On May 7, Round Rock Public Library (RRPL) received Tech Logic Corporation’s People First Award in recognition of the library’s commitment to serving as a “relevant, ‘people first’ community center.” 

Tech Logic Corporation, which is a national provider of technology for libraries, noted that this commitment is evident in RRPL’s programs, team members and spaces at the library’s new facility in downtown Round Rock, which opened two years ago.  

According to Round Rock Public Library Director Michelle Cervantes, the design of the new building focused on the ability to house more people to serve the growing population of Round Rock. 

“We worked on the new building for more than 10 years, and the purpose was to put people first,” Cervantes said. “The building was specifically and intentionally designed for more staff, so staff could have the space to do amazing work, and for our patrons to come in and spend time doing what they need to do.” 

The new building’s spaces are often filled with people reading and learning together, teaching and practicing new skills, gaining certifications, building small businesses and more. In addition to the library’s collection, the focus is on highly adaptive facilities, such as the technology hub, maker space, multipurpose event and education rooms, reading and study rooms and a genealogy area. An entire floor of the library is dedicated to children and teens, and various elevated outdoor spaces provide views of nature and its urban surroundings.  

“The adult literacy team had been waiting for us to open the new building so they could have space, classrooms and resources,” said Cervantes. “This is the team that produces the programs for computer classes, English language learning, and all the programs for the grown-ups, and they are just doing amazing things.” 

Earlier this year, the Library received its seventh consecutive Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA). According to TMLDA, to successfully receive an Achievement of Library Excellence Award, a library must exhibit excellence by providing services to underserved and special populations, marketing in innovative ways, pursuing collaborative efforts, offering enhanced services through unique or expanded programming, providing literacy support, providing for digital inclusion, supporting workforce development, promoting cultural, topical and educational programming, comprehensively training staff and offering other unique services to their community. 

“From newborns’ programs all the way up to senior services, it’s really nice to see our community coming together,” said Anton Murray, Library Marketing/Events and Volunteer Coordinator. “The library is a very collaborative space.” 

RRPL’s work includes outreach initiatives and community partnerships that can be far-reaching. During the COVID-19 pandemic, library team members began delivering library materials to residents around town who couldn’t travel to the library. Ever since, this kind of outreach has been a dynamic way to connect with those who are homebound or who are in assisted living facilities and can no longer drive. 

“It’s been a significant quality of life improvement for people in those situations,” said Cervantes. “Our staff members bring me notes from people all the time and we hear the accolades. We’re also using our van to pop up in the community. This summer, we’ll pop up in parks and introduce people who may not be familiar with the library’s resources. We also use the van during parades and for many kinds of programs.” 

Staff training, resources and technologies are also important parts of the people-first investment at the Library, as the department has seen an increase in every service area by at least 30% since the opening of the new facility.

“We leverage technology intentionally to put people first,” said Cervantes. “Our book sorter is redirecting resources, so more team members can help people at the front desk, or in the stacks, or with programming, or doing outreach…. Repetitive tasks can be very stressful on the human body over a long period of time, so the more we can use technology to do those tasks, the healthier our team will be in the long run.” 

The success of the Round Rock Public Library is a testament to the Round Rock community’s investment in its people and its culture, Cervantes said.  

“It starts with the team,” added Cervantes. “Our volunteers, our staff, our Friends group – we all have that shared vision. It starts with grace, kindness and respect, and we can just continue to do that with anybody who walks in the door and with each other. That’s what’s so important.”