120 Years Anniversary

Founded at the turn of the 20th century on March 2, 1904, the Houston Lyceum and Carnegie Library was located at the corner of Travis Street and McKinney Avenue. By 1907, over ten thousand Houstonians had library cards. Within the span of nine years, the number of library workers more than tripled, totaling seven in 1913.

Houston Public Library was named in 1921, and five years later, there stood a new Central Library with a Spanish Renaissance architectural style and an entrance facing what would become Hermann Memorial Square.

Expansion from a single library to a system with numerous locations and spaces is reflected by core values throughout the years: between 1927-1974, improved services for accessibility and community engagement; 1975-1999, transition to a digital age for educational enrichment; and from 2000-present, to emphasize innovation and inclusivity for all.

The milestone year of 120 celebrates a century and decades of Houston Public Library fostering knowledge and ingenuity. As such, the HPL 120 logo is meant to convey growth and creativity on the horizon.

The Houston Public Library's 120 graphic design incorporates a familiar motif within the number itself. A stylized cityscape and silhouette of a heart symbolize the library's deep connection to the city it serves, recognizing love from and for the community. The importance of place is represented by the positioning of the typeface, with Houston Public Library upholding what the City of Houston stands for—enhancement of life—while uplifting its own mission to link people to the world.