In a significant step towards the realization of Cedar Park's vision for a state-of-the-art library, City Council members, fully geared in personal protection equipment, got an up-close look at the construction of the new Cedar Park Public Library on April 29, according to a recent press release. The site, nestled next to Bell Park and its walkable Bell District, is a beehive of activity as contractors from JE Dunn transform architectural plans by Lake | Flato into a tangible community hub.

Marked by towering structures, the upcoming library promises to be a cutting-edge, two-story, 47,000-square-foot facility aimed at redefining the traditional library experience. Catering to community demands for advanced technology and STEM learning resources, the facility will sport an expansive collection of books, world language materials, and STEM kits. Walking through the construction site, council members saw where technologies, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, will soon call home, along with an interactive book return system that entertains patrons as it sorts books.

Community gathering spaces are also a focal point of the new library. Council members toured future children's museum exhibits, two Makerspaces designed for hands-on creativity, a secluded area for those seeking tranquility, and an outdoor reading porch destined to become a local haven for bookworms.

In a city where the existing library serves over 300,000 visitors each year, the anticipation for the new facility is palpable. During the tour, wearing hard hats, council members could see outdoor spaces beginning to take form, not just imagine them. The library, whose construction kicked off in January 2023, is on track to open its doors by the end of 2024, as reported by the city.

Julia Mitschke, Cedar Park Library Director, shared her enthusiasm with the press: "We were delighted to have the Cedar Park City Council join city staff on a tour at the new Library facility. Council was able to see how the Cedar Park community's investment in this key civic space is progressing. As a project that has been in the works for several years, I think it was timely and rewarding for the council to experience how the community's vision for a new Library is becoming a reality at this phase of construction." The new library is shaping up to be a cornerstone of Cedar Park's commitment to fostering education and community engagement.