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Houston Public Library is excited to announce a series of events in celebration of Black History Month, offering the community an opportunity to engage with and honor the rich cultural legacy and contributions of Black Americans. From creative writing workshops to cultural performances and thought-provoking author talks, HPL invites all to participate in these free, enriching activities throughout February. 
Featured Events Include: 

•    Documentary Screening: Black Lives Matter in Latin America: This documentary focuses on Black activism in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Cuba, showing the importance of challenging state-led violence against Black people.
Saturday, February 1 | African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus 

•    Author Talk with Dr. Wendy Okolo: Dr. Okolo shares her memoir Learn to Fly: On Becoming a Rocket Scientist.
Tuesday, February 4 | Central Library

•    Words of Defiance: How Black Newspapers Amplified Labor Justice and Social Change: Marquel Sennet discusses how black media shaped the African American labor movement during times of racial tension. 
Saturday, February 8 | African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus 

•    Get to Know an Architect: John S. Chase: Learn about this trailblazing Black architect that has over 200 sets of his drawings housed at our research center. 
Saturday, February 13 | Online Only

•    After Dark: The Labor of Love: Join therapist and relationship expert, Dr. Kyee Young, who will guide us through modern day love and a special viewing of the Reverend William Lawson Love Letters. 
Friday, February 14 | African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus

•    Cultural Connections: Celebration of our community's rich diversity with food, fun activities, and cultural performances for all ages. 
Saturday, February 15 | Johnson Neighborhood Library

These are just a few of the events happening throughout the month. Additional activities include storytelling sessions, film screenings, and community gatherings, all designed to foster appreciation and understanding of Black culture. 

•    African American Read-Ins (multiple dates) will take place across various libraries in Houston, including Stella Link, Blue Ridge, Smith, and Central Library. A celebration of Black literature with readings from influential Black authors.
 
•    Black Poetry Readings (Feb 10, 20, 22) and Relax & Write Workshops (Feb 8, 18), as well as an African American Archives Tour (Feb 22) held at the African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus. 

For event registration, visit houstonlibrary.org/events or follow HPL’s social media for updates and highlights.  

Houston Public Library (HPL) is preparing to launch a new state-of-the-art TECHLink at its Vinson Neighborhood Library location. The new technology center will replace Vinson's existing HPL Express area, which will be closed in preparation for construction at 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 25. During the construction period, some sections of the library will be inaccessible. However, most of the operations will remain open at Vinson, one of South Houston's busiest neighborhood libraries, located in the Hiram Clarke Multi-service Center at 3810 W. Fuqua St.

TECHLink Vinson, expected to open in the fall of 2025, will span 3,480 square feet and offer a range of functional and creative resources designed to support the next generation of innovators, designers, and entrepreneurs.

Key features will include:

  • Video Recording Studio: HPL's largest TECHLink video studio, with chroma walls and advanced acoustic and equipment for professional-quality projects.
  • Podcast Studio & Vlog Set: A high-tech space perfect for podcasting and vlogging.
  • Music Recording Studio: Fully equipped with acoustic enhancements and a professional mixing table.
  • Tiny Techs Zone: A dedicated area for kids featuring robotics and 3D printers.
  • Makerspace Lab: Advanced tools like 3D printers, laser engravers, and high-resolution printers for hands-on creation.
  • Editing Lab: The latest software for video editing, music production, digital art, and more.
  • Training Lab: Virtual and in-person learning opportunities for creators of all levels.

“I always look forward to seeing our customers’ creative wheels turning and formulating plans once they recognize all of the technologies and equipment that they can freely access,” said Roland Lemonius, TECHLink Division Manager. “Being able to enhance their quality of life in this way along with our other library services is very rewarding.”

This new addition will be the fifth TECHLink center, furthering HPL’s commitment to empower the community through technology, innovation, and collaboration for all ages and skill levels. Stay tuned for updates and get ready to unleash your creativity! 

Want a sneak peek? Take a virtual 360 tour of TECHLink Dixon here.


 

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HPL invites the community to a moderated conversation with local author and educator Jennifer Mathieu. Mathieu will discuss her new novel The Faculty Lounge, which unveils the real-life challenges and joys of educators in a Texas public high school. Attendees will hear a different side of school life, written from an insider's perspective, in this story of the power of human connection.

This event takes place on January 25, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Walker Neighborhood Library at 11630 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX, 77035 and will also be livestreamed on HPL's Facebook and YouTube pages. Attendees are encouraged to register online. The event is part of HPL's Reading Local series, which highlights Houston-area authors by allowing them to share their work with the public. Local bookseller Brazos Bookstore will be onsite with books available for purchase and signing.

About Jennifer Mathieu
Jennifer Mathieu is the critically acclaimed author of seven novels for young adults including Moxie, which is now a major motion picture directed by Amy Poehler. The Faculty Lounge is her first novel for adults. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages. A former journalist, Mathieu is a graduate of Northwestern University and has been a teacher for nearly twenty years. She lives with her family in Houston.

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