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Central Library
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| Directions | Events | Collection | Facility |
Hours
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Events
Officials and Districts
U.S. Representative: Charlie A. Gonzalez, District 20
TX State Representative:
Michael “Mike” Villarreal, District 123
TX State Senator: Leticia Van de Putte, District 26
City Council Member: Mary Alice P. Cisneros, District 1
Library Board Representative: Jean Brady, District 1
Floor Plans | Parking | Bus Routes
Central Library is located on the former location of Sears Building, south of Romana Plaza. Site bounded by Soledad St. to the west, Navarro St. to the north, Augusta St. to the east, and Giraud St. to the south.
Parking for approximately 400 cars is located directly south of the Library in a multilevel City owned and operated parking garage. The garage entrance is on Soledad Street.
Validate your parking ticket at the Circulation or Security desks in the main lobby to get one-hour free parking.
Cash or checks only, no credit cards.
| Validation (1st Hour) | No charge |
| 0-1/2 hour | $1.00 |
| 1/2 - 1 hour | $1.50 |
| 1 - 1 1/2 hours | $2.25 |
| 1 1/2 - 2 hours | $3.00 |
| 2 - 2 1/2 hours | $3.75 |
| 2 1/2 - 3 hours | $5.00 |
| Lost Ticket | $10.00 |
| Flat Rate | $5.00 |
| Event Rate | $5.00 |
| Monthly | $37.00 |
The Collection | History
The Collection
- Fiction
- Government Documents
- Latino
- Media
- Periodical Holdings
- Texana and Genealogy
- 580,257 volumes
History
Construction | Special Projects |
Building Facts
Construction
The bright-colored library is a bold departure from traditional Library
design. The new Library has attracted a great deal of attention and has changed
the face of downtown San Antonio.
The building was designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson-Dempsey & Associates of San Antonio. This design team was selected through a design competition held by the City of San Antonio in July 1991.
Legorreta is known internationally, although most of his work is found in Mexico including a house for actor Ricardo Montalban, Camino Real hotels in Cancun, Ixtapa and Mexico City, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in Monterey and the Managua Cathedral in Nicaragua. Legorreta studied and worked with the respected Mexican Architect Jose Villagran.
Light, color, walls, water, humor and conscience are the palette used by Ricardo Legorreta to produce the design for the new Central Library. "I wanted to break the concept that libraries are imposing," said Legorreta. "I hope people will now enter the Library to admire its architecture but also stay and read as well." The Legorreta design promotes the idea of the Library as a place to gather, relax and enjoy the world of ideas collected in the form of books, magazines, records, tapes and even visual art in the Library Gallery.
Interior designs were done by the San Antonio firm of Ford, Powell and Carson, inc. Many of the pieces in the Library were custom designs especially for this Library. The interior of the building also reflects a great commitment to provide the best accommodations for patrons of the Library.
The San Antonio voters approved a $28 million bond in 1989 to build the new Central Library. The bond issue also provided funds equipment and furniture/fixtures.
A $10 million Library Foundation Enhancement campaign targeting private funding sources raised $5 million from private donations that were matched with $5 million from the City of San Antonio budget allocations. These funds financed upgrades to the Library to create murals and art, add new computer equipment, purchase new materials, purchase durable furniture, and update the parking garage.
Construction began on July 1993 and the Central Library opened to the public on May 20, 1995.
Special Projects
Blue Room - Stephen Antonakos, a neon artist, created the "Blue Room" which
is the entrance to the Library. Antonakos wanted the "Blue Room" to clearly
establish a change of setting from people's daily rushing in and out of
buildings. The room is designed to provide a calm, cool and inviting entrance to
the Library.
Mural - Jesse Treviño hardly needs an introduction to the city where he has
spent most of his life. He is known for his photo realistic paintings of San
Antonio's Westside community. Treviño was commissioned to create a 36 foot mural
for the library auditorium foyer. The mural is like a time capsule of San
Antonio during World War II. It features marquees from local movie houses and
several of the city's largest retail establishments. The mural evokes the
feeling of strolling through downtown San Antonio just as the GI's stationed in
San Antonio would have recalled. The altar is another element of the mural, and
it is a tribute to those who served in the war. It includes familiar items such
as candles, flowers and photos. The photos commemorate all individuals who
participated in the war. However, some of the people represent famous San
Antonians. The woman featured is a likeness of Emma Tenayuca, leader of a labor
movement in the late 30's and early 40's, the Hispanic man is World War II Medal
of Honor recipient Cleto Rodriguez. The young Anglo male is a likeness of
Retired General Robert McDermott when he was a Cadet
Building Facts
Architects & Contractors | Size |
Books & Other Materials | Seating
Architects and Contractors:
Size:
Books & Other Materials
Contact Us
600 Soledad · San Antonio, TX 78205 · (210) 207-2500
Text Telephone Line TTY (210) 207-2534