Calendar

The week's events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Apr 4, 2021
Apr 5, 2021(2 events)

9:00 am: Entries Sought For Libraries’ Live-Streamed Poetry Slam For Teens, Young Adults


Apr 5, 2021

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) is hosting an online Poetry Slam Competition for teens and young adults. The theme for the competition is “Dare to Hope.” Entries may be submitted online April 5 through May 3. The live-streamed performance-poetry competition will take place on Saturday, May 8, at 2:00 pm.

Students who are 14 to 20 years of age are invited to compete for prizes in this performance-poetry event by reading original works they have created themselves.

To participate in the competition, contestants should complete an online entry form on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) and upload copies of three original poems they wish to read for the competition. One poem will be read for each round to which the participant advances.

There will be two qualifying rounds and one final round. A panel of five judges will determine which competitors advance to the second round and the final round. The order of performances will be randomly chosen on May 8 at the start of the event.

Judging will be based on language, idea, theme, tone, mood, vocal strength, emotion, body/facial movement, and fluency.

Each poem must be limited to no longer than 3 minutes and 10 seconds in length. Poets may read from a copy of their poem, but they may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments.

Poems must be family friendly and may not include any profanity or sexually explicit content. Poems containing incendiary, offensive, discriminatory, or inflammatory language will be disqualified.

Participants who submit poems online during the entry period will be sent a link for the Webex session for the competition. Submissions will not be accepted after 5:00 pm on May 3.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Bend County Libraries, the Poetry Slam is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.

 

9:00 am: Libraries Present Introductory Technology How-To Videos Online


Apr 5, 2021

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will present a series of introductory online demonstrations in April to introduce people to various aspects of computer use and technology.

These how-to tutorials can be viewed on the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – by clicking on the “Classes and Events” tab, selecting “Virtual Programs,” and finding the virtual “class” on the dates listed.

Some of the topics includes multiple sub-topics, and participants can choose to view the whole series or the individual parts of their choice.

Intro to 3D Printing” – Monday, April 5 (pre-recorded video)

This 2-part instructional video will provide an overview of 3D printing. Learn about how the 3D printer works, the process for printing, and how to use Tinkercad to design 3D objects.

 MS Word Survival Basics: How to Delete an Unwanted Blank Page” – Thursday, April 8 (pre-recorded video).

In this segment of the MS Word Survival Basics series, learn how to delete an unwanted blank page.

 Computers 101” – Monday, April 12 (pre-recorded video)

FBCL's multi-part "Computers 101" series consists of basic, introductory videos providing an overview of computers and how they can be used. Episodes in the series cover the physical parts of a computer, the differences between a Microsoft PC and an Apple Mac computer, and the meanings of different computer terms. Get an overview of the software programs in the Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint), and much more.

 MS Word Survival Basics” – Monday, April 19 (pre-recorded video)

In FBCL’s “MS Word Survival Basics” series, learn the basics of using this word-processing software program to create letters, resumés, forms, and other types of documents. Different segments in the multi-part series will demonstrate various features, such as text effects, changing font style and size, adding images, footnotes and endnotes, page numbers, tables, mail merge, and more.

 MS Excel Survival Basics” – Monday, April 26 (pre-recorded video)

Learn the basics of using this spreadsheet software program, which features calculation tools that are helpful for financial and statistical needs. In this multi-part series, learn how to use different features of MS Excel, such as formulas, filters, tables and graphs, pivot tables, VLOOKUP function, and more.

The sessions are free and open to the public. To access these online tutorials, go to the Fort Bend County Libraries 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 library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

For more Fort Bend County Libraries computer and technology tutorials, visit the library system’s YouTube channel -- https://bit.ly/FBCLYouTubeChannel.

 

Apr 6, 2021(2 events)

10:00 am: Law Library’s “Pro Se Basics” Series Introduces Free Legal Info Resources Online


Apr 6, 2021

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Law Librarian, Andrew Bennett, will present a series of “Pro Se Basics” online demonstrations of the informational legal resources that are available to the public at the Fort Bend County Law Library. These programs will be virtual sessions livestreamed via Webex; they will NOT be in person.

The introductory classes will take place on Tuesdays April 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

The classes will introduce important procedural information for self-represented litigants who wish to begin their legal research, represent themselves in court, or seek resources for their Family Law or Probate issues. Individuals may choose to attend individual sessions or the whole series.

The material that will be discussed is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Librarians cannot provide legal advice or recommend specific forms.

April 6– “Probate 101.” Learn about the resources that are available in the Law Library for probate cases, as well as free online resources. Get tips on using the library’s catalog to find resources throughout the library system, and hear about the library’s online databases that can be accessed from home.

April 13– “Introduction to Legal Research.”  This class will introduce the basics of legal research. Those attending will gain a better understanding of the difference between primary and secondary resources, how to read legal citations, and where to find legal resources in print and online.

