Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library

Lived in Austin all my life and never visited here once, I happen to get reminded that this library was here by google maps. Decided to immediately visit here the following weekend and was not disappointed. Absolutely insane building. Took my kid to the second flood, has a center atrium and there are 2 sides; one for children and one for teens. If you have kids there’s a lot for them to do. There are computers to use, toys they can play with, and the books of course. Even outside seating if you want fresh air either on the top floor or any of the outside porches. A ton a seating areas and every floor with plenty of places to charge or plug in devices. Cafe Cream on the first floor if you need a beverage. There’s a dedicated area just to play board games. Again, insane library. The only thing I can complain about is you have to pay to park in the parking garage, which is expected for the downtown area but wish it wasn’t so.

Free parking for the first hour. This library is beautiful. The 3rd floor children’s area has a huge chess set and several smaller ones. There are lots of seating options. Outdoor and indoor. The children’s area staff are so nice and welcoming. My son is excited to do the craft they offered. We took it to go. The teen area has laptops for four hours and a teen only designated space. The 6th floor has a very pretty outdoor seating area with views. There are walkable locations for food in the area. Including the cafe on site, which has lots of seating and a nice view. Trader Joe’s is a block away too. Great spot for locals and tourists.

Amazing attraction. Rooftop has garden views. You can sit and hang out, view the art attractions, read books. Only issue is with the homeless population. But still lots of fun and definitely worth viewing

First time visiting the downtown library and I was very impressed. The building itself is beautiful inside and out. There are art installations throughout as well as an area for local art they change out that was nice. It is multi level and has several areas to read/ study/ designated quiet areas/ meeting rooms as well as tables in the middle section of the building where you can read and study and converse. There are plugs all over for phones/ computers etc as well as various seating all over - single chairs, sofas, pairs of chairs and chair/tables. There is a rooftop outdoor area that was a nice surprise- I was not expecting that. The computers to look up books etc are everywhere and easy to use. You can click and find out where the book (or dvd or what else) is located on the map which was really nice and helpful. They also offer several different types of classes including a 3D printing class. You do have to pay to park if you stay over an hour which I feel discourages people from hanging out. Interesting as it feels like it is designed for people to come and stay but then they only allow one hour free parking. I guess they feel people would park and go other places but I would imagine there are ways to monitor that.

Stunning location, architecture, ambiance, charging stations, outdoors access, roof garden, coffee shop and book store. Elevators or take the stairs kids and parents can play on life size chess board! Very contemporary non stereotypical library experience modernize 2025 and beyond! Well Done! Displaying Modern centerpiece Art is probably not out of the question, to cap off this Modern Masterpiece of a library,it's off the Colorado River!!!

Haven’t been back to the Austin Central Public Library in a while, but heard they recently opened a new café inside—so it felt like the perfect time to revisit. The space is still just as stunning as ever, with its modern design, open layout, and cozy reading spots. The rooftop garden view never gets old, and now with the coffee shop, it’s even easier to spend a few hours here. Whether it’s for studying, relaxing, or just enjoying the quiet atmosphere, this library remains one of the best public spaces in Austin.

This library is an architecturally impressive, multi-story building with a great selection of books and plenty of cozy spaces to read, study, or explore. A couple of things: parking is only free for the first hour, which sounds great—but realistically, most visits last longer, so you should expect to pay. It’s not a huge deal, but something to note. Also, given the downtown location, the library serves a broad and diverse population, including many individuals experiencing homelessness. While it’s admirable that the library remains open and welcoming to all, there are a few areas, especially the near entrances, that can feel unclean or smell unpleasant. It’s unfortunate, and while I understand the challenges, it can affect the overall experience—especially with young children. Lastly, during the summer reading challenge, kids were rewarded with a free book. I was disappointed to find that most of the book selections seemed to be pushing very specific agendas. Public libraries should remain as neutral as possible, especially when it comes to content directed at children. Let’s encourage reading for joy, curiosity, and learning—without steering toward any one agenda.

