Stephens Central Library Expansion Underway on Rooftop

The Stephens Central Library expansion is set to move forward, following a period of fundraising and planning for a rooftop lounge on the building’s third floor.

Plans for the expansion have been in the works for some time now, says Larry Justiss, Director of the Tom Green County Library, however other projects have limited progress up until now.

The lounge will feature a view over downtown and Beauregard Street and will be available for rent by the public for events. It will also provide the library with another venue for holding seminars, presentations, other events and meetings.

“They’re still in the preliminary stages of construction,” Tom Green County Facilities and Maintenance Director Don Killim said Tuesday at Commissioners Court. “I know that Templin construction is on site and they’re doing some testing on the roof where the work will be done.”

According to Killim, construction began roughly three weeks ago and he estimates the project will take six months to complete. Initial planning for the expansion began two years ago when the library moved into the building on Beauregard, and generous private donors have put up $0.5 million toward the project.