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Northwest Branch

The Fort Worth Library broke ground for its 16th library on April 20, 2009. Library Advisory Board Chair Dolores Owens presided over the ceremony. Speakers included Mayor Mike Moncrief; District 7 Council Member Carter Burdette; James Hambleton, Chair of The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation board of directors; Shelly Butler, principal of Park View Elementary; and students from Park View's fourth-grade class.

The new branch, the first in Council District 7, is scheduled to open in summer 2010. It will be at 6228 Crystal Lake Drive, on the corner of Crystal Lake and Cromwell-Marine Creek Road, directly across from Park View Elementary. Komatsu Architecture is designing the $5.3 million facility. At 13,038 square feet, Northwest will be the library system's largest branch. The prairie-style building's exterior will feature 11 art-glass panels designed by Austin-based artist Sandra Fiedorek. Panels will show stylized letters that reflect the value of the printed word.

The branch will feature a large selection of books, CDs, and DVDs, as well as databases and downloadable media. Northwest will have the latest technology including computers with MS Office software and Internet access, free WiFi, video games, laptops to use in the library, and convenient self check-out stations similar to those found in grocery stores. There will also be a computer instruction lab and a community meeting room with adjacent kitchen.

Funding for the project comes from the City of Fort Worth’s 2004 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Park Improvement Fund, and The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Burdette said, "This is historic for District 7, our first branch library. Residents living in this district deserve to have a library, and now we have a 21st-century facility that will be known for its innovative and technological features. We've had a lot of growth in northwest Fort Worth recently. Now we have a library that will meet the needs of new arrivals and long-time residents. I am grateful Fort Worth residents voted 'yes' in the 2004 CIP for this much-needed library and for the generous support of $125,000 from The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation."