Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in this year’s “Community Reads” initiative, a county-wide reading program encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together September through November. The 2024 selection for “Community Reads” is Stacey Swann’s debut novel, Olympus, Texas.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times during the months of September, October, and November. The “Community Reads” initiative will conclude at FBCL’s annual Book Festival on November 16, with a keynote presentation by Stacey Swann.
Set in a modern-day rural Texas town, where everybody knows everybody, Olympus, Texas cleverly weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system. The schedule of upcoming book discussions is as follows:
Wednesday, October 9, 7:00-8:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library(8421 Addicks Clodine Road, Houston)
Thursday, October 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Sugar Land Branch Library(550 Eldridge)
Saturday, November 2, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – University Branch Library(14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land) Registration required.
Thursday, November 7, 2:00-3:00 pm – Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
Tuesday, November 12, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway)
Olympus, Texas is available at the libraries in print and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook. Readers are encouraged to call the libraries to check the availability of additional print copies for the book clubs.
Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in this year’s “Community Reads” initiative, a county-wide reading program encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together September through November. The 2024 selection for “Community Reads” is Stacey Swann’s debut novel, Olympus, Texas.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times during the months of September, October, and November. The “Community Reads” initiative will conclude at FBCL’s annual Book Festival on November 16, with a keynote presentation by Stacey Swann.
Set in a modern-day rural Texas town, where everybody knows everybody, Olympus, Texas cleverly weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system. The schedule of upcoming book discussions is as follows:
Wednesday, October 9, 7:00-8:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library(8421 Addicks Clodine Road, Houston)
Thursday, October 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Sugar Land Branch Library(550 Eldridge)
Saturday, November 2, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – University Branch Library(14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land) Registration required.
Thursday, November 7, 2:00-3:00 pm – Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
Tuesday, November 12, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway)
Olympus, Texas is available at the libraries in print and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook. Readers are encouraged to call the libraries to check the availability of additional print copies for the book clubs.
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 4, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 5, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 6, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in this year’s “Community Reads” initiative, a county-wide reading program encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together September through November. The 2024 selection for “Community Reads” is Stacey Swann’s debut novel, Olympus, Texas.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times during the months of September, October, and November. The “Community Reads” initiative will conclude at FBCL’s annual Book Festival on November 16, with a keynote presentation by Stacey Swann.
Set in a modern-day rural Texas town, where everybody knows everybody, Olympus, Texas cleverly weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system. The schedule of upcoming book discussions is as follows:
Wednesday, October 9, 7:00-8:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library(8421 Addicks Clodine Road, Houston)
Thursday, October 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Sugar Land Branch Library(550 Eldridge)
Saturday, November 2, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – University Branch Library(14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land) Registration required.
Thursday, November 7, 2:00-3:00 pm – Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
Tuesday, November 12, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway)
Olympus, Texas is available at the libraries in print and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook. Readers are encouraged to call the libraries to check the availability of additional print copies for the book clubs.
Library to Host College-Preparedness Program on Financial Aid
Library to Host College-Preparedness Program on Financial Aid
– Nov 9, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mission Bend Branch Library will host a college-preparedness workshop, “College Series: Understanding College Financial Aid,” on Saturday, November 9, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the Computer Lab of the library, located at 8421 Addicks Clodine Road, in northeast Fort Bend County.
William Keaton, Director of College Readiness at Yes Prep Public Schools, will talk about different types of college financial-aid applications.
Gain a better understanding of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.
College-bound students and their parents, as well as anyone returning to college after a break, are encouraged to attend.
The College Series will continue on Saturday, December 21, with a program on “Scholarships” at 2:00 pm. Keaton will talk about third-party scholarships and provide assistance with completing financial-aid applications and the FAFSA.
The workshops are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and registration is encouraged. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Mission Bend Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library (832-471-5900), or by visiting the library.
Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in this year’s “Community Reads” initiative, a county-wide reading program encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together September through November. The 2024 selection for “Community Reads” is Stacey Swann’s debut novel, Olympus, Texas.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times during the months of September, October, and November. The “Community Reads” initiative will conclude at FBCL’s annual Book Festival on November 16, with a keynote presentation by Stacey Swann.
Set in a modern-day rural Texas town, where everybody knows everybody, Olympus, Texas cleverly weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Book discussions on Olympus, Texas will take place at different locations throughout the library system. The schedule of upcoming book discussions is as follows:
Wednesday, October 9, 7:00-8:00 pm – Mission Bend Branch Library(8421 Addicks Clodine Road, Houston)
Thursday, October 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Sugar Land Branch Library(550 Eldridge)
Saturday, November 2, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – University Branch Library(14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land) Registration required.
Thursday, November 7, 2:00-3:00 pm – Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
Tuesday, November 12, 11:00 am-12:00 noon – Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway)
Olympus, Texas is available at the libraries in print and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook. Readers are encouraged to call the libraries to check the availability of additional print copies for the book clubs.
