Not long ago, I was trying to find out why, if Preston Royal Branch Library is slated to be replaced, the city wants to put a new roof on the existing building. Because, I was told, God only knows when the new library will be built. It could be months, years even, before a new site is even picked.

More like three weeks. While perusing next Wednesday’s City Council agenda, item #36 informed me that a site has been selected, and that site is the Korean Young Nak Presbyterian Church (which, if the Internet is to be believed, is a denomination with a pretty interesting history) in the 5900 block of Forest Lane at Nuestra Drive. Assuming the Council agrees, the city will shell out $2.7 million for the land which, considering DCAD’s $4.8 million appraisal, is a pretty nice deal for the city.

The question now is, what shall the library be named? Should it keep the “Preston Royal” moniker, following the example of Lovers Lane United Methodist, which is on Northwest Highway, but was founded on the eponymous street (what is now Providence Christian School). Or take the name of its new home, Nuestra Forest (though I don’t know if that rolls off the tongue quite as smoothly)? A geographically specific Melshire Library or a more geographically vague Preston Hollow Library? A famous Preston Hollowite? Time will tell.

First thing this morning, the City Council approved $102,000 for the replacement of the roof at Preston Royal Branch Library. It needs help badly, city officials say.  It’s not currently leaking, but, given Texas weather, it could start anytime, says David Darnell, who is in charge of capital projects for the library. Pretty routine stuff, right?

But the library is also slated to be replaced. Voters okayed the allocation of $5 million for land acquisition and design for a replacement branch in the 2006 bond package. That means an entirely new building will be built once the wheels of government turn that far. The logic of putting 100 grand into a building set to be replaced struck Councilwoman Ann Margolin as odd–she pulled the item from the bundle it was in for individual consideration–but, in the end, she voted for it.

Look for the full story in the April 23 issue of Preston Hollow People.

Zale Foundation president Lenny Krasnow, Hoblitzelle Foundation president Paul Harris, Dallas Public Library director Laurie Evans, District 6 Councilman Steve Salazar, and District 103 State Representative Rafael Anchia by Bachman Lake Library’s new sign.

The Bachman Lake Branch Library is one of the nicer Dallas Public Library branches I’ve been to. Opened in September of 2008, it still has that new-library feel, huge windows, lots of plugs for laptops, and an awesome selection of DVDs. But, a year-and-a-half after its debut, it still seemed that something was missing.

No longer. Last night, following the monthly meeting of the Municipal Library Board, the keystone was finally put in place: a new digital sign along Webb Chapel Road. I couldn’t make it, but District 13 Municipal Library Board member Tim McMullin-Sullivan was kind enough to send along some pictures of the unveiling. Councilman Steve Salazar, State Representative Rafael Anchia, Hoblitzelle Foundation president and CEO Paul Harris joined Dallas Public Library director Laurie Evans and the MLB for the dedication.