Services

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Adult

Continuing Education programs for adults are offered on a wide variety of topics from how to start a business to gardening. Check your local Library for upcoming programs.

Reference

Reference services are offered in person and by telephone at each of our 26 branches. In addition, the eBranch offers the Ask a Librarian service, an email reference service you can access 24/7.

Literacy

Literacy & English as a Second Language tutoring is offered at many locations. Adults can learn how to read, write and speak English. See the Literacy page for more information.

Children’s

HCPL offers a wide variety of programming for children. This includes regular story times, films, crafts, bilingual story times, book suggestions, and the annual Summer Reading Program and Children’s Choice Election.

Pre-school Story Time – Offered weekly at all branches for children ages 3-5 years. These programs promote reading through stories, crafts, songs and puppets. Some branches also offer story times for toddlers, infants, and school age children. Check with your local branch for more information.

Summer Reading Program - This annual event encourages reading through an incentive program co-sponsored with the Texas State Library. It is offered to children of all ages.

Materials

Suggest a Book - Do you have a title you would like to see in the library's collection? Make your suggestion through this online form. You can suggest all media types, CD's, DVD's, Videos and of course books.

Interlibrary Loan

Materials that are not available in the Harris County Public Library collection can be requested through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) at any of our branches. To request an ILL, you must have a valid HCPL library card. Items must be 6 months past the publication date to do interlibrary loan.

It may take up to several weeks for the item to arrive. Some materials may not be borrowed due to restrictions by the owning libraries or state ILL guidelines. These restrictions as well as fees are beyond the control of HCPL.  Please see the Interlibrary Loan Policy for additional information.

HCPL is also part of the TexShare network through which you can check materials out from other participating Texas libraries. You can obtain a TexShare card at any of our branches. You will need your HCPL library card and proof of mailing address (e.g. drivers license, ID, or bill).

Information for Persons with Disabilities

The Harris County Public Library will make reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. To make a request notify the branch librarian or call Debbie Chapman, Harris County ADA Coordinator at 713-755-4396 (voice) or 713-755-5118 (assistive listening device) or 713-755-5005 (TDD) or 1-800-RELAYTX. Auxiliary Aids and Services for Persons with Disabilities

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are available to the public at most library locations. Application for the Use of the Meeting Room - This form must be submitted to the branch library at least one week in advance of the date requested. Submitting a form does not guarantee that dates are available.  Please see the Meeting Room Policy for information on using the meeting rooms.

Equipment

Harris County Public Library branches offer a variety of equipment to the public. All branches offer Internet Access, the Microsoft Office Suite, Online Library Catalog access, and photocopiers. Other available equipment varies by branch but may include:
- Opaque projectors
- Overhead projectors
- Microfiche reader/printers
- Audiotape players
- TVs and VCRs
- Typewriters
- Data Projectors
- Scanners
Check out the branch pages for a list of equipment available at individual branches and contact the branch for more information.

The Atascocita, Freeman, and North Channel branches offer Kurzweil Equipment for the visually impaired. Each branch is equipped with a computer and scanner and special software that aids the visually impaired with computer use.