After judging an Art contest next door, I decided to pop into the George Washington Carver Branch…read morelibrary. Returning to the Library was like meeting an old friend...warm, inviting, and comforting. The first thing that hits you is how welcoming it still feels. East Austin has changed a lot, but this library holds onto that strong sense of community. The library is a gathering place... students studying, groups meeting, kids discovering stories, neighbors catching up... it felt like a community living room. The space feels exactly the same but refreshed. The layout is more open and functional, with nooks where you can steal quiet time. The technology access is solid...WIFI strong. This library is special because of its cultural heartbeat. Being next to the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center adds depth...you feel connected to the history and stories of the neighborhood. Staff members immediately inquired if I needed help. They were Texas friendly and welcoming. The Carver continues to evolve.

Our family was visiting Austin just as a winter storm was approaching. I checked a lot of different…read moreplatforms on Friday to confirm that places will stay open and that our plans will not go to waste on Saturday. However, life happens and plans could not materialize. Carver Branch was a life-saver. We stopped by at 11 am and our girls enjoyed an hour of Valentine's Day arts and craft. There were construction paper, felt paper, fuzzy balls, crayons, coloring pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and tape. The library is neat and well-organized.

I really enjoyed my visit to this lil library. Kind, helpful people working there helped me find…read morewhat I was looking for and didn't make me feel like I should have already known. I learned something new, which helped contribute to making a difference in my day.

I wish my 27 month little girls could write a review but she can't yet so I will write on her…read morebehalf, last Thursday after dinner I told her our plans for Friday morning, big mistake lol She thought I meant we were going to music and movement at the library in that moment!! That remind her of Marybeth, the teacher who does story time at the library, and she said "I miss her" "I want to see her" I tried to explain to her that I was talking about our activity for next day, I remind her about the central library but nope She wanted to go to the Howson library in that moment and see Marybeth lol "I lover her" she said and started crying... I can normally snap her out of anything, I got toys out, played music, I was being really silly but the two year old in her wanted Marybeth.... Well, what do you do?! Check if the library is open, drive there and pray MB is there or wait another 20 minute and see if your kid forgets about it?! I choose my battles and I got my car keys and we drove there in our sleepers looking like a hot mess lol Marybeth was there, I told her about Brynn's moment and She was so sweet to her!! We picked few books and Brynn was so happy!!! On the way home she said "I cried for MB" "I love her" Today, a week later she remember the story and said "remember I cried" "I miss her" I knew what she meant lol She asked me to sing the little red wagon and you are my sunshine like Marybeth. Well, with all that said I want to say thank you so much Marybeth for your extraordinary work, your amazing energy and your enthusiasm when sharing your songs with the kids, and reading those awesome books everywhere week! You are in Brynn's heart and that is priceless! We are so grateful for YOU. I been working with kids for 20 years and I know when a caregiver works with passion and joy! You are a very important person in our community and we love you!!

Overall great little library! I don't often frequent libraries, although I think it's something…read morethat most people overlook. I don't come looking for a quiet space but it's full of resourceful books! I avoid "after-school times" bc it can get a bit hectic... but I also avoid the gym during after-work times. Anyway, this little one has a good selection and whatever they don't have they will get for you! The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful.

Is it no longer an accepted rule that people be quiet in the library? Two male staffers today…read moretalked for a solid half-hour in as loud a fashion as they might have if at home. The library was full of people trying to read but I heard every word these guys said the entire time. And they weren't talking library stuff. Do we need to start wearing earplugs? Even little kids here are quiet.

The staff are polite and pleasant however there are adults that use the computers for YouTube,…read moregames, etc! They reserve the computers and kick off people that actually need to use the computers to get work completed, it's ridiculous. There needs to be posted signs that allow people to have priority if they are using them for prosocial activities instead

I only popped in for a moment to drop off a book that had to be done inside. The staff I interacted…read morewith were pleasant and happily helped me.  The entrance faces the road, with a fabulous large lion protecting it outside. There is also a wooden piano chained down inviting you to play. Along the edge of the parking lot is a story path, perfect for young school-aged children. It is "The Three Billy Goats Buenos" and looks very cute! There is a lovely green area outside by the parking lot.  And the parking lot, while not huge, does appear to be adequate for a branch library location.

