Harris County Public Library and Clear Lake City – County Freeman Branch Library will have the honor of hosting Dr. Luzine B. Bickham, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering African-American combat pilots of World War II. The all-ages program will feature a free screening of the PBS documentary, “Tuskegee Airmen,” followed by a conversation with Dr. Bickham about his experiences flying as one of the famed Red Tails.

In addition to his service to his country for which he received the Congressional Gold Medal as an original member of the Airmen, he served for many years as the Dean of Texas Southern University’s School of Business. Don’t miss this chance to meet a man who fought overseas in the greatest conflict in human history while battling for equality at home.

There are the big ones: your first kiss, your first car, your first paycheck; then there are the somewhat lesser firsts that somehow you remember just as well and almost as fondly. For a lot of Harris County Public Library’s customers, their first visit to a library is one of those. There’s something about a library that kids understand without much explaining. Children just naturally get the idea that books are made to be shared, and that life is full of possibilities, and that somehow those two notions are related.

We at Harris County Public Library think every day should be Take Your Child to the Library Day, but it’s alright with us if the folks up in Connecticut set aside, as they did, one day a year to remind everyone what a magical, life-enhancing place a library can be for a child, and that one of the best ways to give children a lifelong love of reading is for parents to read to them and to read for pleasure themselves, not to mention that a trip to the library is a no-cost, hassle-free chance for some quiet (or not so quiet) together-time.

Are you looking for something good to read?  The HCPL Book Hunters have selected the best books they read in 2012.  Selections include adult fiction and adult nonfiction; children's literature; and teen literature. For personalized book recommendations, fill out a Book Hunters profile today.

Several titles were picked by multiple book hunters; these are featured below.  Visit us on Pinterest for the complete selection of titles.

So Santa left you an eReader or tablet under the tree this year and you’re really excited because nothing sounds better to you right now than escaping the holiday hullaballoo into a good book, but you’ve never owned one that came with a user’s manual before.

Whether you just have general questions about downloading free eBooks and eAudiobooks from Harris County Public Library’s Digital Media Catalog, or need step-by-step instructions in plain English, we have you covered with online FAQs and support, and if you would prefer a little face-to-face help, HCPL staff at all 26 branches can provide it.

eBook FAQs & Support:
What do I need to do to start downloading Overdrive eBooks
Android products
Apple products
Kindle and Kindle Fire
Nook and Nook Tablet
Sony Reader

What if we told you that you can get the latest news about the hottest titles and trends in the world of books delivered to your email inbox? What if that news was focused on just the type of books you like to read--whether that be romance, mystery, historical fiction, or other genre? What if it was compiled by the people who wrote the book on recommending books? What if all of it came in a spiffy, quick-reading newsletter format? What if signing up for the service took only seconds and it was all absolutely free?

We’re guessing you would say something like, “Golly gee, that sounds super!”

It is. It really is.

Can't wait to get started? Visit our NextReads Newsletter Subscription page.

What’s best of all about our new NextReads newsletters is that when you see something you just have to read—and you will—you just click a link and it takes you straight to the title’s HCPL catalog record where you can make a request. In a day or two, the book will be there waiting for you on the hold shelf of your local branch. And it’s all free! You don’t have to worry about maxing out your credit cards and you will never have to decide whether you want to read or eat that month.