BY SAM SCHAFFER
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Zooming out
Makerspace o erings
Huguley said the foundation aims to amplify the impact of the library on the community. She noted the library puts people on an even playing eld by providing access to Wi-Fi and technology that lower-income community members may not have access to. The makerspaces give people a chance to learn skills, try hobbies and test ideas—opportunities that may not be available otherwise, Mitschke said. Additionally, the library’s “Library of Things” a ords access to games, STEM-oriented kits, clay sculpting kits, camping cookware, crochet kits, projectors, metal detectors and more. The library also has an outdoor playground, and the children’s section has a large dedicated play area along with various colorful activities, computers, books and more. Morgan Rutledge, who visited the library with her
The tra c brought to the area by the library is expected to fuel activity in the city’s incoming Bell District, which will eventually be lled with local restaurants, recreation and retail. The backyard of the Bell District, which will be developed close to the library, already has a playground set up. It will be the heart of the Bell District, according to the website, and it will have 16 acres of green space with trails. Ashley Grzywa, project director at Lake Flato, the architecture rm that designed the library, said a top goal for the library was that it would be the de ning feature of Cedar Park; it would be what comes to mind when people think of the city. “The library is the community porch—much like a porch on your house, it’s a place of gathering. It’s a public welcoming space where you meet people,” she said.
Laminator
Metal stamping kit
Heat press
3D printers
Sewing machine
Laser cutters
15-month-old daughter Avery, said she was looking forward to its o erings. “I’m pretty excited for her to grow up doing story times and then when they start doing chess night, art night, things like that,” Rutledge said. The library regularly hosts events, such as story times for various age groups and makerspace orien- tations, with the goal of community building.
Library Bell District
Breaking it down
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The total cost of the library was about $40 million. Funding came from the city’s general fund, utility fund, community development corpo- ration funds and other sources, said Daniel Sousa, Cedar Park’s community a airs assistant director. There were no land costs for the building, Mitschke said, as the city already owned the property. Cedar Park will repurpose the old library for recreational and community use, she said. Mitschke said the makerspaces, children's spaces and collaboration rooms have been the most-used resources at the new facility.
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The library o ers indoor and outdoor play spaces.
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