Laura Smith's blog

Did spending time with your family over the holidays make you wonder more about your roots?  Did it make you wonder if you’re actually related to some of them?  If you’re interested in beginning the search for your family history, here are a few ways to get started without spending a lot of money. 

Most experienced genealogists will tell you to first write down everything you know about your family, collect all the documentation that you have (birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, obituaries, family photos, etc.) and then start talking to your family members – especially those from the generations prior to you. 

United Way Bay Area Financial Opportunity Center will be hosting two excellent free workshops in the next couple of weeks at the United Way Bay Area Service Center, which is located at 1300 Bay Area Blvd., Building A, Houston, TX 77058.  On Thursday, November 29th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. they will offer a Behavorial Interviewing Skills Workshop.  The workshop will cover role playing common interview questions, learning how to answer behavioral questions, what your body language says to an employer, and how to talk about and present your best self.

Is your family expecting a baby?  Well, we’re having a baby shower at the library!  Come spend an afternoon with us as we share what the library has to offer for you and your growing family.  You may have already heard about Book Babies, Toddler Time and Preschool Storytime, and you may have even heard about our other children's programs, but the library has even more to offer you and your family. 

In addition to books for expecting parents and early literacy programs, you’ll hear about our computer classes, ESL tutoring, adult and teen programs, eBooks and other resources for pure entertainment.  Join us Saturday, October 27th from 2-4 p.m. in the Children’s Activity Space.  We look forward to seeing you there! 
 

Join us Saturday, October 6th at 10 a.m. in the Community Room for part three of our College Series, “The College Application Process/Timeline & Financial Aid Process”.  

Our speaker will be Jolyn Brand, founder of Brand College Consulting.   Ms. Brand has a Master’s Degree in Education and has spent over ten years working with teens.   She will be discussing the college submission and financial aid process, including special circumstances such as student athletes and the decision to take a gap year.  Student timelines for each year of high school will be provided. 

Local filmmaker Wayne Slaten, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival, will offer a free presentation on the basics of filmmaking at Freeman Library on Monday, August 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.