The Vortex
LOCATIONS
Central Library
710 W. Cesar Chavez, 512/974-7400
photo by John Anderson
The city's dazzling new Downtown library, opened in October of 2017, fills its 198,000 square feet with an art gallery, event and screening spaces, a cafe, rooftop garden, and – oh yeah – hundreds of thousands of books.
Other Locations
Cepeda Branch Library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley
Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez
Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library, 3101 Oak Springs
Twin Oaks Branch Library, 1800 S. Fifth
University Hills Branch Library, 4721 Loyola
Windsor Park Branch Library, 5833 Westminster
Spicewood Springs Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg
Menchaca Road Branch Library, 5500 Menchaca Rd.
Pleasant Hill Branch Library, 211 E. William Cannon
Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition
Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Dr.
Milwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst
Yarborough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock
Hampton Branch Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
Ruiz Branch Library, 1600 Grove
North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck
St. John Branch Library, 7500 Blessing
Southeast Branch Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing
Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina
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Arts Calendar
“Roots Unveiled: Exploring the Chinese Experience”
Among the many anti-civil rights bills creeping their way through the Texas Legislature is Senate Bill 17, which would bar Chinese and many other Asian citizens from buying land here. Denounced by detractors as racist and reminiscent of 19th-century laws targeting Asian immigrants, its 2023 origins, along with growing anti-Asian sentiment after the pandemic, inspired Houston artist Jane Xu to found the multi-city Asian American Art & Culture Initiative and initiate this multidisciplinary exhibit. Curated by renowned international independent curator Sylvia XuHua Zhan, it brings in-depth research and archives along with work from a wide range of artists to offer a look at the rich history of Chinese Americans in Texas. Opening reception is Sunday, May 18, noon. – Kat McNevins Through August 31; opening reception, May 18.
Community Calendar
“Roots Unveiled: Exploring the Chinese Experience”
Among the many anti-civil rights bills creeping their way through the Texas Legislature is Senate Bill 17, which would bar Chinese and many other Asian citizens from buying land here. Denounced by detractors as racist and reminiscent of 19th-century laws targeting Asian immigrants, its 2023 origins, along with growing anti-Asian sentiment after the pandemic, inspired Houston artist Jane Xu to found the multi-city Asian American Art & Culture Initiative and initiate this multidisciplinary exhibit. Curated by renowned international independent curator Sylvia XuHua Zhan, it brings in-depth research and archives along with work from a wide range of artists to offer a look at the rich history of Chinese Americans in Texas. Opening reception is Sunday, May 18, noon. – Kat McNevins Through August 31; opening reception, May 18.
Best of Austin Awards
- 2022: Critics Best Reason to Go Back to the Library (Fine-Free Library)
- 2021: Critics Best Self-Care for Your Imagination (Austin Public Library's Curbside Service)
- 2019: Readers Place for Sober Socializing
- 2018: Critics Best Out-of-the-Book Idea (APL Mobile Library Fleet)
- 2018: Readers Place for Sober Socializing
- 2017: Critics Best Stairways to Heaven (Austin Central Library)
- 2010: Critics Best Neighborhood Dream Deferred Realized (Twin Oaks Branch Library)
- 2009: Critics Best Ode to the (Namesake of the) Road on Which It Resides (Rayo de Esperanza)
- 2004: Critics Best New Public Building (Daniel Ruiz Branch Library)
- 2002: Critics Best Branch Library Oasis
- 1998: Critics Best New Public Building