Mark your calendars... on Saturday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m. the City and Community will Open the New Daniel E. Ruiz Branch Library
Austin Public Library will join the community on Saturday, January 31, at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the Daniel E. Ruiz Branch. This new 16,000 square foot library will replace the existing 5,079 square foot leased space of the Riverside Drive Branch at 2410 Riverside Drive. The new $6 million library at 1600 Grove Boulevard will be the largest library branch in the system and will serve the growing populations of the Riverside and Montopolis neighborhoods. The Austin community is invited to attend the grand opening ceremony along with the Ruiz Family, representatives from Tokyo Electron, and AMD, the first corporate sponsors of the library, and other dignitaries. Music by Tosca, breakfast foods and a puppet show by Hand to Mouth Puppet Theatre will all be a part of this free celebration.
The library is named in honor of one of Austin’s great community leaders who died an untimely death in March of 2000. Daniel E. Ruiz was a good friend of the Austin community. A native Austinite, he was a dedicated public servant, community advocate and organizer who fought to address inequities and civil right issues.
Background on Gifts to the Library:
In January of 2001, Tokyo Electron (TEL) became the first corporate donor for this new library. The company donated $15,000 which sponsored the outside plaza area and purchased books for the youth collection. The plaza will be named in honor of Dick Rogers who was the past President of Tokyo Electron (TEL).
"Dick Rogers was very involved in reaching out to the community surrounding Tokyo Electron (TEL) in the Montopolis neighborhood. By sponsoring the library, TEL is continuing the community outreach that he began when TEL opened their headquarters in Austin," Barry Mayer, chief financial officer and senior vice president of Tokyo Electron said. The site of the new library and the U.S. headquarters for Tokyo Electron are located in close proximity to each other within the Montopolis neighborhood.
AMD made a $50,000 donation to the Austin Public Library Foundation in July 2002. Half of the gift funded the AMD-powered computer lab at the new Daniel E. Ruiz Branch Library. The other half funded the AMD Early Reader Collection at the Austin Public Library. The computer training center will provide valuable computer classes to those individuals who do not have computers at home and to targeted students of the nearby Austin Community College campus. “We are very appreciative of Advanced Micro Devices’ continued generosity to the library and its strong commitment to the Montopolis community,” said Brenda Branch, Director of Libraries.
Quick Facts
Daniel E. Ruiz Branch
. In the 1998 City of Austin Bond Election, voters approved the funds to acquire the necessary land to design and construct a new library in the Riverside and Montopolis neighborhoods.
. A $6 million project includes 16,000 square feet of library space—largest branch library in the APL system. Replaces the 5,000 square foot leased space at 2410 Riverside Drive.
. Tokyo Electron (TEL) and AMD first corporate sponsors of the branch library.
. The AMD Computer Training Center for adult computer workshops.
. The Michael & Susan Dell Wired for Youth Center for youth ages 8 to 18.
. Collection of over 75,000 volumes (including books, periodicals and audio-visual materials).
. Two public meeting rooms.
. A quiet reading room with lounge seating.
. A study area.
. A separate youth area.
. A VICTORY Tutoring Program.
. Ports for laptop computer hook-ups.
. Exhibit space.
. The Dick Rogers Plaza provides an outdoor space with a natural ambience. Plaza sponsored by Tokyo Electron (TEL).
. A limestone sculpture piece by Mr. Will Larson located in the outdoor plaza.
. Located across from the Riverside Drive Golf Course and in close proximity to the Austin Community College campus and the Montopolis neighborhood.
. Braun & Butler Construction Company was the general contractor for the library project.
. Stanley Architects and Artisans were the architects for the library project.
About Daniel E. Ruiz:
In June of 2000, then Council Member Gus Garcia, and other community groups such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Contractor's Association, Mexican American Business and Professional Women's Association, Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and other community members went before the Library Commission and the City Council to request the dedication of this public facility in honor of Daniel E. Ruiz one of Austin's great Community leaders who died an untimely death in March of 2000. He was a good friend of the Austin Community a native Austinite he proved to be a dedicated public servant, community advocate and organizer who fought to address inequities and civil right issues.
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