Spring 08
Vol. 13 No. 2

The Hernandez family checks out books at Houston Public Library Express Southwest. The express library, the first of its kind in the county, offers computers and resources in an area not served by a branch.

By Dave Schafer

Celia Lopez didn’t go to the library. It was too far away, too inconvenient.

Then, in January, an express library opened in the Southwest Multi-Service Center near her home. The 3,600-square-foot Houston Public Library Express Southwest holds only about 5,000 books. But there are 30 computers that her children can use to play educational games and Lopez can use to learn about the world and take free Word classes.

Since then, she’s been taking her 5-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son to the library three or four times a week.

People like Lopez are why the city created express libraries, the nation’s first high-tech, full-service breeze-through libraries.
“Express locations fill a need in areas not served by a branch library, and we can customize them to the area,” said Sandra Fernandez, Library’s manager of public relations.

Libraries are becoming more inviting, more high-tech, and more customer-oriented. And for those residents who still can’t make it to the library, Library is bringing the computers to them.

How’s that for access?

A 21st century book mobile
“Libraries are becoming more than just a place to go to check out books,” said Roosevelt Weeks, assistant director.
People use library computers to learn new skills, for job training, to contact distant relatives, and for many public services, Weeks said.

With the new HPL Mobile Express, a 38-foot-long bus housing 13 computers, the library is taking those services to the masses.

“Our customers want more computer space, which we’re physically unable to provide at our branch libraries. So here, we can roll up more space,” Weeks said.

The $246,000 mobile technology lab, paid for with Community Development Block Grant funds, will go into service in June. On the bus, staff will offer computer training, literacy programs, and work force training programs.

The bus will visit daycare centers, nursing homes, and other facilities that need computers but can’t afford them in Houston Hope and CDBG areas, Weeks said.

“The library provides access to information,” Fernandez said. “More and more, we’re doing that electronically. We want to make sure as many Houstonians have access as possible.”

Everyone’s so darn busy these days
The modern-looking HPLX Southwest was the first of four express libraries that will be open by early next year. Although they’ll have fewer books, patrons can reserve books that will be delivered for pickup.

No other library system in the nation has created these types of libraries before, Fernandez said.

HPLX Southwest has 20 laptop computers and a Wii attached to a 42-inch flat panel television.

In April, 300-square-foot HPLX Discovery Green opened at Discovery Green Park. HPLX Frank, an express/branch hybrid, will follow in the fall, replacing the structurally unsafe Frank branch.

The tentatively named HPLX Vinson will open across the street from the Vinson branch library next year, offering more computers and librarians.

Each library will fill the needs in that neighborhood, Fernandez said. HPLX Southwest is heavy on technology because the residents in that area have lower-educational achievement levels, and this technology can help them attain minimum skills.

“With the express libraries, we’re adjusting to busy people, who want easy access and to get in and out,” said Edward Melton, administrative manager for HPL express.

A branch library can take five to 10 years to complete after it comes up on the Capital Improvement Plan and is designed and built. Express libraries cost up to 75 percent less, so they get funded sooner and often take just two years to go through the same process.

Central to the library
But full-service libraries aren’t going the way of the 8-track tape player. In fact, Central Library will reopen May 31 after a $17 million renovation.

Improvements include an additional 30,000 square feet of public room on the fourth floor for children and teen rooms, a grand staircase replacing the escalators, five self-checkout counters, a small-business center, an expanded world languages section, new wiring for the library system’s Internet access, and a meeting room overlooking Sam Houston Park. The first floor will resemble a retail store featuring best-selling novels, the music collection, and a café.

“This renovation makes the Central Library an easier experience for patrons,” said Mike Van Campen, chief of central services. “It will be more of a community gathering place.”

“We aim to create a proactive customer-friendly atmosphere. We’re going to get out from behind the desks and interact with the customers.”

During the next year, the library will host programs targeted at specific age groups. They will include computer classes, more book clubs, and daily lunch programs to attract nearby professionals.

“We want to be a flagship destination for people coming to Houston and downtown,” Van Campen said.

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