the life & times of Sandra Fernandez
In my day job I am the Manager of Public Relations for the Houston Public Library. What that means is that, among other things, I work on content and promotion of the Web site (at least that’s the important part, for this post). Today, Aaron Long wrote a nice post about the downloadable audiobooks we offer at HPL.
Thank you, Aaron.
And thank you, Katie, for sending the post my way.
by Sandra Fernandez Leave a Comment
More shameless self-promotion:
An Evening With…
You Are Cordially Invited To
“An Evening With…”
Great Books
Well-known Authors
Inspiring & Entertaining Topics
The Houston Public Library invites you, your friends and your neighbors to an ongoing author series where you will meet well-known authors from several genres. Relationships, mysteries and faith are just a few of the topics to be presented in the first programs.
As part of the year-long series, monthly events will be held throughout the city at neighborhood libraries. Attend one, or attend them all. Authors will read from one (or several) of their books, answer audience questions and talk about what inspires their writing. All events are free and open to the public.
“An Evening With Norma Jarrett”
Smith Neighborhood Library
Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Jarrett will read from her latest book, Sweet Magnolia, an inspirational novel about two bitterly divided sisters struggling to forgive each other and renew their faith in God.
“An Evening With Victor McGlothin”
Johnson Neighborhood Library
Monday, January 29, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
McGlothin will read from his book, Borrow Trouble, in which a killer on the run from the law prepares to pull the biggest heist in history.
“An Evening With Charles Rivers”
Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library
Monday, February 12, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Rivers will read from his book, Heart of the Marriage, a guide to mending a challenging relationship and strengthening the family.
“An Evening With Dr. William July”
McGovern-Stella Link Regional Library
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
July is a relationship expert whose books include Confessions of an Ex-Bachelor, Understanding The Tin Man, Brothers, Lust & Love, and The Hidden Lover.
For further details, please contact the Houston Public Library at http://www.houstonlibrary.org/ or call 832-393-1313.
by Sandra Fernandez Leave a Comment
From the shameless self-promotion board:
McGovern-Stella Link Regional Library
7405 Stella Link * 77025 * 832-393-2630.Ring Neighborhood Library
8835 Long Point * 77055 * 832-393-2000
Heights Neighborhood Library
1302 Heights Blvd. * 77008 * 832-393-1810Stanaker Neighborhood Library
611 S/Sgt. Macario Garcia * 77011 * 832-393-2080
Henington-Alief Regional Library
7979 South Kirkwood * 77072 * 832-393-1820Acres Homes Neighborhood Library
8501 West Montgomery * 77088 * 832-393-1700
For further details, please contact the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.
Where I’ll be on Saturday, October 21, 2006:
Teen Festival at the Houston Public Library
Featuring Rap Artist Mike Jones and 97.9 The BoxWhat: To wrap up National Teen Read Week, Houston Public Library, H-E-B, and 97.7 The Box have partnered to promote teen literacy and the use of library resources through the Hip Hop Cafe Festival. This FREE event includes Rap Artist Mike Jones hosting an autograph session and reading from books by Young Adult Author Alex Flinn from Noon to 2 p.m. Plus, local hip-hop artist performances, craft and info booths, and more!
Who: Hundreds of teens, local hip-hop artists, 97.9 The Box and national rap artist Mike Jones.
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2006
Time: 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Mike Jones on site Noon to 2 p.m.; local performers 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)Where: Smith Neighborhood Library, 3624 Scott Street, 77004, 832-393-2050
The Hip Hop Cafe Festival wraps up Teen Read Week on 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. The festival will also include performances by the Yates High School Band, Five Doza, Caddy Kartel, and Soul Street. Teens will have an opportunity to participate in an Open Mic Battle and win an iPOD Nano, or learn new moves in a Street Dance workshop led 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. Jones released his first album “Who Is Mike Jones?” in April 2005. The album went double Platinum in the United States and debuted at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts in 2005, later peaking at No. 1. Jones worked with Elton John in 2005 on a number of remixes. He has also guest starred on the Fox Television series “Prison Break.” He will release his next album, “The American Dream,” in late November 2006.
The Houston Public Library serves 4 million customers per year at its 37 locations. Teens who register for a library card receive free use of books, comics, and popular magazines, movies on video and DVDs, music CDs, Internet, laptop and computer use, online homework help, research assignment databases, online college and career information, and more.
by Sandra Fernandez Leave a Comment
Every year the Houston Public Library holds Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together — Houston’s version of the One Book, One City program. The premise is that everyone in the city reads the same book and participates in discussions, conversations, etc. This year, HPL has changed the program a little.
The Houston Public Library presents the Sixth Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program to bring the community and families together to read the same book at the same time. The goal of this citywide project is to cultivate a culture of reading in Houston by encouraging people to visit libraries, bookstores, community centers, homes, churches, and schools to discuss the book.
The Books on the Bayou program will be held September 8 through October 28, 2006. A Resource Guide of author presentations and group book discussions will be available at your neighborhood libraries. The Houston Public Library, the City of Houston, Metro, and the Houston Chronicle are the primary sponsors of this initiative, but other partners will be brought into the project for events and activities. This program is free and open to the public.
Children, teens, and adults are invited to participate in the reading program and book discussions focusing on the four selected titles: Riding the Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon, for adults; Tangerine by Edward Bloor, for teens; So B. It by Sarah Weeks, for middle school children; and Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus, for children. These selected books titles all have a common theme: families with special needs.
The Books on the Bayou program will provide a Resource Guide which will give an overview of the program, listing of related events hosted by project partners, discussion questions and other useful resources associated with the selected book titles. Thematic programs will also be scheduled for each of the books selected.
[snip]
Have you read “Riding The Bus With My Sister” by Rachel Simon? It’s the featured book for the Sixth Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together Program. The program runs from September 8 through October 28. For more information on other selected titles, events and partner activities, visit the Books on the Bayou Web site.
All books are available at the Houston Public Library.
by Sandra Fernandez Leave a Comment
When family and friends ask me about my day, I sometimes wonder how I would explain the process of setting up an interview for someone else. The calls to and from the reporter, and the conversations with the interview subject about what can and cannot be said, and the logistics of setting up the place, space, and topic of the whole thing… the entire process is so much more than just “I set up an interview.”
Earlier this week the Houston Chronicle ran a Q&A with one of my teen librarians.
Teenagers, better known in the book world as young adults, are carving out their own sections — away from the children’s department — in the modern public library and are craving more than just books. Chronicle reporter Cynthia Leonor Garza sat down with Craig Bertuglia, a self-proclaimed “comic book geek” and teen librarian at the John P. McGovern-Stella Link branch library, to talk about what they’re reading, what’s popular with them in the online world and how today’s teen interests differ from those of previous generations.
So I point to this and say: “I did this!” I like my kudos, even if my name isn’t in the article itself. 🙂
Article referenced: Teens’ librarian knows what’s popular, by Cynthia Garza.