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February 6, 2013

Houston Public Library to Restore Library Hours
Beginning in April 2013, Adding 109 Positions

Mayor Annise Parker announced the extension of service hours at Houston Public Library (HPL) locations throughout the city beginning in April 2013. The extended hours restore Saturday service to 14 neighborhood libraries, bringing the total number of libraries open on Saturdays to 41. In addition, hours are being restored to the Central Library, returning it to a seven day a week schedule sometime in the spring or summer.

The restored service hours are made possible by $3.1 million added to the City of Houston HPL budget. A portion of the additional funding is expected in the current budget year from a General Appropriation request in April 2013, and full funding will be included in the HPL FY14 budget, beginning in July 2013.

These newly allocated funds will be used to hire 109 new HPL staff members, which will make the restored service hours possible. The first wave of postings for these positions were added to the City of Houston website on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

The restoration of service hours will take place in phases, beginning April 1, 2013, with restored schedules offered as new staff is hired and trained. More information will be forthcoming in the spring.

Neighborhood libraries that will have phased in restored Saturday hours are:

To learn more about the Houston Public Library, visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Make a Difference as an After School Zone Mentor
March and April 2013

Will you please help change students' lives by volunteering seven hours of your time over five weeks this spring as an after-school mentor. The "After School Zone with the Graduation Game Plan" Mentor Program is in need of volunteers at six Houston Public Library locations. The program depends on volunteers like you who can commit just an hour and a half a week for five consecutive weeks during March and April 2013.

Volunteers will guide a small group of students through the basic steps of achieving a high school graduation and getting prepared for college and/or careers. Spanish and bilingual speakers are highly encouraged to sign-up, in addition to anyone else interested in helping Houston youth.

Applying for college and thinking about careers can be a very complicated process. Previous programs have taught us that many students are not informed about important financial aid programs like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many students do not know how to create a resume. This program helps organize resources for students and mentors to easily have conversations about how students can establish and achieve goals.

  • Mentors will be provided with training and resource materials for their small group
  • Each student will create a personal plan that connects college and career resources to their goals after high school
  • Mentors will share their experiences to help guide students through the program
  • Mentors will help students identify a positive support network in their lives, while providing general support, motivation and encouragement

To learn about the "After School Zone with the Graduation Game Plan" Mentor Program sign-up procedures, locations, times and dates visit https://www.houstontx.gov/education/mentor/. If interested sign up by Friday, March 8, 2013.

For more information contact Anne Lohoues, Office of Education Initiatives at Anne.Lohoues@houstontx.gov or 832.393.0901 (office) or 832.231.5503 (cell).

The "After School Zone with the Graduation Game Plan" Mentor Program is a partnership between the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods and the Houston Public Library.

To learn more about the Office of Education Initiatives, visit www.houstontx.gov/education/. To learn more about the Department of Neighborhoods, visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods. And to learn more about volunteer opportunities in the City of Houston, visit https://www.houstonservice.org/.

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https://www.houstonlibrary.org/ | Phone: 832.393.1313


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Council Members: Helena Brown • Jerry Davis • Ellen R. Cohen • Wanda Adams • Dave Martin • Al Hoang • Oliver Pennington • Edward Gonzalez • James G. Rodriguez • Mike Laster • Larry V. Green • Stephen C. Costello • Andrew C. Burks, Jr. • Melissa Noriega • C.O. “Brad” Bradford • Jack Christie
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