Willie Mae Kirk Branch, Austin Public Library — Attraction in Austin

It's one of the smaller APL locations (not even close to the smallest) but it has a varied well curated collection with some of the friendliest library staff in the city. Overall this library has a welcoming community feel to it. In general: It's quiet throughout most of the day, you can usually find a space to sit even during peak hours, and theirs usually a computer free without much of wait. In terms of laptop/device accessibility: it has the same wifi speed as the rest of the APL system but lacks the slowdown that some the larger branches suffer during peak hours, their is a surprising number of good spots to set up and you can usually find a place even during peak hours (provided your semi-flexible). Quirks: +Excellent spot for bird watching. The wild areas nearby lends to frequent visits to the creek (next to library) by wildlife one does not usually see so close to concentrated human construction. I have observed egrets, herons (great blue), swallows, and a bluebird on top of the usual city crowd. +The building is a popular nesting spot for Barn swallows. They can be seen swooping around the building early in the day and they have a quite pleasant song. If your lucky enough to visit at the right time during late spring you might catch sight of them building their nests on the side of the building or see their chicks sticking their heads out to glare at you. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you see a juvenile swallow on the ground do not panic (most parent birds will continue to feed grounded chicks) or try to pick it up (It will cause a great deal of stress on the bird). Birds frequently end up on the ground while their learning to fly. -For security reasons the bathrooms are locked (their still open to patrons you just have to approach a librarian for access). The building has two wings connected by a entry lobby (architecturally it's all one building) one section has the library proper and the other has the public meeting room and restrooms (in most APL branches you enter the meeting room and restrooms from inside the...

This is one of my favorite library branches! The librarians are super friendly and there's all kinds of cool community support resources. I especially love that my toddler is always the only child in the kid's section and that masks are required - it's one of the only places I feel safe taking my kid right now, with the pandemic. He loves picking out board books and I'm able to wander around and pick out some picture books for him without worrying about him contracting Covid. But what really makes this place are the librarians - so friendly, welcoming, helpful, and...

Great little Library. Surprisingly deep selection and the kindest staff. I usually go to the massive new facility down on Cesar Chavez. But this one is just absolutely nostalgic for me, reminds me of being in elementary school. Even smells like the old school libraries, in a good way lol. But seriously this place has something for everyone and the staff is so kind. Much kinder than the staff at the Cesar Chavez location. No one looks at you funny here or judges you....