Editing Houston Public Library (section)

==Locations==

===Headquarters===
During the Jesse H. Jones Building remodeling the HPL administrative offices moved to the {{convert|22000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} Marston Building in [[Neartown Houston]].<ref name="CentrallibrenovmoveMarston" /><ref name="Map">[http://www.neartown.org/images/nta-map.jpg Map of Neartown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005062603/http://www.neartown.org/images/nta-map.jpg |date=2018-10-05 }}. ''Neartown Association''. Retrieved October 20, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://www.houstontx.gov/generalservices/facilities.xls GSD District Locations]." City of Houston. Retrieved on June 30, 2010. "No. 117. Location Code MAR. Address 820 Marston. Location Name Marston Building. Zip Code 77019. Key Map 492M. Sq. Ft 22,000.</ref> The City of Houston spent $1.3 million to renovate the Marston Building to accommodate HPL staff. Prior to the remodeling, the HPL administrative offices were located in the Jones Building.<ref name="Prozign">"[http://www.prozign.com/projects.asp?indid=3&projid=17 City of Houston Public Library, Marston Building] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715124642/http://www.prozign.com/projects.asp?indid=3&projid=17 |date=2011-07-15 }}." Prozign Architects. Retrieved on June 30, 2010.</ref> In 2012 HPL administrative offices moved to the Julia Ideson Building
after its historically correct renovation and the addition of a wing which was in the original design, but was not built at the time due to lack of funds.  This addition houses the Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) which is the archival center of the Houston Public Library System.  The Marston Building was sold in 2012 by the City of Houston.

===Neighborhood libraries===
[[File:FreedMontroseLibraryHouston.JPG|thumb|Freed-[[Montrose (Houston)|Montrose]] Neighborhood Library]]
[[File:HoustonHeightsLibrary.JPG|thumb|[[Heights Neighborhood Library]]]]
[[File:LooscanLibraryHouston.JPG|thumb|Looscan Neighborhood Library in [[River Oaks, Houston, Texas|River Oaks]]]]
[[File:JungmanBranchHouston.JPG|thumb|Jungman Neighborhood Library]]
[[File:Braeswoodlibrary.JPG|thumb|McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library, located in the [[Braeswood Place]] neighborhood]]
In addition to the Central Library and Clayton Library, there are 32 neighborhood libraries, including five regional libraries, all located within the city of Houston.<ref>[http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/about/buildings.html Houston Public Library – Named Buildings<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531152957/http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/about/buildings.html |date=2008-05-31 }}</ref>

