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Central Library

Central Library

512-974-7400
710 W. César Chávez St.
Sunday: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Monday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm

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Holiday Schedule

Holiday Schedule link

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2025

New Year’s Day:
Wednesday, January 1*

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday:
Sunday and Monday, January 19 & 20*

Presidents Day:
Sunday and Monday, February 16 & 17*

Easter:
Sunday, April 20

Memorial Day:
Sunday and Monday, May 25 & 26*

Juneteenth:
Thursday, June 19*

Independence Day:
Friday, July 4*

Labor Day:
Sunday & Monday, August 31 & September 1*

Veterans Day:
Tuesday, November 11*

Thanksgiving Day:
Wednesday, November 26 (close at 6 PM); Thursday and Friday, November 27* & 28*

Staff Development Day:
Friday, December 12

Christmas:
Wednesday & Thursday, December 24* & 25*

New Years Eve (all locations close at 5 PM):
Wednesday, December 31

2026

New Year’s Day:
Thursday, January 1*

* Dates are official City of Austin holidays.

Parking

Parking link

Pay to Park

The Austin Central Library features two levels of underground parking with 140 public parking spaces. The entrance is on West Avenue. Parking is not validated. If the lot is full try City Hall or use your favorite parking app.

Parking Rates

  • $0 0 up to 1 hour
  • $5 Over 1 hour up to 2 hours
  • $9 Over 2 hours up to 4 hours
  • $11 Over 4 hours up to 7 hours
  • $13 Over 7 hours up to 10 hours
  • $15 Over 10 hours up to 12 hours
  • $30 Over 12 hours or lost ticket

Street Parking

There is metered street parking on nearby streets. City pay stations accept credit cards, debit cards, and change. See the City of Austin's Parking page for more information.

PDF Map of Downtown Parking Options

Bus Routes

Call Capital Metro at (512) 474-1200 or visit capmetro.org/planner to find the most direct route.

Biking

The Central Library connects directly to both the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Shoal Creek Trail and the Lance Armstrong Bikeway. There are numerous free places to park bikes surrounding the Library.

Tours

Tours link

Public Tours 

For Adult tours, use our Group Library Visit Request Form or call 512-974-7400 to schedule a group visit. Tour length varies based on the topic.

For Youth Field Trips please fill out the form on the Central Library Field Trips Information Guide.

Tours for Adults

For adult groups, please contact us at least two weeks in advance to request one of the following types of visits. We can combine or customize as needed.

  • Building Tours (45-60 minutes): Hosted by volunteers with a focus on special spaces in the Central Library, types of materials on each floor, and library services. 
  • LEED/Architecture Tour (time will vary based on the request): Hosted by Facilities staff with a focus on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and behind-the-scenes systems. Please indicate your area of interest on the form.
  • Finding books/Using the online catalog workshop (30-45 Minutes): A librarian will provide an overview of our online catalog including the Virtual Library (downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks, digital magazines and streaming music and movies). 
  • Research Workshop (45-60 Minutes): A research workshop is an opportunity for your group to meet with a librarian and learn about our databases in our 15–seat computer lab. If your group has a specific research topic, we will focus on databases that best meet your needs for finding journal articles, primary resources and other scholarly materials. 

Youth Field Trips

The Central Library is a great place for school or youth organization field trips! During your visit, staff welcomes your group and tells you a little about the library, and then your group can explore the Children’s or Teen Areas. After this, your group may then explore the rest of the library on your own as best fits your interests and available time. Please schedule a youth field trip at least one week in advance (or sooner, for best availability). For more information about field trips, visit the Central Library Field Trips Information Guide.

Printing

Printing link

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You can print from a public computer or your device at all Austin Public Library locations, except the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, Austin History Center, and Recycled Reads. The cost is $0.20 per side. Black-and-white, letter-sized (8.5 x 11") only. We do not offer color printing at this time. Customers may not bring their own paper for printing.

Print from a public computer: Send your job to print and follow the prompts.

Print from a laptop or device: Choose your Austin Public Library location then upload your file OR email it as an attachment.

Pay for and release your prints at any Self Service Print Station with a credit or debit card for any amount or cash up to $5. Cash payments over $5 can be made at the Circulation Desk.

Events