Ruiz Branch – Austin Public Library

Really do like this library. The people who work there are very helpful and knowledgeable. Different selections of books for all age groups. Also, great place to go if you need a computer to use. Have not been to an Austin library that I did not like.

I spent about 20 minutes writing a review, then it prompted me to log in and I lost it all.
Yea. I’m not all that bright, but I was writing about how I just started going back to the library to write my novel because I’m trying to be super serious about it and found that this library is just a mile from my house, stays open pretty late — which helps out a lot because life gets pretty crowded. But I’m usually free from 7 – 9, after all the social and household duties have been met.
And, it’s been great. I like going there. I can always find somewhere to sit and I won’t be bothered. I have time to get into super-​serious author mode and write for an hour or so.
Sure, there’s noise. There’s the occasional distraction. But, that’s going to be true, no matter where you go. And, here’s a plus, it’s not YOUR distraction — you don’t have to care about it. You can tune it out.
Kids? It’s summer. Sure, there’s kids. But, that’s kind of great, too. At least they’re in a library and not in some dark, dubious corner somewhere doing gawd knows what. They’re in a library. A Library! A place as full of wonder and possibilities as you allow it to be.
Libraries are community spaces. «Community» does not just involve me and my pristine, rigid idea as to what a library should be. I go there to write and write, I do.
The space is bright. There’s a security guard that walks around, which is kind of odd, but okay. The librarians are helpful and know exactly where everything is. There are rooms off to the side that look like meeting rooms which I haven’t explored because, you know, I’m there to write. And, when I leave, the sky is usually dark and people are at the bus stop or they’re walking away to wherever they’re going, with books under their arms, backpacks over their shoulder.
It feels scholastic. I know it’s not — but I feel as if I’m a part of something bigger than myself — as if I, and the rest of the people there, are engaged in our own independent act of discovery. It’s nice to have that sort of free, community service so close to home.

I visit the Ruiz Branch Library almost once a week. Free wifi. Lots of interesting programming. They have a teen center where kids come after school and use computers. I can’t tell for sure, but it seems like there were also adult tutors assisting kids there with their homework.
The collection is reasonable. Lots of prominent Young Adult and kids books on display. Decent selection of movies including many recent releases on Blu-​ray!
With your free Austin Library membership, you can reserve a book online and have it sent to the Ruiz library to have it waiting for you when you arrive. If the book or DVD is at a different library, it might take a couple of days to be sent to Ruiz, but this service is super convenient. You can also return books at any library regardless of where you checked them out.
The staff is very helpful, btw. If you need help finding something, they are always happy to assist.
I would have given a five-​star review except that the whole Austin Public Library system has a policy of requiring patrons to not wear sunglasses or hats that would obscure their appearance. The signs say it’s for safety, but clearly that’s a euphemism for surveillance. I would prefer to anonymously check out my books thank you very much.

I agree. Too many unattended kids making noise. It’s alright, if you come in the morning before it gets too crowded.

This is the loudest library I’ve ever been to.
The computers are right by the check-​in desk where the employees talk loudly and bang stuff around while they check stuff in.
Even the keyboards are loud.
All of the neighborhood children are left unattended at the computers (despite signs saying not to do this) and they yell back and forth at each other. No one seems to care.
Don’t come here if you’re trying to do anything that involves reading or concentration.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Austin public libraries and this one in particular. One reason, it’s not even a mile from my house. Reason 2, it’s not creepy like some of the other ones. #3, not a lot of little kids running around like maniacs like my old branch. #4, everything is SO streamlined but not only this branch but the APL PERIOD. I love our library system so much. Thanks!

I love my library. The librarians are just like I remember the librarians of my youth. Though fairly new, it still smells slightly of stale book pages that will NEVER be replaced by Kindle, ipad, etc.
Efficient, quiet, easy-​accessible, but off the beaten path… just how I like to work. And, more importantly you CAN have coffee now… Woo hoo!

The Ruiz library is one of APL’s larger branches. Specially designed and built from the ground up some years ago, it still looks and feels like new. It’s a gorgeous place, surrounded by open, park-​like green space and an ample parking lot.
Inside, its bright, airy space is filled with rows and rows of books, audiobooks and DVD’s. There are free Internet stations for adults, a lovely reading area with easy chairs, a separate room for computer training/​job searching, a spacious indoor break room (I enjoyed my take-​out lunch in here today!) and a large children’s area complete with separate «Wired for Youth» computer room.
Just want someplace to do research or homework? No problem. There are chairs and large tables near the entrance. Lots more smaller tables with chairs are placed near windows throughout the building. All have peaceful, green park views. And my favourite… three custom built single benches tucked between bookshelves along one side wall… these make very cosy individual reading «nests».
Most of their books are in very good condition. I also love it that Ruiz has a large collection of both adult and youth «recent» books, and have prominently displayed «recent» sections to showcase them.
Another gem of a library!

Friendly staff, decent selection for a branch library. I joined the library system, finally, after a few months of living in the neighborhood, and I’m happy to have done so.
I interviewed the teen and children’s librarians for an article, and if I had kids, I’d be happy to know these were the people guiding my kids’ literary selections. They’re friendly and good with their audience.
The reading room is bright and airy, and the overall architecture makes it feel like you’re in a much more extensive collection than you actually are. Of course, I’d like to see more books, but there are other branches for that.
Checkout limits are generous — unlimited books at 3 weeks per checkout, and up to 20 DVDs, 20 CDs and 20 tapes at a time.