Let's Talk Coastal Bend Libraries: Ben F. McDonald Public Library

By: Sydney Spangler

In this installation of Let's Talk Coastal Bend Libraries, we are highlighting the Ben F. McDonald Public Library.

As a nationally recognized Family Place Library, the McDonald Library offers a biannual parent/child workshop, an early literacy play area, and a parenting collection. Family Place Libraries promotes a national model for transforming public libraries into welcoming, developmentally appropriate early learning environments for very young children, their parents, and caregivers.

The McDonald Library is located at 4044 Greenwood Drive, near the intersection of Greenwood and Horne Road.

Attractions:

• The library established La Música del Sur de Tejas (The Music of South Texas) in 2012 with funding from Humanities Texas. This gallery of photos and memorabilia honors Tejano music pioneers beginning in the 1930s.

• Long-time resident, Joel Garcia, donated more than 30 paintings and mosaics to McDonald Library. Garcia has created mosaics and painted murals in Corpus Christi since 1959. The Joel Garcia art gallery is displayed on the south and west interior walls of the McDonald Library.

• The Robert R. Campbell Center is a conference room dedicated to all things educational and job related. In addition to job hunting resources, there is a computer that can be used solely for job hunting.

• Explore the Internet or use Microsoft Office productivity applications using the library’s public access computers. (Library card required)

For more information about the McDonald Library and its services, visit the McDonald Library Facebook page.