About Us
At one point the Daniel E. Ruiz Branch was once the Riverside Drive Branch. At the time one of the smallest branches in the Austin Public Library system (at 5,079 square feet), but don't be fooled by its size. This big-hearted branch has a large neighborhood following, a solid history that spans over three decades, and an incredible knack for overcoming some pretty hefty challenges.
The branch officially got its start back in November of 1968 when APL opened its Montopolis Branch in a neighborhood shopping center at 735 Montopolis Drive. The new branch replaced a busy APL bookmobile that for over a year was stationed outside a nearby community center. Fifteen years later in 1983, having outgrown its quaint space, the Montopolis Branch was moved to storefront property within the Rivertowne Mall at 2007 Riverside Drive, and renamed the Riverside Drive Branch.
In 1991, after receiving a federal grant in 1990 to open a Job Information Center (which demanded more space), the branch moved once again-this time to a location within the Riverside Place Shopping Center. Although the Job Information Center has since been retired (in 1996), the branch offers area citizens a long list of wonderful programs.
In 1998, Austin citizens voted to replace Riverside?s current facility with one of the largest APL branches to date. The new 15,000 square-foot facility opened in January 2004 as the Daniel E. Ruiz Branch, located at Riverside Drive and Grove Boulevard. But whatever its size-big or small-this active South Austin branch will always strive to offer its community of citizens rich programs, great materials, and good old-fashioned personal service.
