Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library
🏢 San Antonio Public Library · San Antonio, Texas
Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library
Named in honor of Raoul A. Cortez — the San Antonio broadcaster who in 1946 launched the first all-Spanish-language radio station in the United States — this Southside branch has served families in southwest San Antonio and the Somerset/Von Ormy corridor since it opened in 1981.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–8pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 10am–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2803 Hunter Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78224
Phone: (210) 207-9130
Website: mysapl.org
Plus Code: 76X38CMX+X7 (San Antonio, TX)
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📖 About Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library
The Raoul A. Cortez Branch Library opened on April 12, 1981, financed through a Community Development Block Grant at a cost of $653,761. The City of San Antonio dedicated the branch to Raoul Alfonso Cortez (1905–1971), the Mexican-born broadcaster who built KCOR-AM in 1946 — the first full-time, Hispanic-owned all-Spanish-language radio station in the United States — and then in 1955 established KCOR-TV Channel 41, the first UHF television station targeting a Hispanic audience in the country. Cortez also served as LULAC national president (1948–1949), overseeing the landmark Delgado v. Bastrop ISD case that ended the segregation of Mexican Americans in Texas public schools. The branch holds approximately 47,719 items including a strong Spanish-language collection for adults and children, reflecting the community it serves. Outdoor wi-fi is available 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily, and the library provides free access to computers, printers, and the full suite of SAPL digital resources.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Raoul A. Cortez (1905–1971), founder of KCOR-AM (1946) — the first all-Spanish-language radio station in the US — and KCOR-TV Channel 41 (1955), the first Hispanic-targeted UHF TV station in the country
- Opened April 12, 1981, funded by a Community Development Block Grant; one of the first SAPL branches built specifically to serve the Southside and the Somerset/Von Ormy corridor
- Approximately 47,719 items including a notably large Spanish-language collection of books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, and DVDs for all ages
- Extended outdoor Wi-Fi access from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily — well beyond branch hours — supporting students and community members who need connectivity
- TexShare member: SAPL cardholders access Libby eBooks, Kanopy films, TexShare databases, and Gale/Udemy learning platforms at no cost
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
SAPL cardholders at Cortez Branch access books, films, learning, and research databases entirely free:
📚 Services
- Public computers with internet, word processing, and printing
- Free outdoor Wi-Fi 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily
- Strong Spanish-language collection (print and multimedia) for adults and children
- Free SAPL library card for Bexar County residents
- Interlibrary loan through the SAPL system and TexShare network
- Meeting and community program space
🎸 Programs
- Storytime programs for children (see mysapl.org events calendar for current schedule)
- Volunteer opportunities for youth and community members
- Bilingual programming for Spanish-speaking families
- Community events via the SAPL Trumba calendar at mysapl.org
📍 Nearby Libraries in Bexar County / San Antonio
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Raoul A. Cortez, and why is this branch named after him?
Raoul Alfonso Cortez (October 17, 1905 – December 17, 1971) was a Mexican-born San Antonian who in 1946 founded KCOR-AM, the first full-time, Hispanic-owned all-Spanish-language radio station in the United States. In 1955 he launched KCOR-TV Channel 41, the first television station in the country aimed specifically at a Hispanic audience. He also served as LULAC national president (1948–1949), during which the organization won the Delgado v. Bastrop ISD case ending segregation of Mexican Americans in Texas public schools. When the branch opened in 1981, the City of San Antonio named it in his honor to recognize his transformative contributions to the community.
What days does the Cortez Branch Library have extended evening hours?
The Cortez Branch Library is open until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, making those evenings ideal for working adults, students, and families who need after-school or after-work access. On Wednesdays through Sundays the branch is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Outdoor Wi-Fi extends beyond building hours, available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day.
Does Cortez Branch have a strong Spanish-language collection?
Yes. The branch maintains an especially large Spanish-language collection spanning books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, and DVDs for both adults and children — a deliberate choice given the predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods it serves in southwest San Antonio, including patrons from Somerset and Von Ormy. The digital platform MakeMake, which provides Spanish-language audiovisual content for kids and teens, is also available free with a card.
Can I access digital resources from home with a Cortez Branch card?
Yes. Any SAPL library card grants access to Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, Kanopy for streaming films, MakeMake for Spanish-language children's content, Gale Presents: Udemy for over 12,000 on-demand courses, and the TexShare database suite (magazines, encyclopedias, subject databases — password from the branch). All resources are completely free with your card.
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