*J. S. Bracewell Neighborhood Library ([[Southbelt/Ellington, Houston|Southbelt/Ellington]])
*Carnegie Neighborhood Library ([[Near Northside, Houston|Near Northside]])
*Everett Collier Regional Library
*Patricio Flores Neighborhood Library ([[Second Ward, Houston|Second Ward]])
*Eleanor K. Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library ([[Neartown Houston|Neartown]])
**Eleanor K. Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library was at 4100 Montrose Boulevard.<ref>"[http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/mon_home.html Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020053047/http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/mon_home.html |date=2008-10-20 }}." ''Houston Public Library''. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.</ref> The library was housed in a former church, the Central Church of Christ.  The  bell tower or campanile is located by the front door of the library although the bell is gone, and there is a small colonnade connecting the main church-library building to former church meeting rooms and offices. Facing Montrose Boulevard, the original stained glass window of the church can be seen featuring a dove with an olive branch in its beak.  A modern office building complex in the surrounding area is known as The Campanile, named after the bell tower in the library.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} In 2013 there were plans for a renovation.<ref>{{cite web|author=Meeks, Flori|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/heights/news/article/Montrose-Library-upgrade-planned-4765353.php|title=Montrose Library upgrade planned|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2013-08-27|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref> However, they were shelved upon consideration of the cost of upgrading the building's infrastructure. Instead, as of 2019, the city is moving forward with plans for a new library facility along [[Westheimer Road]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Downen, Robert|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Land-sale-paves-way-for-new-Montrose-library-in-14899636.php|title=Land sale paves way for new Montrose library in mixed-use development|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2019-12-11|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref> The facility will be in the multi-purpose Montrose Collective development which will also have retail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sarnoff|first=Nancy|url=https://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Lower-Westheimer-mixed-use-development-breaks-15045276.php|title=Montrose Collective is coming soon with shops, restaurants, new library|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2020-02-11|accessdate=2021-03-20}}</ref> In March 2024, the library system closed the church-based Freed-Montrose, stating that concerns about safety were the reason for the closure. The new Freed-Montrose is scheduled to open in fall 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Octavia|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-library-closed-montrose-branch-19372822.php|title=Freed-Montrose Library closing for safety and facility issues, new building is under construction|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2024-03-28|access-date=2024-03-28}}</ref>
*[[Heights Neighborhood Library]] ([[Houston Heights, Houston, Texas|Houston Heights]])
*David M. Henington-Alief Regional Library ([[Alief, Houston, Texas|Alief]])
*Arnold L. Hillendahl Neighborhood Library ([[Spring Branch, Houston, Texas|Spring Branch]])
*W. L. D. Johnson Neighborhood Library ([[Sunnyside, Houston, Texas|Sunnyside]])
*J. Frank Jungman Neighborhood Library ([[Uptown Houston|Uptown]])
*Belle Sherman Kendall Neighborhood Library ([[Memorial, Houston, Texas|Memorial]])
*[[Adele Briscoe Looscan]] Neighborhood Library ([[River Oaks, Houston, Texas|River Oaks]]) -  The current building opened in September 2007. The former library, established in 1956, closed on August 27, 2005, and was demolished in February 2006.<ref name="Adele B. Looscan Branch Replacement"/> The previous Looscan branch had around 61,000 visitors in the fiscal year 2005. The original plans for Looscan called for the library to get a $5.4 million renovation. An [[Upper Kirby, Houston|Upper Kirby]] group proposed a new site near the Upper Kirby [[YMCA]]. Around that period the group Friends of Neighborhood Libraries began raising funds.<ref>Downing, Margaret. "Judging Books and Their Covers." ''[[Houston Press]]''. August 21, 2007. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-08-23/news/judging-books-and-their-covers/2 2]. Retrieved on August 11, 2009.</ref> The replacement library, costing $6.2 million, has twice the staff and two and one half times the size of the previous facility. Friends of Neighborhood Libraries raised one million dollars in four months, and around $2.5 million in total to help fund the new library.<ref>Downing, Margaret. "Judging Books and Their Covers." ''[[Houston Press]]''. August 21, 2007. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-08-23/news/judging-books-and-their-covers&page=11 1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615061953/http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-08-23/news/judging-books-and-their-covers%26page%3D11/ |date=2011-06-15 }}. Retrieved on August 11, 2009.</ref> The {{convert|21000|sqft|sqm}} library, designed by Jackson & Ryan Architects, houses over 60,000 books and is the first city LEED-certified facility. It includes a 120-seat multipurpose meeting room and a 14-seat private conference room. The library has several reading areas, including the Marsha Moody Children's Reading Room, a teenager reading area, and a periodical reading area. The exterior was designed to match visual cues of buildings in the surrounding area, such as the [[River Oaks Baptist School|River Oaks Baptist Church and School]]. The Emily Scott and Joseph Wood Evans Clock Tower, a part of the library's exterior, includes a garden book archive and works of art.<ref>"[http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/04/07/focus15.html River Oaks landmark doubles in size with help from Friends]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Friday April 4, 2008. Retrieved on March 11, 2010.</ref>
*Frank O. Mancuso Neighborhood Library
*Eva Alice McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library ([[Kashmere Gardens, Houston, Texas|Kashmere Gardens]])
*John P. McGovern-Stella Link Regional Library ([[Braeswood Place, Houston, Texas|Braeswood Place]]) - The library, named after physician [[John P. McGovern]],<ref>Lezon, Dale and Todd Ackerman. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20110522050346/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4357528 1921 JOHN P. "JACK" MCGOVERN 2007 / Doctor became known for giving / He made his name in medicine, and left his name on institutions]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday June 1, 2007. A1.</ref> opened on January 8, 2005.<ref>"[http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/savvypages/archives/winter05/win05_fyi.htm FYI Winter 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926135831/http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/savvypages/archives/winter05/win05_fyi.htm |date=2006-09-26 }}." ''City of Houston''. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20041123.html Mayor Bill White announces retirement of library director] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624151416/http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20041123.html |date=2007-06-24 }}." ''City of Houston''. November 23, 2004. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.</ref> The ''[[Houston Business Journal]]'' awarded the library a Landmark Award for Community Impact in 2006.<ref>"[http://dayton.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/04/30/focus16.html Past Landmark Awards Honorees]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Friday April 27, 2007. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/event/2207 Landmark Awards 2006]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.</ref> In 2007 and 2010 the ''[[Houston Press]]'' ranked the branch the "Best Public Library Branch."<ref>"[http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2007/award/best-public-library-branch-605057/ Best Public Library Branch McGovern-Stella Link]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2010/award/best-public-library-branch-2015289/ Best Public Library Branch - 2010 McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.</ref> The McGovern Library closed after [[Hurricane Harvey]] hit Houston in 2017. Its tentative reopening is in 2019.<ref name="Ward, Alyson">{{cite news|author=Ward, Alyson|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Nearly-a-year-after-Harvey-s-floods-six-13085785.php|title=Nearly a year after Harvey's floods, six Houston libraries remain shuttered — some indefinitely|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2018-07-19|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref>
*Lucile Y. Melcher Neighborhood Library ([[Pecan Park, Houston, Texas|Pecan Park]])
*Nettie Moody Neighborhood Library ([[Northside, Houston|Northside]])
*Oak Forest Neighborhood Library ([[Oak Forest, Houston, Texas|Oak Forest]])
*Park Place Regional Library ([[Park Place, Houston, Texas|Park Place]])
*Pleasantville Neighborhood Library ([[Pleasantville, Houston, Texas|Pleasantville]])
*Elizabeth L. Ring Neighborhood Library ([[Spring Branch, Houston, Texas|Spring Branch]])
*Judson W. Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library ([[Westchase, Houston, Texas|Westchase]])
*Scenic Woods Regional Library ([[Scenic Woods, Houston, Texas|Scenic Woods]])
*Beulah Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library ([[Acres Homes, Houston, Texas|Acres Homes]])
*Lonnie E. Smith Neighborhood Library ([[The six wards of Houston#Third Ward|Third Ward]])
*Nena Stanaker Neighborhood Library ([[Magnolia Park, Houston, Texas|Magnolia Park]])
*Sherman E. Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library ([[Blue Ridge, Houston, Texas|Blue Ridge]])
*Cliff Tuttle Neighborhood Library ([[Denver Harbor, Houston, Texas|Denver Harbor]])
*William A. Vinson Neighborhood Library
*Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library ([[Westbury, Houston|Westbury]]). Its namesake is [[Shannon Walker]] and it replaced the Frank and Meyer libraries.<ref name=Ackermancutting>{{cite web|last=Ackerman|first=Allyson|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-library-shannon-walker-18552165.php|title=A cutting-edge Houston library is opening soon. Here's what's inside.|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2023-12-14|access-date=2023-12-15}}</ref>
*M. E. Walter Neighborhood Library ([[Sharpstown, Houston, Texas|Sharpstown]])
*Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library ([[Palm Center, Houston|Palm Center]], near [[South Park, Houston, Texas|South Park]])