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 13, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
"Community Reads" Author Stacey Swann to Headline Libraries' Book Festival
"Community Reads" Author Stacey Swann to Headline Libraries' Book Festival
– Nov 16, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will feature this year’s “Community Reads” author Stacey Swann as the headliner at the annual Book Festival 2024, which takes place on Saturday, November 16, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The theme for the year is “Myths & Legends.”
The keynote address by Stacey Swann will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library. Additional presentations, workshops, author appearances, and a live dance performance are planned throughout the event.
In her author talk, Swann will read an excerpt from her debut novel, Olympus, Texas, released in 2021. She will talk about how the development of the characters’ unique voices and experiences helps to immerse readers in a specific culture and enables them to understand universal truths, widening their view of human interactions and family dynamics.
FBCL’s 2024 “Community Reads” selection, Olympus, Texas is set in a modern-day rural Texas town, where everybody knows everybody. The novel cleverly weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother’s wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Originally from Sealy, Texas, Swann is a longtime teacher and editor who now lives and writes in Lampasas County, Texas. She holds an MFA from Texas State University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her fiction has appeared in Epoch, Memorious, Versal, and other journals. She is a contributing editor of American Short Fiction.
The Book Festival will also feature workshops designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.
Readers will also have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, interact with published writers Taki Zyngtara, Susan Nwokedi, Monica Vidalon-Wolf, Tiffany Obeng, and Dee Osah, who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Games and activities will be on hand at a special Kids’ Book Carnival from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.
Anytime between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, teens (aged 13 and up) and adults will have an opportunity to test their puzzle-solving skills in a “Mythic Mayhem Escape Room,” in the Meeting Room. In this come-and-go activity, teams of up to 8 members will enter through a virtual portal into another place and time, where they must solve puzzles to find their way through multiple mythical worlds to return to the present!
A “Polynesian Storytelling” performance will take place in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at 11:00 am. The performance will be repeated at 12:00 noon. Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Malia’s Hula Hut will demonstrate the beautiful storytelling techniques that are woven into the song and dance of Polynesia, including the hula from the islands of Hawai’i, Tahitian from the islands of Tahiti, the Haka and Poi Balls of New Zealand, and fire-knife dancing from Samoa. Although these dances may often be seen performed together in a Polynesian show, they are unique and represent various cultures.
Readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries “Community Reads” initiative -- by reading Olympus, Texas and attending one of the library system’s book club meetings – were given raffle tickets for a drawing that will take place at 1:00 pm, in the Meeting Room, just prior to the keynote address by Stacey Swann. A second raffle will also take place for everyone who did not participate in the book-club meetings.
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. The complete schedule of events can be found on the Fort Bend County Libraries website or on the FBCL Facebook page. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend.
Food trucks will be on hand, and visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater.
The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library. Visitors may browse through the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, which will take place at the front entrance of the library throughout the Book Festival. Cash and checks are welcome; credit cards cannot be accepted. Proceeds from the book sale provide funding for special adult and children’s programs, cultural events, and staff development and continuing-education programs for library employees.
The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Friends of George Memorial Library Plan Book Sale for Library's Book Festival
Friends of George Memorial Library Plan Book Sale for Library's Book Festival
– Nov 16, 2024
In conjunction with the “Fort Bend County Libraries Book Festival” on Saturday, November 16, the Friends of George Memorial Library will have a major Book Sale from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the front entrance of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond.
People who love books, people who love bargains, and people who need to get rid of some spare change will find low prices on books for children and teens, fiction and non-fiction books for adults, classics, graphic novels, inspirational books, romance novels, science fiction, and textbooks, as well as audiobooks, music CDs, movie DVDs, and even puzzles. The selection also includes large-print books and books in Spanish.
Cash or checks are accepted at the book sale; credit cards cannot be accepted. Money raised by the Friends of the Library Book Sale provides funding for special adult and children’s programs, cultural events, and staff development and continuing-education programs for library employees.
Donations of gently-used books, DVDs, and CDs are always welcome, and may be taken to the library during regular business hours. All contributions are tax-deductible. Membership applications will be available for people who would like to join the Friends of George Memorial Library.
The FBCL Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imaginations of children and adults alike. Along with the Friends of the George Memorial Library Book Sale, the celebration will include an exciting line-up of authors, performances, and workshops. The schedule of activities for the FBCL Book Festival may be viewed on the libraries’ website, www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, or on the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Facebook page.
Made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library, the FBCL Book Festival and its activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Libraries' Book Festival to Include Polynesian Story Teller Performance
Libraries' Book Festival to Include Polynesian Story Teller Performance
– Nov 16, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries’ annual Book Festival will take place on Saturday, November 16, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. All events are free and open to the public.
In keeping with the theme for the year of “Myths & Legends,” a “Polynesian Storytelling” performance will take place in the library’s Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at 11:00 am. The family-friendly performance will be repeated at 12:00 noon.
Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Malia’s Hula Hut dancers will demonstrate the beautiful storytelling techniques that are woven into the song and dance of Polynesia, including the hula from the islands of Hawai’i, Tahitian from the islands of Tahiti, the Haka and Poi Balls of New Zealand, and fire-knife dancing from Samoa.
