Big changes coming to Houston libraries

HOUSTON The city of Houston approved a $32.4 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year. It's about $4.7 million less than this year's budget. As a result, 38 positions across the Houston Public Library system were slashed and library hours have been shifted.

The city is slashing the business hours of most library locations, but hours will be extended at regional libraries, Kendall Neighborhood Library, McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library and Heights Neighborhood Library. The city also will provide Saturday hours at a total of 27 locations, including 16 neighborhood library locations that currently do not offer Saturday service.

The new Houston Public Library schedule of hours goes into effect on August 8, 2011. To see how your branch is affected, click here.

Customers will continue to have access to web-based services, which allow them to search the catalog and databases, place selected library materials on hold, renew items borrowed, obtain homework help from tutors, and ask reference questions through e-mail, chat, and text. Customers can also renew items by telephone, use the self-checkout machines, and access the telephone reference service, available at 832-393-1313 during all hours that the Houston Public Library is open.