HPL News

Houston, TX— June 20, 2024 — Houston Public Library (HPL) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support its digitization project, "Analog to Digital: Preserving Houston’s Black Voices." This two-year initiative will digitize historically significant and vulnerable archived audio, video, and oral history recordings of prominent Black community members, making these resources publicly available for library and museum exhibits, researchers, community events, and online and printed publications.

Key Project Objectives:

• Digitization and Reformatting: Preserve 1,416 audiovisual items by converting them to digital formats.
• Increased Accessibility: Enhance public access to resource materials by making them available online at no cost.
• Promotion of Archives: Increase awareness and usage of the archives through targeted promotions.
• Curated Community Partnerships: Engage with community partners to curate and share the digitized archives.

The funding will support essential project components including the hiring of a contract Project Archivist. These resources enable HPL to undertake comprehensive archival processing—arranging, describing, and preserving the materials—to ensure their longevity and accessibility. "Preserving Houston’s Black Voices" specifically targets historically significant collections related to Houston’s historic ward districts, key organizations like Trinity United Methodist Church, and notable neighborhoods such as Independence Heights and Sunnyside.

Currently, these collections are only accessible in person at HPL’s African American History Research Center (AAHRC) at the Gregory School, limiting their reach and impact.

“This generous support from the IMLS allows us to not only safeguard historical recordings but also to bring these important stories to the forefront. We look forward to the positive impact this project will have on our community and the preservation of Houston’s Black history,” said Miguell Ceasar, Head of History Research Centers. “This project will help tell the rich, living history of Black Houstonians, ensuring their stories and contributions are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.”

Click here to listen to a digitized oral history example, featuring the late Rev. Bill Lawson discussing race relations in Houston during the 1960s. This recording, along with many others, is available through HPL’s Digital Archives.

About Houston Public Library
We are a dynamic organization that serves one of the largest service areas –both population and area – in the country. 2.3 million residents in the City of Houston are the primary beneficiaries of a comprehensive customer-focused service delivery strategy.

Our system consists of 44 public service units which include one Central Library, five Regional Libraries, 29 Neighborhood and Express Libraries, three History Research Centers, three TECHLinks, one Satellite location at Children’s Museum Houston, one cafécollege Houston center, and one Mobile Express.

About the African American History Research Center at the Gregory School
The African American History Research Center is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of African Americans in the Houston area and beyond.  Our goal is to link visitors from around the world to the storied history of this city.

The collections provide books, manuscripts, and photographs; the research center hosts events, exhibits, and programs that explore the lives and achievements of African Americans. The free services and events are open to the public and are designed to educate and engage visitors of all ages.

From left to right: John Middleton, interim Chief Operating Officer at Houston Public Library; Betty and Dr. James Key, donors and driving force behind the project; and Nicolas Jimenez, Board Chair of Houston Public Library Foundation.

Houston Public Library Foundation (HPLF) and Houston Public Library (HPL) are proud to announce the successful grand opening of the Dr. James and Betty Key Map Room, which took place on June 13, 2024. The event, celebrating the exhibit Mapping Texas and Houston: Selections from the Houston History Research Center, drew an enthusiastic crowd of history enthusiasts, scholars, and community members.

Event Highlights:

• Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: The grand opening commenced with an inspiring ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Nicolas Jimenez, Board Chair of HPLF, alongside HPL’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, John Middleton, and Dr. James and Betty Key.  This event not only symbolized the mission to preserve and share Houston's rich historical legacy but marked a milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing valuable library services to the Houston community.
• Thanks & Appreciation: The Houston Public Library Foundation and Key family extended its heartfelt thanks to all donors, partners, and supporters who made this project possible. Your continued contributions will ensure that the Key Map Room will be a lasting resource for generations to come.
• Family Contributions: Dr. James Key shared a personal story about his lifelong love for maps and how, Betty his wife, initially just indulged him prior to their now shared passion for cartography. Attendees received a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of the individuals behind the exhibit's inspiration.

Exhibit Features:
Over 2,000 maps have found their way into the collection via individual donations, as part of archival collections, and through the state document depository program. The new Key Map Room is a dedicated gallery space for displaying maps of Houston, Texas, and beyond, offering a unique opportunity for the public viewing of these beautiful and educational pieces of history.

