For its new North Branch Library, the City of Garland purchased 16,500 square feet in the middle of an “L” shaped vacant strip shopping center. The design program for the project called for approximately 12,000 square feet of space to be devoted to library services and the remaining 4,000 square feet to be used for public meeting rooms and a city store.

The library’s entry was placed in the center of the space. This position allowed the circulation desk and all staff work areas to be centrally located. Furthermore, this placement allowed the adult and children’s areas of the library to be separated. Because of after hours use, the meeting rooms and city store were separated from the main library areas.