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Looking to jumpstart your career, land an internship, or give back through volunteering? Don’t miss the HPL Community Job Fair! Your one-stop event for networking with hiring managers, career guidance, and get an experts resume help that could give you the opportunity that can change your future!

Location: Smith Neighborhood Library - 3624 Scott St., 77004

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025

Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

 

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06/23/2025
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No matter your age or interests, there's a club for you at the Houston Public Library! HPL clubs offer the perfect chance to beat the Houston heat, connect with others, and explore something new. Discover more about our clubs here: https://ow.ly/3gKu50WbVpg

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06/20/2025
McKensi Johnson
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Catch a sneak peek of what’s to come, including performances by 9-year-old rapper Classical Kiki, singer RoXe, and singer-songwriter-guitarist Mark Winters.

Make Music Day Events:

L.O.U.D. Muzik Summit- Friday, June 20, 2025- 9:00am-4:00pm (Julia Ideson Building)

Make Music Day Festival- Saturday, June 21, 2025-11:00am-9:00pm (Entire Plaza, Central Library, Jesse H. Jones Building)

 Discover more. Do more. Read more.
 

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06/19/2025
Lisa Carrico
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No matter your age or your interest, Houston Public Library (HPL) has a club for you! HPL clubs are a great reason to get out of the house, escape the Houston summertime doldrums, and meet new people.

Have you checked out HPL's many Book Clubs? Book Clubs range from lively discussions of specific titles, to celebrations of all things Manga. Book Clubs make it easy to connect with other readers no matter what kind of books you like. If movies, documentaries and TV spark your interest, there’s a Film Discussion Club for that!

When was the last time you dabbled in the visual arts with no expectations of talent or skill? If this sounds intriguing, give Bad Art Club a try. You might be surprised by how easy it is to be creative when there's no expectation of quality or good taste! All of our clubs welcome beginners, so don’t be afraid to come out and learn about chess, creative writing, LEGOs and more.

HPL's Teen Advisory Club (TAC) is for teens who want to improve libraries for young adults like themselves. TAC members share ideas, plan events, and strategize how HPL can be a more teen-friendly space. Members can earn community service credits for high school. If you're a teen (or you know a teen) who might want to join, you can find more information in our FAQs.

Like all HPL programs, these clubs are free, and registration is highly recommended, as space is limited. 

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06/18/2025
McKensi Johnson
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Houston families now have a powerful new resource for early childhood development, right in their neighborhood. The New Family Place Library, located inside the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library, was recently highlighted on HTV, showcasing its transformative impact on early learning, parenting support, and community connection.

This unique space is designed to support early brain development and fundamental skills through interactive play, accessible learning tools, and programs that empower both children and caregivers.

The grand opening featured key community leaders, including Julie Finck, CEO of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, and Latrisha Milton, HPL's Youth and Family Services Manager. A heartfelt testimony was also shared by Bernardo Alvarez, a local parent, highlighting just how vital these resources are for families navigating the early stages of childhood development.

Named in honor of Houston’s first female astronaut, the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library now carries forward a legacy of exploration—this time into the possibilities of monitored play, caregiver support, and early learning.

We invite you to visit and explore the Family Place Library, where curiosity, connection, and confidence take root.

🎉 Sign up today and start your reading journey!
👉 houstonlibrary.org/for-readers

📍Discover more, do more, and read more all summer long at HPL. #HPLSummerReads

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06/17/2025
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You’re Invited: Tuxs & Chuxs – A Red Carpet Gala Celebrating Music & Libraries 

The Houston Public Library invites you to Tuxs & Chuxs, a red-carpet fundraising gala honoring the power of music, creativity, and the cultural legacy of public libraries.

Join us in celebration of Make Music Day with a vibrant evening featuring a photographic exhibition by acclaimed artist Bennie The Shooter and historic images from the HPL Archives.

Guests will enjoy a curated cocktail reception with complimentary bites and beverages, plus the 2025 Honoree Awards, recognizing trailblazers in arts and culture: Mathew Knowles, Attorney Ricky Anderson, Ernest Walker, Barry Coffing, Tony Thomas, Terri Thomas, Madd Hatta, and Garcie Chavez.

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Julia Ideson Building, 550 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002
Hosted by: L.O.U.D. Muzik & the Houston Public Library Foundation
Featuring appearances by community champions, library leaders, and special guests.

Step into the spotlight. Celebrate culture. Support your library.

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In a recent feature by Houston Style Magazine, the Houston Public Library (HPL) takes center stage as more than just a place for books. On June 5, 2025, the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library in Southwest Houston became the city’s newest Family Place Library, offering expert-led early childhood programs, parenting support, and community resources. Thanks to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and PNC Foundation, this space empowers families to build strong beginnings, reinforcing Houston Public Library’s commitment to literacy, learning, and lifelong opportunity.

Read the full article on Houston Style Magazines website: A Place to Grow: Houston Public Library’s New Family Place is a Beacon for Early Learning and Literacy | Houston Style Magazine | Weekly Newspaper Publication Website 

 

For more information about Houston Public Library’s programs and services, visit:
🌐 www.houstonlibrary.org

Join the Adventure This Summer! 
The Houston Public Library Summer Reading Program is officially underway!

Read books, earn rewards, and explore exciting events for ALL AGES. Whether you're a curious kid, a teen on a mission, or a parent looking to keep your family engaged, there's something for everyone!

