City Of San Antonio: Landa Branch Library Celebrates 75 Years

San Antonio TX

31 March, 2022

6:36 PM

Description

Press release from the City of San Antonio: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 CONTACT: Victoria Villarreal, 210-207-2614 [email protected] SAN ANTONIO (March 30, 2022) - San Antonio Public Library is commemorating 75 years of service to the community at Landa Branch Library. The celebration will be in the style of a garden party on Saturday, April 2, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Plans for this free, public event include a formal speaking program followed by family-friendly activities and crafts, outdoor games, live music, and an outdoor exhibition exploring the rich history of Landa Branch Library. The anniversary celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a speaking ceremony featuring remarks by State District 26 Senator José Menéndez, Texas District 123 Representative Diego Bernal, San Antonio District 1 Councilmember Mario Bravo, Assistant Library Director Dale McNeill, and District 1 Library Trustee Jean Brady. Live music will be provided throughout the day by The TubaMeisters, the AM Project, and the St. Anthony Catholic High School Mariachi band. Once a private residency, Harry Landa donated the building and grounds for Landa Branch Library to the city of San Antonio in 1946 following his wife Hannah's death. Harry Landa dedicated the land and home in her memory with the understanding that it be used to establish a public library and children's playground. It opened to the public on April 1, 1947. Since its opening, Landa Branch Library has been substantially renovated three times through investment by the City of San Antonio and Landa Gardens Conservancy. In 1997, the library added an elevator and renovated the building's interior. From 2007 - 2008 the library roof was restored to its original tile and further updates were made to the inside. During this closure, the grounds were completely redeveloped by the Landa Gardens Conservancy, the nonprofit organization who meticulously maintain the gardens to this day. Landa Branch Library was renovated once again in 2017 to restore the building's exterior and replace fixtures, carpeting, and furniture throughout. Over its seventy-five-year history as a public library, countless San Antonians of all ages have visited and enjoyed the unique history and beauty of Landa Branch Library. San Antonio Public Library is hosting this anniversary to honor and celebrate that legacy. This event is made possible by the following sponsors: Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Landa Gardens Conservancy, The Eugenia and Lawrence A. Bertetti Foundation, and Laura & Mike Baucum. Visit guides.mysapl.org/Landa75 for more information about the event. For more information about San Antonio Public Library including locations and services, visit mysapl.org. Library staff is available by phone at 210-207-2500 or by chat at ask.mysapl.org. This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author's own.