• Rare Historical Maps: Visitors were thrilled to view original maps dating from the 16th century to the present, including early depictions of Texas and the Gulf Coast. These maps offer a visual journey through the region's history, showcasing changes and growth over centuries.
• Urban Development Maps: The collection includes detailed maps illustrating Houston's transformation from a modest settlement to a bustling metropolis. These maps provide a unique perspective on the city's rapid expansion and urban planning efforts.
• Dr. Key’s Personal Favorites: The exhibition features Girolamo Ruscelli’s 1574 map, Nueva Hispania Tabula Nova, one of the first maps to focus on the area that would become the Southern half of the United States and Mexico. The map reveals Spanish exploration and colonization of the region, noting the discoveries of famed explorers Alonso Álvarez de Pineda, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, and Luis de Moscoso Alvarado. A rare American-made globe is also on display, which was manufactured by the pioneering Boston globe-maker Josiah Loring in 1844. The globe is notable for including the Republic of Texas.

Public Access and Tours:
The Dr. James and Betty Key Map Room is now open to the public during the History Research Center's regular hours. The Mapping Texas and Houston exhibit will be on display through March of 2025.  

Visitor Feedback:
Guests at the opening expressed their admiration for the exhibit's depth and the collective efforts in making history accessible. Many noted the exhibit as “amazing” and thanked Christina Grubitz, curator for HPL, for creating an experience that was both engaging and educational for all ages.
 

Houston, TX — Houston Public Library (HPL) is pleased to announce extended hours of operation to better accommodate the needs of our community. Starting June 1, 2024, Alief Regional Library, Central Library, and all three History Research Centers will have expanded hours, providing greater access to resources, services, and programs for all customers.
 
The new hours of operation for select locations are as follows:

All locations are closed on Sundays.

Interim Chief Operating Officer John Middleton expressed excitement about the change, stating, “This operational change is not just about convenience; the new hours are about our commitment to making the material available to the public. Whether it's for researching, accessing technology, participating in our programs, or simply finding a quiet place to study or read, we are here to serve the community.”

In addition to the extended hours, HPL continues to offer a wide range of services, including:

• Passport services available
• Free Wi-Fi and computer access
• A vast collection of books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, and a Library of Things
• Educational and recreational programs for all ages
• Research assistance and resources
• Meeting and study rooms

Houston Public Library (HPL) is offering FREE tutoring from Trice Education Resources for students in grades K-5 this summer. The Get LIT Summer Literacy Program offers thirty-minute one-on-one and group workshops in both English and Spanish at library locations across Houston. The program is designed to improve literacy skills including comprehension, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and vocabulary. Students can use their MYLink library cards to borrow fun books that support their learning needs and are encouraged to register for HPL's Summer Reading Program for chances to win prizes and attend free events.

The Get LIT Summer Literacy Program, which runs through July 26, has openings for young learners at the following library locations:

• Carnegie Neighborhood Library & Center for Learning - 1050 Quitman St., Houston, TX 77009
• Mancuso Neighborhood Library - 6767 Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77087
• Vinson Neighborhood Library - 3810 West Fuqua St., Houston, TX 77045 (Only English-language tutoring is available at this location)
• Young Neighborhood Library - 5107 Griggs Rd., Houston, TX 77021

This program is offered by Trice Education Resources, Inc., an educational consultant firm founded in 1998 that specializes in providing technical assistance to schools in the areas of literacy, professional development, student support, data analysis, and on-site coaching.

Parents and guardians can register their children for the Get LIT Summer Literacy Program using this online form. 

About Houston Public Library

We are a dynamic organization that serves one of the largest service areas—both population and area—in the country. 2.3 million residents in the City of Houston are the primary beneficiaries of a comprehensive customer-focused service delivery strategy. Our system consists of 44 public service units which include one Central Library, five Regional Libraries, 29 Neighborhood and Express Libraries, three History Research Centers, three TECHLinks, one Satellite location at Children’s Museum Houston, one cafécollege Houston center, and one Mobile Express. For more information about the Houston Public Library’s extended hours and services, visit houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313. 

History of Trice Education Resources, Inc.

Trice Education Resources, Inc. is a consultant firm founded in1998 that specializes in providing technical assistance to schools in the areas of literacy, educational professional development, student support, data analysis, and on-site coaching to enhance staff development and student academic achievement. The primary goal of Trice Education Resources, Inc. is to assist schools and businesses with school reform and literacy growth. 

