Monday-Thursday:10 a.m.-9:00p.m.
Friday:10:00 a.m.-6:00p.m.
Saturday:10:00 a.m.-5p.m.
About Terrazas Branch
Although the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library opened its doors 25 years ago on January 15, 1976, the branch itself has a history that spans over 40 years.
The East Austin branch officially began back in 1961 with the opening of the Pan-American Station in a small room within the Pan-American Recreation Center on E. Third Street. Then in 1969, having well outgrown its space at the Center, the branch was moved to a 2,000 square-foot storefront facility (formerly a furniture store) at the corner of Canadian and E. First Streets, and renamed the Canadian Street Branch.
Seven years later, the branch moved again--but this time to its own, spacious 5,400 square-foot building on E. César Chávez Street. The new branch was named "Terrazas" in honor of Henry S. Terrazas, a young Marine from East Austin who died in 1966 while fighting a forest fire. The branch took hold almost immediately, and over the years, Terrazas has steadily expanded its role in East Austin by offering varied collections, helpful resources, and unique programs aimed at meeting the needs of its community.
Today, the Terrazas Branch serves as a host site for the AISD VICTORY Program, is home to a New Immigrants Project Center, and is designated as one of the Michael and Susan Dell Wired for Youth Centers. Recently named "The Best Little Library in Texas" by School Library Journal (January 2001 issue), the Terrazas Branch is truly a gem of a library strategically located in the heart of East Austin.
The Best Little Library in Texas Doubles in Size:
This once named little library will be no longer. Scheduled to begin construction in May 2003 theTerrazas Branch will close for construction for approximately 1 year.
In the 1998 City of Austin Bond Election, voters approved the funds to acquire the necessary land to design and construct an expansion of the Terrazas Branch Library from its present 5,400 square feet to 10,000 square feet. By January of 2001, the City of Austin had successfully purchased all of the adjacent, commercial property required to double the size of the Terrazas Branch facility. The Lawrence Group Architects have been retained by the City of Austin to oversee the expansion design of this important library project.
Special Features of the Branch:
A large Spanish language collection
A Spanish telephone information call center
A young adult Wired for Youth Technology Center
Bilingual storytimes and youth programs
