The Houston Public Library (HPL) received $75,000 in funding from The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) under its Special Projects Grant program. HPL will use the funds to expand its Career Online High School (COHS) program by providing tuition, computers and internet access to 30 new program participants in FY23. COHS is a SACS-accredited high school completion program offered in partnership with Smart Horizons and Workforce Solutions. The program helps individuals 21 and older who have completed a minimum of eighth grade earn a high school diploma and prepare for the workforce.
"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.
Prospective COHS students can access the online application at https://houston.careeronlinehs.org. The deadline to apply for scholarship money is December 30, 2022. For further information, prospective students may contact HPL's cafécollege at 832-393-1737.
This project is one of 43 made possible this year by a grant awarded to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. “Communities in every corner of Texas will benefit from the resources that have been made available through this list of forward-thinking grant proposals.” said TSLAC Director and Librarian Mark Smith. The Special Projects Grant supports programs seeking to expand library services to include all members of a library’s community, including those populations with special needs. “We are grateful to the IMLS and the federal government for providing this assistance to libraries across Texas as they support their communities in these challenging times,” said Smith.
Additional TSLAC support to the Houston Public Library includes $10,000 from the Texas Reads Grant allocated to HPL’s Summer Reading Program and $25,000 from the TexTreasures Grant designated for a digitization project of the African American History Research Center. These projects are made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (Grant #LS-252486-OLS-22) to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. (2023)
ABOUT THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COMMISSION
Formed in 1909, TSLAC is committed to giving Texans access to information and programs to improve their lives and communities. TSLAC provides historical and genealogical search assistance, federal and state government documents, electronic research, and library services to all Texans, including those who are unable to read standard print material because of physical or reading disabilities. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov.
Preserve the Past and Remember the Glory: The History of the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL)
The African American History Research Center at the Gregory School
1300 Victor Street, 77019 | 832-393-1440
July 1, 2023 – December 30, 2023
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) was established by the University of Texas in 1910 to make rules and settle disputes for academic and athletic competitions at white high schools in Texas. Recognizing a need for a separate organization for Black high school students, the Texas Interscholastic League of Colored Schools (TILCS) was created in 1920 by the Colored Teachers State Association of Texas and the Negro School Division of the State Department of Education. The TILCS changed its name in 1923 to the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) when it came under the control of Prairie View A&M College.
Modeling itself after the UIL, the PVIL held its own competitions for Black high school students in athletics, typing, declamation, music, and extemporaneous speaking. Starting with 40 schools, the PVIL quickly grew to include 300 schools by 1927 and enrolled 500 schools at its peak. PVIL participants include Houston’s Barbara Jordan (Phillis Wheatley High School), the first African American U.S. Congresswoman from the Southern United States. In 1965, the UIL opened membership to all public schools and the PVIL was disbanded at the end of the 1969-70 school year.
This exhibition features documents, photographs, and vintage uniforms and trophies from the Special Collections & Archives Department (SCAD) of the John B. Coleman Library at Prairie View A&M University and the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association.
This exhibit is free and open to the public. Exhibit dates are subject to change.