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Drawing of the Central Library, Jesse H. Jones Building

Jesse H. Jones Building 50th Celebration

Central Library
Saturday, September 26 | 11 AM - 2 PM

Step back in time and celebrate 1976 with us at the Jesse H. Jones Library in downtown Houston! Come dressed in your most fun, festive attire as we host a lively, themed event for all ages. Enjoy a special storytime, challenge yourself with decade‑themed trivia, get creative with adult and family‑friendly crafts, and groove along to music that brings the era to life.

Reading Selections

 
 
 
 
 
Two individuals are standing in front of a colorful geometric background made up of overlapping shapes in red, orange, teal, purple, and green. Each person is holding a red Houston Public Library “My Link” card. The individual on the left is also holding a smartphone in one hand, with a light-colored top and an orange garment draped over the shoulders. The individual on the right is wearing a light-colored jacket and glasses, holding the card with both hands. The scene is bright and promotional in style.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Celebrate Library Card Month and discover how one card can connect you to endless learning, entertainment, and community resources. Unlock a world of discovery with hundreds of incredible tools and materials at your fingertips. Plus, any Texas resident can sign up for FREE access to eBooks, e‑audiobooks, digital magazines, music, and so much more.

Smiling man in a red Houston Public Library shirt giving a thumbs-up while gesturing toward an empty space beside him.

Your Vote Helps HPL!  

All library patrons, supporters, and library lovers are encouraged to vote every day and show their support! Vote for the Houston Public Library Foundation as your favorite non-profit today!

Spotlight Events

A group of people of various ages are shown holding red Houston Public Library “My Link” cards. On the left, a person in a white shirt is in the foreground, holding the card toward the camera. On the right, there is a colorful grid featuring multiple individuals, each holding the same red library card against different brightly colored backgrounds. The card includes the text “This is MY Link” with the Houston Public Library logo.
ALL EVENTS

What's Happening

A person wearing a large, flowing traditional-style dress with multicolored stripes spins outdoors, causing the wide fabric to fan out in a circular motion. The person stands on a stone pathway next to a long red wall, with historic-looking buildings and a metal bench in the background. The sky is clear and blue, and green tree branches extend into the upper left corner of the scene.

Teen Hispanic Heritage Festival

Enjoy performance by teens with Houston Aztec Dance, zine making, face painting, crafts, games and more!

Colorful paper banners with intricate cutout designs hang on strings between tree branches outdoors. The banners are in shades of yellow, purple, blue, red, green, and orange, creating a festive scene against a backdrop of leafy trees and a clear blue sky.

Cultural Connections: Hispanic Heritage Month

Bring the whole family for a lively celebration of cultures and diversity! Enjoy fun activities, engaging performances, and occasional food tastings.

A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat sits on a couch in a softly lit room, holding an electric guitar neck upright with both hands. The background shows large windows with trees visible outside. The scene is in black and white, with a laptop and a bag placed on the couch beside the person.

Musical Performance by Alejandro Meola

Enjoy a vibrant, bilingual blend of Rock, Blues, and World music as Meola shares works that honor cultural diversity and the rich traditions of Hispanic and Latin American communities.

A person wearing a chef’s coat sits at a table in a restaurant setting. The table holds several small plates of food arranged in front of the person. The background features warm-toned wooden and textured walls, and an empty wooden chair sits to one side. The lighting is bright, highlighting the food and the person’s attire.

Experience the Flavors of Tex-Mex Cuisine

Chef Sylvia Casares as she brings the vibrant flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine to life! Watch as Chef Casares prepares a signature dish that reflects diversity and ingenuity.

Get Your MYLink Card  

FREE access to TECHlink, entertainment downloads and thousands of helpful resources!

Recommended for You

A woman is sitting at a kitchen counter, holding a tablet with both hands and looking at the screen

Sign Up for our Newsletters

Choose your interests and receive book recommendations, upcoming event highlights, program news, and collection updates. Manage your preferences anytime and stay connected to the library resources you enjoy most.

