With beautiful, purposeful design, new Central Library is a destination for reading and a whole lot more
Thanks to the library’s open concept, you can see the bottom floor from the seventh and top floor. The open concept also makes the library environmentally friendly because with the natural light there is less need for artificial lights, which saves power. Photo by Olivia Watts.
Olivia Watts, MacPhotojournalism
January 9, 2018
Perhaps your New Year’s resolution is to read more, maybe even to read a certain number of books in 2018.
We can think of no better place to read in 2018 than the newly opened Central Austin Library on 710 W. César Chávez St. downtown.
Although the beautiful new building officially opened its doors in 2017, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it one of your favorite Austin places in 2018.
If you haven’t been there yet, freshman photojournalism student Olivia Watts takes you there in the first of our new weekly series, The Tuesday Top 10.
Each Tuesday, we will feature a 10-image photo essay that tells a story, profiles a person, makes an argument or takes you to an amazing place.
Judging a Library by Its Cover
This is the exterior of the artfully designed new Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez St. in downtown Austin. The grand opening was opening was held on October 28, 2017, featuring kids’ games, food, and live music. The library was designed by the architecture firm Lake/Flato. On its website, the firm describes the complex as “a civic-minded, community gathering space in the heart of downtown, overlooking Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake.” Photo by Olivia Watts.
On the Wings of the Butterfly
This is Butterfly Bridge outside of the new Central Library, which spans Shoal Creek at 2nd Street in downtown Austin. The bridge cost $29 million to construct. According to the Shoal Creek Conservancy, “It is a clear span bridge, so there are no permanent supports in the waters of Shoal Creek. Its wings are canted to look like the wings of a butterfly.” Photo by Olivia Watts.
Re-Read All About It
Recycled Reads is an Austin bookstore where old library books go to find new homes. According to the libary's web site, “Recycled Reads receives all of Austin Public Library's discarded material, as well as donations from the public. We sell, recycle or repurpose this material, and all our proceeds benefit the Austin Public Library.” This location, however, is a satellite that sells T-shirts and book bags. Photo by Olivia Watts.
Snap, Grackle, Pop!
Located in the airy atrium of the Central Library, this red metal sculpture known as CAW was made by artist Christian Moeller to resemble a cuckoo clock taken over by blackbirds. According to the City of Austin web site, “The artwork is inspired by Austin’s Grackle population and, since the artwork was created for a library, by the strong presence that black birds occupy in literature and mythology-- from the Greek myth of the god Apollo (who reportedly turned the bird's feathers from white and silver into black), as well as Edgar Allen Poe’s famous poem, ‘The Raven,’ and Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller ‘The Birds.’” Photo by Olivia Watts.
No Adults Allowed
Located on the third floor, the teen/adolescent section of the new Central Library features a teen-only reading room for 13- to 18-year olds. Located all around the room are many tables and chairs which have been artfully designed for maximum comfort and style where teens can read, relax, or do homework. Photo by Olivia Watts.
An Indelible Impression
Located outside the window surrounding the teen section of the library, this cut metal sheet features various quotes from famous authors, actors, and others regarding books, reading, libraries, and their benefits. The sheet also extends down to the second floor and up to the fourth floor and is only legible from inside the library. Photo by Olivia Watts.
One Spectacular Reading Light
The atrium in the new library looks out over the city skyline, Shoal Creek, and Lady Bird Lake. The purpose of the atrium is to let in light throughout the whole library and its reading spaces because the theme of the library is light. Architect David Lake told The Austin Chronicle: “You always take your book to the light. You never take your book to the dark. Light is what you seek when you’re reading a book, and we wanted light to be everywhere present.” Photo by Olivia Watts.
Periodically Speaking
The periodicals section includes traditional print magazines and newspapers but also electronic versions. There is even a headset that you can listen to products on to the left of the shelf. Photo by Olivia Watts.
Exercise with a Twist
The creatively designed staircases are a healthier way to get around the library. These staircases are open so that they are lit by the atrium lighting so you can walk up and down them by the light of the atrium and not through walled staircases. Photo by Olivia Watts.
Seventh Heaven
Thanks to the library's open concept, you can see the bottom floor from the seventh and top floor. The open concept also makes the library environmentally friendly because with the natural light there is less need for artificial lights, which saves power. Photo by Olivia Watts.
Jasmine Barrera • Jan 23, 2018 at 12:07 pm
This story made the library seem very warm and welcoming, I’ll be sure to check it out. While the idea of Tuesday Top 10 is cute I’d suggest fixing the auto-slideshow because it goes wayyyyy too fast. I’d even suggest getting rid of the automatic cycling all together. For a slow reader like me I found myself getting frustrated having to click back constantly and it made me think “What’s even the point of reading all 10 of these captions?”
Bella Russo • Jan 19, 2018 at 2:20 pm
This story is very informative and will benefit all of those who have yet to take advantage of the new library. Along with all of the details about the library, all of the clever headlines left me wanting to read more!