HPL News - Visit Us at Houston Public Library

Left-right: HPL Director Sandy Gaw, Chief Operating Officer John Middleton, Deputy Assistant Director of SPACES Stephen Chamberlain and Project Manager Raiset Ruban at the Awards Ceremony. Photo by Paul R. Davis.

Houston Public Library's Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library has received two Development of Distinction Awards from the Houston District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The new library branch won a Development of Distinction award in the Small-Scale Non-Profit category, as well as the People's Choice award which is determined by public vote; the 2025 People's Choice Award voting broke records.

At the February 11 Awards Ceremony presented by the Wilson, Cribbs + Goren firm at Armadillo Palace, over 200 guests gathered to recognize developments and open spaces that provide an example of best practices in design, construction, and other qualities. Finalists were selected by a panel of Houston real estate experts, and projects were evaluated by a team of national experts.

"The 23,260 SF next-generation library is a community hub envisioned as a space for the modern community. What was once a forgotten post office site, the library is a vibrant art-filled public gathering space featuring a café, TECHLink with music, video and podcast recording spaces, flexible meeting areas, private study rooms and a variety of seating arrangements," said ULI Houston about the Walker Neighborhood Library.

The design of the library encourages interaction with nature. Additionally, the site is designed to cut deep into the library, offering multiple spaces for patrons to experience nature in both function and scale. "Color inhabits these spaces, and sunlight takes a more apparent possession of the building," ULI Houston added about the project.

Recent Posts

Update for out-of-state-library cardholders

Important Announcement for Out-of-State Library Cardholders We would like to inform out-of-state residents that starting April 7, 2025, Houston Public Library will no longer be renewing out-of-state resident library cards. This change is a result of adjustments to library funding and operations, and we want to ensure that our patrons are aware of the upcoming changes. Key Information: Effective April 7, 2025, out-of-state residents will no longer be able to renew their library cards; however, cards will remain valid until its expiration date. Patrons are still encouraged to engage with us on social media, explore our digital archives, and attend virtual events which remain accessible to all patrons. Thank you for being part of our library community! ...

Honoring Houston Matriarchs at Three Namesake Libraries

Left-right: Nena Stanaker and her grandson, Robert H. Stanaker, photo courtesy of Brett Stanaker; Amanda E. Dixon and Mayor Louie Welch, MSS0157-0491, HPL, Houston History Research Center; Beulah Shepard.Read and learn about Nena Stanaker, Amanda Dixon, and Beulah Shepard, three Houston women who followed in the footsteps of HPL legend Julia Ideson to establish neighborhood libraries that would be named for them. If you've never visited these locations, Women's History Month is an ideal time to take a tour.Stanaker Neighborhood Library, 611 S. Sgt. Macario Garcia Dr., 77011We begin in the heart of Houston’s East End. In 1950, Houston Public Library (HPL) opened the Central Park Branch at 69th and Canal Streets. Nena E. Stanaker was instrumental in its establishment. A resident of the East End since before it was developed, she petitioned for such neighborhood amenities as streets, streetlights, water, and schools. The year after the right to vote was extended to women, she became a precinct judge and went on to serve for 25 years. Having advocated for East End library services for years, she helped establish a collection of books, housed in various local schools, intended for the use of the neighborhood’s children. Known as the unofficial “Mayor of the East End,” she served on HPL’s Library Board for over 20 years. The Central Park Branch was remodeled and renamed the Stanaker Library in 1967. It received a new address when 69th Street was renamed Macario Garcia Drive in 1981, a new building in 1986 and a remodel in 2012. Today, Nena Stanaker would be proud to call this busy, popular branch her namesake.TECHLink Dixon, 8002 Hirsch Rd., 77016 Amanda E. Dixon arrived in Houston in the 1940s to attend Texas Southern University. She settled in the Fifth Ward and worked as a school librarian, taking neighborhood children on field trips to HPL’s Carnegie and Central locations. She and her family relocated to the Trinity Gardens neighborhood in 1965, where she organized the local civic group, Trinity Action Program’s library initiative. Dixon helped the group rent a dedicated space and campaigned to make Trinity Gardens the site of an official HPL location. Her dream materialized in 1971, with Houston Mayor Louie Welch allocating money to purchase land for a new Trinity Gardens Library, and Stran Steel Corporation providing a new building. Dixon passed away just before her namesake library opened in 1972. Dixon Library served the Trinity Gardens neighborhood for decades, until it was irreparably damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. A generous gift by Aramco Americas made it possible for HPL to rebuild and reopen Dixon as a TECHLink center in 2021. Dixon believed, “there is no poverty in a community which reads. Reading is an opportunity to learn, and the more accessible books are, the more people can learn. That is why communities need libraries.”Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library, 8501 West Montgomery Rd., 77088Traveling northwest from TECHLink Dixon, we arrive at the Beulah Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library. Beulah Shepard moved to Acres Homes in 1948, when she left Louisiana to help her sister with a new baby. She stayed and became active in her neighborhood, her church, and politics. She worked on Democratic campaigns at the local, state and national level, and registered voters between elections. She lobbied City Council for infrastructure improvements like roads, a swimming pool, and a library for Acres Homes, becoming known as its unofficial “Mayor.” Dedicated in 1976, the Acres Homes Library (as it was then known) is a welcoming space full of natural woodwork and light. Shepard passed away in 2010. Two years later, the City of Houston renamed the library in her honor. You can learn more about her life and career by browsing the Beulah Shepard Collection in the HPL Digital Archives.A fitting tribute to Shepard—and, it can be said, to Stanaker and Dixon as well—is a mural painted on the building’s exterior by Aldine ISD students from a concept by artist Reginald Charles Adams. It depicts the hands of elders stitching together a quilt on which patchwork pieces spell out the word, “Read.” These three locations are among many other HPL libraries named for notable Houston women; if you'd like to learn about more, our locations page is a great place to start! ...