Top-down view of several people seated in a circle on chairs. One person is writing in a notebook while others have their hands resting on their laps. The group is sitting on a light-colored wooden floor.

Book Clubs

Connect with fellow book lovers at our lively book clubs! Join us for great conversations about this month's pick.

Four people are sitting together in a living room, choosing what to watch on the tv

Film & TV Picks

Explore curated movie and TV show recommendations for every mood and genre. Discover family favorites, award-winning films, and binge-worthy series available to stream or borrow.

A woman smiles thinking about the possibilities of the library of things

Library of Things

Borrow more than books! Explore games, tools, technology, musical instruments, baking equipment, and other unique items available to check out for your next project, hobby, or adventure.

A close-up view of a digital camera mounted on a tripod shows the camera’s screen displaying a live view of a laptop running audio-editing software. The background features a workspace with multiple monitors displaying colorful audio tracks, and a pair of hands working on the laptop keyboard. The scene focuses on recording or filming a digital audio production setup.

CREATE.RECORD.WIN

September 1 - October 17

Create an original song or video in a FREE TECHLink creative workspace using your MYLink library card, inspired by this year's theme: Linked to Houston: What does Houston mean to you?

All Contest Participants and Finalists are invited to attend the Award Showcase on November 7, 2026, where the winning entries will be announced and prizes awarded!

Featured Services

A student sits at a desk, holding a tablet while an educator leans in to provide guidance

LEARNINGLink

Through this free program, students and teachers can access eBooks, research databases, study guides, tutoring, and other learning tools designed to support educational success.

A mom and son browse the shelves of picture books at the library

Family Place Libraries

Welcoming our youngest pre-school customers, parents and caregivers to our re-imagined, re-designed, family-centered early literacy programs and physical spaces.

A group of individuals sit at computer workstations in a classroom or lab setting while an instructor leans in to provide guidance

Reach New Goals

Discover free classes and support, including basic computer skills, Open Job Lab, English language learning, citizenship preparation, GED classes, and literacy programs designed to help adults succeed at every stage of life.

Three adults examine an exhibit wall

On Exhibit Now

Did you know HPL has exhibits? Discover art, history, culture, and community stories that spark curiosity, inspire conversation, and connect our city.

Celebrate the Magic of Libraries!  

By donating, you're supporting lifelong learning, enriching our community, and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. Thank you for making a difference!

Person wearing glasses and a purple long‑sleeve top giving two thumbs‑up in front of a purple background. Next to this person is an inset photo showing the entrance of a modern tech space with a sign that reads ‘TECH LINK’ and a large, angled glass window opening into the interior.

TECHLink Vinson Grand Opening

Houston Public Library invites you to the grand opening of TECHLink Vinson located inside of the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center. Join us Saturday, October 3rd for a day filled with celebration, community, and the joy of technology! Come and explore this state-of-the-art facility, featuring equipment demonstrations, tours, and interactive spaces designed to inspire and connect.

Digital Library

A child sits on a sofa near a sunlit window, holding and reading a light‑colored hardcover book

Children's Titles

Indulge in an electrifying eBook and eAudiobook adventure, right from your browser or dive into the thrill on our app! Grab up to 15 captivating items absolutely free, and embark on a literary journey that lasts up to 14 days.

A stack of hardcover books with headphones wrapped around them sits on a wooden tabletop in the center of a spacious library

E-books & Audiobooks

Borrow popular and bestselling eBooks and eAudiobooks for adults. Read your favorite comics, graphic books, fiction, or nonfiction titles. Checkout limit is 15 free items for up to 14 days.

A man sits in a cozy living room reading a book

New for Adults

Get the latest fiction, nonfiction, romance, literature, or thriller titles for adult readers! Enjoy at anytime with checkout limit of 15 free items for up to 14 days.

A woman sits on a sofa using a laptop

News & Magazines

PressReader is the best place to read more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines from around the globe. Get featured publications with no limits or expirations. On the sign in page, click the "Library or Group" button and search for the Houston Public Library to get access.