westbank community library: construction countdown

As you drive along Bee Cave Rd have you seen the highway sign about the branch library? Volunteers Jeff Walker and Bill Lockett installed the sign that Clark Charbonnet designed. The sign is at the base of the hill where the library will be located. The actual library will be just below the crown of the hill.

Our branch library building contractor, Zapalac-Reed Construction, prepared a cost estimate for the Building Committee based on the architect's schematic drawings. The Committee took a deep breath before peeking at the bottom line. Because construction costs have risen dramatically in the last two years due to fuel costs, hurricanes, and extensive development in Asia, the estimate was high. Preparation of the beautiful but steep site will add to the overall cost dramatically.

The good news is that if our $1.5 million dollar Capital Campaign is successful, we will still be able to build a stunning second library with a breathtaking view of the hill country. It is clear that fundraising is more important than ever, so please, contact friends and neighbors and let them know about this project. It will be a vital and important resource for the entire Westlake community.

Wow! What a fantastic party to celebrate the branch library! Great food and music, and a wonderful show of support from everyone at the party!

Lisa Charbonnet delivered a warm welcome to our neighbors attending the party. She gave us a preview of how everyone will benefit from an additional library. Library visitors at both the branch library and the current one could look forward to the expanded collection of books, audiobooks, and movies, more programs for children, more meeting room space for community groups, and improved parking at the current library. She reminded us how this great community resource will require community support.

Ethan Glass and Jennifer Carter of Studio 8 discussed the design of the branch library. The beautiful view of the Hill Country will be on display through a curved glass wall. The 14,000 square foot branch library will feature a meeting room, technology center, quiet reading room, family room for storytimes and crafts, and a drive-thru window for reserve pick up!


Visit our website for more information on the branch library.

Drum roll, please! The drawings of the new branch library will be revealed on Thursday, September 14 during Westbank Library’s Preview Party from 6:00-8:00 PM. The Friends of the Library invite everyone in the community to the Preview Party.

Prepare to ooh and ahh over the architectural drawings by Studio 8 of the branch library, mingle with your friends and neighbors, and munch on hors d’oeuvres at this fabulous free party. Beer donated by Real Ale Brewing Company and wine will be served.

If you have visited the Library lately, you have probably noticed how well used we are. It’s easy to stay busy when more than a quarter million visitors a year check out half a million items. The current Library is beyond capacity in parking, study space, shelving, and usage.

The proposed 14,000 square foot branch library at the southeast corner of Bee Caves Road and Cuernavaca Drive will increase the level of service we can provide to the community. And it’s not just about more books. The branch library will also serve as a technology center for the community, provide professional reference services, and offer a variety of programs for all ages.

Even though Westbank Community Library costs 43% less to operate then other libraries that check out as many items as we do, we still need help from the community. We have saved and will borrow, but we need to raise $1.5 million to successfully complete our second library. Opportunities for donations will be available at the Preview Party, including the new Very Special Library Card for donations of $1,000.

We are the heart of the community, so we hope to see you at the Preview Party!

One of the myriad steps to develop the land is to "vacate" Old Bee Cave Road that meanders across the library site. Does anyone remember driving the old winding road through the hill country? Part of the "vacation" process was to obtain easement releases from 14 utility companies, provide a metes and bounds survey, and send the County a check for $680. The final step is a public hearing scheduled for August 8th. All of this proves that there is always something new to learn about my job!

Things are definitely rolling along. In the past month, we've resolved a number of issues, including

• finalizing the deed for almost 9 acres of land (thank you, thank you Texas Research International),
  
• started the process to officially close "old Bee Cave Road",
  
• revised and revised and revised the interior layout,
• sent out Requests for Proposals for a construction manager,
• as well as RFP's to fund a long term loan for $1,600,000.

Everyone that we speak with is just as excited about the new library as we are!

Incidentally the original library is bursting at the seam with summer activities....

We had a chance to get our first look at how the branch library might be situated on the site!

The Building Committee, the team of architects from Studio 8, and the engineers met at the branch library site yesterday. Everyone is thrilled with the site and the amazing views.