What you can find at the Howson Branch:
- Access to over 36,000 books, magazines, recorded books, DVDs, and music CDs
- Public Internet Computers
- WIFI bar for laptop plug and play
- Meeting room space for public use
- Books in Spanish
- Graphic Novels
- Mid-century modern building
- 1,000 gallon Rain Water Harvesting System located in the “Green Garden” that’s integrated with a reflective “cool roof”
- Solar Panel shaded parking lot with a fully accessible entrance
- Comfortable periodicals reading room
- Books clubs for adults and teens
- Programs for all ages - children, teens, adults
- Magazine exchange
About the Howson Branch
The Howson Branch Library opened with great fanfare in Austin’s Tarrytown neighborhood on October 5, 1960. State Senator Charles Herring, who lived in the neighborhood, gave the dedication speech while Mayor Tom Miller cut the ceremonial ribbon. Also present at the opening were Austin Public Library Director Mary Rice, and Eleanor Harris, Howson’s first librarian.
One unique aspect of Howson history is the fact that it was built not from city funds, but from the bequest of Mrs. Emilie Wheelock Howson, for whom the branch is named. A portrait of Mrs. Howson has been on display in the Library since opening day. In 1994, the Howson Branch benefited from another sizeable gift when Mrs. Jean Southerland donated funds for the addition of a periodicals reading room in the library, in honor of her late husband and local architect Louis Feno Southerland. Dedicated in 1996, the Louis Southerland Reading Room includes a decorative glass partition that was designed by Susan Fiedorek and David Heymann as part of the City’s Art In Public Places Program.
Extensive renovations and asbestos abatement of the entire building were completed in April of 2010 to enhance the interior and exterior of the Branch. Improvements include increased public space, enlarged computer area, improved internet connectivity, additional electrical circuits for laptops, enhanced audiovisual presentation equipment for the meeting room, new HVAC equipment, a rainwater harvesting system integrated with a reflective “cool roof”, and a fully accessible handicapped entrance/exit to the parking lot.
The new open space layout of the book stacks improves the visual connection between library staff and customers thus promoting the concept of the library of the future while maximizing the natural day lighting so valued in a library. It also boasts a sophisticated new color palette, whimsical interior finishes, and fine architectural detailing that not only enhances the original pecan wood paneling of the facility, but provides a unifying theme of rectilinear forms throughout which is reminiscent of buildings of this era. The Southerland Reading Room once again features Mr. Southerland’s original watercolors. Careful consideration was taken to preserve the overall ambience of this beloved Branch nestled in the heart of one of Austin’s most established neighborhoods, while technologically bringing the facility into the Twenty-first Century.
Throughout the renovation work, particular attention was paid to specifying products with 100% recycled content including the carpeting and countertops, and installing easily renewable or regenerative materials such as the linoleum flooring and maple wood veneer. Wherever possible in the facility, furniture was refinished and reused rather than replaced. These are just a few examples of the efforts taken by the Library with this project to be good stewards of the environment and to demonstrate sound and practical methods of conserving our natural resources.
Although daily operations have changed a bit since it originally opened, today’s Howson Branch Library continues to provide the West Austin community with good old-fashioned personal service, a varied collection, and family-oriented programs, all within its warm and eco-friendly environment.
