Skip to main navigation Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to search
Skip to content
Hours & Location, opens an overlay Help Help, opens an overlay
Hours & LocationsHours & Locations, collapsed
See all locations
HelpHelp, collapsed
  • Ask Us
  • FAQs
  • Get a Library Card
  • About HCPL
  • Catalog and Account Guide
Admin AdminAdmin, collapsed
Log In / My HCPL
  • Log In / Register
  • My Library Dashboard
  • My Borrowing
  • Checked Out
  • On Hold
  • Borrowing History
  • Fees
  • ILL Requests
  • My Collections
  • For Later Shelf
  • Completed Shelf
  • In Progress Shelf
  • Lists
  • My Events
  • My Profile
  • My Settings
Harris County Public Library
Main navigation Events
Open search form
Search the
by
for
    Saved Searches Advanced Search

    Search

    by
    for
      Saved Searches Advanced Search
      • BrowseBrowse, collapsed

        Browse

        • Catalog
        • Overdrive/Libby
        • Explore hcpl.net

        BY AUDIENCE

        • Kids
        • Teens
        • Adults

        BY FORMAT

        • Books
        • eBooks
        • Audio
        • Movies & TV
        • Magazines & Newspapers

        RECOMMENDATIONS

        • Coming Soon
        • New Titles
        • Award Winners
        • Bestsellers
        • Explore

        MORE

        • About HCPL
        • Blog
        • Careers @ HCPL
        • Friends of the Library
        • Library Policies
        • Newsroom
        • Podcast
        • Suggest a Book
        • Volunteer
      • EventsEvents, collapsed

        Events

        • All Events
        • Monthly Calendar

        BY AUDIENCE

        • Kids
        • Teens
        • Adults

        FEATURED PROGRAMS

        • Authorama
        • Book Buddies
        • Growing Readers
        • Gulf Coast Reads
        • Juneteenth
        • Pride
        • Summer Reading Program

        MORE

        • Books & Reading
        • Citizenship & English Learning
        • Computers & Technology
        • Maker & STEM
        • Story Time
      • ServicesServices, collapsed

        Services

        • Get a Card
        • My Account
        • My Account Help
        • Accessibility Request

        YOUR LIBRARY

        • Adaptive Resources
        • Ask Us
        • Copying & Printing
        • Elections & Government
        • ILL (Interlibrary Loan)
        • In the Community
        • LAWPods
        • Library for All
        • Meeting & Study Rooms
        • Passport Services
        • Tax Services
        • Veterans Resources

        EDUCATION

        • Adult Literacy
        • Career Online High School
        • Citizenship
        • College & Career
        • ESL (Learn English)
        • Growing Readers (children 0-5 years)
        • HCPL Connected
        • Homeschool & Educator Resources

        FOR READERS

        • Author Alerts
        • Author Talks
        • Book Bundles
        • Book Hunters
        • Gulf Coast Reads
        • Newsletters
        • Summer Reading

        MAKER & MORE

        • Maker Central
        • Digital Media Labs
        • Innovation Labs
        • Gardening Tools
      • Online ResourcesOnline Resources, collapsed

        Online Resources

        • Online Resources
        • A-Z Resources
        • By Format
        • Apps

        BY SUBJECT

        • Books, Literature & Reading
        • Business, Finance & Legal
        • Computers & Technology
        • Digital Media
        • DIY
        • Español
        • Genealogy & History
        • Government
        • Health
        • HCPL Digital Archive
        • Job & Career
        • Language Learning & ESL
        • Lifelong Learning
        • Newspapers, Magazines & Journals
        • Reference & Research
        • Religion, Philosophy & Social Sciences
        • Science & Nature
        • Texshare

      Explore HCPL.NETExplore HCPL.NET

      Our EXPLORE page is a deep dive into library content, from blogs, reading lists, and library news, to online resources, events, services, and so much more. If you think you know everything HCPL has to offer, you owe it to yourself to explore! Filter by content type, format, genre, topic, and age range.

      Our EXPLORE page is a deep dive into library content! From blogs, reading lists, and news, to online resources, events, services, and so much more. If you think you know everything HCPL has to offer, you owe it to yourself to explore hcpl.net! Filter by content type, format, age range, genre, topic and more!

