Librarian lauds Summerlin's resources

When the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center opened in 1993, Teresa Manix was there to welcome patrons.

"In many communities, libraries are underutilized," said Manix, who is the library's assistant branch manager. "It is a librarian's dream to work in a community where people love to read, and that is the case in Summerlin. The library has implemented many programs and the community has responded."

Manix, who has worked in libraries for more than 30 years and is featured in Summerlin's print advertising campaign, believes the facility is one of the community's best resources.

Located in The Hills South village, the more than 40,000-square-foot facility houses a 291-seat theater, conference room, three study rooms, story room, two courtyards, gallery and thousands of books.

"Working in a public library is interesting because of the diversity of its patrons. People from different ethnic backgrounds and income levels, each with their own story and background, find common enjoyment in books and programs offered at the library."

Born in Boulder City, Manix lived in the Las Vegas Valley until she moved to Los Angeles in the seventh grade to attend a private school. She continued her education in California, where she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in library science.

Manix worked for the Los Angeles public library system as a young adult librarian for 16 years and as a branch manager for 13 years. She decided to move to Las Vegas in 1989 after her daughter was born, and she began working for the Clark County-Las Vegas Library District in 1990.

"I wanted to leave Los Angeles. It was at least a 30-minute commute to anywhere, so I began to think about moving back to family in Las Vegas. My goal was to find an affordable home in an environment that offered a sense of community and Summerlin is everything I wanted," she said.

A resident of The Arbors village, Manix and her 14-year-old daughter enjoy the various amenities of Summerlin.

"We love the parks and my daughter has been able to participate in many activities offered at the community centers. I was lucky, I found housing that I could afford in a nice community. It's funny how things always work out," she said.

The library is one of myriad amenities in Summerlin, which has been ranked as the nation's best-selling master-planned community nine of the past 10 years, according to independent surveys. The Howard Hughes Corp. development, which is being developed in villages along the valley's western rim, also is home to eight golf courses, more than 100 parks, nearly 105 miles of trails, 17 schools, houses of worship, shopping centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities, business parks and nearly 100 model homes.

Single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums are priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000. Custom-home sites ranging from one-half acre to three-quarters of an acre are priced from the high $300,000s to more than $1 million, and predesigned custom homes are priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million. Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the high $700s.

To visit the community's home finding center, travel west on Sahara Avenue past Hualapai Way to Town Center Drive and turn north. Or, take Interstate 215 to Sahara Avenue and head east to Town Center. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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