HPL News

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.

As Black History Month 2025 comes to a close, Houston Public Library (HPL) is proud to announce the release of its curated African American Booklist, featuring new and notable titles for readers of all ages. This year’s booklist honors the national Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, recognizing the vital contributions African Americans have made in shaping the U.S. labor movement and their ongoing fight for workers’ rights.

Carefully selected by HPL staff, the booklist includes a diverse range of books that explore the rich history of African Americans in the workforce, from labor activism to the continued pursuit of economic justice. The list is available for download and can be accessed in HPL’s Book Lists section under the “Reader’s Corner” tab on the website. Printed copies will also be available at all HPL locations in the coming weeks for those visiting in person.

“As we enter the final week of Black History Month, we encourage the community to take an opportunity to dive into these powerful and inspiring books,” said Sandy Gaw, Director at Houston Public Library. “This curated collection provides readers with valuable insights into the African American experience and their significant role in labor movements.”

In addition to the booklist, HPL invites everyone to join the final African American Read-In event, a community gathering celebrating African American literature.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time:  6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library

The event is free and open to the public, with registration encouraged. 

We invite you to stay engaged with us and look forward to exciting book recommendations and events in March as we celebrate Women’s History Month and the theme Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Harris County Public Library (HCPL) and Houston Public Library (HPL) are joining forces to share the love with e-book fans across the Houston area. With a combined service population of over 4.5 million people, the two library powerhouses are linking their popular OverDrive digital collections, allowing patrons to borrow any available items using the Libby app with an existing or new library card from either library system. 

Although the OverDrive collections will remain separate, this partnership simplifies the user experience by offering seamless browsing and access to more than 600,000 e-books and downloadable audiobooks. “HPL and HCPL share many of the same customers, so sharing OverDrive will make it easier for everyone to access a wider variety of digital content. Simplifying the process of finding and checking out books is a win for the community,” said Patrick Atkins, Deputy Assistant Director of Library Materials Services & Training at HPL.

This collaboration is made possible by OverDrive, the chief supplier of digital content for both library systems. OverDrive serves over 92,000 libraries worldwide, including public, school, college, and academic libraries across 115 countries. The rise in digital checkouts has been remarkable, fueled by the growing use of smartphones—96% of Americans own one—and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. HCPL was the first library in Texas to circulate more than a million e-books in 2016. Last year, HCPL and HPL together circulated a staggering total of 12 million digital materials.

“The cooperative agreement between Harris County Public Library and Houston Public Library both acknowledges the changes in many patrons' reading habits and library use. It ensures broader and more equitable access for all. Both libraries are committed to refining and redefining public libraries for the twenty-first century and beyond.  "We are dedicated to building partnerships and expanding robust digital collections that ensure equitable access to knowledge and resources for all. Our commitment goes beyond simply providing digital materials; it is about creating opportunities for learning, growth, and enrichment that empower individuals and strengthen our community," said Amber Seely, HCPL's Division Director of Collections and Technical Services.”

Visit HCPL or HPL to learn more about the cooperative agreement and discover how you can benefit from expanded digital offerings.

Houston, TX – The Mayor's Office for Adult Literacy conducted its 2nd Annual Digital Symposium: The Future of Adult Literacy, on Friday, February 7, 2024, at Houston Community College - Southeast Campus.

This year's symposium focused on the growing need for digitally skilled workers and the impact of technology on everyday life for adult learners and their families. The event aims to provide adult educators, volunteers, tutors, coordinators, and administrators with valuable insights and training experiences ranging from basic digital literacy to advanced AI tech-driven workforce pre-skilling and upskilling curricula and tools. 

Key Highlights: 
•    Breakout Sessions presented by digitally accomplished trainers, curricula developers, and industry service providers on topics such as using community data to increase enrollment, integrating digital literacy into adult education, digital literacy navigators, and leveraging VR/AR simulations for workforce training. 
•    Expert Panels from industry leaders about the transformative power of digital literacy and its crucial role in driving economic growth and success for communities. 
•    Success Stories from Houston-based community organizations and learners about their experiences with digital literacy integration and the challenges they have overcome. 
•    Networking Opportunities to connect with fellow educators and professionals in the digital literacy and instruction space.

For more information and to learn about the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, please visit https://www.houstontx.gov/adultliteracy/2025-digital-symposium.html.

Houston Public Library (HPL) is excited to introduce a brand refresh for its History Research Centers (HRCs). These centers house a diverse, carefully curated collection that support a wide range of research interests—from African American history and genealogy to local Houston history and Hispanic heritage. Each center plays a vital role in making history accessible and engaging, offering expert staff and resources that are among the best in Texas. Together, these centers represent the pinnacle of historical research and preservation in Texas. 

The New Logo: Symbolism and Meaning 

At the core of each logo is the open book, a timeless symbol of knowledge, learning, and the preservation of history. The book represents the vast collection of stories, documents, and resources that form the foundation of the HRC’s. 

Rising from the pages of the book is the tree, symbolizing growth, connection to the past, and the branching out of ideas. The tree’s roots are signified as an anchor in history, while its branches represent the exploration and development of new insights. This imagery underscores the intertwined relationship between the past and present. 

Combined, the book and tree elements create a cohesive logo family that aligns with the mission of the History Research Centers—preserving, sharing, and exploring history while inviting others to engage with and contribute to the ongoing narrative. 

"To further connect with a broader audience, a new logo family was designed for the History Research Centers. While the previous logo emphasized the historical significance of each site, the new design focuses on research and learning. By combining the symbolism of the book and the tree, we’re emphasizing the growth and discovery that our centers foster. This redesign is a visual representation of our commitment to preserving the past while inspiring future generations,” said LaDonna Weems, Deputy Assistant Director of Communications. 

"As we continue to make history more accessible to our community, this new logo beautifully captures the essence of our work. We are excited to share this new chapter with our visitors and look forward to welcoming even more people to explore our collections," said Miguell Ceasar, Senior Manager of History Research Centers.