Encino Branch Library Celebrates a Decade of Service
Published on June 12, 2025
Free programs are available for children, families, teens, and adults at all library locations.
SAN ANTONIO (June 12, 2025) — The Encino Branch of the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is turning 10. Conveniently located near several Encino Park-area neighborhoods on San Antonio’s far northeast side, Encino Branch Library has served countless children, teens, and adults since opening to the public on April 30, 2015.
In celebration of this milestone, SAPL will host a garden-themed anniversary celebration with activities for the whole family on Saturday, June 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Celebration activities will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a speaking ceremony to mark the occasion.
The free event will feature family-friendly activities, including:
- Ask a Master Gardener your gardening questions and purchase a plant to support the Friends of Encino Branch Library
- Meet Mirabel from Disney’s Encanto in a kid-friendly character meet and greet
- Family-friendly crafts including button-making, rock painting, and tissue paper flowers
- Sidewalk chalk art on the patio
- The chance to meet Smarty, SAPL’s loveable mascot
- Light refreshments provided by the Friends of Encino Branch Library
Encino Branch Library opened to the public on April 30, 2015 with a grand opening event held a few days later on May 2. The 9,800 square-foot facility on 5.5 acres was creatively adapted for Library reuse from a former Mexican restaurant. Encino Branch Library was designed by Alvidrez Architects, Inc.
The branch features a first-of-its-kind drive-thru window which allows busy families, commuters and patrons with limited mobility to reserve and pick up their items without leaving their vehicles.
The library also features a digital meeting room, large modular conference room, expansive patio, outdoor fitness stairs, shade-covered children's playground, and a community-managed garden. The playscape and community garden were funded by a generous appropriation of funds from City Council District 9.
Over 100,000 patrons visit Encino each year, and the branch loans over 25,000 items monthly on average. Encino’s collection includes books, audiobooks, music, videos, magazines, and newspapers. Like all SAPL locations, Encino offers public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi service for patrons using their own laptops or mobile devices. The staff at Encino also offers weekly programs and events for people of all ages.
For more information about San Antonio Public Library including locations and services, visit the SAPL website. Library staff is available by phone at 210-207-2500 or online by chat.