Topics include: Evelyn Meador Branch Library, Freeman Memorial Branch Library Clear Lake, Helen Hall Library, University of Houston  - Clear Lake Library 

Evelyn Meador Branch Library

The Evelyn Meador Branch Library, located at 2400 North Meyer Road in Seabrook, is a Harris County facility. Any county resident is entitled to a free library card. Non-residents receive cards after paying a small fee. Phone, 281-474-9142.

Freeman Memorial Branch Library Clear Lake

The Freeman Memorial Branch Library, located at 16602 Diana Lane in Clear Lake, is a branch of the Harris Country Public Library System. The Library was named in honor of Captain Theodore C. Freeman, the first astronaut to lose his life in the Apollo Space Program. Originally housed in a small room in the Clear Lake City Recreation Center, the Library opened in 1964 with a collection of 800 books. In 1976, the Library moved to its present site and today houses a collection of over 100,000 items. On November 1, 1999 the library celebrated its 35th anniversary.

Open 7 days a week, the Freeman Branch checks out average of 50,000 items per month to resident in the Clear Lake community. In 1999, customers checked out 1/2 million items, asked 44,000 reference questions, submitted 22,000 reserves, and borrowed 900 interlibrary loan books from other libraries across the United States.

In 1996, the Harris Country Public Library System implemented the Dynix Information Technology System, totally automating our circulation system and our catalog of materials. With "Harry", as we call this computerized system, the library online catalog provides information on holdings in all 26 branch libraries. If a book you need is not on the shelf or is not available at the Freeman Branch, you can always place an online reserve, free of charge, to have the item located and held for you.

From our library public access catalogs, customers now have access to over 100 electronic resources, including the Information Access databases and the First Search databases offered through the Texas State Electronic Library. Numerous encyclopedias, such as Britannica, the World Book, and Groliers, are also available online. Of particular note is the Electric Library, a resource for students doing research that offers access to pictures, maps, magazines and newspapers. This new system has opened up a new world to library customers, especially with free public access to the Internet that became available early in 1999. New services offered in 2000 included five workstations with access to the Microsoft Office Software Suite. In addition, 3 introductory computer classes are offered on the Internet, the Online Library Catalog and HCPL's Electronic Databases.

Harry also brings the library right into your home. Library cardholders can access the library catalog from their home computer. Or, with a touch-tone phone, it is now possible for customers to access their records, renew books, and review titles currently checked out or titles waiting for them on the hold shelf.

The Harris Country Public Library home page, located at http:/ / www.hcpl.net provides information about branch hours, library services and offers help to Internet users. Recommended links for children and adults are provided to help customers find information on a variety of topics, including local resources, employment, businesses, ready reference, Lonestar and Bluebonnet titles and fun site for kids.

With a philosophy of developing a strong community-based library collection, the Harris County supported Freeman Library provides not only the most current best sellers and fiction for recreational reading, but a wide variety of information and reference services. Adult and children's books, videos, books on tape, and large print materials are just some of the items available for checkout. Over 150 magazines and newspapers, consumer information, business directories and investment services are available for use in the library.

Service and outreach to children is one of the highest priorities at the Freeman Library. Preschool story-times are presented every Tuesday morning. Family evening storytime sessions are scheduled throughout the year. One of our most outstanding programs for elementary age children is our Summer Reading Program. Every year during the month of November, children are invited to vote for their favorite author in the annual Children's Choice Election. All of our special Children's Programs are funded by the Friends of Freeman Library.

Exhibits, cultural programs and educational seminars are presented as a part of the Library's commitment to supporting lifelong learning and knowledge through self-education. A meeting room, with seating for 50, may be reserved free of charge. Library staff conducts tours for community groups and serve as official test proctors for local residents taking continuing education and correspondence courses.

With strong support from area families and the business community, the Friends of the Freeman Library raise $30,000 each year to purchase books, fund special Children's programs, and upgrade library equipment and furnishings. Approximately 6,000 hours are donated by volunteers each year, 1,200 of which were donated by the committed and dedicated Board of Trustees of the Friends of Freeman. Fund-raising efforts, which include a monthly book sale, an annual membership drive and the "Books Alive Carnival," have financed the "extras" that enrich the quality of library service at the Freeman Library.

On October 13, 1999, Commissioner Fonteno and Mayor Brown held a press conference and announced a partnership between the City of Houston and Harris County to design and build a joint library facility in Clear Lake. This collaborative effort will deliver to citizens a regional library housed in a state-of-the-art 40,000 square facility that will provide superior resource materials, including books, audio and electronic information. It is anticipated that the new library will open in the Fall of 2002.

For more information....................281-488-1906

Tina Marie Russ, MLS

Head Librarian

Freeman Memorial Branch Library Harris County Public Library System

Helen Hall Library

The Helen Hall Library, located at 100 West Walker in League City, is another excellent library. This library's reference department offers programs throughout the year. They include presentations arranged by a children's librarian. Call 281-338-4860 for information.

University of Houston-Clear Lake

 At the college level, the University of Houston-Clear Lake, founded in 1974, dedicates itself to providing a solid academic base and serving as a strong catalyst for economic development. For more information....................281-283-3900

Freeman Memorial Library....................281-488-1906

Helen Hall Library, League City..................... 281-338-4860

Evelyn Meador Library, Seabrook..................... 281-414-9142

University of Houston  - Clear Lake Library ....................281-283-3900

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