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Collections & Services

63,000 items including videos, DVDs, music CDs and audiobooks.

Collection strengths: Picture books, large print books, cookbooks, U.S. Civil War, World War II, Vietnam War, craft books, literature reference books.

Johnston Branch Library has interfiled the adult and juvenile non-fiction books on the shelves so that all books on a subject may be found together, regardless of the reading level or number of illustrations.

Community

Three public school districts meet at Loop 410 and Medina Base Road: Northside Independent School District, South San Antonio Independent School District, and Southwest Independent School District with 20 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 3 high schools. Johnston also serves 7 private schools and nearly 155 home schools.

Johnston’s community is ethnically diverse with all ages, all races, young families, blended families, extended families, active and retired seniors, civil service employees, active duty and retired military personnel, farmers, urban residents, and people always on the move.

Lackland Air Force Base with Wilford Hall Medical Center, Air Force Basic Training, and Language School, and Kelly USA formerly Kelly Air Force Base.

Located in U.S. Congressional District 20, TX State Congressional District 117, TX State Senate District 19, City Council District 4.

Freedom of Expression Area

The Freedom of Expression Area is located at the northeast corner of the public parking lot under a large tree at the intersection of Medina Base Rd and Sun Valley. Freedom of Expression Areas are specifically designated areas on San Antonio Public Library grounds where free expression activities may occur.

Library Freedom of Expression Policy

History

Johnston Branch Friends of San Antonio Public Library have donated the following items: Ellison Die Cutter with Circus-style alphabet and numerals and 13 shapes, new refrigerator with an ice maker, Dukane Sound Filmstrip Projector, custom-designed craft closet, utility tables, rhythm band instruments, and several small equipment items and supplies such as a paper cutter and video rewinders.

Johnston Branch Library opened on August 23, 1981. The land was donated by Ray Ellison Industries. The architect was Jesse J. Juarez, and the contractor was Don McMasters of Better Construction Company, Inc. Johnston held nearly 13,000 items and had a staff of 6 full time and 3 part time employees including 4 librarians, 2 library clerks, one library assistant, 2 library aides and one custodian. Staff eagerly offered to borrow whatever library users needed that Johnston did not own. The collection and the circulation steadily increased until December, 1994, when construction began to enlarge the branch library from 9,000 to 12,000 square feet. The budget for this expansion was estimated to total $785, 470. The funds to renovate and expand the existing building were authorized in the 1989 bond issue for library expansions, renovations, new branches, and literacy centers.

The building’s foundation was restructured and the older area was remodeled with carpet, computer connections, improved lighting, and new furniture. On January 9, 1996, Johnston reopened with a collection of 65,000 items and a staff of 6 full time and 8 part time employees including 3 librarians, one library assistant, 4 circulation attendants, 4 library aides, and 2 custodians. The architect was Kinnison and Associates, and the contractor was Tony C. Quintanilla, Inc.

Johnston Branch Library is dedicated to the memory of Leah Carter Johnston, San Antonio Public Library’s first Children’s Librarian. Mrs. Johnston established the Children’s Department in 1922, and she served as Children’s Librarian until 1955. In 1927, she created the first children’s poetry competition in the United TX States. Known as "Young Pegasus," this contest continues to inspire and encourage children to use words to express their dreams and make books of their own. Mrs. Johnston was also an author and a reviewer of children’s books for Horn Book Magazine and the Texas Library Journal. In 1947, she published a children’s local history, SAN ANTONIO—SAINT ANTHONY’S TOWN, which remains a part of the library collection today. After retirement from the library system, Mrs. Johnston and 12 friends organized the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library in 1964.

• Expansion Architect: Kinnison and Associates, San Antonio, TX
• Expansion Contractor:Tony C. Quintanilla Inc., San Antonio, TX
• Square footage of the building: 12,000 square feet

Directions

• From the North: US 90 to Loop 410 SW/TX 16. South on Loop 410. Exit Medina Base Rd. Take access road to first light. Right onto Medina Base Rd. Left on Sun Valley. Library is on the immediate right.
• From the South: North on Loop 410 SW. Exit Medina Base Rd. Left at first light onto Medina Base Rd. Left on Sun Valley. Library is on the right.

Parking

Parking for approximately ___ cars. 

Via Bus Routes

• Nearby Routes: 611, 616
• You can use trip planning tools on ViaInfo.net