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.
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.