Stunning library. Huge and beautiful design. Plenty of different spaces to study, read, or play board games. Significant amounts of books and there’s also plenty of computers for usage. Additionally, there’s a charming café inside that offers good coffee. A must visit place in Austin.

one of the best and amazing libraries i've ever been to many stories high and a rooftop view clean and ultra high ceilings tons of books and working spaces cool spots to visit

We were in Austin with friends who had to attend a meeting, so we decided to hang out at the library- which was very close to the place we would meet for dinner. The Austin Central Library is a lovely place to spend a few hours. The building is a LEED Platinum building. It has a rooftop garden with a view of the lake. There are comfy seating areas to relax and enjoy a book. There are little rooms where one might have a more quiet experience, or have a meeting, or zoom call. One can sign out laptops to research or work. The only flaw was that the bathrooms only had unsanitary hand dryers. While paper is wasteful, hand dryers have been shown to spread bacteria. Luckily, I learned from my travels in Japan to always carry a small towel. The library is a welcoming space to read and learn, and even has a cute gift shop. I highly recommend.

Still great! The place is always amazing, so many things to do for adults and children, the staff is amazing and always friendly. It can be choatic at times and more so our most recent visit as one of 3 elevators was done which slowed things up but there are stairs if you are in a hurry or prefer. We mostly stopped in this time as my wife Shana, now has her most recent book in the Austin Public Library which is amazing! We both love libraries and for both of us they were safe places that made our childhood's better. I can't overstate how excited she is to have her book there. The Santa Strike, if you get to the Austin Public Library, check it out(ha)!. The only real downside is the closing of the Cookbook restaurant. It was nice to be able to get a drink and maybe some food there for staying longer but I am not holding it against them, hence still 5 stars but it is missed. We didn't stay long this visit as we were on a schedule but realized I had not updated my review in a while. Place is still awesome and I can't overplay how great it is. Several stories, ha again, and outdoor/rooftop seating. VISIT THE LIBRARY. SUPPORT THE LIBRARY!

This was by far the most modern looking library I've ever been too. Everything was clean and new looking with plenty of workspaces. The rooftop is stunning and the views are just as good! I would definitely recommend stopping in if you are local or just visiting Austin. There is even a rotating art exhibit on the main floor and a very cute gift shop.

I make a point to visit all the bookstores or libraries a city can offer. This public library blew me away. What a modern and gorgeous space and HUGE! It's right on the water so the views are great, each floor (and there's six of them!) have ample space to study or sit or use computers. The kids floor was adorable (with a nod to Wonderland!) but what stole the show was the rooftop terrace. What a fortunate thing the folks of Austin have! This library is easily one of my favorites I've visited.

If I only lived in Austin. I'd be here quite often. Scenic views from most levels with a rooftop deck viewing the river and a great, relaxing outdoor space. Interior is clean (although homeless people will use the restroom as a personal bathroom), staff was friendly and helpful. Wonderful collection of books just from walking around. The "seed" library was quite unique. Give a seed take a seed. Art exhibit downstairs was free and entertaining. Decor inside is artful itself. What a great public space and resource. Don't forget the gift shop.

