2:00 pm: Learn a New Language with FBCL’s “Transparent Language Online” Resource

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
May 6, 2025

Would you like to make yourself more marketable to an employer by being bilingual? Are you interested in other cultures and want to understand their languages? Learning another language can have many benefits, and Fort Bend County Libraries’ (FBCL) “Transparent Language® Online” resource makes learning a new language easier than ever – and it’s free!

Throughout the month of May, Fort Bend County Libraries will have demonstrations of the key features of this free language-learning resource at two locations, but library users are welcome to inquire about it at any time at any FBCL location.

Registration is required for the demonstrations, which will take place at the following locations:

Tuesday,May 6, 2:00-3:00 pm – Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City)
Wednesday,May 28, 3:00-4:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Road)

About Transparent Languages

The Transparent Languages resource offers online courses for people who would like to learn a new language. The database includes more than 100 languages – from Afrikaans to Zulu – as well as ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for non-English speaking people who would like to learn English. American Sign Language is also offered.

The ESL English-language-learning courses are available for people who speak Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Farsi, Hindi, Czech, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Romanian, Swahili, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, Russian, German, French, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Greek, Arabic, or Italian.

This online resource is self-paced and designed for practicality and simplicity. An audio feature enables the student to hear how words are pronounced. The “Learn” section is packed full of pronunciation, speech, grammar, writing and vocabulary-building lessons, while the “Explore” section helps the student expand the language-learning experience through blogs, a “Word of the Day” application, and more.

This resource can be accessed from any computer – whether at home, school, or at the library – by going to the library’s website. Click on the “Research” tab on the main webpage, and then “Digital Resources & Databases.” Filter the options by “Subject” and select “Online Learning & Test Prep.” Scroll down to “Transparent Language Online.”

Creating an account in the database enables the student to log in and out of the course, and to pick up where he or she left off at the last log-in session. Users will need their Fort Bend County Libraries barcode number from their library card to sign in. When prompted to choose a library, select “Fort Bend County” from the drop-down menu.

The demonstration is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or any of the branch libraries.

12:00 pm: Free Income-Tax Help at Fort Bend County Libraries

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
May 9, 2025

Fort Bend County Libraries will again host representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who will provide free income-tax-preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers at several locations in the Fort Bend County library system through April 15.

Income-tax forms are not available at the libraries.

The following information should be brought to the session if possible: a photo ID; Social Security card(s) for self, spouse, and all dependents; last year’s tax return; W-2, 1099s, and any other compensation received in 2024; unemployment compensation statements; and any other documents that are necessary to complete your return.

The schedule is as follows:

George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond; Room 2A (Appointment required: 281-342-4455):
Saturdays, April 5 and 12, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm;
Mondays, April 7 and 14, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm;
Thursdays, April 3 and 10, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge; Meeting Room (Appointment required: 281-238-2140):
Mondays, April 7 and 14,1:00 to 4:00 pm;
Thursdays, April 3 and 10,1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Mission Bend Branch Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd, Meeting Room (Appointment required: 832-471-5900):
Mondays,April 7 and 14, 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City; Meeting Room (Appointment required: 281-238-2900):
Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 3:00 to 7:00 pm;
Saturdays, April 5 and 12, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Fulshear Branch Library, 6350 GM Library Road (off Texas Heritage Parkway), Multipurpose Room (Appointment required):
Wednesdays, April 2 and 9, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.

The income-tax-preparation assistance is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

12:00 pm: Libraries Plan Special Mother's Day Programs

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
May 9, 2025

In preparation for Fort Bend County Libraries’ Summer Reading Club, which begins May 26, the regularly-scheduled, weekly children’s programs at all locations will NOT take place in May. The weekly children’s programs – such as Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, Story Time, and the After-School Breaks/School-Age Programs – will resume their summer schedule in June.

As an alternative, special Mother’s Day programs are planned at two locations in the library system. Families with children of all ages are invited to celebrate all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, or other motherly figures in their lives.

On Friday, May 9, the Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway) will have a “Mother’s Day Celebration” from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, in The Pointe on the 3^rd floor of the library.

Mothers -- or anyone in a mothering role -- are invited to enjoy a break with sweet treats, live music, and serenades in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Honor and celebrate the amazing mothers in the community while enjoying the view from The Pointe!

On Saturday, May 10, the Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Rd) will have “Zumba with Love: Mother’s Day Dance & Wellness” from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the Meeting Room.

