HPL News

The City of Houston is searching for its next poet laureate. In its 12th year, the Poet Laureate program has selected six poet laureates to represent Houston.
 
The program celebrates Houston's rich culture and diversity through the work of a Houston poet who serves as the city's ambassador for the literary arts. During a two-year appointment, the poet laureate makes several guest appearances at special events and completes a community outreach project. The poet laureate will receive an honorarium of $20,000 through the City Initiative grant program funded by a portion of the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and serve from April 2025 through April 2027.

The role of the Houston Poet Laureate is to stimulate poetic impulse, foster appreciation of poetry in all its forms, and serve Houston residents and visitors with expressions of culture through words. Each Poet Laureate for the City creates a signature Community Outreach project. The current Poet Laureate, Aris Kian Brown, is creating "Space for Us: Afrofuturism and the Poetic Imagination," a multidisciplinary exhibition utilizing the Black historical archives, multilingual poetry, and community interviews to imagine and demand the future of a liberated Houston. Previous Poet Laureate projects include:
     • Space City Mixtape, a mixture of spoken word narratives of Houston residents set to music by Russel Gus (Emanuelee "Outspoken" Bean, 2021-2023)
     • Bayou City Broadsides, artistic displays of lines from poems of everyday Houstonians (Leslie Contreras Schwartz, 2019-2021) 
     • Emerge, 11 community performance poetry videos highlighting various Houston neighborhoods (Deborah "D.E.E.P." Mouton, 2017-2019)
     • Houston's Favorite Poems, a published anthology of residents' favorite poetry (Dr. Robin Davidson, 2015-2017)
     • Creation of the Houston Poet Laureate's social media platforms (Gwen Zepeda, 2015-2017)

The application deadline is midnight on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 11:59 PM CST. Submissions from poets, authors, writers, and spoken word artists are welcome.

The guidelines, term requirements, and application portal for the Houston Poet Laureate are available here.

The Houston Poet Laureate Selection Committee, a panel of poets, scholars, and literary experts diverse in age, ethnicity, and experience, will review eligible applications. Non-voting members of the Committee include Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Director Necole Irvin and Justin Bogert of Houston Public Library. The Committee will interview finalists in early February, and the selection of Houston's next Poet Laureate will be announced in April in celebration of National Poetry Month.

The program is coordinated by the MOCA and HPL and funded through the Hotel Occupancy Tax, which is dedicated to the arts.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has awarded the Houston Public Library (HPL) a $75,000 Special Projects Grant to expand its Career Online High School Program. The funding will provide scholarships to 40 new participants in FY25, enabling adults aged 21 and older to earn an accredited diploma online. Applicants must have completed at least the eighth grade and pass a prerequisite course with 70% or higher. To apply, potential students must take a brief survey to determine eligibility. The application deadline for scholarship funding is December 30, 2024.

This grant is part of over 40 awarded this year by TSLAC, funded through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act. “TSLAC is pleased to recognize and support the important work of Texas libraries in delivering innovative information services that strengthen local literacy, workforce and digital opportunity efforts,” said TSLAC Director and Librarian Gloria Meraz.

"Students who want to complete their high school diploma shouldn't have to deal with the burden of extra costs. These funds will allow more students to achieve this milestone and gain other opportunities," said HPL Community Engagement Division Manager Mercedes Clarke.

For more information about this program, please contact HPL's Community Engagement and Education Team at 832-393-1737.

Houston Public Library (HPL) is excited to announce that Spring Independent School District (Spring ISD) has officially joined HPL’s LEARNINGLink Program. This partnership provides Spring ISD students with free access to educational resources, including e-books, research databases, and tutoring services, all aimed at supporting their academic success.

The LEARNINGLink Program connects students directly to valuable online resources, empowering them to excel both in and out of the classroom. With a simple login process using their School ID and library card information, Spring ISD students will be able to tap into age-appropriate materials available 24/7 with resources such as Brainfuse, Boundless, and Comics Plus:

•    Brainfuse: Subject-specific assistance with tutoring, practice tests, flashcards, and study guides, which teachers can use to reinforce learning and recommend to students preparing for exams. 
•    Boundless: Thousands of age-appropriate e-books and audiobooks, providing a wide range of materials for teachers to enhance their lessons, encourage independent reading, and even create curated reading lists tailored to your curriculum. 
•    Comics Plus: Comics encourage discussions about narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling, promoting critical thinking and analytical skills among students.

