At Austin’s public libraries, you can attend a yoga class, join a board game club, practice your English or Spanish with a group, or record a podcast — all for free.
Books might be the backbone of libraries, but Austin’s 21 locations offer a range of other services that people may not know about. And you can access these resources in a place that’s open to all — something that’s not always easy to find around town.
“Public libraries are community spaces. There are spaces that, when you come in the door, we don’t card you, we don’t ask you for money, we don’t ask you for your name,” said Hannah Terrell, director of libraries for Austin Public Library. “You can walk in our libraries because this is your space.”
This year, the library system has special programming to celebrate its 100th anniversary, with free activities exploring its history and future happening now through Dec. 23.
Library staff talked with KUT News about the services they offer that may not be on your radar.
A note: You can do a lot of things without a library card, but some services require one. A standard card is free if you live within certain boundaries around Austin. Find more information on getting a card at Austin Public Library’s website.
Get seeds for your garden
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
You don’t have to immediately donate seeds to take some from the library, but contributions help keep the seed collection program going.
Many library branches have seed collections that are supported by community donations. You can “check out” seed packets, invest in your garden and “return” the seeds from your plants when you’re able to. You don’t need a library card to participate; depending on the branch, you simply note what you’re checking out on a clipboard. The program’s web page has a list of locations.
Since the collection started in 2019, the Central Library has gone through nearly 300 varieties of seeds, adult services librarian Katrin Abel said.
“The popular ones are the ones you’re most likely to find. A lot of beans, squash, tomatoes, basil in terms of herbs and veggies. And then all the popular flowers. Texas bluebonnets, poppies,” Abel said. “We’ve had it all, and we’re happy to have it.”
The Central Library also hosts monthly “seed gatherings” where gardening enthusiasts can share seeds and help organize them for the collection.
3D print your latest project
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
Austinites with a library card can request to 3D print a design once a month, as long as the request fits a certain size and doesn’t take too long to print.
Once a month, library card holders can request to use the Central Library’s 3D printers. Fill out a form with the details of your request, check that it follows the library’s guidelines and pick up your creation within a week of completion. The Central Library also hosts monthly 3D printing workshops.
The printers are part of the library’s innovation space, which gives Austinites access to software to create music, videos, podcasts, animations and more. You can also reserve a private room with specialized equipment to work on your projects.
“People have actually recorded full albums in there,” said Linda Rodriguez, program development coordinator for the innovation space. “It’s not fully soundproof, but if you’re creating, we will let it slide.”
Complete a reading challenge and win a prize
Do you miss the thrill of logging your reading in elementary school and earning points for rewards? The library has its own version of this through its annual summer reading challenge. Track your reading through a paper log you can pick up at any library location or through an app. The goal is to read for a total of 600 minutes, or 10 hours, and complete three activities that fulfill the library’s mission: “Inspiring all to discover, learn, and create.”
“You’re gonna discover an APL [Austin Public Library] resource, you are going to learn something either at a library event or maybe you learn something really cool on your own, and then … you’re either gonna create something at the library, or you’re going to create something on your own and you’re going to tell us about it,” said Alanna Graves, librarian and summer experience coordinator.
The challenge runs from June 6 to Aug. 8 and is open to all ages. Kids under 18 can pick up a free book and adults can score a free mug by showing their finished log at any library branch.
More details on this year’s challenge will be available online closer to the start date.
Enjoy a rooftop view of downtown
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
“My favorite thing is our rooftop garden on the sixth floor. It has, in my humble opinion, the best view you can get in downtown Austin,” acting division manager Allison Steger said.
The Central Library has a rooftop garden on the sixth floor with seats and a view of Austin’s skyscrapers and Lady Bird Lake.
“I love to take people up there because they’re so surprised at how gorgeous it is, and it’s free and open to the public,” said Allison Steger, acting division manager for the Central Library.
Steger said the garden has been the backdrop for live music events, proposals and weddings. It’s one of several spaces at the central location available for rent.
For teens: Jam out on a guitar or drums
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
The Central Library has several instruments specifically reserved for teenagers to use.
Teens ages 13-18 can play a variety of instruments at the Central Library’s Teen Central space, including guitars, keyboards and an electronic drum kit. No reservation or card is required; teens can come in and play whenever the library is open.
“Sometimes we’ll have impromptu jam sessions where teens didn’t even know each other, but [they’ll say,] ‘Oh, you play the bass. I play the guitar. Let’s play something together.’ That happens all the time,” teen librarian Kathleen Houlihan said.
The Teen Central area also offers art supplies, gaming computers, a zine library and youth-specific social events.
Take your kids to story time
Story time events are “the meat and potatoes of children’s services at the library,” said librarian Suzan Nyfeler, who helps oversee the kids’ area at the central location. Every library branch holds at least one story time a week, Nyfeler said.
Story times can include drawing, dancing, singing and speaking in different languages. Some events are designed for specific age ranges, like “Books and Babies,” while “All Ages” story times cover kids 5 and under.
“We’re always learning something new. What’s up, what’s down, what’s in, what’s out, what’s big, what’s small,” Nyfeler said. “It’s a hoot and a half.”
Explore an art gallery
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
Mosaic artwork is currently on display on the sixth floor of the Central Library.
Want to visit a mini art museum? The Central Library hosts rotating art exhibits on the second and sixth floors that often feature local and Texan artists. The exhibits and events organized around them are free and open to the public.
“It’s nice to have a gallery in the library because then people can discover it as they walk through or learn about different types of art that they may not be aware of,” said Nicole Parker, exhibit coordinator at the Central Library. “It kind of increases access to the visual arts.”
The second-floor gallery currently features an exhibition by a Houston-based artist exploring connections in our natural environment. The sixth-floor gallery features mosaic portraits of cultural leaders from an East Austin art studio.
Get passport help
You can apply for or renew your passport with the help of library staff at the Central Library, the Ruiz Branch, Spicewood Springs Branch and Yarborough Branch.
The standard fees apply for getting your passport processed by the government, but staff are available to walk you through the process and answer questions for free.
“We absolutely want to make sure that people come in and get that extra [help], that little bit more than they would, say, if they went to the post office,” said Nancie Mathis, administrative supervisor for passport services.
Make an appointment on the library’s website.