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Aug 14, 2022
Aug 15, 2022(2 events)

9:00 am: Children Invited To Help Celebrate Fort Bend County Libraries’ 75th Anniversary

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Aug 15, 2022

The dream of a Fort Bend County library system began 75 years ago – in 1947 – when 12 members of the Share-a-Book Club wanted books to be in the hands of every man, woman, and child in the county. Through perseverance and determination, and the overwhelming support of the citizens of Fort Bend County, those 12 women made their dream a reality.

From a humble beginning of 1,000 books, a temporary room at Rosenberg City Hall, and a bookmobile, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) has grown into a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art entity, with 11 libraries around the county. Could those 12 women -- who decided to pioneer a library as their service project for the year – ever have imagined the magnitude of their dream or the countless lives that have been impacted by libraries over the past 75 years?

For its 75th anniversary, FBCL wants to look to the future once again – to the children whose hopes and dreams will shape the future of our communities. What do children think the future will look like? Do they envision flying cars or 3D video books? World peace or unicorns?

The library system invites children all around the county to share their hopes and dreams for the future by writing about or drawing a picture of what they hope the future will look like. Activity sheets can be found in the Youth Department at any FBCL location, or on FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) by clicking on “Celebrating 75 Years” and selecting “Youth Activity.” The completed activity sheets can be dropped off at any FBCL location, or they can be scanned and emailed to celebrating@fortbend.lib.tx.us. The deadline for submissions is September 17.

The entries will be collected and become a part of FBCL’s Hopes for the Future book. The book will be included in a time capsule that will be opened at FBCL’s 100th anniversary in the year 2047! A copy of the book will also be kept at each FBCL location so that children can see their creations become part of a book in the library!

The time capsule will officially be closed during FBCL’s 75th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 8, at George Memorial Library in Richmond. It will be kept in the library’s Genealogy and Local History Department until it is opened once again in 2047.

There is no charge to participate in FBCL’s anniversary activities. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

9:00 am: Libraries Seek Photos, Memories For 75th Anniversary Celebration

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Aug 15, 2022

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fort Bend County library system, and preparations have begun for a county-wide celebration to mark the historic occasion!

Special events and activities are being planned in salute to the advances achieved by the library system, and to the communities that made it all possible, over the past 75 years.

The dream of a public library system for Fort Bend County began in 1947 with 12 women who wanted to share their love of reading with all people across the county. Their goal was to make books accessible to everyone.

From a humble beginning of 1,000 books and a bookmobile, the library system’s collection has grown to more than 1.1-million books, audiovisual materials, and digital selections. There are now more than 375,000 cardholders who frequent the 11 library locations throughout the county. The library system has averaged about 3 million checkouts annually over recent years.

In preparation for a 75th anniversary celebration in October, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) is very interested in gathering memories that members of the community have of any and all of the library branches in the Fort Bend County library system. Was it the smell of books that sparks special memories, or was it the excitement of earning a trophy each summer? Who remembers the days of eagerly waiting for the bookmobiles?! Did the long-running Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival foster a love of the theater? What are YOUR memories of the library?

FBCL is seeking old photos of events, people, and places significant to the library system over the past 75 years. Written memories are also encouraged, and videotaped testimonials of library memories would be most welcome!

Photos, stories, and videos may be submitted in a number of ways. The first way is by submitting online through the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us); click on the “Celebrating 75 Years” button at the bottom of the website, complete the online form, and upload the photo, video, or document. Second, they may be emailed to celebrating@fortbend.lib.tx.us. The third way to submit is by visiting any of the library locations – FBCL staff will be happy to scan or assist with submitting the items.

When submitting the items, please include any relevant information, such as date, place, a description of the item, names of people, and permission by the creator to share the piece.

FBCL will compile the memories and share them with the public during the celebration in October. The photos and testimonials will be added to the library system’s archives in the Genealogy and Local History Department as an online album for all to enjoy for years to come.

For more information, or to make special arrangements for assistance videotaping an oral history, call Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
Aug 16, 2022
Aug 17, 2022(2 events)

2:00 pm: Learning English? Get Practice At Libraries’ Esl Conversation Circles

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Aug 17, 2022

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 to gather in a relaxed setting, and discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills.

The ESL Conversation Circles will take place at multiple locations in the Fort Bend County library system in August. Reservations are NOT required. The schedule is as follows:

  • Mission Bend Branch Library– 8421 Addicks Clodine Road

o   Wednesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2:00-3:00 pm, Meeting Room.

  • Cinco Ranch Branch Library– 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy

o   Fridays, August 12 and 26, 2:00-3:00 pm, Conference Classroom.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the ESL/Adult Literacy Department at George Memorial Library (281-341-2652), the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311) or the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900).

4:00 pm: Teens Earn Volunteer-Service Hours At Libraries’ Ya Advisory Councils

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Aug 17, 2022

Fort Bend County Libraries offers programs specifically designed for high school-aged teens in grades 9 through 12. The programs provide fun and challenging opportunities for these young adults, who are also encouraged to become active participants in designing and orchestrating new activities for teens in the library system.

Teens can earn volunteer-service hours by participating in FBCL’s Young Adult Advisory Councils, where they can express ideas, help organize upcoming activities, and suggest new programs and books that would be of interest to teens at the library.

 The August schedule of Young Adult Advisory Council meetings is as follows:

  • Mission Bend Branch Library – Tuesday, August 9, 4:00 pm, Meeting Room.
  • Cinco Ranch Branch Library – Wednesday, August 17, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room.

 In addition to the Young Adult Advisory Council meetings, Fort Bend County Libraries will offer the following Young Adult (YA) book clubs for the teen community.

  • Cinco Ranch Branch Library: “YA Book Club” – Wednesday, August 24, 4:00-5:00 pm. Conference Classroom. This month, readers will discuss Longbow Girl, written by Linda Davies. This title is available in print and digitally as an ebook on OverDrive; call the library to check availability of additional print copies.

Craft Days for Young Adults

  • Mission Bend Branch Library -- “DIY Squishies” – Monday, August 22, 4:00 pm.

Create a squishy stress ball or other foam shape.

The Mission Bend Branch Library is located at 8421 Addicks Clodine Road in northeast Fort Bend County, and the Cinco Ranch Branch Library is located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy.

The activities are free and open to the public. For more information, see FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734), the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900), or the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311).
Aug 18, 2022
Aug 19, 2022
Aug 20, 2022(1 event)

2:00 pm: Learn Line-Dancing Basics At Mission Bend Branch Library

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Aug 20, 2022

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mission Bend Branch Library will present a demonstration of popular line dances on Saturday, August 20, beginning at 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 8421 Addicks Clodine Road in northeast Fort Bend County.

Library staff will demonstrate and teach basic steps of popular line dances that can be choreographed to different styles of music. No previous line-dance experience is necessary, and a partner is not needed. Dancers of all experience levels will learn (or review) some basic line-dance steps and terms. A few easy, beginner dances will be taught. Those attending the class are encouraged to wear smooth-soled shoes for dancing on carpet.

Line dancing is a popular style of dance in which a partner is not needed. Dancers stand in lines or rows and do the steps together at the same time, with a leader for guidance.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).