Some Houston Libraries Reopening Today for ‘Express Browsing’

Some Houston Libraries Reopening Today for ‘Express Browsing’

HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES were closed to visitors for more than a year (although many offered curbside pickup!) thanks to Covid. But starting today, several locations are reopening for "express browsing."


Eleven neighborhood and regional libraries will operate at 50 percent capacity, with no appointments necessary; opening hours are Monday, 12-7pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 12-4pm; Wednesday and Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm. Customers are permitted to visit for up to one hour, and can check out materials and use facility computers during that time. There won't be any public seating areas or meeting rooms available, as reading, studying and relaxation are discouraged until a later date.

Temperature checks, face-coverings and physical distancing of at least six feet will be required, and all items returned or handled by patrons will be "quarantined" for 24 hours before redistribution, according to the website. The reopened libraries will also continue to offer the curbside HPL To Go service; appointments can be made online.

Here are the libraries reopening today, and more will be added in the coming weeks:

    People + Places
    Fall Philanthropy Report: Be An Angel Improves Quality of Life for Children with Special Needs

    What year was your organization launched? 1986 by a small group of committee community members that believed special needs children were not receiving basic life services.

    Keep Reading Show less

    Gulf Red Snapper at The Annie

    These CityBook partners are among the best eateries in the most deliciously diverse city.

    Keep Reading Show less
    Food

    Beth Muecke, Justin Garcia

    HANDSOME HOUSTON ARTIST Justin Garcia held a homecoming of sorts at Downtown’s Z on 23. He’s been on a world tour with Orphaned Starfish Foundation, the nonprofit that helps orphans, survivors of trafficking, and refugees break their cycles of abuse and poverty. Garcia is traveling to all 80 of the foundation’s programs around the world, creating unique art pieces that aim to capture each program's unique feel with color, shape and words.

    Keep Reading Show less
    Art + Entertainment