Calendar

Fort Bend County Libraries’ (FBCL) youth-services programming will be presented in virtual format rather than in-person so that families can enjoy them online and participate from home. These virtual activities will take place online; they will NOT be in person at the library.

The September schedule of online Family Story Time programs will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 am. They will be live-streamed on the “FBCL Virtual Programs & Educational Resources” Facebook group page.

If families are unable to watch the live-streamed programs, the sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on the Youth Virtual Programs page of the FBCL website on the following Tuesday/Thursday.

Family Story Time includes stories, songs, and action rhymes that children of all ages can enjoy.

Families with infants 1-12 months of age can practice their early-literacy skills by watching the pre-recorded Little Bits video episodes that will become available online on Wednesdays. In these videos, library staff demonstrate rhymes and songs for parent/child activity time at home. The videos will be posted on the Youth Virtual Programs page on the FBCL website, where they can be viewed at any time

A collection of virtual youth programs continues to be available on the Fort Bend County Libraries Youth Services YouTube channel. Pre-recorded activities for different age ranges are available for viewing at any time.

Families of toddlers and preschoolers may pick up to-go activity packets from the library for the month. These packets contain fun craft activities that can be done at home.

For more information, see the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Are you learning to speak English? Would you like some practice in a casual, informal atmosphere? Fort Bend County Libraries presents a program for individuals of all nationalities who would like a place to practice their English language and conversation skills. The “ESL Conversation Circles” provide an opportunity for non-English-speaking people discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills.

The ESL Conversation Circles will be live-streamed virtual sessions presented via Webex; they will NOT be in person. Registration is required. Participants who register for the event will be emailed a link to a Webex meeting, and they may join the discussion from home.

The schedule of online ESL Conversation Circles in September is as follows:

• Tuesdays, September 7 and 21– 10:30 am-12:00 noon.
• Tuesdays, September 14 and 28– 2:00-3:00 pm.
• Wednesdays, September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29– 10:00-11:00 am.

Learn a new word or phrase with the “ESL Phrase of the Day,” a pre-recorded video which will be posted on Tuesday, September 28. It is NOT necessary to register for the Phrase of the Day, and the video may be viewed at any time.

These ESL activities are free and open to the public. Registration for the Conversation Circles is required; a link to the Webex session will be emailed to participants who register. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library at 281-342-4455.

This fall, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will offer fun, online programs specifically designed for high school-age teens in grades 9 through 12.

In September, the programs will be either live-streamed via Webex or pre-recorded videos. Registration is required for the live-streamed programs only. An email with the link for the Webex meeting will be sent to all who register on FBCL’s online virtual calendar.

To register for a live-streamed program or to view the how-to videos, go to the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – click on the “Classes and Events” tab, select “Virtual Programs,” and find the virtual program on the dates listed.

Young Adult Advisory Councils

“YA Advisory Council” – Tuesday, September 14, 4:00-5:00 pm; Wednesday, September 15, 4:00-5:00 pm; Tuesday, September 21, 4:00-4:40 pm; or Wednesday, September 22, 4:00-5:00 pm.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. Teens can earn volunteer-service hours by expressing ideas, organizing upcoming activities, and suggesting new programs and books that would be of interest to young adults at the library. Registration is required.

Young Adult Book Clubs

“YA Book Club” – Wednesday, September 8, 4:00-5:00 pm

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. This month, readers will discuss Replica, written by Lauren Oliver. This book selection is in print and on OverDrive; call George Memorial Library to check availability of additional print copies. Registration is required.

Sienna Subtext: Graphic Novel & Animé Club-- Thursday, September 9, 4:00-5:00 pm.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. The book to be discussed is Skyward, Vol 1: My Low-G Life, created by Joe Henderson. This title is available in print; call the Sienna Branch Library to check availability of additional print copies. Registration is required.

Heavy Inks Graphic Novels Book Club-- Saturday, September 18, 11:00 am-12:00 noon.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. The book to be discussed is The Dark Phoenix Saga, created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. This title is available in print; call George Memorial Library to check on availability of additional print copies. Registration is required.

