San Antonio Public Library
Encyclopedia
The San Antonio Public Library is a collection of a Central Library and 24 branch libraries (as of the fall of 2008) that serve the City of San Antonio, Texas, USA. The library serves other cities in the area, including Alamo Heights
, Hill Country Village
, and Olmos Park
.
The Central Library is a 240000 square feet (22,296.7 m²), six-story structure that opened in 1995 in Downtown San Antonio
. The building is located in downtown San Antonio and is easily recognized by its bright-colored, striking "Mexican Modernist" design. The primary color of the building's exterior is commonly referred to as "Enchilada
Red."
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. 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."
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.
The centerpiece of the library is a two story glass blown sculpture named "Fiesta Tower". It was created by Dale Chihuly
in 2005.
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.
, was renamed the International Center and is primarily used as office space. It houses the Department of International Affairs, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, 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 is undergoing renovation preparatory to housing the Dolph and Janie Briscoe Western Art Museum.
Alamo Heights, Texas
Alamo Heights is an incorporated town that is completely surrounded by the City of San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. At the time of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town's population was just 7,319, and 7,477 by 2009. However, its location as an enclave in San Antonio causes it to be a part of the...
, Hill Country Village
Hill Country Village, Texas
Hill Country Village is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,028 at the 2000 census. It is an enclave of San Antonio and is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, and Olmos Park
Olmos Park, Texas
Olmos Park is a city located within San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,343 at the 2000 census. The city is the second wealthiest location in the San Antonio metropolitan area after Hill Country Village.- Government :...
.
The Central Library is a 240000 square feet (22,296.7 m²), six-story structure that opened in 1995 in Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is the central business district of San Antonio, Texas, United States.Downtown is encircled by three numerical freeways, I-35, I-37, and I-10...
. The building is located in downtown San Antonio and is easily recognized by its bright-colored, striking "Mexican Modernist" design. The primary color of the building's exterior is commonly referred to as "Enchilada
Enchilada
An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce. Enchiladas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, seafood or combinations.-Etymology:...
Red."
The architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
for the building was selected by a design competition held by the city in July 1991. The winning design is by renowned Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Ricardo Legorreta
Ricardo Legorreta
Ricardo Legorreta Vilchis is a Mexican architect. He was born in Mexico City on May 7, 1931. He was awarded the prestigious UIA Gold Medal in 1999 and the Praemium Imperiale in 2011.He studied architecture at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México....
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 (architecture)
In modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
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 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
Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur.-Biography:Chihuly graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. He enrolled at the College of the Puget Sound in 1959...
in 2005.
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.
Previous buildings
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 WalkSan Antonio River Walk
The San Antonio River Walk is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas...
, was renamed the International Center and is primarily used as office space. It houses the Department of International Affairs, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, 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
North American Development Bank
The North American Development Bank is a binational financial institution capitalized and governed equally by the United States of America and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental projects certified by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission .The two institutions work together...
.
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 is undergoing renovation preparatory to housing the Dolph and Janie Briscoe Western Art Museum.
See also
- Alamo Area Library SystemAlamo Area Library SystemThe Alamo Area Library System is one of ten public library systems in the state of Texas. It consists of 46 member libraries located in 21 counties that surround San Antonio . San Antonio Public Library acts as the personnel and fiscal agent for AALS and houses the system office...