Trice Education Resources, Inc. has effectively provided services to schools and businesses in the states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Wisconsin by providing schools and businesses within identified areas sustained, continuous professional staff development related to state standards, literacy in reading and mathematics, campus/business goals, professional teacher and administrative academic coaching, and as a result, the increase in teacher/student performance and test scores has been substantial. 

Teacher and administrative professional development are staff-focused but student-centered and directed towards helping administrators, teachers, and staff internalize new teaching behaviors through pedagogy, process, and content standards so that student achievement is actualized.

Houston Public Library (HPL) is opening two new Family Place Libraries™ locations at Alief-David M. Henington Regional Library and Jungman Neighborhood Library. A ribbon cutting for the two new locations will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Alief-David M. Henington Regional Library. Guest speakers at the event include Houston City Council member Tiffany Thomas of District F, Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation President and CEO Dr. Julie Baker Finck, and Julie Sudduth, Regional President of PNC Bank Houston. 

Thanks to generous grant support from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and PNC Foundation, the new Family Place Libraries™ have specifically designed spaces featuring welcoming areas with interactive early literacy materials, games, toys, and books. The HPL team will be provided with exclusive training to expand programs for toddlers and their families.

Read full media alert Houston Public Library Expands its Family Place Program.

Houston Public Library (HPL) is excited to announce the reopening of the Eleanor Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library on Monday, April 15, 2024. Operating hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., marking a significant milestone in the City’s commitment to serving the community.

A mini-event will kick off the festivities starting at 10 a.m. and include brief remarks from city officials followed by a storytime, craft time, 120th-anniversary limited-edition card sign-up, and book giveaways. 

While specific areas will be restricted to the public for safety reasons, reopening services will include a range of resources and amenities. Customers will have access to a collection of books, e-resources, engaging programs, a meeting space, computers, print services, and outdoor Wi-Fi.

The Freed-Montrose Library temporarily closed last month because of facility safety concerns. Following the closure, Mayor John Whitmire asked members of the library administration to meet with stakeholders and create a plan to safely reopen the building and welcome back the public to a beloved space for learning, discovery and cultural enrichment.

After careful consideration and invaluable customer feedback, the operations were extended at the Freed-Montrose Library, reaffirming HPL's dedication to providing continued access to the library's invaluable resources and services. 

Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Montrose community, Freed-Montrose has been a cherished institution and hub for learning, exploration, and community engagement for years. 

According to the City's General Services Department, a specific date for the grand opening of the new library at 1001 California Street will be determined after substantial completion of the project’s construction.

Houston Public Library (HPL) regrets to inform its valued customers of the impending closure of the Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library located at 4100 Montrose Blvd. The library will cease operations at the end of business hours on Thursday, March 28, 2024. 

This decision is due to ongoing safety and facility issues that cannot be resolved in a timely manner. Among the workplace safety concerns, the elevator's non-functionality renders the second floor inaccessible to the public, as it does not comply with ADA accessibility standards. However, HPL is excited to announce plans for a new and improved library facility to better serve the community, anticipated to open in Fall 2024.

During the closure, customers can still utilize the book drop for returns until April 4, 2024. HPL encourages customers to explore alternate library locations and online services for their reading and informational needs.

Construction is already underway for the new Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library, which will be in the Montrose Collective mixed-use shopping center at 1001 California Street, 77006. The new location is anticipated to open in Fall 2024, providing the community with an upgraded and modern library experience and expanded hours.

"We understand the inconvenience this closure may cause, but please know that we are completely focused on providing a better equipped and more accessible library facility for our customers," said Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Executive Director at Houston Public Library.

The nearest library branches to the Montrose community during this transition period are:

• Central Library, located 2.6 miles away at 500 McKinney St., 77002 | Phone: 832-393-1313
• Smith Neighborhood Library, located 3.0 miles away at 3624 Scott St., 77004 | Phone: 832-393-2050
• Looscan Neighborhood Library, located 3.6 miles away at 2510 Willowick Rd., 77027 | Phone: 832-393-1900

HPL remains committed to keeping patrons informed throughout the transition process and will provide updates on the progress of the new building as more information becomes available. 

"Although the doors may close, the knowledge and memories shared within the walls of Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library will forever endure. I look forward to welcoming customers to the new library later this year," added Lawson.

For more information or assistance, customers can contact Ask HPL customer service online or call 832-393-1313.