As a recent college graduate continuing my education, I have spent thousands of hours at libraries, and by far, this is the most beautiful library that I have been to. There are 6 floors in this state of the art public library. The first floor is more general with the help desk and has a cafe. The 2nd floor is more for children as they have a massive room just for kiddos to do activities with their parents. The 3rd-5th floors have study rooms that are available to reserve along with books of course. And the 6th floor has study rooms and has great access to the rooftop which is by far the most impressive. Parking is available at the parking garage underneath the library, typically when I spend 4-6 hours here I end up paying around $10 for my visit which is pricey for public library parking. It is downtown parking, I think it might be pricey because there is a chance that other folks park there just to explore downtown. At times it can be frustrating to get a spot because when they are near full or are expecting a large group to attend the library (likely for an event), they will block the entrance of the parking garage with a "full" sign. Other than parking, my experiences at the central library have been very pleasant. There are many tables and sitting areas with room for laptops and homework in common areas as well as tucked back areas by the shelves of books. Getting a library card is simple and quick, the staff is very helpful in guiding you through that process as well as the process of reserving conference rooms. A large plus to going here are the study rooms. Using a QR code link or through google, you can easily reserve 1 study room a day using 1 email. The reservation slots are typically for 2 hours and there are rooms that hold up to 16 people! Most rooms have a screen with an HDMI to broadcast a presentation, a white board with markers, and outlets for chargers. Although I have not rented out electronics such as laptops or tablets, it is my understanding that you can do so all day. If you would like to eat food, you can do so outside on the patios and the rooftop on the 6th floor. The outdoor areas are very zen with plants and comfortable chairs. It is one of the most beautiful rooftops, it suprises me everytime that a rooftop like this exists in a library!! Although most of my time is spent in quiet areas studying, I am aware that there are many social events that go on weekly. They at times have musical bands and very niche groups such as ones that practice their English communication skills by speaking English back and forth to each other. Overall, I love this place! It is worth spending the $10 every time I come here. It is quiet, clean, inviting and a safe space with lots of security.

Always a great time at the Austin public library downtown. You have to go to the sixth floor, they have a rooftop garden, solar panels, and the best view in town. There is parking in the garage underneath, but we were here on a Sunday and it was completely full. I recommend y'all take the elevator all the way up and work your way down, the third floor is great for children.

You can totally spend an entire day here. So many floors and lots of books. The view from the top floor is beautiful overlooking the water. Parking is in a garage and you do have to pay

Hands down the best library I've been to. There's tons of space and lots of beautiful views. I interacted with a couple staff members and they were all kind and helpful. This library has a little bit of everything for every age group. I would spend more time here if it was closer to me. I highly recommend it!

Great! I have come here for years to conduct research. But did you know, there's a gift shop and you can also recycle your batteries here.

At the birthday boy's request, we took a walk to the Austin Central Library, which is one of the nicest, most interesting libraries I've ever been in. The architecture, both inside and out were beautifully designed with materials that worked well with the terraced walkway along the creek. The staircase evokes both M.C. Escher and Harry Potter! The roof top garden had tremendous views. The 3rd floor quiet room at the Austin Central Library, is something else. Great views and all sorts of book and reading quotes etched into a metal screen outside the window. Truly inspiring. Bravo Austin!

Cool library downtown to just sit and chill or study, read books, even has an art gallery and a garden at the top with an amazing view

Austin Central Library is one of my favorite libraries. I try to make it a priority to visit libraries in when I travel and I will add this library to the 5 star list that includes Chicago, Mexico City, Seattle, and Vancouver. Each floor has its own character, but the highlights for me are the central stairway, the Womb Chairs, and the roof garden. Although you can't drink cocktails in the library, it is such a treat o be able to get a cocktail, coffee and food in the Cookbook that is attached. The Austin Central Library is an ideal what to spend an afternoon.

I guess I am becoming a library person. There is quite a bit you can learn about a city by visiting their downtown library and this one did not disappoint. It's a beautiful building near Ladybird Lake with several floors all ranging from literature, board games, technology, nonfictional resources and so on. It's a great place to come and work if you tend to work off a laptop. There is even a beautiful patio filled with lots of seating, foliage and a coffee cart. It also has lovely sculptures inside and out and the views of the city are incredible. The elevators are kept up-to-date and you can definitely get your steps in if using the stairs.

Well designed, great architecture, each of the six floors pretty much create a specific category -- ie. Children's Special Sections on Level Three. The nice Gift Shoppe is on Level Two -- main level by one of the entrances. A Cafe is also onsite but currently closed to sit down dining. The Sixth Level (non fiction and study areas) also includes a massive walkout plaza that is artfully landscaped with nice views of downtown and the river. The lower sun-street parking garage is modestly priced with no charges for the first hour! This will make a great rainy day outing for young families. Tourists may wish to include a brief visit just to soak up the vibes.