====Special libraries====
* [[African American Library at the Gregory School]]<ref>"[http://hpl.lib.tx.us/gregoryschool The African American Library at the Gregory School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217071007/http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/gregoryschool |date=2009-12-17 }}." Houston Public Library. Retrieved on November 23, 2009.</ref>
* Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
* Houston Metropolitan Research Center

====Former locations====
* Colored Carnegie Library (Opened 1912, became HPL branch in 1921, officially closed on July 31, 1961, demolished 1962 and replaced with an extension of Clay Avenue)
*Morris Frank Library ([[Fondren Southwest, Houston|Fondren Southwest]]).<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/19990417040954/http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/hpl/location.html#lk11 Hours/Locations]." Houston Public Library. April 17, 1999. Retrieved on August 10, 2009. " FRANK (FRA) 6440 West Bellfort 77035 (Key Map #570D)"</ref> Replaced by an HPL Express location,<ref name="Frankmove">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110522014226/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2008_4585201 SOUTHWEST HOUSTON / Frank library to move, reopen in the fall]."''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. June 19, 2008. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref> which in turn was, in 2023,  replaced by the Walker Library.<ref name=Ackermancutting/>
*George B. Meyer Neighborhood Library ([[Meyerland, Houston, Texas|Meyerland]]/[[Westbury, Houston, Texas|Westbury]]) - The library opened in 1962. In 1994 the library received renovations to accommodate disabled people. By 2013 HPL planned to purchase land for a new Meyerland branch with $442,000. HPL spokesperson Sandra Fernandez stated that HPL wants to build a new facility in order to increase the size and parking capacity. There is a proposal to move the library to [[Westbury Square]] in [[Westbury, Houston|Westbury]], supported by the Westbury community but opposed by Meyerland residents.<ref>Peyton, Lindsay. "[http://www.chron.com/bellaire/news/article/Residents-divided-on-plans-for-Meyer-Library-4213974.php Residents divided on plans for Meyer Library]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Tuesday January 22, 2013. Retrieved on May 15, 2016.</ref> In 2015 various proposals on where the replacement library should go were being debated.<ref>Kerr, Jocelyn. "[https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/news/article/Ideas-for-new-Meyer-Neighborhood-Library-under-9616923.php<!--old URL: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/west_university/news/ideas-for-new-meyer-neighborhood-library-under-consideration/article_926e2051-1a86-5c2d-93c1-226a761bd560.html--> Ideas for new Meyer Neighborhood Library under consideration ]." ''[[Examiner Newspaper Group]]''. Sunday February 1, 2015. Retrieved on May 15, 2016.</ref> Prior to [[Hurricane Harvey]] in 2017, the Houston community considered the Meyer Branch to be the Houston library in the poorest state of maintenance. Hurricane Harvey gave the library moderate damage, and the city government closed it afterwards, with demolition scheduled. The new library, which will also replace HPL Express Frank, will be at 5505 Belrose on a {{convert|2.5|acre|ha|adj=on}} plot of land in Westbury.<ref name="Ward, Alyson"/>
*Lakewood Neighborhood Library (Closed 2017 after Hurricane Harvey)
*Amanda E. Dixon Neighborhood Library ([[Houston Gardens, Houston|Houston Gardens]]) (Closed in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. The old library building was torn down for the new Dixon TechLink.)
*Fifth Ward Neighborhood Library ([[Fifth Ward, Houston|Fifth Ward]])

