HOUSTON, TX - Families gathered at Houston Public Library’s (HPL) Central Library location on November 5 for a special treat: a stop on the tonies® Tour. Kids were given the chance to play with the brand-new Toniebox 2, a screen-free audio player that lets children dive into stories and songs just by placing a Tonie character on top.
And the fun didn’t stop there. Tonies® made a generous donation to HPL families: five Tonieboxes and 25 Tonies figurines, a gift valued at $1,000, so that more children can enjoy storytelling at home. 
Left photo: Kids and families playing at tonies® on Tour event
Right photo: L-R Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director, HPL Foundation; Sandy Gaw, HPL Library Director; Drew Vernon, Director of Education, tonies®; LaTrisha Milton, HPL Youth and Family Services Manager
Tonieboxes may be placed on hold and checked out from HPL's Library of Things collection with a valid MYLink library card.
“We selected Houston Public Library because of their long-time support and interest in tonies®. We’re thrilled to partner with HPL to bring screen-free storytelling to families across the community,” says Drew Vernon, Director of Education, tonies®. “Their continued support of early literacy makes them an ideal partner for tonies ® on Tour. Together, we’re creating moments where children can engage with stories in a tactile, interactive way that sparks creativity and fosters a lifelong love of reading."
“Houston Public Library is proud to host tonies® and share this exciting resource with our community,” says Sandy Gaw, Library Director. “By combining technology with storytelling, we’re opening new doors for children to discover the joy of reading in creative, hands-on ways.”
“We are grateful for tonies®’ commitment to fostering literacy and imagination. This donation helps us provide families with innovative tools that make reading and storytelling more accessible and engaging,” said Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director, Houston Public Library Foundation.
About tonies®
Tonies® is a playful audio system for children, where stories and songs come to life without screens. It works with small figurines called Tonies that are placed on a soft, kid-friendly speaker called the Toniebox. As soon as a Tonie is on, the magic begins: music, adventures, or learning moments start playing. It’s hands-on, easy to use, and built to spark imagination, confidence, and fun.
About Houston Public Library
We are a dynamic public service organization serving one of the largest and most diverse areas in the nation – both in population and geography. Our comprehensive, customer-focused service delivery strategy supports the 2.3 million residents of the City of Houston.
Our system is comprised of 44 public service units, including six Regional Libraries – anchored by our flagship Central Library – 28 Neighborhood and Express Libraries, three History Research Centers, four TECHLink centers, a Satellite location at the Children’s Museum Houston, the Mobile Express outreach unit, and the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy. Together, we provide equitable access to resources, technology, and lifelong learning opportunities for all Houstonians.
The Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library has been garnering national recognition since the day it opened in the summer of 2024, and we couldn't be prouder of the Houston Public Library (HPL) colleagues who helped bring it to life! We spoke with Raiset Ruban, Senior Project Manager at HPL, about his experience working on this milestone project.
“As a Project Manager my role begins in the design phase, and my biggest challenge is always to conceptualize the project while keeping the focus on creating the 'Library of the Future,' a future that increasingly feels like the present,” Raiset said. “The goal of our SPACES division, which I am proud to be a part of, is always to represent the needs of our patrons and the library network as whole ecosystem.”
He emphasized that the project was truly a team effort. Close collaboration across HPL divisions, along with vital support from City departments - especially the General Services Department - helped turn vision into reality.
Raiset described working on Walker Neighborhood Library as a rare and rewarding experience. Most recently, Walker was recognized by the AIAH Interior Architecture Committee during Houston Design Week. “For our SPACES team, it was a chance to create something meaningful for the Houston community, and seeing that kind of recognition isn’t just flattering, it’s a powerful affirmation that we’re doing something right.”
Why Walker Is Special
Walker stood out from the very beginning. It replaced two beloved branches in the Westbury neighborhood, so expectations were high. Naming it after Dr. Shannon Walker, NASA’s first Houston-born astronaut, added an extra layer of pride and purpose. From innovative design and sustainable features to intentional community engagement, the project challenged everyone involved to reimagine what a modern library should be.
Raiset highlighted several “firsts” introduced at Walker: a podcast studio, an underground water detention system, and a “book cellar” packed with titles. “But my favorite feature? The flexible meeting space and café with retractable partitions. It’s designed to be the heart of the library—a place for connection, collaboration, and community.”
Libraries Are More Than Buildings
“The library is a 'third place' and our mission is to connect people to the world by providing equitable access to resources and innovative tools,” Raiset said. “I also want to thank the project team BRAVE and SpawGlass for their outstanding work and dedication in every phase of this project. Their commitment, creativity, and professionalism made it possible to bring the vision of the Walker Library to life, creating a space that will serve and inspire generations to come.”