Visitando una biblioteca principal en el Valle del Rio Grande…read moreVisiting a main library in the Rio Grande Valley (2 of 2) I had to spend about 1.5 days in McAllen, Texas, which is one of the bigger cities in the Rio Grande Valley, along with Brownsville and Harlingen. If you look at what you can do in McAllen, their main library, the largest one on one level in the United States, will be on that list. I asked myself how that could be ... and in McAllen. I had to take a look. The answer to that shows how it gets 5 stars from me, with one star for each word in the following phrase: "Walmart Becomes A Stupendous Library" I did not know that until I got here and asked if the library was built from scratch. I learned that it was not. A Walmart that was no longer operative was repurposed to become the city's main library and, in so doing, became the most spacious one-story library in the U.S. of A. Overlooking the aesthetics of McAllen's main library branch, which is hard to do, the library does everything very well. The collection is vast, with stacks in every direction. In between the stacks are pleasing seating areas and broad expanses of tables, all under excellent illumination. There is a very large children's room and some of its features are humorous and innovative. In fact, art installations throughout the library are clever and interesting. Upon walking in, there is a large tech center with computers and other available features. There's even a small cafe' from which I was able to get some tasty, small, and nicely priced desserts after having had dinner. Even the restrooms are spacious and kept in excellent condition. That everything looks new(er) goes without saying. While I didn't need as much service as I needed at Brownsville, where I handled the technical matters I needed to attend to, the staff was definitely pleasant. They answered my few questions and seem proud to be a part of this progressive library. The main McAllen library's repurposed exterior is also very pleasing to look at. Built into the outboard side of the covered auto canopy is a water feature that drips into a fountain. Additionally, there is an adjacent glass tower that changes colors, which is much more commanding when it's dark outside. The parking lot, with entrances off of a main artery, is capacious. If all this wasn't already making for a very good vibe, I had an experience that was a first and really funny, at least to me. As I was walking back to the car in the parking lot, an obviously local woman comes careening around a corner and rolls down her car window to frantically and excitedly ask me if the library was still open ... in Spanish! With a baseball cap on, I don't think she got a good look at me and, being in the Rio Grande Valley, she must have assumed that whomever she spoke with would speak Spanish. She got lucky. I took my collegiate Spanish courses very seriously (since they were usually comical and good fun) and responded with, "Creo que esta abierta por quince minutos mas." At this point, some Americanized cadence might have filtered through, she looked a little thrown off, and she then landed on a parking space. And, here, I had taken Spanish electives with the hopes of one day visiting Spain and Argentina. A few decades ago, speaking Spanish to someone if you were obviously not Hispanic could have been seen as patronizing, especially if the person doing it was one of those "dos cervezas por favor" types of idiots. Things keep changing and now I feel that more people in America welcome your speaking Spanish to them. This definitely appears to be the case in the Rio Grande Valley. I turned on the ignition to the car, howled with laughter at what just happened, and drove off. Most people, especially if younger, go to the library to get something done. Someone who doesn't have to get something done may go for the enrichment it provides. I can't imagine anyone needing to have their teeth pulled to go McAllen's main branch of their public library. Even just reading about it and the record the McAllen main branch holds, I didn't need to come here. I wanted to come here. And, if in this area, or even in and around South Padre Island, I will probably make a special trip to this unique library just because I want to.

Amazing spot for the latest books and other resources! Really enjoyed their vast collection of…read morematerial, from popular fiction to the latest nonfiction books. Also, the study rooms that you can book in advance were amazing! Online reservations and the check-in process were easy. Spent a string of days working here and the tasty Texas Pecan coffee from the Rise and Shine cafe at the front of the library was perfect. Librarians were incredibly helpful.

Great place to study and feels cozy. The quiet area was perfect for a place to concentrate. When I…read morecame as well they had seeds and a booth to help grow things which I found very sweet.

Visitando una biblioteca principal en el Valle del Rio Grande…read moreVisiting a main library in the Rio Grande Valley (1 of 2) In and around South Padre Island, there are no big libraries with many bells and whistles. There is a small one in Port Isabel and its hours are limited. That said, the nearest big city is Brownsville, the large and spread out port of entry to the U.S. from Matamoros, Mexico. Brownsville seems to have somewhat of a downtown there, albeit not a very nice one. The library is further north from this area, on quieter and more spacious streets as one heads north toward the big shopping areas. There is a very large parking lot behind the library. I had to go into the city's main library having to do some things beyond the capability of a laptop, accessing software and features probably on a library's computers. I was able to do so. The computer room is a large rectangular one with computers at the perimeter and a long island, also with computers on both sides, in the middle. A person is assigned to the tech desk and they helped me with what I needed to do. At the end, a librarian who appeared to be in a management role up front helped me with some additional formatting and checking and got the needed information to me. I was initially greeted by circulation desk personnel who told me where I could find things and, thankfully, not where I could go. (I'm trying to be humorous.) After speaking with the employee in circulation, there was a small food vending counter and I bought a sandwich and something to drink, for which there are adjacent tables. There are many books in their extensive stacks as well as comfortable chairs interspersed throughout the library for patrons who might want to browse through books and other reading material. They have study rooms in addition to a larger quiet room. I used the latter and the atmosphere was appropriately quiet. The city's main library befits the size of Brownsville and most likely fills most of the needs of its catchment area. I encountered an engaged level of patron service on my lengthy afternoon visit to the library. In addition to helping you with their resources, they were also a good source of information about the general area.

