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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!

Recent Posts

HRC Quarterly Newsletters: April 2025 Gregory Griot

In this issue: The Voices of Gregory: John Hightower; Volunteer Spotlight: Andrea Estrada; Preserving the Black PressThe Voices of Gregory: John Hightower by Aleah Parsons, MLIS | Archivist II/Oral History ArchivistHere at the African American History Research Center (AAHRC), we prioritize conducting oral histories with alumni who remember the school and the community of Fourth Ward during the 20th Century. The following is a recollection of John Hightower’s experience at the Gregory School. A New Start in Houston & Attending the Gregory School John Hightower was born in 1937 in Huntsville, Texas, to David and Daisy Hightower. John spent the first few years of his life living on his grandparents’ farm in Huntsville. He remembers fondly swimming in water holes, riding his horse, playing with his dog and just being a boy. All of that changed when John moved with his family to Houston, Texas, around 1940. He and his family moved to Fourth Ward and lived on Shaw Street next to Antioch Baptist Church. About a year later John began attending the Gregory School. Because of his schooling in Huntsville, John was far ahead of the other students in his class and often felt bored in school. At the Gregory School, Principal Butte, known as a strict disciplinarian to all students, decided to skip John from the fourth to the fifth grade. Shortly after, he was skipped to the sixth grade, but this was not enough for John, who had his own dreams of attending Booker T. Washington High School in Houston and playing basketball. John pretended to be his father and successfully enrolled himself into Booker T. Washington to achieve his dream. Sadly, after a couple of days, his mother found out and made him go back to the Gregory School. John recalls being afraid to return to the Gregory School believing that Principal Butte would punish him for leaving. However, Principal Butte was merciful towards John and promised to keep him busy for the rest of his time at the Gregory School. In 1950, John successfully graduated from the Gregory School and went on to achieve his dream of attending Booker T. Washington and playing basketball, which he was very good at. To learn more about other Gregory School Alumni check out our oral history collection Houston Oral History Project - Gregory School Interviews - Houston Public Library Digital Archives (oclc.org) on the Houston Public Library Digital Archives and stay tuned for the publishing of John Hightower’s oral history.Volunteer Spotlight: Andrea EstradaI’m Andrea Estrada and I’ve been a volunteer with the AAHRC for about a year and a half. I’m a history and general science studies student at Austin Community College. I’m a born and raised Houstonian, and I grew up visiting HPL’s libraries as often as I could, leaving with an armful of books. I plan on attending the University of North Texas this fall to finish my bachelor’s degree in information science, and hopefully I will complete my MLIS to continue to work in archives. Outside of school and my volunteer work, I love to travel to U.S. National Parks (I’ve visited 15 of the 64 parks so far!), cross-stitch, play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends, and read. Volunteer Work at the AAHRC: I’ve worked on a wide array of projects and collections during my time at AAHRC. Some of my favorites include writing metadata for oral histories of local community figures, transcribing correspondence written during World War II between Clifford and Hortense Smith, and inventorying a collection donated by the Houston branch of The Links, Inc., which included photos of Links members with U.S. Representative Mickey Leland. I’ve also helped organize and inventory funeral programs of local community members as well as cassettes and CDs with sermons recorded at Trinity United Methodist Church. I’m currently processing a collection of works donated by Dr. Michael Botson that he used to write his book Labor, Civil Rights, and The Hughes Tool Company. The contents of the collection include handwritten notes, photos, and recorded interviews with retirees from the Hughes Tool Company who fought against unfair wage scales based on race. Although I’ve never processed a collection by myself, the archivists here at