One of the most beautiful and wholesome libraries I have ever been to. I feel so lucky to be living in Austin and have access to this wonderful library, it was built in 2017, received a bunch of awards on archiecture, design and is a Platinum LEED certified building so it's a sustainable building (using sustainable materials, it collects rainfall for other purposes, etc.) It's actually crowned as TIME's magazine 2018 world's greatest places which is just amazing! They have many artwork inside the building, different floors for kids/teens and adults and an upper deck garden/outdoor space with plenty of seating for reading or lounging. There are laptops to check out, a 3D printer?!, a cafe and a (used)book store with little knick knacks and souvenirs as well. The library also looks out into Colorado river and has stunning skyline views. As a bookworm, this place is heaven. If you are an Austin resident, you can have a free membership by applying online and bringing your ID and residency proof there. If not, it's a $120 annual membership. Either way, it's so worth it :)

I'm blown away at how modern, clean, and well organized this PUBLIC library is. An esthetic and interesting-to-look-at public library is rare to find. Things you should know: I. LOCATION In the heart of the city and within a prime lot of real estate. You can walk the Shoal Creek Trail since it runs alongside the library. The views from the rooftop study on the 6th floor reflects how great the location truly is. If you come here, you have to utilize the rooftop feature. II. SERVICE Helpful and well organized ~ like your typical library. There are vending machines on the ground level and a cafe as well. If you want water, the vending machines don't have any ~ you'll have to ask the cafe. III. QUALITY Great selection of a vast range of books. They even have an international section filled with books written in foreign languages. My boyfriend is Korean so we gravitated to this area of the library. It's a very small collection, at least for the Korean language. IV. CAPACITY Not too busy for a Saturday. I can assume it's busier on weekdays when kids are in school.

Love this public library - it's amazing. From the views to all the different options and things to do on every floor, to the coffee shop, etc. I wish I lived closer, I'd be here all the time! Only thing I don't love is that you have to pay for parking. Public libraries are free for the community to use for reason, why charge to park? It's one of the only reasons that sometimes I avoid going to this location... especially if I'm low on money.

Beautiful views, plenty of books, good spot to study or hangout right in the heart of downtown. I can't believe this is a free library. It is so beautiful! There is nothing more serene than enjoying a book on the rooftop garden. When you get hungry or thirsty after spending hours here, the cafe on the first floor is a great place to recharge. I have had their pastries, avocado toast and sandwiches. Everything is good and you can enjoy it al fresco. Lovely place to bring kids or just to embrace your inner child with the playful architecture. This is my go to spot to bring friends and visitors since it's downtown & free to the public.

Come on....ITS A LIBRARY! And this library is beautiful. Lots of space and so many floors of books! Only gripe was the parking lot. It was full, so I had to park by trader joes. No worries, the walk was nice. Since I don't live in Austin, I had to pay 30 bucks for a card. Its 3 months, but I didn't mind. The cards are free for Austin residents.

The Austin Central Library is amazing. It is in a modern building. Lots of comfy chairs to read. Friendly staff. There is a gift shop. Good selection of books. The highlight here is the rooftop garden on the top floor which is in the open air overlooking the magnificent Colorado River. Five stars!

What a gorgeous library. I heard it was beautiful and very big, but haven't been able to get around to it. I only went because I was on a bus tour, and that was one of our stops. The view from the top is spectacular. Like crazy insane beautiful Austin. Just look at the pictures

This library is located in the middle of downtown Austin and is conveniently close to UT Austin. There is a parking lot underground and you get free parking if you leave within an hour. The first thing I noticed about the library when I walked in was how modern looking it was. The stairs from floor to floor are all entangled which make for great pictures although navigating up or down might be a bit confusing. There are six floors and each one has tons of tables, desks, computers, seating, reading rooms, and of course, books. It has all the ingredients of a modern library with phone charging stations. There's even a roof garden on the sixth floor with some outdoor seating as well. If I was a student at UT Austin I'd definitely come here to study or do some work. If all libraries looked like this one maybe I'd spend more time at them...

