What’s new at the library

Since the start of the new year, a lot has been happening at the library. We have new hours! Our hours only changed a little from pre-pandemic, but you’ll want to check out the other branches in the area to see what their new hours are. Here at Atascocita our hours are:

• Monday 11-6
• Tuesday 10-8
• Wednesday 10-6
• Thursday 10-8
• Friday 1-6
• Saturday 10-5

We’re back to in-person programming, though we are in the guidance of capacity limits. So check online to see what programs have returned and which ones require registration at hcpl.net/events. In addition, we have some exciting system-wide programs that you have access to through Atascocita Branch. Do you have connectivity issues at home? Did you know you can check out WiFi from the library? This limited time opportunity is for patrons who have unreliable internet access in their home. Learn more at hcpl.net/services/digital-access.

WiFi check out for limited time

Construction continues on the new meeting room, the detention pond, and soon the work on the inside will begin. Keep up to date with the library happenings on our social media as well as our monthly podcast that you can access through your favorite app or from the link to the right side of this webpage.

Construction begins on new meeting room!

If you’ve visited the branch recently, you may have noticed a few changes: there’s a construction trailer in our front parking lot, a large square area of dirt with wood framing for a foundation pour, and our large oak tree is gone. This is all part of the new expansion of the library. Over the next year, a new and larger meeting room will be added to the front of the building, an A/V Lab added to the inside, several new parking spaces, and the required retention pond in the front yard. All of this infrastructure is with funds from the county. This new meeting space will not only provide more meeting space for library programs and the community, but a consistent voting area when elections occur.

Staff have also been working towards new program areas, including a butterfly garden. With the approval of Harris County’s property management, staff and the community will start work on a garden area in the back for programming and to help our pollinating friends, like butterflies, do their work. We will bring more information about this new area soon, so look to our social media pages for this and more of the programming and events at your Atascocita Branch Library.

25th Anniversary Celebration

After years of fundraising and many months of construction, the Atascocita Branch Library was ready to serve the community in May 1996! It’s been 25 years of being part of this growing community, and we’re ready to celebrate. Starting May 3, the library will have a series of special crafts, giveaways, and more to pick up during curbside! Don’t miss out on special online programs, so check out the branch’s social media pages and Events Calendar. May 1 will present Atascocita Branch Library’s 25th Anniversary podcast, including interviews with first branch manager, Linda Stevens and current FOAL President, Becky Berry.

25th Anniversary Facebook Profile Picture Frame

You can already add a Facebook frame to your Facebook profile picture to join in the celebration. Just click on your Facebook profile picture, update picture, select “Add Frame”, search “Atascocita 25”, and select the frame. Our profile frame was designed by Janell, one of our newest staff members!

With the support of FOAL over the years, the library has been able to continue to serve and grow with the community. Happy 25th Anniversary everyone!

Book Sales on hold for 2020

While the library remains closed to the public, FOAL is investigating new ways of providing book sales to the community. Thank you for your ongoing support and patience.

Expansion Budget Approved!

Thank you Harris County Commissioner’s Court for approving the budget proposal for funding of renovation and expansion of the Atascocita Branch Library! We’re a giant step closer to getting an additional meeting room to serve our community even better. Thanks to our community for supporting us.

Be on the look out for additional details in mid-2020!

Atascocita Library Expansion

In the next few weeks Harris County Commissioners Court will vote on the 2020-2021 Harris County budget, which includes $1,000,000 to add meeting rooms to the Atascocita Library. The members of Commissioners Court need to know our community needs and wants this addition to the Atascocita Library, which serves multi purposes since there is no community center. More space is needed for elections, community meetings, and library programs.  In 2021 the Atascocita Library will celebrate 25 years and the Harris County Public Library System will celebrate 100 years. There will be a great celebration of libraries and community, and I hope the completion of renovations to our library will be included. Please print, sign, and mail the letters addressed to Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and County Judge Lina Hidalgo, urging them to vote Yes to funding the renovations for the Atascocita Library in the 2020-2021 budget year.  Together we can do this! Becky Berry President, Friends of the Atascocita Library UPDATE: The letters previously attached have been removed as the budget process for the county has moved to its next phase. We appreciate all the support from the community!

Best Buy Grant for A/V Club!

Many thanks to Best Buy for supporting young adult programming at Atascocita Branch Library! The grant, applied for through FOAL, will provide funds for audio visual equipment including microphones, cameras, computer, and more to bring our upcoming A/V club for teens to life! Best Buy of Atascocita is a great supporter of the library; not only do they volunteer their time during FOAL book sales, but they also volunteer in teaching tech courses to our patrons.

Beth Krippel, library Branch Manager; Becky Berry, FOAL President; Darla Pruitt, Young Adult Services Librarian; Claudia Washington, Best Buy #1397 Back Office Lead;
R. Tera Vilchez, Best Buy #1397 General Manager

FOAL Annual Book Sale

The great annual Book Sale is coming! Don’t miss out on fabulous book deals. Prices start out at $0.25. The Book Sale is in the Atascocita Branch Library meeting room. On Friday, August 9, it is for FOAL members only from 5-7 pm. The Book Sale opens to the public on Saturday, August 10 from 10 am – 5 pm.

Library Closed July 4

Wishing everyone a safe and fun 4th of July! The library closes early at 5 pm on July 3 and is closed all day July 4. You have access to your account online as well as digital selections by visiting http://www.hcpl.net and having your library card number and pin. Library items are not due days the library is closed.

Annual Meeting, May 14, 4 pm

You are cordially invited to the Friends of the Atascocita Library Annual Meeting, on Tuesday, May 14, at 4:00PM in the children’s area of the Atascocita Library. There will be a very short business meeting to elect officers and present the 2019-2020 budget for next year.

The program will include a special book donation to the Atascocita Library by representatives of the Kingwood Republican Women’s Club.

There will be a presentation with the family of Donna Prosser, for the Donor Wall.

Our dedicated FOAL volunteers, including those participating in corporate volunteer involvement grant programs, will receive recognition. There will also be a presentation of books donated to the Atascocita Library, by FOAL, in honor of board members and volunteers from ExxonMobil and Best Buy Atascocita,

Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.