Library for All

What Does 'Library for All' Mean?

Harris County Public Library strives to create a welcoming & inclusive environment where all people feel they belong: All races and ethnicities. All ages. All capabilities. All beliefs. All genders and orientations. This library is for all people.

Library for All is a "work in progress." Harris County Public Library is committed to addressing the needs of underrepresented and underserved communities through library policies, services, and programs. Library for All would not be true to its name without the full and active involvement of the people of Harris County.

If you have suggestions for ways we can better serve you and your community, email us!

#LibraryforAll

HCPL is a Book Sanctuary

On September 19, 2023, Harris County Commissioners passed a resolution designating the Library as a Book Sanctuary.

What does that mean?

It means that the County and this Library are committed to safeguarding your constitutional right to read as you choose.

It means we will continue to protect endangered books and make them available to the public

It means we will raise awareness of book banning and censorship.

It means you are free to read, learn, and think for yourself at this library.

Harris County Commits to Protecting the Freedom to Read

Sep 26, 2023

Commissioners Court passes resolution making Harris County Public Library a Book Sanctuary

Book Sanctuary Resolution

Sep 19, 2023

The full text of Harris County Commissioners resolution making HCPL a book sanctuary to protect your freedom to read.

Banned Books Week 2023: Now More Than Ever

The best way to protect your freedom to read is to stay informed. Resources to help you stay up to date.

David Cherry

This Library is Your Library

Collections

HCPL works hard to make sure that everyone who enters the library sees themselves reflected in our collections. Our collections highlight the vast diversity and the whole range of lived experiences of the people of Harris County. HCPL believes that reading diversely is a pathway to empathy, understanding, and, in the end, unity.

We have large collections in many languages including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hindi

Below are just some ways to read diversely.

OwnVoices Books and More in the HCPL Catalog
#OwnVoices refers to books about characters from underrepresented or marginalized groups, written by authors who share the same identity. The writing is inspired by the author's own experiences and is written from their own perspective.

Search the catalog by tag and type in own voices in the search field

BIPOC Books and More in the HCPL Catalog
Search the subject term BIPOC for titles by authors or with main characters who are Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color.

LGBTQtitles in the HCPL Catalog
Search our catalog using the term LGBTQtitles for books, movies, and more by and about people in the LGBTQ+ community. You will find fiction and nonfiction for all ages. There are over 5000 titles to choose from and more are added all the time

Heritage Month Celebrations and Programs

Harris County Public Library highlights the contributions of all communities and peoples throughout the year and celebrates these and other designated Heritage Months. Find a program at a branch near you!

February: Black History Month

March: Women's History Month

May: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

June: Pride Month

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

November: Native American Heritage Month

Your Right to Read

ADA, Accommodations and Neurodiversity

ADA

Programs and services are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant. Accommodations can be requested in advance by contacting the library by phone, or online: Accessibility Service Request.

Adaptive Resource Kits

All HCPL branches have adaptive resource kits available for in-library use:

Comfort Kits are designed for people with neurocognitive needs.
Vision Kits contain equipment for people with low vision and dyslexia
Memory Kits for people experiencing memory loss and their caregivers.

For more information about adaptive resource kits, visit our Adaptive Resources Page.

Books & Other Resources

Neurodiversity
Nonfiction and fiction books, eBooks and other formats for a variety age ranges. Subjects include Austism, ADHD, OCD.

Autism Syndrome

Dyslexia

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA)

In order to truly make Harris County Public Library a Library for All, we must look at the library as a whole to see areas in which we can improve the ways we do things, then take appropriate action. To that end, HCPL will form a committee for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) to help audit, recommend and implement policies, practices, programs, and organizational behaviors that foster authentic inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within Harris County Public Library and its services and programs, with the intention of positioning the organization internally and externally for greater engagement and impact with diverse communities. This includes helping to increase racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and ideological diversity across our staff, and other stakeholders like volunteers, Friends of the library, and interns while expanding our culture of equity, access and inclusion within the organization.