Round Rock Public Library Receives People First Award

Tech Logic Corporation is presenting Round Rock Public Library (RRPL) with our People First Award to recognize the library’s extraordinary action for the benefit of their community. Like other People First Award recipients, RRPL’s spaces, programs, and team members reflect a commitment shared by modern libraries around the world—a commitment to serve as relevant, “people first” community centers.

We’ll be visiting Round Rock on May 7 to present the award to RRPL staff. Stay tuned for photos and videos!

It's been two years since RRPL opened their new facility in the heart of downtown Round Rock, TX. Throughout that opening weekend, over 10,000 community members lined up to visit their new library. Check out the video from the grand opening below.

‍

Michelle Cervantes, RRPL’s Library Director, describes the vision behind their building design: “We worked on the new building for more than ten years, and the purpose was to put people first. The whole intention of the new building was for more people—not necessarily for more stuff.”

“The building was specifically and intentionally designed for more staff,” said Cervantes, “so staff could have the space to do amazing work, and for our patrons to come in and spend time doing what they need to do.”

‍

‍

A tour of RRPL on any given day will show you that this design is working. The spaces are filled with people reading and learning together, teaching and practicing new skills, gaining certifications, building small businesses, and so much more. In addition to the library’s collection, the focus is on highly adoptive facilities like the technology hub, maker space, multipurpose event and education rooms, reading and study rooms, and genealogy area. An entire floor of the library is dedicated to children and teens, and various elevated outdoor spaces provide views of nature and the urban context.

‍

“The adult literacy team had been waiting for us to open the new building so they could have space, classrooms, and resources,” said Cervantes. “This is the team that produces the programs for computer classes, English language learning, and all the programs for the grown-ups, and they are just doing amazing things.

Earlier this year, RRPL received an Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA) for the seventh consecutive year. According to TMLDA, to successfully receive an Achievement of Library Excellence Award, a library must exhibit excellence by “providing services to underserved and special populations; marketing in innovative ways; pursuing collaborative efforts; offering enhanced services through unique or expanded programming; providing literacy support; providing for digital inclusion; supporting workforce development; promoting cultural, topical, and educational programming; comprehensively training staff; and offering other unique services to their community.”

‍

‍

Anton Murray, Marketing/Events and Volunteer Coordinator at RRPL, has a daily view of programs and people throughout the library. “From newborns’ programs all the way up to senior services, it’s really nice to see our community coming together,” said Murray. “The library is a very collaborative space. I see that when I walk around and see the different programs…and just having that ability to communicate with the community from different channels and then seeing them come to our programs.”

RRPL’s efforts aren’t just on the RRPL campus—they’re across the Round Rock community through outreach initiatives and community partnerships. Five years ago, during the pandemic, RRPL team members began delivering library materials to people around town who couldn’t come to the physical library. Ever since, this kind of outreach has been a dynamic way to connect with those who are homebound or who are in assisted living facilities and can no longer drive.  

During these deliveries, outreach team members from RRPL spend time socializing with people and hearing their stories. “It’s been a significant quality of life improvement for people in those situations,” said Cervantes. “Our staff members bring me notes from people all the time and we hear the accolades.”  

"We’re also using our van to pop up in the community,” said Cervantes. “This summer, we’ll pop up in parks and introduce people who may not be familiar with the library’s resources. We also use the van during parades and for many kinds of programs.”

Staff training, resources, and technologies are important parts of the people-first investment at RRPL. “We leverage technology intentionally to put people first,” said Cervantes. “Our book sorter is redirecting resources, so fewer team members have to deal with the ‘stuff’ and more team members can help people at the front desk, or in the stacks, or with programming—or doing outreach. You name it—the list goes on and on.”

“We’ve increased in every service area by at least 30% over the past two years,” said Cervantes, “so, how do we maintain that level of service? By leveraging technology and taking care of our staff. Repetitive tasks can be very stressful on the human body over a long period of time, so the more we can use technology to do those tasks, the healthier our team will be in the long run.”

‍

‍

The success of the Round Rock Public Library is a testament to the Round Rock community’s investment in its people and its culture. “We’ve been very fortunate,” said Cervantes. “We have a lot of support from the community, from our Friends group, and from our patrons in general.”

The tangible value that RRPL brings to the Round Rock community encourages staff and promotes ongoing conversation regarding what’s next. “I do see the return on investment, personally, in my heart,” said Murray. “People come to RRPL for various reasons—but, whatever the reason, they come to us first and want to make sure that we have the resources that they need.”

“It starts with the team,” said Cervantes. “Our volunteers, our staff, our Friends group—we all have that shared vision. It starts with grace, kindness, and respect, and we can just continue to do that with anybody who walks in the door and with each other. That’s what’s so important.”

‍

‍

Congratulations to Round Rock Public Library on their extraordinary, inspiring, and ongoing efforts to fulfill their mission and benefit the people in their community.

‍

‍

Tech Logic connects libraries with their communities through dynamic, innovative, and efficient workflow technologies—delivering unparalleled service and outstanding patron experience. Since 1997, we have worked exclusively with libraries to develop solutions that empower library patrons and staff.