catalog | locations | reference | youth | news | links

PAST NEWS ARCHIVE
December 19, 2001
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

Terrazas Branch to Close on December 26 for Re-labeling

The Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library located in East Austin, 1105 E.Cesar Chavez Street, will close on Wednesday, December 26, to complete their barcode re-labeling project. The reopening date is Monday, January 7, 2002. APL branch libraries have closed at various times through out the year to do re-labeling.

Re-labeling will allow customers to use self-checkout stations—presently the Austin Public Library has one self-checkout machine at the Will Hampton Branch at Oak Hill. The Library Foundation and Library are looking for possible grants or donors so other library locations will be equipped with this new technology. Self-checkout machines provide an easy and convenient way for customers to check out items from the library.

Additionally, the new labels will allow the Library to use new scanning technology. This will allow the Library to efficiently and effectively track and inventory the entire collection of the APL system. At Terrazas Branch the closing will allow them to complete this timely project. Once completed the Library will have an easy way to inventory and track books, videos, tapes and CDs/CD-ROMs.

If you have items that need to be returned during this timeframe they may be returned to any Austin Public Library location. Please call (512) 974-7400 with questions regarding the labeling project.

About Terrazas Branch
Although the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library opened its doors 25 years ago on January 15, 1976, the branch itself has a history that spans over 40 years.

The East Austin branch officially began back in 1961 with the opening of the Pan-American Station in a small room within the Pan-American Recreation Center on E. Third Street. Then in 1969, having well outgrown its space at the Center, the branch was moved to a 2,000 square-foot storefront facility (formerly a furniture store) at the corner of Canadian and E. First Streets, and renamed the Canadian Street Branch.

Seven years later, the branch moved again—but this time to its own, spacious 5,400 square-foot building on E. César Chávez Street. The new branch was named "Terrazas" in honor of Henry S. Terrazas, a young Marine from East Austin who died in 1966 while fighting a forest fire. The branch took hold almost immediately, and over the years, Terrazas has steadily expanded its role in East Austin by offering varied collections, helpful resources, and unique programs aimed at meeting the needs of its community.

Today, the Terrazas Branch serves as a host site for the AISD VICTORY Program, is home to a New Immigrants Project Center, and is designated as one of the Michael and Susan Dell Wired for Youth Centers. Recently named "The Best Little Library in Texas" by School Library Journal (January 2001 issue), the Terrazas Branch is truly a gem of a library strategically located in the heart of East Austin.

###