Officials in McAllen, Texas, get creative, turn abandoned Walmart into massive library

Walmart is a staple of many rural areas, but so are abandoned stores, when the corporation closes down one store to build a bigger one or decides the current one is not profitable enough. Because of the size of the stores—measuring nearly three football fields in length—it is difficult to find anyone interested in using the enormous space. (Weburbanist photo)

Officials in McAllen, Texas, found a unique way to make use of its abandoned Walmart, transforming the store "into the largest single-floor public library in America," reports The Yardener. The library has 16 public meeting spaces, 14 public study rooms, 64 computer labs, 10 children’s computer labs, two genealogy computer labs, a cafe, used book store, auditorium and self check-out stations. The site also hosts a farmer's market. (Read more)