One for the Books: Austin’s Public Libraries

East Austin’s Public Libraries Go Far Beyond the Dewey Decimal System

Words by Abby L. Johnson

For those of us who grew up as self-proclaimed bookworms, nothing was more thrilling than walking into a quiet, mellow library with a library card in hand. Tiptoeing through the endless aisles and skimming through the various titles until that one perfect book popped out was so gratifying. For those less inclined to the literary arts, the sometimes overly serious environment was downright dreadful. As adults with increasingly less time to read for leisure, we may not realize that libraries provide much more than novels and reference books. 

Libraries ensure equitable access to educational materials, provide leisure activities for individuals and families, facilitate community discussions, and foster creativity. These vital services are often overlooked, but we are here to shout it louder than any librarian would ever allow. The Austin Public Library (APL) is an outstanding force for good in the community. Our library system specifically offers career resources, internet access, language accessibility resources, meeting rooms for local organizations, movies and music, homework help, printing services, and seasonal activities for all. The exceptionally broad range of resources meets the diverse needs of the community. 

Eight of the 20 APL locations are located in East Austin, and they each have something special to offer kids and adults of all ages. Discover which is nearest to your home and check out a sampling of the diverse programming they offer throughout the year. 

Did you know? The Computer, Career and Business Center at the Carver Branch offers classes to people who are starting a business, searching for a job, or simply looking to learn new tech skills.