The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is the
public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants.
There are ...
system serving the city of
San Antonio
("Cradle of Freedom")
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, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= U.S. state, State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, s ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
. 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
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is an award given annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities. The IMLS refers to the medal as "t ...
in 2006.
In 2003, SAPL celebrated its centennial. New patrons received special centennial gold library cards instead of the usual purple cards.
Central Library
![SAPL3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/SAPL3.jpg)
The Central Library is a , six-story structure that opened in 1995 in
Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is the central business district of San Antonio, Texas, United States. It also serves as the urban core of Greater San Antonio, a metropolitan area with nearly 2.5 million people.
In addition to being encircled by Loops 1604 ...
. 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
An enchilada (, ) is a Mexican dish consisting of a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a savory sauce. Enchiladas can be filled with various ingredients, including meats, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or combinations. ...
Red."
The
architect
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
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
Ricardo Legorreta Vilchis (May 7, 1931 – December 30, 2011) was a Mexican architect. He was a prolific designer of private houses, public buildings and master plans in Mexico, the United States of America and some other countries.
He was awarde ...
in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson-Dempsey & Associates of San Antonio. Unique features of the library include a multi-story, bright yellow
atrium
Atrium may refer to:
Anatomy
* Atrium (heart), an anatomical structure of the heart
* Atrium, the genital structure next to the genital aperture in the reproductive system of gastropods
* Atrium of the ventricular system of the brain
* Pulmona ...
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."
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
A mural is any piece of graphic artwork that is painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling or other permanent substrate. Mural techniques include fresco, mosaic, graffiti and marouflage.
Word mural in art
The word ''mural'' is a Spanish ...
and artwork inside the library, as well as new furniture, equipment, and fixtures.
The centerpiece of the library is a two-story glass blown sculpture named "Fiesta Tower". It was created by
Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly () (born September 20, 1941) is an American glass artist and entrepreneur. He is best known in the field of blown glass, "moving it into the realm of large-scale sculpture".
Early life
Dale Patrick Chihuly was born on September 20 ...
in 2003.
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.
Texana and genealogy
The Central library also houses th
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. 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.
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."
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](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Carnegie_Library%2C_San_Antonio%2C_Texas.jpg)
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 North American Development Bank (NADBank) is a binational financial institution capitalized and governed equally by the Federal Governments of the United States of America and Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexic ...
.
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. During election season, certain locations become voting sites.
![Maury Maverick, Jr](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Maury_Maverick%2C_Jr._Library%2C_San_Antonio%2C_TX_IMG_8177.JPG)
*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
Image:SAPL1.jpg,
Image:SAPL2.jpg,
See also
*
Alamo Area Library System
The Alamo Area Library System (AALS) is one of ten public library systems in the U.S. state of Texas. It consists of 46 member libraries located in 21 counties that surround the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. The San Antonio Public Library ...
*
BiblioTech (San Antonio)
BiblioTech is the first and only all-digital public library in the United States. It serves residents of Bexar County, Texas. There are three BiblioTech branches and one satellite branch.
History
The first BiblioTech location opened on September ...
References
External links
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Libraries in San Antonio
Public libraries in Texas
Library buildings completed in 1995
1990s architecture in the United States
Ricardo Legorreta buildings
Modernist architecture in Texas
Postmodern architecture in Texas
Libraries participating in TexShare