The grant-funded renovations on the Galena Park Branch Library are well underway. The exterior of the library's new computer lab is very nearly complete and work on the lab's interior is underway. The carpeting and painting in the existing building is complete. The new furniture for the entire library will come soon after interior work is finished.

These much-needed improvements are the first undertaken on the library since it opened in 1996, and will not only make the library-going experience more pleasant; it will allow us to provide better service, including more and bigger free computer training classes.

Because of the rise of the internet and the growing popularity of downloadable content, public libraries are evolving at a pace never before seen. Harris County Public Library has never shied away from new technologies--we see them as opportunities to enhance existing library services and to expand into new service areas. But like all organizations that want to thrive in a changing technological landscape, we must continually reassess our mission and our goals. To help us do that, and ultimately allow us to provide better service to our customers, HCPL invites those of you who check out ebooks to complete a brief survey designed by a nationally-respected research firm.

This April 26 – 29, in observance of the 5th Annual Lights Out Houston initiative, Harris County Commissioners Court has authorized Facilities and Property Management to lead a countywide effort, in conjunction with the City of Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership and Central Houston Inc. to turn off all non-essential lights at the end of the day.

Turning out unnecessary lights when you leave a room is one of the easiest ways you can help the environment, conserve valuable resources and…oh yeah, save some money. Remember--unlike humans and other living things, furniture does not need light to survive. Your sofa, ottoman and coffee table, as well as your work station and file cabinets like it just fine in the dark.

We are very excited to announce that the  Book Hunters! Your Personal Reading Consultants is the public library recipient of the 2012 Highsmith Library Award from the Texas Library Association. eBranch Librarian Grace Lillevig and Linda Stevens, Coordinator of Marketing and Programming accepted the award of behalf of Harris County Public Library at the Second General Session at the TLA conference, in Houston on April 19, 2012.  The award is for “libraries that have implemented creative marketing projects and/or promotions to enhance their visibility within their service community.”  

The Book Hunters service offers personalized book recommendations based on the preferences listed by the reader.  Are you looking for something new to read?  Try it out today.

Congratulations to all of the Harris County Public Library Book Hunters

May is the month set aside to acknowledge the important contributions that people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made to this country’s history and culture. This year, Harris County Public Library will once again celebrate the diversity of Asian and Pacific Island peoples with programs inspired by traditions from across that vast territory. HCPL invites you to enjoy the music and dance of India, sample the cuisines of Thailand and Japan, and explore cultures from China to Hawaii and points in between. There will be crafts, puppets shows, films, and fun for all ages.