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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2004
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Howson Branch of the Austin Public Library to Receive Green Garden
Howson Branch Library, at 2500 Exposition Boulevard, will unveil an earthwise garden this October thanks to the City’s Green Garden Initiative. Work on the state-of-the-art low water-use garden will begin on July 30, 2004 and continue through early October. The landscape design is complete and planting is scheduled to begin in September. The demonstration garden is part of the City’s effort to raise environmental awareness by providing Austin residents with a model that both protects and conserves our water and energy resources and is easy to adapt to their own homes and businesses.
Over 20 species of native and adapted plants will be used at Howson Branch to attract wildlife and reduce the use of water and pesticides. Mulch beds will be used to retain water, and irrigation was designed to avoid runoff and evaporation. Porous building materials for walkways will also allow water to be absorbed gradually.
The Green Garden Initiative of Austin is a collaborative effort between six City departments to raise water conservation awareness and encourage environmentally-responsible landscaping practices. For more information, visit www.cityofaustin.org/greengarden or call 974-2446.
About the Howson Branch
The Howson Branch Library opened with great fanfare in Austin's Tarrytown neighborhood over forty years ago, on October 5, 1960.
One unique aspect of Howson history is the fact that it was built not from city funds, but from the bequest of Mrs. Emilie Wheelock Howson, for whom the branch is named. A portrait of Mrs. Howson has been on display in the Library since opening day.
In 1994, the Howson Branch benefited from another sizeable gift when the Southerland family donated funds for the addition of a periodicals reading room in the library, in honor of the local architect Louis Feno Southerland. Dedicated in 1996, the Louis Southerland Reading Room includes a decorative glass partition that was designed by Susan Fiedorek and David Heymann as part of the City's Art In Public Places Program.
Although daily operations have changed a bit since it opened over 40 years ago, today's Howson Branch Library continues to provide the West Austin community with good old-fashioned personal service, varied collections, and family-oriented programs, all within its warm and friendly "vintage 1960s" environment.
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