Although these dances may often be seen performed together in a Polynesian show, they are unique and represent various cultures.
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. The complete schedule of events can be found on the Fort Bend County Libraries website or on the FBCL Facebook page. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend.
In addition to the Polynesian Storytelling performance, the Book Festival will also feature workshops designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.
Games and activities will be on hand at a special Kids’ Book Carnival from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.
Anytime between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, teens (aged 13 and up) and adults will have an opportunity to test their puzzle-solving skills in a “Mythic Mayhem Escape Room,” in the Meeting Room. In this come-and-go activity, teams of up to 8 members will enter through a virtual portal into another place and time, where they must solve puzzles to find their way through multiple mythical worlds to return to the present!
Readers will have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, interact with published writers Tabitha Voight, Susan Nwokedi, Monica Vidalon-Wolf, Tiffany Obeng, and Dee Osah, who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Copies of their books will be available for sale and signing.
The keynote address for the Book Festival will be given by FBCL’s featured “Community Reads” author Stacey Swann from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library.
Readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries “Community Reads” initiative -- by reading Olympus, Texas and attending one of the library system’s book-club meetings – were given raffle tickets for a drawing that will take place at 1:00 pm, in the Meeting Room, just prior to the keynote address by Stacey Swann. A second raffle will also take place for everyone who did not participate in the book-club meetings.
Food trucks will be on hand, and visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater.
The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library. Visitors may browse through the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, which will take place at the front entrance of the library throughout the Book Festival. Cash and checks are welcome; credit cards cannot be accepted. Proceeds from the book sale provide funding for special adult and children’s programs, cultural events, and staff development and continuing-education programs for library employees.
The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 20, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Online Tools for Aspiring Authors
– Nov 25, 2024
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) continues its goal of supporting and encouraging aspiring novelists with an online “Writers’ Corner,” where aspiring novelists, as well as readers looking for something new, can create, share, and discover works introduced right here in Fort Bend County.
The “Writers’ Corner” on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) includes three unique tools – Pressbooks Public, the Indie Author Project, and the BiblioBoard Library – that enable writers, as well as readers, to create, publish, and discover digital content made by and for the local community.
Demonstrations will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about this resource at any time at any FBCL location.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library-- Monday, November 4, 6:00-7:30 pm, Conference Classroom. In conjunction with the meeting of the library’s Prose Pros Writing Group, library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing.
o Tuesday, November 5, 2:00-3:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the Writers’ Corner and the basics of using BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and the Indie Author Project database for self-publishing. Registration required.
Fulshear Branch Library(6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage Parkway, north of FM 1092) Registration required.
o Wednesday, November 6, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to BiblioBoard Library.
o Wednesday, November 13, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Pressbooks.
o Wednesday, November 20, 11:00 am-12:00 noon: Introduction to Indie Author Project.
Mission Bend Branch Library-- Monday, November 25, 7:00-8:00 pm, Computer Lab. Library staff will introduce the many online tools and features available for writers, including BiblioBoard, Pressbooks, and Indie Author Project. Registration required.
The first instrument in the suite of resources – Pressbooks Public – is a digital self-publishing tool designed to help aspiring writers easily create their own professional-quality print-ready and ebook files that can be distributed commercially or shared in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. Users have unlimited access to this resource, which requires no previous design or tech experience.
Writers can choose from a variety of premade design templates to instantly give their book a professional layout. The author maintains complete ownership of any and all book files created using Pressbooks Public, and they can publish or distribute those files however they choose.
The second tool is the Indie Author Project. This resource gives local writers the opportunity to submit ebooks for inclusion in the BiblioBoard Library collection in FBCL’s Writers’ Corner. As part of a partnership with Library Journal, this resource also offers the potential for inclusion in the royalty-paying Indie Author Project Select collections available at libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Books that are not selected for Library Journal’s Indie Author Project Select collection may still be considered for the Indie Texas collection, which is available to participating libraries around the state. Both avenues help authors to promote their work and gain further exposure, whether it is locally or nationally.
The third feature in this suite -- the BiblioBoard Library – will attract the interest of readers who are looking for digital works from self-published authors, top indie ebooks, local collections, and more. Items in this collection are always available, so there is never a waiting list or limit for the number of check-outs.
Writers who create works in Pressbooks Public and participate in the Indie Author Project will find their ebooks added to the BiblioBoard Library, where they can be enjoyed by the general public.
Readers can access the BiblioBoard Library collection through FBCL’s website or by downloading the BiblioBoard Library app for Apple, Android, or Kindle devices.
Creating a username and password is required for using the Pressbooks Public and recommended for BiblioBoard Library features. Having an account enables writers to create and store their works in the Pressbooks Public tool, and it allows readers to access the BiblioBoard Library ebook they are reading from locations outside the county, use “bookmarks,” and sync their preferences. The same username and password will accommodate both the Pressbooks Public and BiblioBoard Library features.
When creating an account, users will select Fort Bend County Libraries and then enter their library-card barcode number. FBCL will then be saved as their preferred library for future access.
These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.