AAHRC have been very helpful and patient, giving me guidance and experience that I wouldn’t ordinarily have until at least a couple of years down the line in my academic career. In between my projects, I also enjoy walking around the reading room and browsing the books, wishing I could check them out. Through my time here, I’ve been able to learn so much more about Houston’s African American history while also acquiring skills and general archives knowledge that I will be able to apply in my future studies and career. It has been such a rewarding experience to volunteer at AAHRC and I encourage anyone with time and an interest in history and public service to volunteer as well!Preserving the Black Pressby Sheena Wilson | ManagerNewspapers are an invaluable primary resource that document the rich, multifaceted history of communities across the world. These publications have chronicled pivotal moments of both success and struggle in the daily lives of Black communities globally. Local Houston newspapers, such as the Houston Informer, Houston Defender, Houston Forward Times, and the Negro Labor News among others, have provided essential voices to the community, offering perspectives often omitted from mainstream media. While the need for access to historical newspapers is clear, preserving physical copies poses significant challenges. Over time, the naturally acidic nature of paper causes it to deteriorate when exposed to fluctuating environmental factors like humidity, light, and temperature. Limited storage space and financial constraints further hinder efforts to properly archive and maintain these historical documents. To ensure these records remain publicly accessible, we have undertaken a newspaper digitization project in recent years to tackle these preservation challenges. By converting microform and physical newspapers into digital formats, we aim to ensure their longevity, increase user-friendliness, and enable continued use for future generations. Most importantly, the digitized papers will be searchable, making them a more valuable tool for researchers. Houston Forward Times The Houston Forward Times stands as the largest Black-owned and independently operated newspaper in Houston and the American South. Launched in 1960 by Julius Carter, this weekly publication focuses on stories relevant to Houston's Black community, departing from the national scope of most newspapers to provide a narrative that reflects the interests of its local readership.Front page of the Houston Forward Times. May 2, 1970.The Houston Forward Times digitization project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Grant # LS-252486-OLS-22). * (2023) and Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Grant # LS-256843-OLS-24). * 2024Read digital issues of the Houston Forward Times: https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17006coll12/searchThe Houston Informer The Houston Informer, established in 1919 by C.F. Richardson Sr., was a prominent weekly newspaper that gave voice to the Black community in Houston and across the state. The Informer frequently published content addressing issues of importance to the community, including discriminatory voting practices and education. In later years, the Houston Informer merged with the Texas Freeman, becoming the Informer and Texas Freeman, before eventually being renamed simply as the Informer. A smaller-scale project is underway to digitize and upload this periodical online. Front page of the Houston Informer. January 22, 1927.Read digital issues of The Houston Informer:https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17006coll183/searchBrowse a list of historical African American newspapers available at the research center from cities in Texas and Louisiana:https://houstonlibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=66825685 Request a SpeakerAre you interested in deepening your understanding of Houston’s African American history? The African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus offers a wealth of resources to support your research and learning. We provide both virtual and in-person workshops and presentations that delve into our extensive archives and research materials.If you would like to request a speaker for your event or learn more about our outreach offerings, email us at hpl.gregoryschool@houstontx.gov.Sign up to receive our other HRC eNewsletters!...