🎉 Sign up today and start your reading journey!
👉 houstonlibrary.org/for-readers

📍Discover more, do more, and read more. All summer long at HPL. #HPLSummerReads

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06/09/2025
Lisa Carrico
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Houston Public Library (HPL) is proud to join the global celebration of Make Music Day on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with a week-long celebration of interactive experiences and free, live music in partnership with L.O.U.D. Muzik (Let Our Unity Define Muzik). Held annually in over 1,000 cities around the world, Make Music Day is an open invitation for musicians of all levels and ages to share their sound with their entire community. This year, HPL and L.O.U.D. Muzik are bringing the rhythm to the city’s libraries with dynamic performances, beat-making workshops, jam sessions, and hands-on music production stations. “Music brings people together, and that’s exactly what public libraries are here to do,” said Sandy Gaw, Houston Public Library Director. “This partnership with L.O.U.D. Muzik reflects HPL’s ongoing commitment to promoting arts, culture, and lifelong learning for everyone through community-based programming.”

"Creating the Make Music Day Festival was about more than just celebrating sound – it was about making space. As the founder of L.O.U.D. Muzik, it’s my mission to ensure that the talent and culture of our city are not only heard, but respected and represented. Houston is rich with diversity, and it’s critical that our city events reflect the voices and stories of the communities that make it great," said Derrick McKinney, CEO and Founder of L.O.U.D. Muzik.

Participants will have multiple channels to learn the business of entertainment, with opportunities to: 
Learn how to CREATE your content at the TECHLink Studio Takeover.
This immersive and interactive event features tours, networking and a hands-on production experience for veteran and new musicians alike. 
         Wednesday, June 18 | Noon – 5 p.m. 
         Dr. Shannon Walker Library | 11630 Chimney Rock Rd.

Speak to EXPERTS at the L.O.U.D. Muzik Summit
Attend this day-long event to hear from A-listers, up-and-comers, artists, educators, and industry professionals. Panelists include Barry Coffing, David Kuti, TikTokMomma, Spoiled Latina, Aim Rashid and LaRonn Harris.
         Friday, June 20 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
         Julia Ideson Building | 550 McKinney St.

Celebrate Make Music Day in Houston. 
Turn up the volume for the global Make Music Day initiative with a full day of free performances, hands-on music experiences, vendors, and community celebration at our festival! 
         Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 
         Central Library Complex | 500 McKinney St.

About L.O.U.D. Muzik
L.O.U.D. Muzik is an independent entertainment powerhouse dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering cutting-edge talent to the world stage. Founded by Derrick McKinney, the label blends strategic marketing, artist empowerment, and cultural influence to create unforgettable music, experiences, and movements. From chart-topping singles to dynamic live events, L.O.U.D. Muzik is more than a label – it’s a lifestyle.

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06/05/2025
Lisa Carrico
I Am Texas exhibit

Houston Public Library (HPL) is hosting three remarkable exhibits in June.

I Am Texas, the Guiness World Record™ holder for largest published book, is on display at Central Library (500 McKinney St., 77002) starting Saturday, June 7. The date was chosen to honor the 100th birthday of former First Lady and literacy champion Barbara Bush; HPL plans to further honor the former First Lady with system-wide storytimes featuring her favorite books at all library locations on June 7.

1,000 young people in over 80 school districts across Texas contributed stories, poetry, and artwork to create I Am Texas, an ode to their home state from a child’s perspective. The iWrite Organization and The Bryan Museum, along with New York Times bestselling author and illustrator team, Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos, published I Am Texas with the help of official sponsor Phillips 66. The cover features illustrated versions of Texas heroes like Bessie Coleman, Juan Seguin, and Barbara Bush. The book stands seven feet tall and weighs 496 lbs. The giant book has traveled all over Texas since breaking the Guinness World Record™ in Houston in November 2022 and will be displayed at Central Library until November 14, 2025. The public is encouraged to take their pictures with I Am Texas and learn the behind-the-scenes process of its creation.

Al Otro Lado/The Other Side showcases the work of Raquel Natalicchio, a Houston-based visual journalist for the Houston Chronicle. Blending large-scale portraits, historical maps, and video interviews, this exhibit presents a visual dialogue between people and places. Natalicchio’s striking portraits of immigrants who now call Houston home are paired with historical maps from HPL’s archives, highlighting regions along the U.S.–Mexico border, Texas, and Houston. “This exhibit invites viewers to explore immigration through a thoughtful blend of portraiture, storytelling, and historical context. Rather than focusing on politics or policy, it centers on the lived experiences of individuals,” said Raquel Natalicchio. The exhibit opens Saturday, June 14 and will be on display in the The Dr. James and Betty Key Map Room in the Julia Ideson Building (550 McKinney St., 77002) through February 28, 2026.

The public is invited to a free Opening Reception for Al Otro Lado on Saturday, June 14 at noon in the Julia Ideson Building. Online registration is encouraged, as space is limited.

Opening June 30 in the Julia Ideson Building is The Great Restoration Adventure: Celebrating the Craftsmen of Notre-Dame de Paris. On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as fire engulfed the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most treasured structures of the last seven centuries and a cultural landmark of universal value. The ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame on December 27, 2024, reinforced the importance of preserving and cherishing our global heritage for today, and for the future.

This exhibit celebrates the extraordinary skills of the craftsmen and artisans responsible for bringing the cathedral back to life. Because of their talents, Notre-Dame de Paris has been saved to inspire future generations. Exhibit partners include Archaeology Now, Villa Albertine - Consulat Général de France à Houston, Alliance Français à Houston, Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, Maison Luquet, Ateliers Perrault, Handshouse Studio, Houston Area Blacksmith's Association, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The exhibit is on display through August 2, 2025.

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