Month: October 2006

Houston libraries offer free wireless Internet

Harris County Public Library has been offering free wireless Internet access for a while. Now, the Houston Public Library has it too, at all library locations. This means that any library in the greater Houston area can get you logged on, for free:

Free Wireless Internet Access Now Available at the Houston Public Library

Houston – The Houston Public Library now offers customers free wireless Internet access at all of its 36 neighborhood library locations. Access is also available at the HPL Express Downtown in the Julia Ideson Building and the Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research located in the museum district. Customers can access the Internet with their wireless-ready laptop or PDAs. They can access the library’s electronic resources and have materials available at their fingertips. If they do not own a laptop, some neighborhood libraries have wireless-enabled laptops for customers to check out for use within the library. Customers can find the neighborhood library location near them by calling 832-393-1313 or by visiting www.houstonlibrary.org.

Director of Libraries Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson said, “The Houston Public Library is pleased to offer free wireless Internet access to all its customers. Wireless service helps our customers have equitable access to information. In today’s world, global communication is important. It makes a difference in peoples lives. The Library is embracing changes in innovative technology in response to our customers needs and as one more of its exceptional services. We also want to make sure everyone in our community has access to the necessary technology for his or her personal and professional growth.”

“We want to provide our customers with the best technology and the services they require to be productive in our library,” said Roosevelt Weeks, assistant director of information technology at the Houston Public Library.

To access the free wireless Internet service, customers will need a Houston Public Library Power Card in good standing to be able to check out a laptop for 2 hours at a time. Instructions on how to enable the wireless access on the equipment are also available at the library. In addition, the staff have been trained to provide some support in using the service or can connect you with the library’s IT helpdesk for advanced technical assistance. For more information, please call the Houston Public Library at 832.393.1313 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

free wireless at your library

The Houston Public Library now offers free wireless Internet access at all library locations:

Free Wireless Internet Access Now Available at the Houston Public Library

Houston – The Houston Public Library now offers customers free wireless Internet access at all of its 36 neighborhood library locations. Access is also available at the HPL Express Downtown in the Julia Ideson Building and the Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research located in the museum district. Customers can access the Internet with their wireless-ready laptop or PDAs. They can access the library’s electronic resources and have materials available at their fingertips. If they do not own a laptop, some neighborhood libraries have wireless-enabled laptops for customers to check out for use within the library. Customers can find the neighborhood library location near them by calling 832-393-1313 or by visiting www.houstonlibrary.org.Director of Libraries Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson said, “The Houston Public Library is pleased to offer free wireless Internet access to all its customers. Wireless service helps our customers have equitable access to information. In today’s world, global communication is important. It makes a difference in peoples lives. The Library is embracing changes in innovative technology in response to our customers needs and as one more of its exceptional services. We also want to make sure everyone in our community has access to the necessary technology for his or her personal and professional growth.”

“We want to provide our customers with the best technology and the services they require to be productive in our library,” said Roosevelt Weeks, assistant director of information technology at the Houston Public Library.

To access the free wireless Internet service, customers will need a Houston Public Library Power Card in good standing to be able to check out a laptop for 2 hours at a time. Instructions on how to enable the wireless access on the equipment are also available at the library. In addition, the staff have been trained to provide some support in using the service or can connect you with the library’s IT helpdesk for advanced technical assistance. For more information, please call the Houston Public Library at 832.393.1313 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Texas Historical Commission State-of-the-Art 50th Anniversary Exhibit

From the Houston Public Library:

The Houston Public Library’s Park Place Regional Library Hosts a Texas Historical Commission State-of-the-Art 50th Anniversary Exhibit

Houston: The Houston Public Library’s Park Place Regional Library is pleased to be hosting the Texas Historical Commission (THC) State-of-the-Art 50th Anniversary Exhibit. The community is invited to visit the library and view this historical exhibit; it is free and open to the public.

THC celebrated 50 year as the state agency for historic preservation in 2003. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the THC developed a special exhibit featuring colorful images relating to the agency’s many projects and programs, including: the LaSalle Archeological Project, the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, the Texas Main Street Program, and the Historical Marker Program. Thanks to the generous donation of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, Inc., the exhibit debuted at the Texas State Capitol in 2003 and now travels the state as a tribute to the agency and the preservation efforts being worked on statewide. For more information visit www.thc.state.tx.us.