A visit from Tiffany Haddish and Layla, the Last Black Unicorn!

Big thanks to Tiffany Haddish and the She Ready Foundation for bringing a whirlwind of storytime fun to Heights Library with Layla, the Last Black Unicorn! If you missed it, check out the video on our YouTube channel!...

HRC Quarterly Newsletters: April 2025 Clayton Crier

In this issue: Learn about family history using HPL’s History Resource Center YouTube Channel playlists; Electronic resources we like: National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present).Learn about family history using HPL’s History Resource Center YouTube Channel playlistsBy Irene B. WaltersHomepage of Houston Public Library’s YouTube channelAlmost every day we are asked at the library if there are classes or resources that people can use to learn more about how to research their family history. Happily, the short answer to this question is yes. Along with the live webinars that are offered by Clayton Library, there are many past webinars that have been recorded and are available on the Houston Public Library’s (HPL) channel on YouTube.HPL’s YouTube Channel was first created in 2007. Videos offering similar content are grouped together in “playlists,” making it easy to find whatever interests you. Videos of webinars of help for those interested in genealogy can be found on the playlist for “HPL History Research Centers.” The videos presented by HPL’s Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus (FHRC or Clayton Library), mostly have a title beginning with the words “Clayton Library Presents,” or “HPL/HPL Resource Clayton Library.” We have produced more than twenty-four videos of interest to family history researchers under our YouTube umbrella. The videos cover records topics like census records, finding funeral records, and research methods for beginners. Research topics include Beginning Genealogy, Irish immigration, German resources, Native Americans, French, and African American history. There are also several how-to genealogy topics covered: “Family History Research,” “Researching Court Records,” “Thinking Like a Genealogist: Using Your Five Senses,” “Scrapbook Preservation,” and more. Most likely any family history researcher could find at least one video with valuable insights on a favorite topic. HPL's History Research Centers' playlist on YouTubeThe best way to experience the HPL History Research Centers’ YouTube channel is via a free subscription. Anyone with a YouTube profile (you have one if you have a Google account such as Gmail or Google Drive) can click on the Subscribe button on the channel homepage. The playlist can be found by clicking the Playlists heading and then scrolling through the Created Playlists. Clicking on the bell icon next to Subscribe on the channel homepage will enable a notification whenever a new HPL video is posted. Remember to watch this space, so you don’t miss out on great new content.BIBLIOGRAPHYHouston Public Library YouTube Channel (2024 March 1). Houston Public Library’s YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@houstonlibraryElectronic resources we like: National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present)By Melissa Hayes & Irene B. WaltersHome page of the National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present) database For this issue, we’d like to highlight an electronic resource that should bring a touch of nostalgia to many of our customers or a possible new look at the world for others. It is the National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present). This database is found under subject headings of “Magazines, Scholarly Journals, & Publications,” Science, and “Travel & Geography” in the A-Z Databases research tab on the Houston Public Library website. The name reflects the content. It is a collection of the monthly issues of the National Geographic Magazine from 1888 to present. Yes, those same National Geographic Magazines with the yellow spine and border around the cover image that many of us had stacked up in our homes, or grandparents’ homes, and that we would see on the shelves of school or public libraries. The magazines that gave us glimpses of exotic places around the world long before the days of the internet and search engines. For those that didn’t grow up with it in your world, the National Geographic Magazine is an iconic magazine famous for its high-quality photojournalism covering cultures, nature, science, technology and the environment.The database contains every issue of the original magazine from 1888 to today and the National Geographic Kids magazine. New issues are added after a minimum 45-day embargo period, so the current latest issue posted is from December 2024. Everything is searchable, text, photographs, maps, even the words in the advertisements. From the main page you can do a simple keyword search, browse the magazines, or click explore topics. The topics to explore are Animals, Environment, History, People and Cultures, Science and Technology, or Travel. There is also an advanced search option. With this option you can add your search terms, then limit the search to a particular date or range of dates, limit by document type, content type, or type of illustration in the article. Your search might bring up a full article or a news brief and or an entire magazine issue of that subject. For example, I searched DNA and found 40 featured articles, 89 Brief Articles, 3 Magazine Covers, and 42 Advertisements. I clicked on the 3 magazine covers and opened the cover page Entitled: What dogs tell us: The ABC’s of DNA. The article was in the February 2012 issue entitled: New Tricks from old dogs. It talks about genetics and studies made on or with dogs. Even though the broad search method of keyword searching for a place or event will probably be the most popular search, try the limiters too. You might be surprised at what you find.Results when searching the word genealogy in the National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present) databaseYou may ask yourself, “What is in a magazine that is not about the history of a specific place or people that will help me in my genealogy?” Well, you may find that searching the National Geographic Magazine for the places your ancestors lived may give you some nice background about their home city, state, or country. You can also find information about the wars that have taken place since the magazine’s founding in 1888. Browsing the issues can be enjoyable as well. It can be interesting to read what your 20th century relatives read without getting decades of dust all over you.BIBLIOGRAPHYHouston Public Library. (2025 March 1). Houston Public Library A-Z Databases page https://houstonlibrary.org/az/databases?s=209037National Geographic Magazine. (2025 March 1). National Geographic Magazine Archive (1888-present) [database on-line]. Gale, A Cengage Company https://go.gale.com/ps/start.do?p=NGMA&u=txshrpub100185Sign up to receive other HPL eNewsletters! ...

