Milwood branch library closing postponed to analyze community input

Employees are still sifting through written feedback from residents who attended the meeting. APL has not yet determined a closing date for Milwood, said Heidi Tse, project coordinator for the Milwood renovations. However, APL is considering using a 900-square-foot meeting room on-site as a temporary space, or pocket library, to provide services to the community during the closure.

Community members said some of the services most needed at the pocket library include the availability of children's books, placing books on hold, drop-off services, public computer stations and volunteer opportunities. Although it has not been finalized, Tse hopes to open the pocket library by March, which would also determine Milwood's closing date.

Posted Oct. 21

The Milwood Branch of the Austin Public Library will remain open while staffers receive community input about its closing for renovations, library staff announced Oct. 16.

The library, located at 12500 Amherst Drive, was previously scheduled to close from Nov. 10–December 2015 for renovations such as installing new flooring, repairing the HVAC system, adding electrical outlets, replacing worn furniture and fixtures, and upgrading technology.

APL hosted a public meeting Oct. 15 to inform residents about the project and receive feedback about the timeline. Heidi Tse, project coordinator for the Milwood renovations, said the meeting was productive for staff, and more than 70 residents attended.

"We wanted to let them know that we are hearing [their concerns]," Tse said.

Library staffers are contemplating how to shorten the timeline of the project, she said. A second public meeting will be scheduled, Tse said, and residents encouraged to share their ideas about the project at that time.

Meg Davis, president of the Milwood Neighborhood Association, attended the Oct. 15 meeting and said the Milwood Branch is one of the most used branches in the city. Closing it for 13 months would have put a strain on the community, she said.

"The library is such a big part of our community that we really needed a workaround if we were going to lose it for 13 months," Davis said.

The neighborhood association is discussing how to provide the community with library services during the branch's temporary closing, she said. Options discussed include temporarily renting a facility, but Davis said she is not sure how feasible it would be or how it would be funded. The MNA could host fundraisers to cover any rent costs, she said.

The neighborhood association is considering calling a special meeting to continue the discussion, and meeting dates will be posted on its website at www.milwoodna.com.

A date has not been set as to when the library will close for renovations. Residents may click on the following to view the presentation from the Oct. 15 meeting and the Milwood Neighborhood Association's notes from the meeting.