In just days, the City of University Park will unveil its first-ever permanent library to the public.
Starting Jan. 26, University Park residents of all ages can enjoy the swanky amenities in the new space at The Plaza at Preston Center, thanks to a financial partnership between the City of UP and the Friends of the UP Public Library (“Friends”). There are plenty of features for kids, teens, and adults to take advantage of.
New quarters for community books, media
The library features an entire room for housing local and Texas history, cookbooks and art books, which were all contributed by UP resident Hughes Powell.
Library Director Sharon Martin was hired by the city in October to help launch the library’s opening, and she said they would continue to collect Park Cities history.
Of course, a multitude of new books and bestsellers, including audio books, can be found in the library.
Though the building was designed for offices, the library’s second-floor space has a strikingly open feel, due in part to the sprawling windows overlooking the shops at Preston Center and decorated wall niches.
Users will be able to use self-checkout and can consult the library catalogue at any of the iPad stations. Fourteen public use computers with Wi-Fi capability sit throughout, and an enclosed nook just for teens was designed to radiate Starbucks-esque vibes. (Two game consoles, most likely Xbox and PlayStation, Martin said, will be available for on-site gaming.)
“Curvy" bookshelves for the young adult section and splashes of color on the walls, carpeting, lighting, and seating in the children’s section will invite community families to stay a while and relax. The library’s “Smart Table” for kids, often seen in museums and some schools, allows six children to play learning games simultaneously. There's even an oversized "bookworm" that children can climb and play on.
Martin called her vision for the library “a community gathering place.”
The library includes sections for children’s award-winning books, scouting books, nonfiction/biographies, and a “quiet room” complete with a fireplace for reading and lounging. Two other study rooms are available by reservation for students.
Denelle C. Wrighton is the architect who designed the UP Public Library. She hails from Dewberry, a firm that has built 250 libraries nationwide. One of their representatives, Mia Ovcina, was on hand to explain the choices behind the carpeting, wall décor, and distribution of space.
Ovcina commented on the carpet tiles, which are backed so as not to allow spills to penetrate – yes, food and beverages will be permitted in the UP Public Library.
The City will also have a large public meeting space on the third floor of the building, with a capacity of 130. Martin said the fees associated with renting the meeting room will come before the UP City Council soon.
A bit of library history
The UP Public Library’s fruition comes after decades of fundraising and years of tenacity from community visionaries.
Back in 1958, it was brought to the city’s attention that UP was one of the largest U.S. cities without a public library, and for several years, UP residents had to share Highland Park’s library. A group of Cub Scouts raised money for a city library in 1987, and ten years later, the organization rounded up $300,000 to “establish a Capital Campaign fund for a library facility.”
In 2001, four Girl Scouts pulled together books, and the city’s first Book Bank began operating for four hours a week. Momentum in the community grew, and after stints in the Chase Bank building and the City’s Peek Service Center in recent years, the library finally has a new, nearly 15,000-square foot permanent home.
Opening day at the UP Public Library
Currently, the library is preparing for visitors and continuing to unpack and catalogue books. Martin said local volunteers do all the shelving.
The City owns the library site and will split the $600,000-per-year operating cost with the "Friends" 50/50.
The “Friends” are still seeking endowments to help fund their half of the library’s annual costs and encourage membership. Those giving monetary gifts greater than $10,000 receive a tile on the “donor wall” in the library’s lobby.
Referring to the generosity of local givers, “Friends” president Byron Egan said “we’ve gotten a wonderful space that costs the taxpayers basically nothing… we’re all excited about this. We’ve been working on this for a long time.”
Martin said Plaza frequenters are abuzz with anticipation, and business owners are hopeful that the library will be a traffic-driver.
The library will have its Grand Opening on Sat., Jan. 26 at 10 a.m., beginning with remarks by Mayor Dick Davis and “Friends” President Byron Egan.
Until 5 p.m. that day, library staff and volunteer docents will give tours. Additionally, a balloon artist will be entertaining, and middle school students will be in costume representing famous storybook characters.
On the library’s official launch, Martin said she was excited for everyone to see the new facility.
“This is University Park. We do things right here,” she said.