This is a really great place to hang out with friends and to use educational resources. This library is very spacious, filled with great art, and even a rooftop deck. I was especially surprised by the game area! Plenty of board games and card games to try out as well as connect four. Also a great spot to study and get work done!

One of our favorite places to bring our kiddos! The staff is beyond friendly and the kids section is top notch!

HAVING FUN ISN'T HARD WHEN YOU'VE GOT A LIBRARY CARD!!! This library ROCKS!! Seriously, shout out to whoever designed this place, because it's a work of art. It's vast, bright, spacious, and beautiful. Lots of color and light and little nooks for studying/reading/chilling. The reading deck and rooftop are lovely and offer excellent views of downtown. Everyone who works here is so sweet and helpful, and the coffee shop is also great! Check it out!

At the birthday boy's request, we took a walk to the Austin Central Library, which is one of the nicest, most interesting libraries I've ever been in. The architecture, both inside and out were beautifully designed with materials that worked well with the terraced walkway along the creek. The staircase evokes both M.C. Escher and Harry Potter! The roof top garden had tremendous views. The 3rd floor quiet room at the Austin Central Library, is something else. Great views and all sorts of book and reading quotes etched into a metal screen outside the window. Truly inspiring! Bravo Austin!

I love APL! I come here at least knce a week even though I dont live close by. I dont have a membership, or library card, but there are so many possibilities even without that. I'm a teen and the teen section has soooo many possibilities. There are instruments and art supplies, you could borrow a lap top, there are fun clubs, its amazing. The innovation lab on the 5th floor is great, and I like the board games that are available. I also love how many options there are for where you do your work/read/chill. My favorite place is the reading porch. I am so thankful that Austin has a place like this, and the staff is so helpful and kind. Plus, for a piblic place with so much traffic, the restrooms are kept pretty clean, and the womens restroom at least has feminine hygiene products.

Open, airy and easy to find what you need. Relaxing place to hang on the weekend, they have lots of fun seating and lots of creative spaces. There's people all I eat ready to help.

Beautiful library, a must visit on your adventure to Austin. Multiple floors that cater to different needs on each floor. Beautiful balconies to accommodate outdoor reading, with views of the river. The library even has a gift shop, and whoever is designing the merchandise is doing an excellent because it's all aesthetically pleasing and something you would actually want to wear.

I've never been to a 5 story library before, and this was worth the travel! I absolutely love the outdoor spaces on every floor, as well as the rooftop. There's a parking garage which is free for the first hour. The library also has a bookstore that has plenty local-made items and merchandise. I wish I was able to take advantage of this library daily!

VERY fancy and big! I brought my laptop and work from the library for couple hours. There're many different kind of seatings, for example regular desk and chairs, also many couches. There're many different sections for different age groups. There's a cafe at 1st floor. And most go the top floor, there's an outdoor reading area with water front views.

Just west of downtown, Austin Central Library is more than a house for books. The building itself is a design feet with stunning staircases, open windows and a rooftop that feels like a club. The kids section is so fun and cool. There's even a giant chess board!

I seriously love this library. There are endless things to do and see. The space is interactive for ALL ages and they have endless activities FOR FREE! The best part? The outdoor roof top for working views!

This place is spectacular to beautifully designed and decorated. It's a library but feels like much more lots of options here huge selection very well I organize and everybody wants to help. I recommend taking the stairs when you get there good exercise but the views are great for each section lots of little nooks and crannies and even outdoor patios on different levels. The roof deck is one for the books very spacious plenty of room spread out and some greenery and a beautiful view of Austin must go see!

