What you can find at the St. John Branch:
- Access to over 46,000 titles, magazines, and periodicals
- Public Internet computers and wireless access
- Computer training lab
- Books in Spanish
- New Immigrants Center (NIC)
- Over 2,500 DVD's in Spanish and English
- Talk Time, English conversation program
About the St. John Branch
The 20th branch location of the Austin Public Library opened in January of 2002 with a whole new approach for branch libraries in Austin, TX. The branch is located within the state-of-the-art community complex in the historic St. John community. The community complex also houses the J.J. Pickle Elementary School, a recreation center, gymnasium, health center, and a community policing sub-station. The 116,200 square-foot facility, was built as a partnership between AISD and the City of Austin, and was designed to serve as “one-stop center” for the area. According to John Gillum, APL’s Facilities Planning Manager, “It is a unique approach that has not been previously attempted by any school district and municipal or county government in the nation, as far as we can determine.”
The new complex (located east of I-35 and south of U.S. 183 on Wheatley and Blessing Avenues) is no less than a blessing for the St. John community which for years has been in dire need of a new school and better City services. As Gillum explains, “The St. John neighborhood has gone from having very little in the way of educational and municipal services to having the absolute Cadillac of such services, and it’s largely due to their own efforts and sacrifice.” In total, the facility cost $13.6 million to construct, with AISD contributing $8.3 million (funded through the 1996 School District bond election) and the City contributing $5.3 million (through 1998 City bond package).
Thanks to a sustainability grant from the State of Texas Energy Conservation Office, the new school/center was built with energy conservation in mind. Among its various green features, the building was equipped with a rain collection system (for air-conditioning use) and was given an orientation to maximize the lighting/heating benefits of the sun. Operational cost savings in the first year alone are expected to approach $100,000.
As part of the City’s Art In Public Places Program, the complex will eventually include marble markers along its grounds to honor the 45 home sites that were purchased and moved or demolished to make room for the Center. A second project will utilize found objects from the community (particularly from St.John homes) for display within the building.
Austin Public Library is both proud and thrilled to be a part of St. John’s progressive new center, and would like to commend AISD, the City of Austin, and the St. John community for their efforts in making this happen. As Gillum remarks, “I personally feel, from my time spent in the area over the last several years, that the St. John neighborhood is undergoing a certain kind of renaissance, of which the St. John Community Center/Pickle Elementary School structure is an important manifestation.”
