Fort Worth Public Library
The Seminary South library will be moving to La Gran Plaza and taking on a new name, La Gran Biblioteca.
A major change is underway for the Seminary South branch of the Fort Worth Public Library; this spring, it's relocating to La Gran Plaza and getting a new name — La Gran Biblioteca.
The decision to move across the street is part of an ongoing plan for the Fort Worth Public Library to reduce barriers to the public’s access to books and other resources.
“We also know that a lot of the people who shop at La Gran Plaza and eat at La Gran Plaza, also use the Seminary South Library,” library director Manya Shorr says. “So why, I asked myself, are we making things difficult for people?”
La Gran Plaza sits one street and large parking lot away from the Seminary South library. The library will be moving from its current 8,000-square-foot home to a 2,500-square-foot space within the mall.
“It is smaller, but the public shouldn’t expect anything different,” Shorr says. “It’s going to be the same high level of service inside the mall as it is across the street.”
The Seminary South library typically sees around 80,000 people a year, Shorr says. With many patrons visiting both the library and La Gran Plaza, the two hope to draw off the business of one another.
“This is a really mutually beneficial partnership we are starting with La Gran,” Shorr says. “Many successful library systems have moved branches into retail spaces so that people, specifically families, don't have to travel with kids to multiple locations to do the things they want to do.”
The La Gran Biblioteca will have all the same resources as Seminary South. Books and DVDs will be available to check out. There will be a children’s area and computer access. The partnership with La Gran Plaza will also allow La Gran Biblioteca to have an outdoor programming space as well as the use of the mall’s stage for larger-scale programs.
The building at Seminary South will not be left empty. The Fort Worth Public Library plans on relocating the Genealogy, Local History, and Archives unit (currently at the Central Library) to the Seminary South location. This rehousing will allow for easier access to the unit.
The announcement of the move accompanied the reopening of all Fort Worth Public Library locations. While COVID-19 safety measures remain in place, patrons will be asked to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Temperatures checks and screening will also take place. More information about the reopenings is available at fortworthlibrary.org.
