Austin's Library

A sculpture in front of the Library

We’re in the John Henry Faulk Central Library today.  Austin is the capital of Texas so the library is big. It has two stories and 12 librarians.  

On February 16, 1926, the Austin public library opened.  Ever since then, it’s expanded to 20 branches, but this library is the core of all of them.

Librarian Dean Smith

Librarian Carolyn Rogers

Every librarian I met was very friendly.  The first two librarians I met are Dean Smith, who’s worked there since 1988; and Carolyn Rogers, who’s been there since 1985.  

Librarian Heather Valtez

UT Librarian Intern Hannah

There are also Heather Valtez, who enjoys being a librarian because she still finds books she doesn’t know about; and Hannah, who’s an intern and enjoys helping people find books – especially kids.

Almost the entire second floor is devoted to reference.  There is large section about the world and world languages.  

World Languages in the Reference Section

The main floor has CDs and DVDs and kid’s section that hosts a Minecraft activity where kids get to play Minecraft together.  

Kids' Section

One of my favorite things about this is a picture of their future library, which will open in three years.

Picture of the future library

That is all I have to say about this awesome library. 

Staircase to the second floor

Elevators

My Hometown Library

Front of the Library

The J.B. Nickells Memorial Library is my hometown library.   It is medium to small-sized.  I’m not sure how many books it has in it, but it does have a good selection of teenager books – the ones I like and dislike.  Also, the kids’ section is good and has a big room. 

The front of the library looking into the kids' section

Young Adult Section

Beanbags in the kids' section

My favorite part of going to the library is picking a book, going to the kids’ section and sitting in one of the big comfy beanbag chairs to read.  Some of the favorite books I read when I’m there are books from the “Inheritance Series” by Christopher Paolini and “Ranger’s Apprentice Series” by John Flanagan.

The Caldwell County Genealogical Society is in the library.  Here’s a short paragraph from the society:

The entrance to the Caldwell County Genealogical Society

“The Historical Research Center, head-quartered in the library, is where the Society studies, collects and preserves the historical and genealogical records of the county.  The aim is to use good archival practices and to make these materials available to the public.”

Librarian Nancy Gilchrist

The librarian, Nancy Gilchrist, has been working there since April 1985.  The reason she’s there is to work with books and help people find what they want.  

That’s a recap on my hometown library.  I’m doing more research so see you next time!