The City of Irving will celebrate the opening of the South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive, at 10 a.m. March 21.
Nestled between picturesque Millennium and Centennial Parks in the Heritage Crossing area, the new 52,570-square-foot South Irving Library will be the largest library in the city. At a cost of $9.7 million, officials see the opening of the new library as an opportunity to establish an oasis of technology, culture and education for all ages in the city’s southern sector.
The state-of-the-art building combines the best of energy efficiency and space design with traditional library amenities. Using customer feedback collected over the past few years, visitors to the new South Irving Library will discover more study rooms, quiet zones and flexible meeting spaces. In addition, visitors with laptops or smartphones will find more electrical outlets and faster Internet speed via Wi-Fi.
Parents and preschoolers are invited to explore the library’s new Discovery Zone early literacy center, while teens can get creative in the Make it Yourself Zone. Adults looking for a place to read will enjoy the quiet reading room or comfortable chairs with a view of two city parks. Along with the new facility, the South Irving Library will host new programs, as well as continue popular programs from the recently closed Central Irving Library.
With the new amenities and programs to enjoy, all residents are encouraged to stop by and experience the South Irving Library. The library’s hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
South Irving Library Opening Festivities
A Book for Everyone Celebration – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21
There is a book for everyone at the South Irving Library. Pick up a building map from Long John Silver and discover the treasure that is Irving’s newest library. Every hour, on the hour, until 1 p.m., guests will enjoy book-themed crafts, puppet shows, storytellers and marionette performances in support of the Discovery Zone early literacy center. In addition, guests can tour the building to find out about the library’s high-tech features, computer services, new online catalog, and services available through e-readers or tablets. In addition, see the library’s 3D printers at work and enter to win a prize by guessing which literary characters are being brought to life.
Elizabeth Eulberg Young Adult Author Visit – 4 to 6 p.m. March 21
Elizabeth Eulberg, author of the “Lonely Hearts Club” series will talk about her works, answer fan questions and sign books. Eulberg, a self-proclaimed music lover, karaoke enthusiast and cupcake connoisseur, writes novels that are fun and resonate with young adult literature fans.
Lit’s Alive! Presents a Pride and Prejudice Tea and Dance – 1 to 5 p.m. March 22
At this Lit’s Alive multigenerational event, explore Jane Austen’s classic work “Pride and Prejudice.” Attendees will make crafts, play parlor games and learn English Country dancing amidst a backdrop of extravagant Regency-era decorations in the library’s new “grand ballroom.” Costumes are encouraged.
