018 Cowart Caitlin Fall 2017 Feed Your Freedom at the San Antonio Public Library PDF Texas Library Journal 93 3 80 81 ISSN 0040 4446 Retrieved 2 May 2018 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Antonio Public Library Official website San Antonio airport installs digital library kiosks for travelers San Antonio Business Journal 21 October 2014 archived from the original on October 22 2014 Coordinates 29 25 56 N 98 29 34 W 29 43231 N 98 49275 W 29 43231 98 49275 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title San Antonio Public Library amp oldid 1117740603, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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