H.R. No. 1797
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The McAllen Public Library won the 2012 Library
Interior Design competition, sponsored by the International
Interior Design Association; and
WHEREAS, The McAllen Public Library became one of the largest
single-story libraries in the country when it opened its doors in
December of 2011; formerly housing a Walmart, this vibrant
123,000-square-foot space now boasts skylights, cozy reading
nooks, a teen area, a cafe, electronic classrooms, and a large
auditorium; and
WHEREAS, For more than 60 years, McAllen's main library was
located downtown, until city commissioners proposed its relocation
to the empty store; Boultinghouse Simpson Gates, a McAllen-based
architecture firm, was hired to lead the project, and the
organization recruited Minneapolis-based Meyer, Scherer &
Rockcastle to help conceptualize the library's interior; and
WHEREAS, The designers incorporated nature into details
throughout the library, including tabletops made from local
mesquite and carpets mimicking the aerial view of the region, with
varying hues to reflect its fields and citrus groves; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished judges of the 2012 IIDA
competition honored Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle for their design,
which demonstrated distinction in aesthetics, creativity,
function, and satisfaction of the city's objectives; and
WHEREAS, Since the new library's readers first began perusing
its shelves, the building has received national attention, and the
community has enthusiastically embraced the renovated facility,
with more than twice as many patrons taking advantage of its
services than in the previous location; and
WHEREAS, The McAllen Public Library is an inspiring
affirmation of the city's commitment to learning and to the
community, and it is indeed a pleasure to celebrate the new library
building and the much-deserved accolades its designers have
received; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the McAllen Public Library on
winning the International Interior Design Association's 2012
Library Interior Design Award and extend to all those associated
with this institution sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the McAllen Public Library as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Guerra
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1797 was adopted by the House on May
8, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House