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

WHAT:Texas Historical Commission 50th Anniversary Exhibit
WHEN:September 14, 2006 – December 7, 2006
WHERE:
Park Place Regional Library
Houston Public Library
8145 Park Place Blvd.
Houston, TX 77017
832-393-1970

To find more Texas and local history information, library customers are invited to visit the Houston Public Library’s Julia Ideson Building’s Texas Room. The Julia Ideson Building is located at 500 McKinney, downtown, 832-393-1313.

For more information, please call the Houston Public Library at 832.393.1313 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Mike Jones at Houston Public Library

From the Houston Public Library:

HIP HOP CAFE

Teen Program Debuts at the Houston Public Library

Special Guests Include Young Adult Author Alex Flinn and Houston’s Own Rap Artist Mike Jones

Houston: In celebration of National Teen Read Week, the Houston Public Library, H-E-B, and 97.9 The Box Radio have partnered to present a week-long Hip Hop Cafe: Dancin’ in the Streets program series for our community’s teens. All programs are free to the public and take place October 16 through October 21, 2006 at the Smith Neighborhood Library, located at 3624 Scott Street. Hip Hop Cafe: Dancin’ in the Streets programs were created to promote teen literacy and the use of library resources. During the week teens can participate in daily educational and fun activities culminating in a free day-long Hip Hop Cafe Festival, featuring rap artist Mike Jones, on Saturday, October 21.

Young adult author Alex Flinn kicks off the Houston Public Library’s Teen Read Week Monday, October 16 with a teen meet and greet at 3:30 p.m., followed by an adult session at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, October 17 teens will have another opportunity to meet the author at 3:30 p.m.

Alex Flinn is the author of Breathing Underwater, which received honors as a Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Flinn’s second novel, Breaking Point, deals with school violence and peer pressure. Her third book, titled Nothing to Lose, is about a teen who joins a traveling carnival after his mother is charged with the murder of her abusive husband. Nothing to Lose is a 2005 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association (ALA) and a 2005 Quick Picks for Young Adult Readers (ALA). Her newest novel, Diva, debuts this month.

Teens are invited to show off their dancing moves on Wednesday, October 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the Dance Dance Revolution Tournament. A Poetry Coffeehouse event encouraging teens to express themselves by reciting their own poetry is scheduled for Thursday, October 19 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Winners of these events receive gift certificates from Barnes & Nobel Booksellers.

On Friday, October 20 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Urgeworks will facilitate a dance workshop. Urgeworks dancers use street dance, rhythm poetry, and drama to teach the positive aspects and history of the hip-hop culture. The inspirational young men of Urgeworks–formerly considered at risk themselves–found focus through hip-hop dance and now work as professional artists. The group’s mission is to lead students on an exciting journey that promotes individuality, self-confidence and building self-esteem through dance.

The Hip Hop Cafe Festival wraps up Teen Read Week Saturday, October 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rap Artist Mike Jones and 97.9 The Box Radio will make an appearance Noon to 2 p.m. along with performances by the Yates High School Band, Five Doza, Caddy Kartel, and Soul Street. Teens will also have an opportunity to participate in an Open Mic Battle and win an iPOD Nano donated by Best Buy, or a Street Dance by Urgeworks. Free refreshments will be available Noon to 2 p.m., donated by Pepsi.

Rap Artist and avid reader Michael “Mike” Jones is from the north side of Houston. Well-known for the repetition of his own name throughout his songs, Jones signed a major record deal with Warner Bros. record company then released his first album “Who Is Mike Jones?” in April 2005. The album has since gone double Platinum in the United States. The album debuted at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts in 2005, later peaking at No. 1. His production team has been noted for their use of audio samples of artists ranging from yodelers to Tchaikovsky. Jones worked with Elton John in 2005 on a number of remixes. He has also guest starred on the Fox Television series “Prison Brea”. Mike Jones will release his next album, “The American Dream,” in late November 2006.

All Hip Hop Cafe: Dancin’ in the Streets events are free and open to the public.

For more information, please call the Houston Public Library at 832.393.1313 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

300 million is an important number

I will defer to others on this topic:

Important information, from the Houston Chronicle story:

In 2043, when the U.S. population is expected to hit 400 million, Hispanics will figure even more significantly in Texas and across the nation, according to projections.

By then, Texas promises to be utterly transformed as it contributes significantly to national trends.

The state will more than double its population, to 45 million from 22.8 million, by 2040, according to the Census Bureau projections.

Good info to have, if you live in Texas.