By: Andy Gao

This year, I set out to visit all 71 public libraries between 3 library systems in the Houston Metro Area. Throughout this journey, I have learned how libraries evolved and the impact they have on the community.

Ever since I was 3 years old, I have been going to the public library. I found that libraries can be great places. They have lots of books and computers and are relatively clean. Every week, I would go to the library to check out books.

We always went to the same few libraries near our house or near where we were going. However, there was one library that stood out to me above the others: Kendall Library, part of the Houston Public Libraries, was a new library that opened a few years ago. All I can remember was being amazed at the 3 different floors of the library, the shelves of books, and the modern design.

It was all normal until August 2017, when Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston Area. Many libraries got flooded, including Kendall Library. Most libraries were able to be repaired in a few months to a year. Kendall was not. I was devastated. I couldn’t visit my favorite library anymore.

I slowed down the number of visits to the library. I only visited the library closest to my house, a library outside the Houston Public Library System. I only went there to check out a few books and because my parents wanted me to.

It all changed in October 2022, when I saw the news of the reopening of Kendall Library. For the first time in years, I felt excited to go to a public library. I could remember all the fun I had in this library as a kid and all the memories I made.

With a renewed interest in libraries, I started to go to libraries more and more. I started to appreciate the Houston Public Library System so much more. I realized they had 33 more libraries to explore, beyond Kendall. Then, I had an idea.

I set out to visit every Houston Public Library, every Harris County Public Library, and every Fort Bend Public Library in 2023.

Fourteen days into 2023 and with 2 libraries under my belt, I went to another library opening. This time, it was Alief Neighborhood Library, located inside a community center. The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, was also present as part of a group of people speaking about the opening of the library. One story would stand out to me. Mayor Turner talked about going to the library as a major part of his childhood. He talked about the importance of the public library and public facilities, like the community center. I was able to relate to this personally as public libraries were an important part of my childhood too. His speech motivated me to continue my quest to visit all the Houston Libraries.

So far, I have visited 41 libraries in the Houston Area, including 19 Houston Public Library locations. Throughout my journey to these libraries, I have also made several observations.

One key difference I noticed was the transition of public libraries from a building with books to a place for the community. Most of the older libraries have lots of bookshelves with books, but not a lot of seating. These libraries were built for the books, not the people. However, newer/renovated libraries have fewer books, but more amenities for people. There is more technology, like computers, laptops, and iPads for use inside the library. There is more natural light and lots of seating, so people can read books and hang out in the library comfortably.

This change has brought many people back to the library and has gotten me, and others excited about the future of the public library.

Whenever I visit a new city across the United States, I try to visit its central/main library. A library tells a lot about a city, from its architecture to its interior design. Libraries have re-entered my life and have inspired me to learn more about cities across the United States, starting from the different suburbs of Houston.