Cabe Lindsay

Review of Austin Central Library

Our diamond of a city just became even more bright...

Our diamond of a city just became even more bright and shiny with our new Central Library. This six-story library is filled with natural light that pours through gigantic windows and well-placed clerestories, beaming sunshine into every floor. This makes it a joyous adventure to climb upward, experiencing every level of our library, from the ground floor amphitheater to the rooftop garden.

In addition to the books, this library's many treasures include: circular windows that invite the kids to imagine they're in a submarine or a spaceship, a sunny "Reading Porch" on the third floor where families enjoy some luxurious RR&R (rest, relaxation, and reading), artful angles in the architecture that feels like we're inside of an M.C. Escher artwork, a rooftop garden vibrant with native plants and butterflies...

As others have mentioned, the parking can be problematic. This week, we got stuck in a 30-minute traffic jam around the noon hour, after parking on the 2nd level. Super annoying issue with the ticket payment process! I mention it here just so you don't make the mistake of getting "stuck" with a bad final impression after your otherwise glorious library experience. :)