This review may be a little biased but I've been coming here since I was a little kid. The place…read morealways feels like home and it's so nice and comfy. The study rooms provide a quiet and sound ambient for studying. Their wide selection of books is good for when you want to check out or come on your free time and have a good read. The staff are always welcoming and so helpful with all needs and inquiries. All in all, comfort is by far the best way to describe this place.

Excellent place to study, have a group study, use computer. You can find books, magazines, movies,…read moredocumentaries and information by internet. Everything here at the Pharr Memorial Library. They have also activities for Kids and more Staff really helpful and friendly. The installation so clean and organized.

They remodeled not to long ago, very nice inside and out. They have a great book selection, they…read morealso have some on sale for $1 tons to choose from. I really like that they offer DVD rentals not only educational but also drama and action as well as a few others. They have over 200 computers at your disposal, with your free library card of course. This is a great place to print copies, system is very user friendly nice and simple. They also have private rooms if you have baby's that won't be still or for tutoring as well, there is a computer in each room, very useful. Staff is very polite and attentive willing to answer your every question. This is a great location I invite everyone in the area to stop by.

This is a wonderful 102 year old library in Mission who offers free Wi-Fi, free, ample parking, a…read moreterrific work space, complete research, enjoy a day reading or just bring the kids to enjoy the children zone. You'll find large spacious work areas throughout the building with a total of 250 PCs with 6 PCs to a computer area. One of my favorite areas is the very functional, private study rooms for conference calls or study groups. Fabulous! The library has meeting rooms they reserve to civic, cultural or educational groups. The children's area is comfortable, fun and a happy environment with numerous great books, children's PCs on size appropriate tables and reading zones. The library offers a free summer kids lunch program which was very popular and life saving for many families. The staff is friendly, very helpful and extremely accessible as they move around the library. The restrooms and building are close to immaculate with not even a spot of dust on the bookshelves I visited. The windows and PC screens are not covered in fingerprints and PC keyboards are spotless and dust free. The size and 3 spoke layout keeps congestion to a minimum and gives you a sense of space and privacy. It appears many people spend a large portion of their day here since it's such a comfortable work space and a great place to get in out of the Valley heat. I noticed several folks work in the lounge/break area all day. It's a nice size room full of natural light with the large windows. The room is set up with several large tables along with soda and snack vending machines. You're allowed to bring in your own food and drink or bring in fast food but all food and drink must be consumed in the lounge area of course. Several folks work in the lounge area for hours, needing coffee next to them while on their laptops and requiring their cell phones while they work. You'll find very informative exhibits along with floor displays covering the history of the Speer Memorial Library. When the City of Mission needed space to build the library in 1976 they ask Juanita Speer Farley if she would sell her property. She said no to the property sell. As a memorial to her parents, she presented the people of Mission the deed to her inherited two acres, flower-filled property on 12th Street which her father, George, had acquired when he first came to Mission. Juanita had one stipulation for the city before releasing the deed to the City of Mission. That the family cat, Morton Downey's, grave must never be disturbed. You ask who Morton Downey, the cat is. Morton Downey was the beloved cat of Mr. and Mrs. George Speer and Juanita named after Morton Downey, the silver-voiced, radio, Irish tenor of the Forties. When Kitty Morton Downey died, his small body was buried in their sunny field filled with wild flowers owned by the Speer family. An anacua tree was planted to shade the tiny grave of Kitty Morton Downey. The tree has grown and spread its branches as though aware it had a duty to perform and the field full of wild flowers brought peace to the family. Years past, the couple passed and the town of Mission grew. When Juanita was asked to sell the property she presented the property to the City of Mission with the only stipulation their cat, Morton Downey's grave must never be disturbed and the Speer Memorial Library became a reality. Take a moment and walk down the sidewalk to the corner of 12th Street. You can visit the small white marker bearing the name of Morton Downey, dated January 19, 1964 surrounded by shrubs under the anacua tree still guarding this small plot under its spreading branches. Kitty Morton Downey will sleep, undisturbed, under the anacua tree for years and years to come. What a generous gesture of love to the City of Mission and a touching story to share with your family and children for decades to come.

We like to visit the big things. After our trip to SPI we stopped here on the way home.read more

The public library and its surrounding areas are a great place to see in Hidalgo post-Black Friday…read more Hidalgo City has a touristic route called The City of Lights. Arguably, the beginning portion of the tour starts at the library. After Thanksgiving, you can begin to tour the City of Lights and other statues that are taken. You can see characters from Disney such as Star Wars as well as Dreamwork's Animations characters like Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots. During Christmas time, it's a sight to behold, and you'll want to come here with e Pugh memory on your phone to be taking loads of pictures and video. A trolley begins to circle the area in the evenings, which is free. Just pick it up at one of its pre-designated stops and you can tour on the trolley as opposed to walking. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more packed it gets, so come early and get those shots in before the crowd takes over.

very rude unprofessional child working. not helping at all/doing what should be done in a…read moreprofessional manner