Release Date: April 29, 2011
Office of District 3 Councilwoman Jennifer V. Ramos: 207-7064
Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos to Open Mission Branch Library in Council District 3
The culmination of four years of hard work will be realized this Saturday, April 30 when Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos will dedicate the new Mission Branch Library. Councilwoman Ramos' involvement with the project began as a council aide for Roland Gutierrez in 2007, and the project has been a top priority for District 3 ever since.
"Every day of the past four years has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure District 3's vision for a new cultural and educational center was realized," said Councilwoman Ramos. "Going back to our first steps to bring the project together in 2007, I can’t think of a day that I haven’t worked on this project."
The library will open with a Grand Opening Celebration and Literary Festival. Famed author Jose Luis Orozco will give a reading and sign books, and a First Families Corner will honor the native peoples of the area around Mission San Jose. Scholastic will help the district celebrate Dia de los Ninos at the library opening through learning workshops and art activities. The day-long festivities will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony and will run until 4:00 p.m. A light lunch will be provided.
About the new Mission Branch Library
The 16,400 square-foot Mission Branch Library is only District 3's second, and will house more than just books and periodicals. The library will carry over 49,000 titles while offering access to 35 computers, Wi-Fi service, and numerous programs for children, teens, and adults. Two meeting rooms will provide space for community gatherings and meetings, and can open into one large room that can accommodate up to 130 people comfortably. Quiet study rooms will also be available for individuals or small groups to work undisturbed. The library will include works by renowned artist Chris Sauter and, through a partnership with the San Antonio Water System, a rainwater/air conditioning condensate collection system to irrigate the grounds.
NOTE: Councilwoman Ramos will be on hand for interviews on Friday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. The Library is located at 3134 Roosevelt Ave.