What you can find at the Old Quarry Branch:
- Access to over 46,000 titles, magazines, and periodicals
- Public Internet computers and wireless access
- Meeting room space for public use
- Judaica Collection
- Books in Chinese and Korean
- Large auditorium
- Test proctoring
- Magazine exchange
- Conveniently located
- Express Check-out system
About the Old Quarry Branch
The Old Quarry Branch of the Austin Public Library system opened with great fan-fare on January 15, 1976 in the Northwest Hills Shopping Center in Northwest Austin. Among the honored guests attending the opening ceremonies were members of the Austin City Council and Library Commission, and City Manager Dan Davidson.
The branch was designed by architect Charles B. Croft and built on property that once held a 100-acre, 30-foot deep limestone quarry—hence the name “Old Quarry.” Equipped with 8,300 square feet of floor space, the new branch replaced the Highland Park Branch, which had faithfully served the Northwest Austin area from 1958 until its closing in 1975.
Old Quarry has seen two major renovations in recent years. The most extensive one occurred in 1992 when the branch received a head-to-toe “makeover” complete with new carpeting and furniture, a new roof and floor plan, and an updated color scheme. Then in 1999, in response to the Americans With Disabilities Act, additional modifications were made to the Library to make it and its resources more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Today, approximately 10,000 customers visit the Old Quarry Branch each month. And while daily operations have changed significantly since it first opened over 30 years ago, Old Quarry continues to provide Northwest Austin with good old-fashioned personal service, varied collections, and family-oriented programs, all within its warm and friendly neighborhood environment.
Old Quarry Branch's Talk Time program is taking a summer break. Classes resume on September 12, 2008.