===Partnership libraries===
In addition, HPL has a partnership with the [[Harris County Public Library]]'s Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library in the [[Clear Lake City, Houston, Texas|Clear Lake City]] community of Houston.

Also, the Parent Resource Library in the [[Children's Museum of Houston]] is considered part of the Houston Public Library system; however, its staff are employed by the museum, rather than the City of Houston.

In partnership with the Harris County Public Library, which will operate the branch, the Kingwood Branch in [[Kingwood, Houston, Texas|Kingwood]] is a "City-County" branch in exchange for $4.2 million to fund the building of a new {{convert|30000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility. At the time of its completion, the existing branch will be converted into a [[community center]].<ref>{{cite news
 | last = Williamson
 | first = Harry
 | title = Kingwood library construction work to start this year
 | work = Houston Chronicle
 | date = 2007-02-15
 | url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4285966
 | access-date = 2007-08-05
 }}</ref>

===HPL Express locations===
[[File:Southwest Multi-Service Center.JPG|thumb|Southwest Multi-Service Center, which includes HPL Express Southwest]]
HPL Express locations are library facilities located within existing buildings.<ref>"[http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/hplx.html HPL Express] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301022946/http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/hplx.html |date=2009-03-01 }}." ''Houston Public Library''. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref> Each express location contains three areas: one book center, one computer center, and one classroom facility.<ref name="ExpressSW">"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4294394 Electronic library to be built within new Multi-Service Center / City's first branch to have abundance of CDs, DVDs]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. March 1, 2007. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref>

Express locations:
* HPL Express Discovery Green
* HPL Express Southwest (opened in fall 2007)<ref name="ExpressSW" />
* HPL Express Vinson (opening fall 2009) - Located in a {{convert|42000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility in the South Post Oak Multi-Service Center, adjacent to the new Vinson Neighborhood Library; the total library facility will be double the size of the original Vinson facility.<ref name="VinsonExpress">"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4467769 HIRAM CLARKE / Multiservice center, library set / City officials hope $10 million facility will earn LEED designation]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. November 29, 2007. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref>

Former express locations:
* Morris Frank Library, an HPL Express Location ([[Fondren Southwest, Houston, Texas|Fondren Southwest]]) - Located in a {{convert|12000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} section of the first floor of the Brays Oaks Towers.<ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2008_4585201 SOUTHWEST HOUSTON / Frank library to move, reopen in the fall]."''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. June 19, 2008. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref> It replaced the formerly standalone Frank Library.<ref name="Frankmove"/> In 2023 it was replaced by the Walker Library.<ref name=Ackermancutting/>

===HPL Mobile Express===
[[File:HoustonPublicLibraryBookmobile.JPG|thumb|HPL Mobile Express]]
The HPL Mobile Express is a mobile computer training laboratory.<ref>"[http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/mobilex.html HPL Mobile Express] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730144429/http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/mobilex.html |date=2008-07-30 }}." ''Houston Public Library''. Accessed July 12, 2008.</ref>