HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10555INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10555
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 23, 2021
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: RELOCATION OF SEMINARY SOUTH BRANCH LIBRARY
TO LA GRAN PLAZA AND ASSOCIATED CHANGES TO
LIBRARY SERVICES
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information on service and location changes
coming to the Fort Worth Public Library this year. These changes affect Seminary South Branch;
the Genealogy, Local History, and Archives section; and Central Library. The changes are being
made to enhance the services offered by the library, increase participation in library resources
and programs, and use city resources more effectively. These changes are responsive to service
needs, recommendations and goals identified in the Library’s Strategic Services Plan and the
Master Facilities Plan.
Seminary South Branch moving into a retail space at La Gran Plaza
Timeline: Spring, 2021
The current Seminary South location at 501 E. Bolt Street was built in 1967. W hile across the
street from La Gran Plaza, it is separated by a large parking lot with no direct access to public
transportation. With 80,000 annual visitors, it makes sense for the library to bring their patrons to
the mall and increase traffic. Those who come to the library are likely to stay to shop and eat at
the mall. La Gran Plaza sees the value in this arrangement and is leasing the space for $2 per
year, with the library covering incidental costs out of their existing budget. The library will offer
books, DVDs, public computer access, and programming (the mall performance stage will be
available for library use). The Mayor & Council Communication to approve the lease contract is
on the April 7 City Council agenda, and the library hopes this will be a model for future increases
in library service locations. The new library will be called La Gran Biblioteca.
Genealogy, Local History, and Archives moving to the Seminary South location
Timeline: Summer, 2021
The Genealogy, Local History, and Archives department (GLHA) is currently located in the
basement of the Central Library, but this is not an ideal location for the population served. GLHA
serves an older population who does not like to navigate and park downtown, only to have to
traverse a large building. W ith the library branch moving into La Gran Plaza, it provides an
opportunity to move GLHA into a stand-alone location right off of I-35 with a dedicated parking lot.
This move will allow the section to be open separate hours that work best for their service
population, freeing up the staff to spend more time programming, researching, and other tasks
that are difficult for them to do in the current location. Seminary South is significantly smaller than
what GLHA has at the Central Library so users will occasionally have to wait for material to be
brought over, but the benefits to this arrangement outweigh the negative, especially considering
the prompt reuse of the branch building. The new space does not have a name yet.
Reopening of the street level of the Central Library
Timeline: March 30, 2021
As the library plans to open the remaining seven locations to the public, a decision has been
made to close the lower level of the Central Library permanently. With GLHA moving to the
current Seminary South location, it is possible to consolidate all services to the street level. The
basement level was built in 1978 and has well over a million dollars in deferred maintenance.
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10555
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 23, 2021
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: RELOCATION OF SEMINARY SOUTH BRANCH LIBRARY
TO LA GRAN PLAZA AND ASSOCIATED CHANGES TO
LIBRARY SERVICES
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
While the street level is also aging, it was constructed in 1995 and at 150,000 square feet is big
enough for a central library. Current downstairs services will be moved upstairs and the lower
level will be used for storage. The library has ideas for the space in the future, such as co-working
spaces for entrepreneurs, a recording studio, performance space, and much more.
The Seminary South Branch and Central Library are both located in Council District 9.
The remaining six curbside only libraries will open for limited service on March 30. The locations
are East Berry (District 5), Ella Mae Shamblee (District 8), Meadowbrook (District 5), Northside
(District 2), Riverside (District 9), and Wedgwood (District 6).
Library staff is working with City Communications on an awareness campaign that will engage
with neighborhood associations around Seminary South/La Gran Plaza, downtown stakeholders,
and the research/archives/genealogy community.
If you have any questions on this report please contact Manya Shorr, Director, Fort Worth Public
Library, at 817-392-7706 or manya.shorr@fortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager