Turning the page From the cover
Two-minute impact
The new Cedar Park Public Library has interactive play and learning space for children, teen spaces with study nooks, and around 230,000 items— physical and digital—for people to check out, Cedar Park Library Director Julia Mitschke said. Mitschke said expectations for libraries have changed as technology has developed, noting the “shushing spaces” of yesteryear have been made more accessible. While the new facility was designed to keep up with modern needs and technology, there are still some dedicated quiet places for reading. “Libraries have transitioned into being more of a community space where we recognize that learning happens in all kinds of ways,” she said. “Books are a very important resource, but a lot of people learn through either technology, multimedia resources or hands-on learning opportunities, which is where the library’s programming is so vital to what we do for the community now.”
The new Cedar Park library opened Nov. 1.
Expanding capacity
The $40 million facility also has STEM-oriented makerspaces, containing resources ranging from sewing machines and arts and crafts to laser cutters and 3D printers, all available for free. Though it’s been open for just over a month, the new library is two to ve times busier than the previous one. The facility is designed to be the anchor of Cedar Park’s Bell District, a mixed-use district years in the making, Mitschke said.
Old library
New library
25,500 sq. ft.
47,000 sq. ft.
Size
Daily visitors
800-1,200
2,500-5,000
SOURCE: CEDAR PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMUNITY IMPACT
How we got here
There’s been a recognized need for library space in the city since the early 2000s. In 2001, Cedar Park’s old public library was expanded. The com- munity was much smaller then, and nobody knew how much growth there would be, Mitschke said. Play-based and hands-on learning became more sought after. Additionally, the old library had run out of space to grow its collection, programming and other o erings, Mitschke said. The new library also has multiple meeting rooms that people can reserve.
The road to opening
Jan. 2019 : City Council provides direction to include the new library in the Bell District
March 2021 : Council approves J.E. Dunn Construction Group to build the new library
Nov. 2024 : The library opens
Nov. 2015 : Voters authorize bond funding for a new library
Dec. 2020 : Council authorizes Lake Flato Architects to design the new library
Jan. 2023 : Construction begins
I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community. Happy Holidays, neighbors. Felices Fiestas, vecinos. Se Habla Español I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community. Happy Holidays, neighbors. Felices Fiestas, vecinos. Se Habla Español Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community. I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com
Happy holidays, neighbors. Happy holidays, neighbors.
JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com
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I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful community. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy holiday season and the very best in the New Year. It’s a true joy to be part of such a wonderful Like a good neighbor,
State Farm Bloomington, IL 2006051 JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com JT Reisdorph ChFC CLU, Agent 103 N. Bell Blvd Suite B1 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com State Farm Bloomington, IL 2006051 Bus: 512-219-7295 www.insuremejt.com
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Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
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