Howson Branch, Austin Public Library

Wonderful small branch with helpful employees and great environment.

I love this location! super friendly librarians and a great selection of DVD’s, and all other materials.

I love the library. the staff is very feindly and they have huge choices of books there. centrally located but takes a few buses for me to get there. I love their meeting room bec it is so big as is their entrance.

My first real job was in a library, I had a crush on the librarian, and I seriously thought about getting an MLIS degree so I could work in libraries forever and recommend books to people. But then I did leave for college and discovered drugs & alcohol and became a real person.
In a nice way, I’m inclined to think libraries are somewhat obsolete in this digital age, much like newspapers and cemeteries. I really can’t remember the last time I held a hardcover book in my hands, just for the pleasure of reading it. (Okay, it was actually a couple of weeks ago, when I purchased a hardbound edition of Don Lao’s «I Became the Boat People» because it wasn’t available digitally. I never lie in Unilocal reviews.)
My point is if you’re going to have a branch library in the neighborhood, then this may be as good as it gets: There are books & magazines & DVDs & WiFi, comfy chairs & tables & charging stations for your car. And Howson has a friendly & helpful staff, especially when I was renewing my library card and downloading apps for the City’s extensive e-​book collection. I think the only thing you can’t do here is order a mocha latte and look real hipster.
But reading off digital screens aside, when I needed to study all 152 episodes of the television series «Combat» (starring Vic Morrow, and Rick Jason), our library system came through for me, when Netflix & Hulu couldn’t and Amazon wanted $ 250 to buy the DVD’s. I’ll always be grateful for that. And come to think of it, every time I’ve been to the Howson or Quarry branch or the main Faulk Center downtown, I’ve found something I wasn’t expecting, like an offbeat title so intriguing it was worth checking out. Kind of like discovering an old dog with new tricks. I’m just not always sure which one of us is the dog.

Solar panels have now been hooked up to electric car parking — 6 spaces total. Free, fast Wifi available and easy to connect.
Howson is one of the many branches that hosted the Super Smash Brothers Brawl video game tournament this year, which we have avidly participated in. I can’t say enough good things about the person who came up with this idea; it is just sheer brilliance and a dream come true for parent of gamers. Gamers tend to isolate a bit socially and, while they have opportunities to play with others online, it is often with people they don’t know and will never meet.
The SSBB tourney at the APL branches has really fostered a much needed sense of community among gamers. My son has only missed one tournament. He has so much fun talking shop with others who share his interests who he can actually keep in touch with and meet up with at future events. Plus, it leaves a lasting positive impression of libraries in the kids minds (for when they grow up and actually want to learn something!)
The children’s section here is a bit small and isn’t separate as in the case of some branches. I probably wouldn’t bring my rowdy little ones here for more than a quick visit and even then, only under threat of penalty or promise of ice cream for good behavior (don’t judge me!) :D
Normally, the atmosphere of the other branches is such that a little bit of kid excitement wouldn’t be much of a bother, but here I could see even normal inside voices presenting a problem. That is because even though this library is modern, it truly embodies the old customary library protocol: «Shhhhhh.» This is not so much spoken (or written) as implied. Many people are here studying… intensely. It is very peaceful and quiet, the perfect place to actually come and read. Even though there are quite a few people in here now, they all move and speak quietly, the only noise at all coming from the turning of pages, clickety-​clack of keyboard strokes and the occasional burst of kid noises from the video game tournament that escapes when the door to the conference room is opened.
The Louis F. Southerland room here is very spacious, although not as well equipped with seating as it should be. There are only two tables and both are occupied by single individuals. A small cubicle like desk sits in the corner. Other than that, there are just three rather large chairs that accommodate periodical readers or those who don’t mind siting with their laptops on their laps (me).
There are two other tables in the outer area that are the same size, and both taken by individuals. I’m not sure exactly how many people utilize the tables over different periods of time, but I might suggest that the library invest in smaller café style tables that seat 2 instead of the large 4-​seat tables. Not only would this not take up any extra room, but it would look more attractive and accommodate more parties of 1 or 2 (which is what I’ve seen the most of during my visit).
Overall, this library seems very suited to its residents and regulars. It is one of the quietest libraries I’ve been to in Austin. My only suggestion would be for the library to reconsider how it utilizes its space — especially in the study are. This quiet, secluded room seems to be prime real estate for its patrons, and it is severely wanting for more accommodations.

This is a mid-​century modern delight nestled in the slightly Stepford-​ish but still cute neighborhood of Tarrytown.
There’s a graphic novel and short story section.
There’s an excellent selection of indie and foreign DVDs
Covered parking made of solar panels (SO ON TREND)
You can request something online and have it transferred to be picked up here (amazing!)
Quiet and cozy… with WiFi
and lovely old lady librarians. I want to be them one day.

I am glad Howson is open again. When they were closed last year, we had to go to Faulk Central, not as close by from where we live.
Howson is not as big as Faulk Central, but it is comfortable and plenty of books for my kids. They love going here. My about-​to-​be-​5-​yrs-​old son loves picking his own books. The children’s books are all in low shelves, well within his reach. My daughter can always find some non-​fiction books she could read for her non-​fiction homework. I borrowed some cooking books here. If I had wanted to borrow a specific one that’s not available here, I could always go online and request it to be shipped to here. Very convenient!
My 8 years old daughter last year had her book clubs here. The library staffs were extremely friendly and helpful.
I am glad we still have nice perks like this!

Recently reopened after a second renovation, this library looks better than ever!
This was my go-​to branch when I first moved to Austin. Many, many years have now passed, and I’ve patronized most of the other library locations around the city. However, Howson will always have a special place in my heart. Even now whenever I step through its doors, it’s like coming home again.
The floor staff are always friendly and cheerful. The storytime specialist, Miss Devo, was a big hit with my children when they were younger. My children’s first babysitter was the daughter of the (then) branch manager. Even after we moved away from West Campus, I still had our reserved books sent here, then made the longer drive to pick them up, just to have the excuse to visit.
I’m constantly amazed at the selection and variety this little location has. Many times I’ve walked away with more stuff than from some of the larger branches. It’s one of life’s sweet mysteries.

I LOVE this mid-​century modern gem of a building and all that it has to offer! The Howson branch has graphic novels, dvds, covered parking made of solar panels, the convenient option of picking up a transfered article requested online, and a genuinely helpful staff of librarians to boot. The Howson branch is a shining paragon of what a neighborhood library should strive to be.
Sadly the post-​reno opening got moved from Nov 2 to Spring 2010 :(

Less than a five-​minute drive from where I live, I go to Howson every Saturday for my fix of books and DVDs. Thanks to Howson and their friendly staff, I’ve finally seen movies ranging from «March of the Penguins» to «Walk the Line.» The events held at Howson are also worth going to: lately, I’ve been attending the Studio Ghibli film festival events (every other Saturday at 2:00 PM) and have learned that «Howl’s Moving Castle» was based on a novel with the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, an English author. (I’ve finished reading the book and have started on the second in the series.)
Though the footprint of this library branch is not huge, you can conveniently place a hold on any book or other media item and indicate that you want to pick it up from your local branch. I haven’t done this myself, but I recently found out that you can also play available video games (ESRB-​rated between E through T) on the Wii, PS2 and GameCube (including Guitar Hero).
The verdict: I love my local library branch and hope that you visit yours, too!