April 20– “Advanced Legal Research.” This class covers search strategies using the libraries’ databases. Learn how to use Boolean operators, natural language, and special characters to narrow searches. In addition, the class will demonstrate how to begin a simple search and how to narrow searches.

April 27-- “Courthouse 101.”  Self-represented litigants will get a basic introduction to the legal system. Learn about the difference between civil and criminal cases, the basic parts of a legal document, the different types of legal documents, and where to file legal documents. Gain a better understanding of the differences between district courts, county courts, and justice of the peace courts, learn how they interact with each other, and how individuals might be involved with the courts.

The series will continue in May.

The classes are free and open to the public. Registration 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 the Law Library at 281-341-3718.

 

3:00 pm: Libraries Host Online Game Of  “One Night Ultimate Werewolf” For Adults


Apr 6, 2021

The Adult Services Department at Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will have an online “Virtual Board-Game Day: One Night Ultimate Werewolf” event for adults on Tuesday, April 6, beginning at 3:00 pm. This virtual event will be online; it will NOT be in person.

In this virtual event, players will participate online in a game of One Night Ultimate Werewolf – a hidden-role game in which players take on the role randomly assigned to them by a card. The goal of each round is to figure out who the werewolf is by interrogating the behaviors of the other players.

The rules of the game are explained here: www.ultraboardgames.com/one-night-ultimate-werewolf/game-rules.php.

This online event is free and open to the public. Registration is required; a link to the Webex session will be emailed to all who register. To register online, go to the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-342-4455).

Apr 7, 2021
Apr 8, 2021(1 event)

9:00 am: Libraries Present Introductory Technology How-To Videos Online


Apr 8, 2021

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will present a series of introductory online demonstrations in April to introduce people to various aspects of computer use and technology.

These how-to tutorials can be viewed on the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us – by clicking on the “Classes and Events” tab, selecting “Virtual Programs,” and finding the virtual “class” on the dates listed.

Some of the topics includes multiple sub-topics, and participants can choose to view the whole series or the individual parts of their choice.

Intro to 3D Printing” – Monday, April 5 (pre-recorded video)

This 2-part instructional video will provide an overview of 3D printing. Learn about how the 3D printer works, the process for printing, and how to use Tinkercad to design 3D objects.

 MS Word Survival Basics: How to Delete an Unwanted Blank Page” – Thursday, April 8 (pre-recorded video).

In this segment of the MS Word Survival Basics series, learn how to delete an unwanted blank page.

 Computers 101” – Monday, April 12 (pre-recorded video)

FBCL's multi-part "Computers 101" series consists of basic, introductory videos providing an overview of computers and how they can be used. Episodes in the series cover the physical parts of a computer, the differences between a Microsoft PC and an Apple Mac computer, and the meanings of different computer terms. Get an overview of the software programs in the Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint), and much more.

 MS Word Survival Basics” – Monday, April 19 (pre-recorded video)

In FBCL’s “MS Word Survival Basics” series, learn the basics of using this word-processing software program to create letters, resumés, forms, and other types of documents. Different segments in the multi-part series will demonstrate various features, such as text effects, changing font style and size, adding images, footnotes and endnotes, page numbers, tables, mail merge, and more.

 MS Excel Survival Basics” – Monday, April 26 (pre-recorded video)

Learn the basics of using this spreadsheet software program, which features calculation tools that are helpful for financial and statistical needs. In this multi-part series, learn how to use different features of MS Excel, such as formulas, filters, tables and graphs, pivot tables, VLOOKUP function, and more.

The sessions are free and open to the public. To access these online tutorials, go to the Fort Bend County Libraries 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 library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

For more Fort Bend County Libraries computer and technology tutorials, visit the library system’s YouTube channel -- https://bit.ly/FBCLYouTubeChannel.

 

Apr 9, 2021
Apr 10, 2021(1 event)

2:00 pm: Libraries Celebrate National Poetry Month With Performance-Poet Feature


Apr 10, 2021

In recognition of National Poetry Month in April, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will present a special online “Author Spotlight: Voices of Diversity” event, featuring internationally recognized poetry-performance artist Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton, on Saturday, April 10, beginning at 2:00 pm. This event will be live-streamed via Webex; it will NOT be in person.

Hear about Mouton’s journey to having her works published, challenges she has faced along the way, and the inspiration behind her passion for writing and performing. Viewers will have an opportunity to submit questions and ask about her work and her experiences.

An internationally-known writer, educator, activist, and performer,

Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton

Mouton is a Poet Laureate Emeritus of Houston. Formerly ranked the #2 best female performance poet in the world, Mouton has established herself as a notable force in the performance- and slam-poetry world. Her work has appeared in Houston NoirThe BreakBeat Poets Black Girl Magic, the Texas Observer, and Fjords Journal, and on platforms such as NPR, BBC, ABC, Apple News, Blavity, Upworthy, and across the TedX circuit.

This event was previously scheduled in February, but was postponed because of the winter storm.

This online event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required; a link to the Webex sessions will be emailed to all 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 scheduled date.

For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.