The McAllen Public Library in Texas is amazing. It is the size of two-and-a-half football fields and it is located on a single story. That’s because the building was converted from an old Walmart that had been abandoned by the company. The abandoned location was empty for many years, when city officials decided to hire the firm of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle, Ltd. of Minneapolis to turn the abandoned location into a world-class learning and recreation facility. When they were finished it became the largest single location library in the United States and one of the most amazing to visit.
This is what the library looked like before the reinvention.
The library features an open design with plenty of room to move around.
The children’s section is enormous.
Along with books there is also a cafe, used bookstore, and an art gallery.
Because of the open design the library also features a soundproof room for teens.
It is one of the nicest designed libraries in the United States.
There is even a lecture hall that is used by thousands of people every single year.
What other library has a line of people waiting for it to open every day.
The library features10 computer labs for kids.
There are also 14 study rooms, 64 adult computer labs, two genealogy labs, and 15 public meetings spaces.
There are also plenty of tables to sit as in various sections of the library.
Just look at how happy these kids are to be at the library!
This location won the 2012 Library Interior Design Competition held by the International Interior Design Association and since it was built library attendance in the city has increased 23 percent.
Turning an abandoned Walmart into a library would seem like a silly idea if we didn’t see it happen right in front of our own eyes.