Wonderful space filled with 8 million books plus the writing center, an incredible map room…read morelearning labs and different programs that the general public are welcome to attend. There are desk top computers available to use, printing services.. A lot of students come here to study. The 2nd and 5th floors are collaborative floors, meaning you can talk , also there are plenty of white boards available to write on. Floors 3, 4 & 5 are traditional quiet library floors with desks and tables available for study. The staff are amazing and available to help you find a book or answer your questions.

PCL. Pretty Chinese…read moreLibrary. Pretty Creepy Library. Pretty Crappy Library. All of those names accurately describe the PCL. Pretty Chinese Library. You see, often the library feels like a little part of Asia has landed on the UT campus. (see Google Maps for South Asia Institute). In fact, several Asian friends have admitted to coming to the PCL when feeling homesick. Pretty Creepy Library. The dim lights. The constantly running water fountains. The frigid temperatures rivaling the nearest morgue. The voice, for christ sakes. THE PCL VOICE! I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Pretty Crappy Library. Entering this place is like visiting the 70's. Limited plugs. Uncomfortable chairs. Weird, boxy cubicles. Somewhat practical, but it sure as hell aint pretty. What you should know: Enter on the 2nd floor. Now, before entering you get a choice on how to enter. Are you feeling pretty and adventurous? Take the revolving doors. Practical and pissed. Take the normal doors. How about wasteful and lazy? Yep, the automatic doors. Now, Prufrock's is on the left. Coffee is effective, coffee drinks are meh, food is awful. But if the bald guy is working, just leave. He has an attitude. 1st floor: There's supposedly a map collection down here that people RAVE about. I like this floor, but it does have a basement feel to it. 2nd floor: Computers and collaborative study lounges. Elevator: You will stop on every floor. 3rd floor: Quiet, but empty. So you can get away with a lot. 4th floor: Quiet, but more crowded. Too serious. 5th floor: Collaborative study floor. No work is done here. 6th floor: The most recently renovated floor. Lots of plugs. Quiet, but not too quiet. A lot gets done here. It's actually the Perry Casteneda Library, in case you were wondering.

Going here transported me back to the olden days when I used to go to the library weekly as a kid…read more I typically pick up books from the central library downtown, but noticed this one on Google maps only 3 blocks away from my house. I went there to pick up a book I had on hold. In contrast to central library, this branch is your old school local library with not a ton of natural light, very quiet, and stacks (of books) galore. They had a self check out machine right next to the holds area, so I didn't even have to interact with anyone to get my book. And unlike central library, parking is free so you don't have to rush to pick out a book. I have driven past this building for 2 years and never knew it was a library! They need some flashy signage or something. If you need a quiet place to get work done, this is a nice spot.

This is our neighborhood library and feel so lucky to have Jace and friends for kids story time…read more Jace was made for this role and is so fun and engaging with all the kids. We love going to the library for story time!!

This library's great!…read more We first moved to Buda in 2021 and when I first went the library was lacking in current / modern books. Lo and behold, I came back in 2025 and was pleased to see a completely new selection of books and tonssss of new arrivals of newly released books. Shoutout to the library staff! You can tell they're on top of it! Also, there are a lot of programs for adults with the maker labs and groups, and you can tell the staff really makes an effort here. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is, like any town with young families, there are a lot of little ones / screaming babies in the library. Many homeschooled groups meet here so it gets pretty noisy. I'm not sure if that's a solvable program or what, but it's definitely not quiet, even with headphones on, so be aware if you're there for some silent focused work. Think of it more like a plane or a coffee shop to cowork, haha.

Clean and well-maintained library with a decent selection of books. Quiet, comfortable atmosphere…read moreand a nice place to browse, read, or spend some peaceful time.

The review below still stands, but I have to comment on something else fantastic that happened…read morehere! The library system didn't have the book I wanted, so they looked outside their libraries and found it at a university in Houston! It is on loan with them and given to me! Holy cow! At the library, this book was not with the regular books on hold--I had to go to the counter. A very kind employee explained the process and instructed me to bring the book back to the counter when I am done, not to place it in the book drop. This was the perfect branch to receive this book!

I enjoy this quaint little library. It is never full and there are thoughtful touches, like…read morefeminine hygiene products in the ladies' room and events for the locals. Say what you will, this all adds to the sense of care and community. As for the selection of books- it's quite small, and unfortunately, they do have some books missing which are catalogued as being present. But there is an impressive cookbook collection for those interested.