Dallas Public Library - Mountain Creek Branch

History:

Mountain Creek Branch, Dallas Public Library's 20th branch library, opened in May 1994. The 3.06 acre site at Mountain Creek Road and Eagle Ford is believed by many to be one of the most beautiful locations in the area. The 12,700 square foot building features a 140 foot curved glass wall affording a panoramic view of the area including its landscaped grounds and a distant escarpment.

The Mountain Creek Branch library was designed by Dallas architects Milton Powell & Partners and constructed of native Texas limestone by Hyatt Cheek Builders Engineers Company under the supervision of the City of Dallas Public Works Department. The inch thick glass wall encloses a central reading room, offering readers a view of Texas wildflowers surrounding a small lake nearby.

The shelves and the light fixtures radiate from the front lobby like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Other building features include a 50 seat meeting room which is available for the use of local groups and a children's area featuring child sized shelving and furniture as well as brightly colored stuffed animals.

The library can house 50,000 books, 125-150 magazines, audio and videocassettes and a selection of other materials. The library was originally staffed by three professional librarians and eight support staff members and was open 43 hours a week.

In 1996 Mountain Creek Library was one of five winners of the 1996 Xeriscape Landscaping Awards sponsored by the City of Dallas Water Utilities and Public Works and Transportation Departments.