Best Austin Area Libraries (And Things To Do At Them)

When I walk into a library, local or school, I feel a sense of warmth and gratitude. Libraries are so amazing, mind blowing really. Am I totally geeking out by myself here!?! All of those books, written by actual people. They were once thoughts in a person’s head that turned into words on paper and eventually became an actual book that strangers pick up, open, hold in their hands and read.  Soooooo, with that being said…here are some of the best libraries in and around the Austin area and things that you can do at them. Yes, yes, mamas, libraries are not just for checking out free books but they have tons of fun kid friendly activities including summer reading programs!

1| If you have not been to the new downtown Austin Central Library, then run, don’t walk and check it out!  Without mentioning the multi-millions of dollars spent on it (oops), it is ridiculously amazing.  The children’s area is a phenomenal, closed off section on the 3rd floor with rows and rows of books.  They have computers for younger children to play on as well as some for older children.  Clean bathrooms right in the same area so you don’t have to leave, a large wrap around reading porch with fun comfy seating.  A large area of tables (and window seats) inside to sit down and read.  They have activities for adults of course as well as teen video gaming, an art lab, writing group, robotics night for tweens, all ages story time including pajama story time on certain evenings, crafting at Crafternoon, family game night.   Click on the link above to view the calendar of events!

2| The Cedar Park Library located at 550 Discovery Boulevard is another great one to put on your list to visit.  The enclosed child area full of toys and books.  Their calendar is full of activities for children of all ages, including teens, and tweens, as well as the little newbies.  They have story time for multiple ages, lap sit, little crawlers, 2s & 3s, preschool, and school aged.  They also have free fun such as kids chess, occasional morning and evening movies, reptile shows, gaming tournaments for teens and tweens.  It keeps going.  Click on the link above to view the calendar of events!

3| Next up is the Round Rock Public Library which is conveniently located across the street from a splash pad!  What, what!  Or Win, Win!  This splash pad is at the Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza, FYI.  So this large library is located in downtown Round Rock on East Main St.  The kids section is on the first floor so easy access. They have so many wonderful events at this library including multiple story times for different ages, Bow Wow program where you read to a dog (!), as well as Lego Building and tween programs.  They also have several resources such as homework help, homeschooling help and outreach programs.  Click on the link above to view the calendar of events!

4| Another great local ATX area library is the Pflugerville Public Library where you can check out a book or attend one of the many events they have for babies, young children, tweens, teens, and of course adults.  This library is large and very open with great seating areas.  They are open 7 days a week so go on a leisurely Sunday afternoon!  Some of the events include craft night, story time including bilingual times, special displays, puppet shows, hand sewing for kids, movie night…I can keep going on and on.  Click on the link above to view the calendar of events.

5| If you live in West Austin area then you must check out Laura’s Library as well as the Westbank library.  Laura’s Library has a lot of activities for children.  First of all, every Monday in the summer they have free play and food trucks!  Westbank has family night on Tuesday nights.  Movie nights, video game nights, different age story times plus music and movement.  These two libraries know how to keep the kiddos entertained!  Click on the links above to view a combined calendar of events for both libraries. 

6| Lake Travis Library is a vastly open and bright library with a sitting area perfect for reading.  They have a lot of kid friendly events such as character specific story times, music programs with different instruments, cooking classes for different ages and family movie nights.  Bee Cave Library is a newer library in the middle of Bee Cave Galleria.  They have a great selection of books as well as a ton of family friendly events including multiple story times, craft events, movie and family game nights, and a summer reading program.  Click on the links above to view the calendar of events.

7| Austin is a fairly large, spread out city and we love our libraries here especially our neighborhood ones.  Some other favorites that we have come across include certain branches of the Austin Public Library. 

a. Yarborough Branch is one of my favorite that is close to where we live in North Central Austin.  It is located off of Hancock and in an old historic movie theater known as Americana Memories.  They have a good amount of children books and a neat area with tables, chairs, puzzles.  They have a separate room for story times and always have fun scavenger hunts for the older kids to do.  Click on the link above to view the calendar of events.

b. North Village Branch is another great one in North Central Austin.  It is a newly built location.  The librarian there is amazing!  Incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming and helpful!  They have lego lab for kids 5 and up where they basically dump a big sack of legos on the floor for the kids to be as creative as possible for an hour.  They have different age group story times as well and a chance to read to a dog…what!  Click on the link above to view the calendar of events.

c. Spicewood Springs Branch has a large room for story times and they have a lot of events as well including sewing felt characters while watching movies!  They have a huge kids section to look around for books and a small play area.

d. Twin Oaks Branch in South Austin is anther one to mention.  It has a kids area with 3 separate entrances depending on your height with bright colors.  They have tons of green space around the library to even sit and have a reading picnic with outdoor sitting areas as well as veranda.

Let us know what library you prefer to venture to with your littles and what fun events you have experienced at your local ATX area library!

Abigail Head
Abigail Head is a native Texan living in Central Austin with her hunky husband, Chad and their two strong willed rugrats. Their 6 year old son, Teak, is a true walking miracle and a strong force to be reckoned with. Sloan, their spunky firecracker and 2 year old daughter, is a fearless monkey on the playground. Abby loves chocolate, antiques, being creative, authentic people, and lots of coffee! She has been in the real estate business for over a decade however these days keeps busy wrangling her two little redheads and tries to find time to do something else she loves, write. Follow her and her family's shenanigans in the little squares on Instagram @theheadhouseatx or her little blog www.theheadhouseatx.com.

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