Guerra Branch Library Hosts 20th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday
Published on July 10, 2024
SAN ANTONIO (July 10, 2024) — San Antonio Public Library’s (SAPL) Guerra Branch Library is turning 20! Nestled between neighborhoods on San Antonio’s far west side, Guerra Branch Library has served countless San Antonio area children, teens, and adults over the last two decades.
In celebration of this milestone, SAPL will host an anniversary celebration with activities for the whole family on Saturday, July 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a brief ceremony to mark the occasion.
- Explore the Guerra community through a "Guerra's Heart" scavenger hunt
- Beat the heat with "Cool Summer" crafts
- Snap a group selfie in the photo booth
- Make a commemorative button to mark the occasion
- Play indoor games with friends (ring toss, bean-bag toss, sticky darts)
- Dive into Guerra’s history with a special exhibit
- Meet Smarty, SAPL’s loveable mascot
- Enjoy light refreshments
Formally named the Henry A. Guerra Branch Library, this location officially opened to the public on July 14, 2004, as part of an expansion in the early 2000s to bring library service to the booming outer reaches of San Antonio. The Library Board of Trustees named the library after long-time San Antonio historian, author and broadcast journalist Henry Guerra, who died in 2001. Guerra, a San Antonio native, was hired in 1939 by WOAI Radio as the first Mexican-American announcer to work for a major English-language broadcaster and later became the first Mexican-American television announcer on WOAI-TV. Guerra served in the military in World War II. He was also development director for St. Mary’s University and international department liaison for Hemisfair ’68.
The Board of Trustees approved the name by a vote, after soliciting nominations from the public, including residents and neighborhood associations in the area where the library is built.
The construction of the facility was funded by $2.8 million from the 1999 bond election. This project was also supported with $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds.
Today, Guerra Branch Library is a thriving component of the established and growing far west side community. The library features striking architecture and a large collection, including a unique children’s area to serve the area’s families.
For more information about San Antonio Public Library including locations and services, visit MySAPL.org. Library staff is available by phone at 210-207-2500 or by chat at Ask.MySAPL.org.