Beautiful architecture & platinum level "green" building to last centuries. We'll done, City Of Austin! A great stop along the route of guided tour by @TransportYourself #electric #tours

7 floor library??? I could spend all day there man it was like my own playground. Staff was very nice in helping with directions. Seed collection on 6th floor, rooftop garden and seating area. They told us a cafe would be reopening in 2024? Too bad I'm not a resident and found out I couldn't borrow books unless I buy a $30 quarterly card, but there's a whole wall in the gift shop with books as low as $1!! I snagged a couple good finds from there. Loved the quiet reading area and the views

This is easily the biggest and most beautiful library I've ever visited. They also have numerous work stations on various floors if you need quick access to a computer but don't have one with you. Membership is free is you live in Austin and I've been borrowing e-books from them through the app Libby, which is very convenient. However the wait times can be a little long and tbh, if you plan on using their computers, I would recommend wiping down with a sanitizer/sanitizing cloth because these computers get used a lot, often. The rooftop views, balcony sitting and restaurant downstairs are big pluses. I can easily spend a whole day here. I come often and will recommend visiting at least once, even if you're just visiting Austin. Oh, they also have a 3D printer that prints little cool stuff.

Library is so beautiful and parking is free if you're there for under an hour! Go to the 6th floor for the amazing view of downtown, love it! Library cards are free if you're an Austin resident but you don't need a card to just sit and do homework! You can also borrow a laptop from them too, so great!

Gorgeous library with art exhibits, computer resources, and lots of comfy chairs. Oh, and lots of books too haha. My only two complaints are that I think the garage parking should be completely free (only free for one hour), the electric vehicle charger I parked at was broken, and the bathroom I used smelled so completely foul I almost didn't make it out alive. But definitely a cool and quiet place to be and get some books!

It rocked before. I hadn't gone to the Central branch for maybe a few years. Then they remodeled and relocated and now they made a perfect thing better yet. I love the redesign; it invites and welcomes you. If you can't find what you need for a research topic elsewhere, come here and the rows and rows and rows and rows and rows of books will offer more than you could ask for. It takes two buses for me to get here, so too bad it's not closer. Libraries, especially libraries like this one, shine as our government's crown jewels.

What a gorgeous building. The architecture alone is worth the visit. And even though most of the books I was looking for are located at other library locations around town and I have to wait for them to arrive at this location, the staff is so incredibly friendly and helpful.

This place is so nice! I love love the roof garden which is basically an outdoor terrain that people could relax and enjoy whatever they like. The library itself is huge inside with bunch of book collections and also some study rooms for group study or private meetings. The Wi-Fi signals are also pretty good.

After having lived in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, New York city, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, and Houston, I can honestly say Austin has the best Central metropolitan library of any place I've ever lived. With a café nestled in the corner, a garden terrace, an art gallery, an interactive art installation, and so many calendar events for the community, How could I complain?

Awesome place to relax, read and see the views from the top floor where they have multiple tables to sit and see downtown Austin.

Awesome views but if you're looking for a quiet place I wouldn't suggest it. Very loud and everything echos like a mall. Children running around the floors in groups, not my fav. They don't seem to enforce no talking or maybe I was just not in the right areas. But I moved multiple times and it seemed like the only quiet spots were the glassed office areas

I would've loved to have grown up with this library as a child because it's crazy nice and so big. The Town Lake views are dope. It's annoying how loud it is though. I know I should go to a silent room if I want it to be quiet, but libraries are generally supposed to be somewhat on the quieter noise level. Instead, I hear children screaming and running around and sometimes adults loudly speaking on the phone while everyone else around is working. Parking is outrageously expensive, so I am forced to save the environment and take the bus.

This is the most unique library I've ever seen. With updated technology, great food downstairs and a great atmosphere. This library even dedicates a floor to children, which I believe is the main reason why children cannot experience how fun the library can be. I'm from NYC where the libraries look like churches, but it's something that we've just gotten used to. An overall great experience. Thomas

Love this library. My favorite work place, reading place, hangout place, with wonderful river views. Staff are always helpful and professional and knowledgeable. Easy checkout and return service right by the entrance.