The City of Richardson will celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Richardson Public Library at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, following a renovation of the facility at 421 W. Arapaho Rd. The newly renovated Library features expanded spaces, improved accessibility and new amenities designed to better serve residents while preserving the building’s distinctive architectural character.
The Grand Reopening celebration will feature performances from local arts groups, along with family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, and demonstrations of equipment available in the Library’s makerspace. The Library will also unveil two new Library card designs during the event.
The renovation adds approximately 6,000 square feet of usable space through redesigned floor plans across all four levels of the building. Improvements include an enlarged children’s room, expanded teen areas with dedicated study rooms, and an expanded local history section. The building’s main entrance has also been relocated to the southeast side, providing a new connection to the Municipal Campus Fountain Plaza, and a glass-enclosed exterior staircase has been added.
Library Improvements and Community Input
The Library renovation was developed with input from residents, Library staff, and community stakeholders. In 2022, the City conducted a public survey and held meetings to gather feedback on how residents used the Library and what improvements they wanted to see. That information helped guide the design of the renovated facility.
The improvements also include new public artwork selected through a process involving Library staff and representatives from the Cultural Arts Commission, Library Advisory Board, and Library Teen Advisory Board.
The artwork includes “Lighter Than Air,” a colorful suspended installation by SOFTlab in the children’s area, and “Enchanted Silicon Prairie,” an exterior sculpture by Dallas-based Brad Oldham Sculpture featuring oversized Texas wildflowers, books and a stainless-steel bird. Brad Oldham Sculpture is known for several public art installations throughout Dallas, including the iconic “Traveling Man” sculptures in Deep Ellum and its signature stainless-steel BIRD sculptures. Its BIRD artwork was previously displayed near Richardson’s Library Fountain Plaza during the Ricochet art event. The new exterior sculpture is scheduled to be installed before the Grand Re-Opening.
Part of the Municipal Campus Redevelopment
The Library’s Grand Reopening marks a significant step in the larger redevelopment of Richardson’s Municipal Campus, which includes the renovated Library, construction of New City Hall, and improvements to the surrounding public spaces.
The improvements are supported by Richardson voters through the 2021 and 2023 Bond Programs. The Library renovation was funded through the voter-approved 2021 Bond Program, which also included funding for improvements to City Hall. Following an electrical fire in August 2022 that caused extensive damage to the former City Hall building, voters approved the 2023 Bond Program to support construction of a replacement facility.
The redevelopment incorporates feedback gathered from residents during public engagement opportunities focused on improving the Municipal Campus. Community priorities included preserving the existing Fountain Plaza, increasing green space, improving pedestrian connections and providing more areas for public gatherings and activities.
The new campus layout places New City Hall northeast of its former location, across the Fountain Plaza from the Library. The former City Hall site has been converted into additional green space, while new landscaping, public art and pedestrian improvements will help connect the facilities and create a more welcoming environment for visitors.
Impacted Library Services
The Library has operated from a temporary location at 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. during the renovation. That facility closed Oct. 11 to allow Library staff to move the collection, equipment and services back into the renovated building. Currently, only digital services through the Library are available until the facility reopens on Nov. 21.
Campus Construction
While the majority of the Library renovation will be complete in time for the Grand Reopening, some finishing work will continue into 2027. Construction will also continue throughout the Municipal Campus as work progresses on New City Hall and surrounding site improvements.
History of the Richardson Public Library
The Richardson Public Library has served the community since 1947, when it began as a small branch of the Dallas County Library operating from the Cash Dry Goods store on Main Street. As Richardson grew, the Library expanded, eventually moving into its first dedicated building on East Tyler Street in November 1959.
The Library’s current four-story building opened Dec. 1, 1970 and reflects the Brutalist architectural style, known for its geometric forms and prominent use of concrete. The renovation preserves the building’s architectural character while modernizing the interior and exterior to accommodate the community’s changing needs.
