June 24, 2013

Houston Public Library and Houston Permitting Center
to Provide New Services

Houston Public Library New Catalog and Customer Accounts System Some Service Interruption July 3-11, 2013

The Houston Public Library (HPL) will unveil a new library catalog and customer accounts system on Thursday, July 11, 2013, which will result in improved service delivery and more efficient processes.

To prepare for the transition, library accounts and transactions in the existing online catalog will be unavailable Wednesday, July 3, 2013 - Wednesday, July 10, 2013. In addition, HPL will not fill or take new hold orders during this transition period.

The catalogue will still be searchable. Customers will still be able to check out materials and create new library accounts. However, most library transactions will not be available online during this transition period. Instead visit your neighborhood library to do these transactions in person.

Timelines and Impact

• July 3, 2013 - existing catalog and customer accounts system go offline
• July 11, 2013 - new catalog and customer accounts system go live

For more information on the new system and its features, visit https://blogs.houstonlibrary.org/?p=2659. To learn more about HPL, visit https://www.houstonlibrary.org.

Houston Permitting Center to Pilot New Services

The Houston Permitting Center (HPC) is preparing to pilot two new services designed to simplify your visits and save you time. The new services will be unveiled over a four week period beginning on Monday, July 1, 2013.

Scheduled Appointments - Starting Monday, July 1, appointments may be scheduled online for the following services:

• Houston Police Department: Auto Dealers Detail
• Public Works and Engineering: Floodplain Management Office
• Public Works and Engineering: Open Records

This new service will allow you to schedule an appointment at a specific date and time to meet with a service provider. Starting Monday, July 1, the online appointment scheduler will be available at https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org.

Appointments may still be scheduled in person at the HPC or over the phone by calling the service directly at the numbers below:

• Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800
• Floodplain Management Office at 832.394.8854
• Open Records at 832.394.8800

Text Message Notice - Starting Monday, July 22, at the HPC check-in kiosk, you will have the option to sign up to receive a text message that will help gauge your place in line, giving you the ability to do other things at the HPC while waiting for your turn.

Important Time Stamp Change: Starting Monday, July 1, ticketed customers will be called in the order by which their tickets are scanned at the point of service. Currently, ticketed customers are called in the order by which their tickets are issued at the check-in kiosk.

A complete set of HPC service details is available https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org. For questions regarding these new services, email houston.permittingcenter@houstontx.gov or call 832.394.9000.