Get to know Houston's new Poet Laureate, Reyes Ramirez

Left to right: Houston Poet Laureate Reyes Ramirez, HPL Deputy Assistant Director for Communications LaDonna Weems.Reyes Ramirez was announced as Houston's new (2025-2027) Poet Laureate last week, and HPL's own LaDonna Weems had a chance to interview him at his inaugural reception. Read on to learn more about Reyes and what he's all about!LaDonna Weems: What does being appointed Poet Laureate mean to you personally and artistically?Reyes Ramirez: It certifies my belief that any good poet is a member of a community, an active member of their community. Because poetry of that community isn't just words on a page, it's when you put it in conversation with the community, with the people, that it takes meaning. I get to represent the city not only that I'm proud of, but I've been in conversation, and it's taught me so many things. I now therefore get to give it what it's given me in return. It's not only an esteemed honor, but it's a way to elevate my craft, and be more in conversation with the communities and people of Houston. As a poet, it astounds me to even put into words what it means to get to represent Houston, the grandest city of Houston, and get not only Houstonians to be excited about poetry, but to be excited about themselves, to be excited about our history, to be excited about the words we use, our language, and how we can be in conversation with each other. And I think that's what's going to take me to the next level. Everything that I've grown from up to this point will be in service to that. LW: What themes and issues do you want to explore and highlight during your tenure?RR: I want to show how amazing the city of Houston is for art, because Houston itself is a juncture of all sorts of diasporas, of cultures, of peoples that are talking to each other just so casually. I want to highlight how Houston incorporates histories of the South, of the borderlands, of the Southwest, of the West, of the urban, of the rural, of farms, of city skyscrapers. All these things are in conversation with each other. I want to show how Houston not only is a major point of literature for Texas and the United States, but the world, because we host so many different people from so many different cultures and countries and languages.LW: That's a beautiful answer. It actually leads me to my next question. How do you envision connecting poetry with communities that may feel distanced from it?RR: One way that I think this role can really connect people more so to poetry if they don't feel part of it is that whether they mean to or not, we're all navigating poetry. We're all talking to each other. We're all navigating the reality which we live in. And language is how we do that. We talk to each other. We may not be able to talk to each other, but we still communicate. Whether it be you're driving your car and you have to honk, or you have to go to the restaurant and you order something. Each of these things are different lines of a poem. If I as a poet can make a metaphor, it's that each thing that we speak or each thing that we do is another line in that poem that is our life. For people it's to understand that whether they want to or not, they're engaging in poetry. They're creating new stories. They're creating new ways of speaking, of being, of being with each other. If you walk into anyone's house, that in itself is a curation, right? The things that you keep, the things that you maintain, the practices that you forget or the practices that you recover. As Houstonians, there are many reasons why we may have lost things. But as Houstonians, there is a reason why we keep so many things, why we keep being proud, why we keep helping each other in our times of need. And it's because truly, not only do we believe in each other's humanity, but I think poetry is a way to say that.LW: Are there any specific projects or initiatives you plan to launch as Laureate?RR: Not only am I excited to do the required workshops—I casually teach workshops in the community for various topics and practices, so I'm excited to do that on behalf of the City. I'm also excited to launch an archive that is both virtual and in-person, a collection of Houston poets not only that I know, but the ones that I don't know. What I'm most excited about is to learn and talk to poets who I don't even know. The city of Houston is the fourth largest city in America, gearing up to be the third. It's both scary and exciting to know that there are people I haven't even met who are writing poetry, who are contributing to the language that I'm trying to contribute to. This archive, this collection of Houston poets is going to allow us to be in conversation with each other, to share practices and to incorporate people who, again, maybe won't see themselves as part of poetry, but they keep their families as histories and their stories alive through stories. That's what I want to collect. That's what I want all of us to be proud of.LW: During your acceptance speech, you mentioned the project of being able to name thirty poets in Houston, so I think that's an amazing ambition. Lastly, who are some poets, past and present, who inspire your work and vision?RR: That's always the trickiest question. I'm proud to come from not only a lineage of practitioners of arts, but of laborers; of workers, of people who build things, but also people who write things. My mom is kind of like a secret writer. She's always been a writer, but she's never published anything, never wanted to. She inspires me. In terms of named people, growing up I read a lot of Eduardo C. Corral, he's, I believe from Arizona. He taught me a lot of how to navigate languages and suppressed languages and languages we don't even know, realizing that we speak so many languages that we're not even aware of. And yet here we are, speaking them. Roberto Gonzalez, he's a mentor to me who helped publish my first book. In terms of the City of Houston, there's just so many that I'm excited to put in a different context, whether it be Lupe Mendez, who has shown me to be a gracious person in public as a poet, as someone in public who speaks to so many different people. Debra D.E.E.P. Mouton: I served on the committee to help pick her as Houston Poet Laureate, and that's been a point of pride in my life. To always read her work and be like wow, I had a moment in that, even just for so little. I'm extremely proud of that and I'm inspired by her so much. ...

Update for out-of-state-library cardholders