      EXPLORE EXPLORE
      • HCPL Blogs
      • Esteban_S
      15
      Feb 2025

      Categories

      • View all cards in Adults
      • View all cards in Books
      • View all cards in How Do I...?
      • View all cards in Nonfiction
      • View all cards in Social Issues & Politics

      Similar Posts for You

      • Give Back During the Season of Giving

        Dec 15, 2024

      • Texas Scrubbed 1.1 Million Voters from the Rolls: Are You Still Registered?

        Oct 2, 2024

      How to Get Involved in Local Government

      by Esteban_SFebruary 15, 2025

      Our country recently went through an important election, and nowadays politics and the news are more accessible than ever. We’re practically bombarded with information about laws, politicians, projects, and proposals every day. 

      This might seem overwhelming, and for some, it might inspire some ambition to take action. So, where do you start? We might all think to ourselves sometimes, “I could do better,” but for most of us, a seat in the Senate is not an attainable short-term goal.

      Focusing on aiding and leading your local community can be a rewarding goal that helps you feel like you’re really making a difference. Although, before you start governing, you should learn the ins and outs of your municipal government and decide where you want to start!

      City Government 

      Our wonderful City of Houston is gargantuan, and it’s made up of dozens of districts for schools, city councils, and cultural districts.  

      It’s the City Council members who oversee their respective district’s funds, agencies, and appointments. Houston has 16 council members, eleven of which oversee specific geographic districts, while the other five are known as at-large and serve the entire city. 

      You can view the districts on this map below.

      The 11 City of Houston Council Districts as of January 2025.

      You can then find more information on your district and council member on the City of Houston Council webpage. Everyone should familiarize themselves with the City of Houston website because it holds helpful resources, press releases, meeting notes, and contact info for you to reach out to your districts’ representatives. 

      Familiarizing yourself with the structure of your local government and attending City Council meetings, opens a new window will help you understand local issues, engage with elected officials, and give you an opportunity to share your voice.

      County Government 

      All counties in Texas are governed by commissioners courts that consist of 5 members: the county judge and four commissioners that each oversee a precinct. They are each responsible for managing and maintaining infrastructure, public services, budgets, and more. 

      Below is a map of the commissioners' precincts for Harris County. 

      The 4 Harris County Commissioner Precincts along with zip codes and voter precincts.

      Much like the city council, the commissioners court holds meetings open to the public in-person and virtually. Here's the commissioners court webpage, where you can watch court meetings, review court agendas, and register to speak. 

      Just like the city, if you have any interest in political work, you should familiarize yourself with the county’s website, opens a new window and endeavor to learn more about what they do, who your representative is, and how to get involved. Harris County Precinct 2 has a helpful blog, opens a new window to help you more involved.

      Besides the City of Houston, there are several other smaller municipalities within Harris County with their own city governments. These include Bellaire, Jacinto City, Pasadena, and West University Place. For a full list of towns and cities in Harris County with links to their websites, visit HCPL's Elections and Government webpage.

      So, once you’ve figured out what district/precinct you’re a part of, how do you get involved? There are a couple of different ways to proceed. 

      Volunteering 

      Volunteering is an amazing way to help your community. It is easy, free, and can even have measurable health benefits, opens a new window!  

      It can also help you network and get your name out there if you’re interested in getting more involved in local politics. Below are some helpful links to find volunteer opportunities in Houston and Harris County.

      City of Houston

      Harris County

      Volunteer Initiatives Program, opens a new window
      Harris Health, opens a new window
      Volunteer Houston, opens a new window 
      HCPL Volunteer Opportunities, opens a new window 
      BARC Animal Shelter, opens a new window 
      Harris County Citizen Corps, opens a new window 
      Houston Parks Board, opens a new window 
      Harris County Resources for Children & Adults, opens a new window 
      United Way Greater Houston, opens a new window 
      HCJPD Volunteer Opportunities, opens a new window

      Check out another HCPL blog, opens a new window about giving back for more resources on volunteering in Houston!

