Six months after opening its doors at its new location, the Frisco Public Library is seeing a record number of visitors.
“I remember the first time I went to the Frisco Library I was amazed to see how many people were walking around in there and how energetic the atmosphere was,” junior Sia Parpelli said. “Typically, libraries are a quiet place where people are working or studying but the Frisco Library is the exact opposite of that.”
The Frisco library was initially placed within the Frisco City Hall. However, as the population of Frisco began to expand, the old library didn’t have enough space for Frisco residents.
“The previous library was created to serve 60,000 people in Frisco, but Frisco currently has over 210,000 people,” Frisco Public Library Director Shelley Holley said in a previous Wingspan article. “We had just outgrown our current library and we needed a bigger space so we decided to repurpose an old rocket factory and create a bigger and better library to keep up with the new demand.”
Three times larger than the original library, the remodeled Frisco Library provides the latest technology and aesthetics, attracting students on campus.
“I think the renovation is really beneficial because [the library] used to be very cramped before and not as full of life,” Parpelli said. “Now, it has so much more vibrance and its big and spacious and has multiple dedicated areas for students to come here and study or just hang out.”
From the quiet study rooms to conference rooms to the large dinosaur on the ground floor, the library provides multiple sections to cater for people of all ages.
“We identified the six different types of library users in our community and designed furniture and spaces for them,” Frisco Public Library Digital Services Manager Emily Weber said. “Whether one wants to find a book and lounge, meet with a group, or focus in quiet solitude, [the library] has something for them.”
For junior Aashi Oswal, the library’s versatility allows her to be able to have a quiet environment to study but also a place to hang out with friends.
“I like the Frisco Library because you cannot only study but you can hang out with your friends and talk at a comfortable volume,” Oswal said. “It’s a good hangout place, but it can be used for just studying or other quiet activities if needed.”
However, the fifteen minute drive to the library from campus creates a caveat for many students.
“The library is like fifteen minutes away from my house and it becomes an upward of twenty minutes during rush hour,” Oswal said. “Because of this, I can only go if I get a ride there and back. I just wish it was closer.”
More than just books, the Frisco Public Library aims to create a lively environment for residents all across Frisco.
“To say this library is ‘not just for books’ is an understatement,” Mayor Jeff Cheney said in a press release from the City of Frisco. “This is an incredible gathering place where all generations can learn, study, play, create, explore, and be entertained. It’s the heart and soul of our community.”
