We attempt to answer all questions but sometimes the email bounces back.  It is essential that we have a valid email address to send you an answer.  Before you submit your question, please verify that your email address is correct and in the correct format (e.g. xxx@yyy.com).  Replies can bounce because of incorrectly entered email addresses and because email from us is blocked by a firewall or email preferences (e.g. on AOL).

We welcome your feedback through our feedback form.

Fill out the Book Title or Purchase Selection form.

Please see our Meeting Room Policy.

Please see our Library Cards page for information on how to get a library card.

You will need to contact one of our branches to update your account.  If your address has changed, you will need to bring proof of address with you to a branch.

You can use the Forget Your PIN? email form to have your PIN sent to your email address that is on your account.  If you do not have an email address on file, you will need to call or visit one of our branches to obtain your PIN.

You can obtain one by visiting one of our branches.

Yes, we can try to obtain item(s) for you on interlibrary loan (ILL); items must be 6 months past the publication date to do interlibrary loan. You can do Interlibrary Loan through any of our branches or online. Interlibrary Loan is a system where we check for the book, videos, DVDs, etc. in other library systems. The process takes a minimum of several weeks. It may take up to several weeks for the item to arrive.  For further information see the Interlibrary Loan Policy.

HCPL is also part of the TexShare (http://www.texshare.edu/) 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).

We have selected some sites to assist you with Computers and the Internet. If you need more help, a number of our branches offer computer classes.

The Harris County Public Library has basic information on beginning genealogy research including two genealogy databases. For more in depth information or help, please contact the Clayton Library – Center for Genealogical Research, a branch of the Houston Public Library.

Unfortunately, the Harris County Public Library does not have the Houston Chronicle or the Houston Press on microfilm and we are therefore unable to provide obituaries.  Our neighboring system, the Houston Public Library does have both of these newspapers on microfilm. Like Harris County Public Library, they have an email reference service.

As soon as items are checked in the record is deleted (unless there are fines or the book is lost), so unfortunately we have no way of showing you what items you have checked out in the past.

There are several guides online for the different bibliography formats:

• Citation Styles for Online Documents
• A Guide for Writing Research Papers based on Styles Recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA)
• A Guide for Writing Research Papers based on Modern Language Association (MLA) Documentation [PDF]
• Chicago Manual of Style Form Guide

We also have books on the topic.  The following are links to our catalog.

• APA
• Chicago Manual of Style
• Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations (Turabian)
• MLA