      Boards, Commissions, and Advocacy Groups 

      If you feel like you have the time and expertise, you can apply to one of dozens of boards, committees, and councils that aid the City of Houston and Harris County in deciding policies, disputes, and plans for varying aspects of our community. 

      Boards exist for everything from transportation and recreation to policing and adjudication. You can browse each committee’s descriptions and qualifications and apply to one that you feel passionate about serving. 

      City of Houston

      • Boards and Commissions, opens a new window

      Harris County

      • Boards and Commissions, opens a new window

      While not the direct government, nonprofits and advocacy groups put in a lot of time, effort, and influence into specific social and political issues that you can help by volunteering or even working with them. 

      • Nonprofits & Advocacy Organizations – Greater Houston, opens a new window

      Working & Interning 

      Of course, if your goal is to eventually influence how local government is run, maybe try working for the city or county first! Civil servants (like your humble librarians) help uphold and maintain essential programs and infrastructure. Along with the great benefits, working for your local government can give you an imperative foundation for a future in local politics.

      City of Houston

      • Careers, opens a new window
      • Government Jobs, opens a new window
      • Internships, opens a new window

      Harris County

      • Careers, opens a new window
      • Government Jobs, opens a new window

      Learn More

      I hope that this blog can serve as a stepping stone and inspiration for you to put yourself out there and help your community! Now more than ever, we need to look out for each other to help make our city/county welcoming, supportive, and safe! Take a look at what books we have that can help you on your inaugural campaigns!

      Running for Local Office

      How to Run for Local Office : |HowExpert With Michael Cole

      Campaigns, Elections, and the Threat to Democracy

      Represent

      Good Reasons to Run

      The Campaign Manager

      You're More Powerful Than You Think

      View all cards in elections View all cards in volunteering
      Add a comment

      More by Esteban_S

      Celebrating Historic and Trailblazing Trans Women

      • Adults
      • Nonfiction
      • Biography & Memoir
      • Genealogy & History
      • Library for All

      Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Did It Mean?

      • Adults
      • Nonfiction
      • Arts & Entertainment
      • Library for All
      • Social Issues & Politics

      Censoring Art: Book Bans and Video Game Censorship

      • Adults
      • Computers & Technology
      • Crafts, DIY & Hobbies
      • Social Issues & Politics
      • Banned Books Week

      Discover New Posts

      Where did Houston streets get their names?

      • Adults
      • Nonfiction
      • Genealogy & History

      Explore Christian Fiction from Amish Country to Wild West

      • Adults
      • Inspirational
      • Library for All
      • Christian fiction

      Color Me Curious: A Color-Themed Trivia Quiz

      • Adults
      • Nonfiction
      • Arts & Entertainment
      • Genealogy & History
      • Science & Nature

      Add a comment to: How to Get Involved in Local Government

      We welcome your respectful and on-topic comments and questions in this limited public forum. To find out more, please see Appropriate Use When Posting Content. Community-contributed content represents the views of the user, not those of Harris County Public Library

      Footer Menu

      More Services

      • Author Alerts
      • Catalog & Account Help
      • Suggest a Book
      • HCPL Connected
      • Maker
      • Military Library Card
      • Podcast
      • Request a Book Bundle

      FAQs

      • My Account
      • Borrowing
      • Collections
      • Copying & Printing
      • Special Equipment

      Resources

      • Digital Media
      • Reference & Research
      • Business, Finance & Legal
      • Science & Nature
      • Lifelong Learning

      About Us

      • About HCPL
      • Locations & Hours
      • Holiday Closures
      • Blogs
      • Careers
      • Get Involved
      • LibraryForAll

      Contact the Library

      Harris County Public Library
      5749 S Loop E Hwy
      Houston, TX 77033
      (713) 274-6600
      Contact Us

      Contact the Library

      Harris County Public Library
      5749 S Loop E Hwy
      Houston, TX 77033
      (713) 274-6600
      Contact Us
      Support Library , opens a new window
      Terms of Use, opens a new window Privacy Statement, opens a new window Accessibility Statement, opens a new window © 2025 Harris County Public Library

      Powered by BiblioCommons.

      BiblioWeb: webapp08 Version 4.27.0 Last updated 2025/05/27 09:44

      Back to Top