I love this location! The staff are extremely helpful and the free classes here offer a range of…read moretopics from writing to music to crafts and more. I've never had to wait very long to get a book that has a wait list and the online portal is extremely helpful in reserving the books you want. It also helps that they updated the driveway for easier exiting and entering.

They need internet that not disconnecting every five minutes causing you to lose work. You think…read morethe city could afford decent internet.

The staff at this location are incredibly kind and keep a tight ship. This location features a…read morelovely kids area, a porch with a pergola to have your snacks on (no food inside :) ), and a quiet work area with individual study carols, each offering a Herman Miller chair and an in-table outlet (2 USBs and a 3-prong standard outlet). It offers a fantastic set-up for those looking for a quiet place to work/ study. The wi-fi works well, and the space is well ventilated/ air-conditioned (essential in these brutal dog days of summer here in Austin!). The staff also has a wonderful rotating set of featured books, including LGBTQ+ displays, BIPOC authors and stories, and other wonderful curations. I do recommend popping into this branch and utilizing your local library system! Libraries are wonderful resource and this one is one of the better ones in the city. :)

We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon to get some work done. It was nice, cool and comfortable…read moreinside on the super hot day. The facility throughout is clean and well maintained. Plenty of parking outside, seating inside and plug in / outlets. WiFi was a bit choppy on our personal devices but there were also plenty of computers throughout if you have an Austin Library card.

This is a nice moderate sized location with great staff.  I was immediately welcomed when I arrived…read moreand got directed easily. There are two levels, all the standard book sections, but I also saw a terrific kids area that had happy children there.  When you walk in, make sure to look up at the walls. It has wonderful art. One side of the building has limited parking due to residential parking next door, but the back and opposite side aren't limited.  The parking seems adequate for a branch this size. Outside, I noticed that they have more recycling cans and then trash, which shows how well they manage their refuge.  Way to go!

We decided to randomly visit other branches of Austin Public Libraries we haven't been too. This is…read morea former theater where some of Dazed and Confused was filmed. While the staff at the 2 locations we have been too have friendly staff this staff was a different level. So friendly and talkative. It is a smaller place but they make good use of it. Glad we got here, we checked out a few books and bought a few. We had a good time.

I'm new to the Austin area, spent my second day at SMPL today, and here are some thoughts:…read more -There are smaller, neighborhood libraries, and there are bigger, world-class libraries. This is world class! -Here are some of the amenities: a business center, a teen center, a children's center, a historical center, private rooms to reserve, a conference room, a quiet reading room, an area in the lobby you can eat and talk, and much, much more! -I've found the library ee's friendly and helpful. The overall vibe is good. Lots of families, students, and older folks--a hive of activity. Highly recommended!

I love our library! Despite being an older building, it is very well maintained and feels like a…read morenew structure. It offers a special teen section where anyone can peruse for a book, but only teens can sit and enjoy the dimmed and subdued atmosphere. This is quite the opposite for the bright and open children's section with a massive offering of books for the littles, ages 0 and up. Board books, picture books, short bed time stories, classic fairy tales, and the longer fare you might remember from elementary and middle school. Also with on this section, you will find a large meeting space for groups and readings, and a smaller play room you can book for play dates or just to get your gaggle of kids out of the house. They also sponsor the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program as a push to promote parent involvement in their kids' early literacy. I haven't used the facility's other meeting rooms and study carousels, but they have much to offer the community.

I went to a memorial services for the talented Al Reinert at the Witliff Collection at the Alkek…read moreLibrary at Texas State University. What a great thing Bill Witliff has done. Take the time to go there and peruse

The students that work at this library have too much time on their hands. Please explain the logic…read morethat one designated section of the library is safe to eat in and have masks down but the others are not. The fourth floor is magically safer than all the others? I received NO warning while drinking water and was told I had to leave immediately because I had my mask down. I wasn't asked to pull it up, I was told to leave immediately. Absolutely insane that I can't have my mask down for 15 seconds to drink water and be kicked out without any warning. There is no federal, state, or COUNTY law that mandates masks be worn. What if I did not have the resources I do and the library was the only safe place for me to study? There is a gross over reach of power going on. I understanding wanting people to wear masks but to kick someone out completely without a single warning or asking to fix the problem first is insanely uncalled for. Please adapt better policies.

I went in today to transfer the title for a vehicle we just bought and thought it would be a…read moreroutine hand-over-the-papers, nod-your-head, write-the-check, get-out-of-there situation. Instead, I was delighted to slowly realize that the man behind the glass was one of the happier, more pleasant people on Planet Earth today. Carlos Cordova, you seriously made my day with your funny jokes, friendly questions, and all around joyful spirit. I left feeling like if someone working in a windowless government office day after day can be that uplifting, surely so can I. Thanks for going above and beyond today, Carlos!

Everyone at this office is so kind. They usually have at least 3/4 windows open. They are very…read moreknowledgeable and fast. Over the past few years I have witnessed them deal with many angry unprepared folks with so much grace. We could all learn from you! Thanks for being great.

I can't say enough good things about Paul Quinzi, at the Travis County Law Library, who walked me…read morethrough my entire legal process from the very beginning, to a successful completion. From the very first time I contacted Paul, I was completely overwhelmed, confused, and with zero idea where to start--he greeted me with genuine patience and warmth. He didn't just point me to a form or a book and send me on my way. Instead, he told me what he needed from me and set up the entire expungement paper to sign and file and my non disclosure paperwork as well. He explained everything in plain English, answered every single question I had--no matter how basic or repetitive--and carefully guided me step by step through the paperwork, filings, and procedures. His communication was outstanding: clear, responsive, and always followed up to make sure I understood the next steps. What really stood out, though, was how much he truly cared. He treated my situation with compassion and respect, never making me feel small or foolish for not knowing the system. In a world that can feel cold and bureaucratic, he was a bright light--patient, encouraging, and dedicated to making sure I could successfully represent myself. He is honestly one of those rare people who make the world a better place just by showing up and doing their job with such humanity and excellence. Thanks to his guidance, I was able to complete everything correctly and on time without costly mistakes or unnecessary stress. If you're in Austin and need help navigating the legal self-help resources at the Travis County Law Library, look for this gentleman. You won't find better support anywhere. He deserves all the recognition and gratitude in the world. Thank you again--from the bottom of my heart. You made a real difference in my life.

I've been coming here over the past year to study and use the law books. It's a very quiet library…read moreand a great place to study undisturbed. Some of the books are quite old and you have to be super careful handling them. I've always had really great success when asking the law librarians for assistance. I'm not a fan of where the computers are located, it's a bit cramped and it's not a work station you're really able to spread out at. This law library also hosts free CLE courses once a month. They do have very limited hours of operation though which is difficult to comply with when you have a full time job.

Did you know there was an actual library near the Capitol? This library provides access to public…read morerecords, Texas archives and history, and even reading services. I always come here to use their resource center for the computer and to print (10 cents per page). The cool part is, a library card isn't needed. It's hardly ever crowded and so quiet (as a library should be). The staff are always friendly and willing to help. Upon entering you have to sign in. You'll be given a visitors badge and maybe a key to lock your belongings in the locker. You're unable to take bags, food, etc in. After locking your belongings, your free to explore this two level library. I plan on going back to actually see what Texas archives they have in store. If you're ever near the Capitol, stop by. There is a Capitol Visitors parking lot across the street from the library with ample parking.

The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building is the flagship facility of the Texas…read moreState Library and Archives Commission and a National Literary Landmark, located just east of the Texas Capitol. It serves as Texas's primary repository for state government records, historical documents, and research collections. Visitors can only view the archives from the lobby.