HPL Honored with Mayor’s 2025 HERO Safety Award

Houston Public Library's (HPL's) Safety Committee has been honored with the Mayor’s HERO Safety Award, recognizing the ongoing commitment to creating a safer and healthier work environment. As part of this recognition, team members attended a ceremony held during the HERO 15th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, February 28, 2025. The Safety Committee is overseen by John Middleton, Chief Operating Officer, and led by Gwendolyne Walter, Safety Officer with the SPACES team. Together, they ensure that safety remains a top priority for all staff members. “This award highlights the hard work and dedication of our team over the past 15 years in transforming ideas, values, and practices that foster sustainable safety behaviors and operational improvements,” said Middleton.For the past 15 years, the Safety Committee has been running successful "Positive" Safety Campaigns and encourage the organization to get involved in creating a safer workplace. Every year, 20 "Safe Workers of the Year" staff members are selected and recognized as "Caught Being Safe". There is also HPL’s safety mascot, Zippy, and a system-wide Safety Theme Competition where all teams can demonstrate creative safety campaigns through group pictures, PowerPoint presentations, short videos, or displays.When the campaigns first started, HPL averaged 32 Workers' Compensation Claims (WCC) annually. Fast forward to today, that number has successfully reduced to just 8 claims a year. The annual goal is to reduce incident rates by 10% each year. This target has been consistently met or exceeded including in FY2023, with just 8 WCC claims. Nearing the final two months of FY2024, HPL is on track to meet the 7 WCC incidents target. “Thanks to the efforts of many, we have seen significant strides in reducing incident rates and workers' compensation claims, which ultimately helps everyone work in a safer environment,” Walter added....

Explore the Legacy of Julia Ideson: A Timeless Houston Landmark Celebrating Women's History Month

Tour the Julia Ideson BuildingAs one of the oldest buildings in downtown Houston, the Julia Ideson Building is a treasure trove of history and architectural beauty. In honor of Women's History Month, City of Houston’s HTV intern Vanessa Wilcox takes us inside this iconic building to explore its timeless charm and the remarkable story behind its name.The building is named after Julia Ideson, the first librarian of the Houston Public Library, who served from 1903 to 1945. Julia Ideson was a trailblazer in her field, helping to expand library services to the community, particularly advocating for library access for underserved groups. Her legacy lives on not only in the building that bears her name but in the lasting impact she had on Houston's cultural and educational landscape.During the tour, Vanessa hears from Shawn Kuehn, Special Events Manager at Houston Public Library, who shares insights into the history of the building, its stunning architecture, beautiful murals, and the critical role it has played in the community over the years.The tour, captured and edited by Vanessa Wilcox, showcases the rich history of both the Julia Ideson Building and the legacy of women like Julia Ideson, who continue to inspire future generations. This Women’s History Month, it’s a perfect time to walk in and take a tour. The building is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. So, come and reflect on how far we’ve come and the trailblazing women who paved the way.Plan your visit today and experience the history and beauty of the Julia Ideson Building in person!Shot and Edited by Vanessa Wilcox...

HPL's Walker Neighborhood Library Wins Urban Land Institute Awards