events & activities on my radar

A Green Library
Because I take every opportunity to promote my day job, HPL is having a grand opening celebration for the new Looscan Neighborhood Library. 20,000 square feet, fabulous design, located on 2510 Willowick (near Central Market). Just for being pretty, it’s worth a visit.

This is the first green library in Houston (I think in Texas, but am not 100% certain), the first completed green project by the City of Houston, and just the second of our locations to incorporate RFID technology in the books & materials for managing inventory (and making check in and checkout easier). It will have an internet cafe (to be completed by the end of the year — the tables & chairs, plus vending, will be there at opening… real coffee spot will be in place by the end of the year). As of the grand opening on Wed. 9/5 (ceremony 4-6 PM) will have free wireless access (just like all other HPL libraries).

I’m still learning the language surrounding the pending LEED‘s certification for this building, but I have coordinated enough interviews about it that I’m becoming better informed every day. One of the things I found very interesting is that the building has staff showers, to enable staff who want to bike or walk to work to shower when they get there (before their work shifts). Very cool.

Book Sale
The Friends of the Houston Public Library are having their annual Children’s Book Sale on Sept. 7-9. If you have kids or if you’re a teacher, this is a great place to go and pick up a bundle of books cheap. Most books run $1, with better books at $2.

That’s it for now.