Integrating LEARNINGLink into Spring ISD’s educational offerings will give over 40,000 students and faculty the opportunity to access additional tools they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.

As we welcome Spring ISD into the LEARNINGLink family, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind all participating school districts—Alief Independent School District, Houston Independent School District, and Pasadena Independent School District—to fully utilize this incredible resource. LEARNINGLink is designed to enhance educational experiences, and we encourage you to remind your students and faculty about the free valuable tools available to them.

To make the most of the LEARNINGLink Program, educators are encouraged to: 

•    Explore Resources: Encourage students to browse the extensive collection of e-books, research materials, and more. 
•    Try Kanopy Access* for Faculty: Complement curriculums with a diverse library of educational films, documentaries, and classic cinema. Videos with the Public Performance Rights (PPR) icon can be used in the classroom and must include the statement, "Made possible through Houston Public Library."  
•    Provide Support: Foster a collaborative environment for student success. 
•    Share Feedback: Share your experiences with the program to help HPL enhance and expand its offering.

HPL's Deputy Assistant Director of Library Materials, Patrick Atkins, expressed enthusiasm about Spring ISD’s participation. “Partnering with Spring ISD is a natural fit for Houston Public Library. We are committed to increasing access to educational resources for students and assisting educators through our program. We invite other districts to join us in making these valuable resources available to even more students.”

For more information about the LEARNINGLink program and how your school district can get involved, please visit https://houstonlibrary.org/learning-link. 

HOUSTON, TX - Excitement is building as the Houston Public Library (HPL) prepares to unveil its brand-new branch in the heart of the vibrant Montrose community! The library system is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new facility at 1001 California Street. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in HPL’s commitment to providing innovative services, resources, and programs to the diverse residents of Montrose and beyond.

The new library will feature:
•    Advanced Technology: Enhanced access to computers, high-speed internet, and innovative learning tools to support all ages in today’s digital landscape.
•    Dedicated Youth Spaces: A floor designed for children and teens featuring a robust collection and interactive programs.
•    Adult Reading Space and Community Programs: A floor with reading areas and a flexible meeting room for educational programs and diverse community activities.
•    Outdoor Space/Terrace: An inviting area for open-air events, reading clubs, and cultural programs.
•    Art Installation: Permanent artwork by Houston-based, Filipino American artist “Kill Joy,” entitled Spirit of Montrose inspired by the neighborhood’s history.  

According to Council Member Abbie Kamin, “The neighborhood could not be more thrilled to have such a beautiful and welcoming space for all ages where innovation meets Montrose’s love for books. This opening comes on the heels of years of extensive community engagement and involvement by residents. On behalf of our District, I am so grateful to the Houston Public Library staff, and all those involved, for their partnership in realizing this very special day.”

"We can't wait to be a part of a mixed-use development, with food, shopping, and now a library!” added John Middleton, HPL's Chief Operating Officer. The grand opening is scheduled for December 14, 2024.

Current Plans for Transition
As part of this exciting transition, the Freed-Montrose Library at 4100 Montrose Blvd. will close on November 14, 2024. While the current library has been a cherished community hub, its aging infrastructure requires over $14 million in renovations to meet modern safety standards and to address patron technology needs.

City officials and library leaders have been working together to explore renovation options that will preserve the building’s historic charm while enhancing the services it provides. "I am optimistic about the possibilities as we strengthen our relationship with both the Montrose community and the University of St. Thomas," said Sandy Gaw, Library Director. "Our commitment is to ensure the best possible outcome for the community." 

HPL's Walker Neighborhood Library's window wall is featured in Library Journal's 2024 Year in Architecture as an example of the Confident Color design trend. 

Houston Style Magazine published an article about the HPL Foundation's Luncheon at the Julia Ideson Building October 31st, in celebration of 120 years of Houston Public Library. You can read more about it on their website.