Kingwood Library Expands Hours of Operation Starting June 1

Submitted by David Cherry on Mon, 05/13/2013 - 8:04am

Exterior: Kingwood Branch LibraryEffective June 1, 2013, Harris County Public Library’s Kingwood Branch will expand its hours of operation from five to six days a week offering you more opportunities to browse the library’s continually refreshed collection of books, movies, music and journals, in addition to making it easier for you to take advantage of a wide range of library services.

The new hours reflect the needs of the community and will give you greater access to free Wi-Fi and internet, as well as to facilities including meeting, conference and study rooms. What’s more, the expanded hours mean the Kingwood Branch’s expert staff will be available seventeen additional hours every week to assist you with research, provide entertaining educational programming for all ages, or to just suggest the perfect book.

LightsOutHouston 2013 @ HCPL

Submitted by David Cherry on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 9:22am

lights out houston 2013In observance of the 6th Annual LightsOutHouston initiative, Harris County Commissioners Court has authorized Facilities and Property Management to lead a countywide effort, in conjunction with the City of Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership and Central Houston Inc. to turn off all non-essential lights at the end of the day.

Turning out unnecessary lights when you leave a room is one of the easiest ways you can help the environment, conserve valuable resources and save money. Remember--unlike humans and other living things, furniture does not need light to survive. Your sofa, ottoman and coffee table, as well as your work station and file cabinets are not afraid of the dark.

Harris County Public Library encourages you to make turning off unnecessary lights a year-round habit. If a light is not needed for safety or some other necessity, turn it off!

Join WITS and HCPL in Celebrating National Poetry Month with A Poem A Day

Submitted by David Cherry on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 4:04pm

WITS Poem a Day logoWriters in the Schools (WITS), is a local nonprofit organization that sends professional poets, fiction writers and playwrights into over 350 area schools to help children, K - 12,  discover the "pleasure and power of reading and writing." Each year in April, WITS celebrates National Poetry Month by sharing the poems of some of its many talented students through its A Poem A Day project.

 We at Harris County Public Library are excited to once again participate in this year’s event. Starting this Monday, April 1 and running through the month, fans of HCPL’s Facebook page will get to read these amazing poems.

Don’t miss a single one. ‘Like’ us on Facebook now (and as an added bonus you’ll get library news, information on upcoming library events, new title announcements, and other fun and interesting stuff with a bookish bent.

Relax! You Have Time. Starting April 15, DVD loan periods will be extended.

Submitted by David Cherry on Wed, 03/27/2013 - 8:58am

Woman eating popcorn and enjoying a DVD from HCPLIt has happened to all of us. You check out DVDs planning to catch up on that TV series everyone is talking about. Then life happens: the kids remember their science project is due; your mother shows up unannounced; your secret crush finally calls to ask you out. Harris County Public Library can’t do anything about life’s little surprises, but we can give you more time to watch those videos. Starting April 15, 2013, HCPL will extend the checkout period for all DVDs, including new releases, from one week to two.

With more and more classic and current TV series coming out on video, and with PBS’s Downton Abbey and Showtime’s Homeland among our most requested DVD sets, it makes sense to extend the checkout period so that you can have the time to enjoy them. No one should have to cram a season’s worth of viewing into a single weekend.

Spring Break @ HCPL

Submitted by David Cherry on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 11:19am

Spring Break @ HCPL graphicSpring Break is coming up soon and if you're looking for fun, free ways to keep your kids and teens engaged and entertained, Harris County Public Library is just the ticket. In addition to their regular slate of programs, many HCPL branches will host special events the week of March 11 - 16. There will be music, puppet shows, giant bubbles, everyone's favorite big red dog, and much more. Below are just some of the highlights. For a full schedule of programs, visit our Events Calendar.

Marsha’s Petting Zoo
Marsha Smiley will bring a llama, goat, bunnies, piglets, ducks, chicks, deer, and a mini-donkey for you to see and pet.
Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library
Monday, Mar. 11
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Children’s program

Spring Break Spectacular
Camel rides, bounce house obstacle course and make-your-own ice cream.
Northwest Branch Library
Monday, Mar. 11
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Children’s program

If You Work or Play Downtown, New Partnership with Law Library Makes Picking Up Your Holds A Breeze

Submitted by David Cherry on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 9:09am

Harris County Law Library interiorIf you work downtown, you now have a convenient new location to pick up your HCPL holds. On February 18, Harris County Public Library and the Harris County Law Library launched a new partnership; so now, in addition to providing access to up-to-date legal information and research facilities, the Law Library will offer HCPL customers the option to pick up the books, DVDs and CDs they request from HCPL’s online catalog at its convenient Congress Street location.

It's simple. When you make a request on HCPL's online catalog at www.hcpl.net from your home computer or mobile device, just select the County Law Library as your pickup location. When the materials are ready, you will receive email notification, and will have one week to pick them up.

Young Historian, and Lifelong Barbara Bush Branch Customer, Honored in Washington D.C.

Submitted by David Cherry on Thu, 02/21/2013 - 1:41pm

Smithsonian Legacy Award Winner and Lifelong Barbara Bush Branch Library Customer, Annie SalinasIn 2002, Annie Salinas and her sisters were the first kids to set foot in the children’s section at HCPL’s newly opened Barbara Bush Branch Library, and she credits frequent visits to the library for sparking her love of learning. That love has lead to awards for her research and design of historical exhibits including her 2008 National History Day exhibit on the San Sabá Mission that was shown at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. She was recently presented with the Legacy Award for the Humanities by the Smithsonian and Creativity Foundation. Annie is currently a freshman at Texas A&M University.

Harris County Public Library would like to congratulate Annie on her achievements and send her our best wishes for a bright future. 

Read the full article from the Barbara Bush Branch Library Newsletter
Creativity Foundation website article about Annie and the Legacy Award

Do you have a library success story? Tell us about it in the comments box!

One of the Original 'Red Tails' Shares His Story at Freeman

Submitted by David Cherry on Thu, 02/14/2013 - 4:38pm

Dr. Luzine B. Bickham, one of the Tuskegee Airmen paid a visit to Freeman Branch Library. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Programs at HCPL

Submitted by Linda Stevens on Tue, 01/29/2013 - 11:50am

HC fun for seniorsHarris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program (SAP) will begin offering special programs at the Barbara Bush Branch Library and the Fairbanks Branch Library in February for adults 50 years of age and older. SAP events are part of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle’s educational and recreational commitment to Harris County residents.

Barbara Bush Branch Library:  Tuesdays, February, 5 and 12:

10 a.m.  Senior Fitness Class
Safe, effective, and fun fitness class designed for active older adults!

1 p.m.   Art Class
Pursue any type of artwork, in any media, in this class led by an award-winning artist. Students work at their own pace; no prior experience is necessary. A list of supplies for the media you choose will be provided in class.   

Fairbanks Branch Library:  Tuesdays, February, 19 and 26:        

10 a.m.  Senior Fitness Class
Safe, effective, and fun fitness class designed for active older adults!

1 p.m.   Art Class
Pursue any type of artwork, in any media, in this class led by an award-winning artist. Students work at their own pace; no prior experience is necessary. A list of supplies for the media you choose will be provided in class.

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