Children are invited to bring their mothers for a heart-pumping, full-filled Zumba session designed for all ages and fitness levels! Enjoy energizing dance routines to uplifting music in a supportive and joyful environment. Designed for first-timers or seasoned Zumba enthusiasts, this program is all about movement, laughter, and self-care. After the workout, stay for a relaxing cool-down session, connect with fellow moms, and enjoy light refreshments. Come for the fitness, stay for the fun, and leave with a heart full of joy and a body full of energy!

These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the Missouri City Branch Library (281-238-2100), the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900), or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

11:30 am: Libraries Plan Special Mother's Day Programs

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
May 10, 2025

In preparation for Fort Bend County Libraries’ Summer Reading Club, which begins May 26, the regularly-scheduled, weekly children’s programs at all locations will NOT take place in May. The weekly children’s programs – such as Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, Story Time, and the After-School Breaks/School-Age Programs – will resume their summer schedule in June.

As an alternative, special Mother’s Day programs are planned at two locations in the library system. Families with children of all ages are invited to celebrate all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, or other motherly figures in their lives.

On Friday, May 9, the Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway) will have a “Mother’s Day Celebration” from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, in The Pointe on the 3^rd floor of the library.

Mothers -- or anyone in a mothering role -- are invited to enjoy a break with sweet treats, live music, and serenades in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Honor and celebrate the amazing mothers in the community while enjoying the view from The Pointe!

On Saturday, May 10, the Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Rd) will have “Zumba with Love: Mother’s Day Dance & Wellness” from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the Meeting Room.

Children are invited to bring their mothers for a heart-pumping, full-filled Zumba session designed for all ages and fitness levels! Enjoy energizing dance routines to uplifting music in a supportive and joyful environment. Designed for first-timers or seasoned Zumba enthusiasts, this program is all about movement, laughter, and self-care. After the workout, stay for a relaxing cool-down session, connect with fellow moms, and enjoy light refreshments. Come for the fitness, stay for the fun, and leave with a heart full of joy and a body full of energy!

These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the Missouri City Branch Library (281-238-2100), the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900), or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

3:00 pm: Learn a New Language with FBCL’s “Transparent Language Online” Resource

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
May 28, 2025

Would you like to make yourself more marketable to an employer by being bilingual? Are you interested in other cultures and want to understand their languages? Learning another language can have many benefits, and Fort Bend County Libraries’ (FBCL) “Transparent Language® Online” resource makes learning a new language easier than ever – and it’s free!

Throughout the month of May, Fort Bend County Libraries will have demonstrations of the key features of this free language-learning resource at two locations, but library users are welcome to inquire about it at any time at any FBCL location.

Registration is required for the demonstrations, which will take place at the following locations:

Tuesday,May 6, 2:00-3:00 pm – Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City)
Wednesday,May 28, 3:00-4:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Road)

About Transparent Languages

The Transparent Languages resource offers online courses for people who would like to learn a new language. The database includes more than 100 languages – from Afrikaans to Zulu – as well as ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for non-English speaking people who would like to learn English. American Sign Language is also offered.

The ESL English-language-learning courses are available for people who speak Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Farsi, Hindi, Czech, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Romanian, Swahili, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, Russian, German, French, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Greek, Arabic, or Italian.

This online resource is self-paced and designed for practicality and simplicity. An audio feature enables the student to hear how words are pronounced. The “Learn” section is packed full of pronunciation, speech, grammar, writing and vocabulary-building lessons, while the “Explore” section helps the student expand the language-learning experience through blogs, a “Word of the Day” application, and more.

This resource can be accessed from any computer – whether at home, school, or at the library – by going to the library’s website. Click on the “Research” tab on the main webpage, and then “Digital Resources & Databases.” Filter the options by “Subject” and select “Online Learning & Test Prep.” Scroll down to “Transparent Language Online.”

Creating an account in the database enables the student to log in and out of the course, and to pick up where he or she left off at the last log-in session. Users will need their Fort Bend County Libraries barcode number from their library card to sign in. When prompted to choose a library, select “Fort Bend County” from the drop-down menu.

The demonstration is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or any of the branch libraries.

Calendar

Events in May 2025

2:00 pm: Learn a New Language with FBCL’s “Transparent Language Online” Resource

12:00 pm: Free Income-Tax Help at Fort Bend County Libraries

12:00 pm: Libraries Plan Special Mother's Day Programs

11:30 am: Libraries Plan Special Mother's Day Programs

3:00 pm: Learn a New Language with FBCL’s “Transparent Language Online” Resource