We are in the midst of installing mobile shelving in our junior section. The new shelves have wheels on the bottom of each unit, enabling us to move them to other sections of the library when we need open space to host events. This project was funded by a grant from the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation, with supporting contributions from the Friends of the Houston Public Library. A special thanks goes out to our city maintenance crew, Ed and Josh, for their hard work in assembling the new shelves. Stop in and see them yourself!
Did you know that there are lots of items, besides books, that you can check out of the library? We’ve had our nature exploration backpacks and our STEM kits for quite some time, but we have recently added some other items to our collection. We have a variety of games, a putting system, a grow light, a camping sleeping pad, an automatic pet feeder, a yonanas machine, and a play parachute available for you to borrow. We’re also working on amassing a larger “Library of Things” in order to meet the needs of our community. See something you’re interested in borrowing? All items can be checked out to any patron who comes in, but they cannot be delivered via interlibrary loan. In-town delivery can be arranged with some notice. Questions? Call 896-READ!
The Houston Public Library opened its doors to the public in February 2002, the result of a two-year grass-roots effort led by a group of hard-working, committed volunteers. Our goal is to provide open access to cultural, intellectual, and informational resources promoting the development of independent, self-confident, and literate citizens.
In the library’s thirteen short years of existence, our annual circulation has risen from 7,239 to 34,579. In addition, we have moved from a small residential home owned by the city of Houston to a permanent location in a building donated by Ace Communications Group; run a successful fundraising campaign to pay for improvements to make our new home comply with ADA handicap accessibility requirements; joined our regional library cooperative, SELCO; cataloged and automated our collection; appeared on the cover of “The Libraries of Minnesota, “ published by the Minnesota Historical Society; run a second successful fundraising campaign, allowing us to renovate the interior of the library by our 10th birthday; and been selected as the recipient of numerous grants and awards (Libri Foundation grant, Baker & Taylor 2004 FOLSA award, Minnesota Legacy grants, United Way Venture Grants, Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation grant, etc).
Despite our limited staff and space, we are proud to host weekly Saturday morning story times, a weight management support group, a book club for adults, two knitting clubs, a seasonal kid’s chess club, our annual Summer Reading program, and the popular “Book Hounds” reading therapy dog program.
The library is currently run by Director Liz Gibson-Gasset with the support of library assistant, Beth Peterson-Lee, and volunteers Lynn Carr and Sandi Klettenberg.