“YA Book Club” – Wednesday, September 22, 4:00-5:00 pm.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. This month, readers will discuss Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, written by Adaobi Nwaubani. This title is available in print and on OverDrive; call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library to check on availability of additional print copies Registration is required.

Research Database Series

 “Exploring Databases: NewsBank Spanish and World Access” – Wednesday, September 1.

This video tutorial will introduce two online resources offered by FBCL. “Acceda Noticias” from NewsBank provides full-text access to Spanish-language newspapers, magazines, and newswires from the U.S. and around the world including Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru, and Spain. “NewsBank World Access” provides a comprehensive collection of reliable news sources covering a wide array of topics and issues from around the world. Resources also include the Houston Chronicle and collected Special Reports on current events.

 “Exploring Databases: Opposing Viewpoints” – Friday, September 17.

In this video tutorial, learn more about the Opposing Viewpoints database. This resource provides viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles for information on social issues and current events.

Technology Feature

“Deepfakes & Shallowfakes” – Wednesday, September 15.

This video provides a basic introduction to Deepfake and Shallowfake technology. Library staff discuss the positive and negative implications of the technology, offer a brief explanation of how it works, and suggest solutions to its challenges.

 Young Adult Crafts & Hobbies

 YA “Beginners’ Guide to Houseplants” – Tuesday, September 7.

This virtual activity will be a pre-recorded video; it will NOT be in person.  Learn how to select and care for beginner-friendly plants.

The activities are free and open to the public. Registration is required for the live-streamed Webex sessions only; a link to the Webex session will be emailed to participants who register. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office (281-633-4734).

This fall, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will offer fun, online programs specifically designed for high school-age teens in grades 9 through 12.

In September, the programs will be either live-streamed via Webex or pre-recorded videos. Registration is required for the live-streamed programs only. An email with the link for the Webex meeting will be sent to all who register on FBCL’s online virtual calendar.

To register for a live-streamed program or to view the how-to videos, go to the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – click on the “Classes and Events” tab, select “Virtual Programs,” and find the virtual program on the dates listed.

Heavy Inks Graphic Novels Book Club-- Saturday, September 18, 11:00 am-12:00 noon.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. The book to be discussed is The Dark Phoenix Saga, created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. This title is available in print; call George Memorial Library to check on availability of additional print copies. Registration is required.

“YA Book Club” – Wednesday, September 22, 4:00-5:00 pm.

This event will be live-streamed via Webex at the scheduled time. This month, readers will discuss Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, written by Adaobi Nwaubani. This title is available in print and on OverDrive; call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library to check on availability of additional print copies Registration is required.

Research Database Series

“Exploring Databases: NewsBank Spanish and World Access” – Wednesday, September 1.

This video tutorial will introduce two online resources offered by FBCL. “Acceda Noticias” from NewsBank provides full-text access to Spanish-language newspapers, magazines, and newswires from the U.S. and around the world including Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru, and Spain. “NewsBank World Access” provides a comprehensive collection of reliable news sources covering a wide array of topics and issues from around the world. Resources also include the Houston Chronicle and collected Special Reports on current events.

“Exploring Databases: Opposing Viewpoints” – Friday, September 17.

In this video tutorial, learn more about the Opposing Viewpoints database. This resource provides viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles for information on social issues and current events.

Technology Feature

“Deepfakes & Shallowfakes” – Wednesday, September 15.

This video provides a basic introduction to Deepfake and Shallowfake technology. Library staff discuss the positive and negative implications of the technology, offer a brief explanation of how it works, and suggest solutions to its challenges.

Young Adult Crafts & Hobbies

 YA “Beginners’ Guide to Houseplants” – Tuesday, September 7.

This virtual activity will be a pre-recorded video; it will NOT be in person.  Learn how to select and care for beginner-friendly plants.

The activities are free and open to the public. Registration is required for the live-streamed Webex sessions only; a link to the Webex session will be emailed to participants who register. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office (281-633-4734).