The Friends of the Houston Public Library are looking for volunteers to help out at their Annual Bargain Book Sale. The Book Sale will take place April 20 thru 22 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Thousands of books will be available at a fraction of retail prices, with proceeds benefiting the Houston Public Library.

The Annual Bargain Book Sale is a great volunteer opportunity for individuals, families, companies, youth groups, and others. All volunteers can select any shift they prefer to work on any of the three-day book sale. Shifts are a reasonable length, but they can be tailored to their needs.

The Friends of the Houston Public Library will also work with volunteers to find the right job that suits them. Volunteers are especially needed before the opening of book sale on Friday, April 20th between 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to assist with set-up. During the book sale volunteers can help in set-up, stocking or sorting books, processing new memberships, as a cashier, or in cleanup or the volunteer hospitality room.

For more information or to volunteer for the 29th Annual Bargain Book Sale, visit www.friendsofhpl.org or call the Houston Public Library at 832-393-1387.

The Houston Public Library invites you, your friends and your neighbors to an ongoing author series where you will meet well-known authors from several genres. Relationships, mysteries and faith are just a few of the topics to be presented in the first programs.

As part of the year-long series, monthly events will be held throughout the city at neighborhood libraries. Attend one, or attend them all. Authors will read from one (or several) of their books, answer audience questions and talk about what inspires their writing. All events are free and open to the public.

“An Evening With Anita Bunkley”
Smith Neighborhood Library
Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Bunkley is the author of nine book-length works of fiction, three novellas, and one work of non -fiction. She will be reading from her latest book, You Only Get Better.

For further details, please contact the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.

Let us hear from you! The Houston Public Library is conducting a customer survey from March 25th through March 31st. Please click on the link to let us know how we are doing!

Once again, I’m going to miss SXSW in Austin.

{{sigh}}

I’ll have to depend on friends to tell me about all the great stuff I missed. And hope that someone will bring some of the breakout topics back to Houston.

Have fun.

More shameless promotion for my day job. If you have a teenager or know one, let them know about this opportunity to win a laptop.

Library of Tomorrow Teen Essay Contest

Describe your dream library of tomorrow

Who Can Plug In?

Houston-area Middle School and High School Students (Ages 11-18)

What is the Essay Question?

The future offers opportunities for technological advances and global interconnectedness. Describe what the library of tomorrow should provide to help you succeed in a world of fewer boundaries.

Requirements

• Be no more than 500 words typed in 12-point font and double-spaced
• Must be participant’s original work
• Include complete contact information for submitting student
• Include teacher’s name and complete contact information
• Must be postmarked or emailed by March 28April 4th, 2007
• Entries must include the following information:
  • Name
  • Age
  • Street Address
  • City
  • ZIP
  • Phone Number (including area code)
  • E-mail Address
  • Student’s School
  • Phone Number of School (including area code)
  • Student’s Homeroom Teacher

Important Dates

• Essay Deadline • March 28
• Awards Ceremony • April 28

Prizes

• 1st Place: Laptop with WiFi + $25 Bookstore Gift Card
• 2nd Place: iPod + $25 Bookstore Gift Card
• 3rd Place: iPod Shuffle + $25 Bookstore Gift Card
• 4th Place: $25 Bookstore Gift Card
• All Winners: Published on http://www.houstonlibrary.org/
• All Winners: Invited to the June 9th Hip Hop Cafe

How Many Winners?

• One Middle School and One High School Winner in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place categories.
• 10 Middle School and 10 High School Winners receive 4th Place Honorable Mentions.

How Do I Apply?

• Submit application and essay by email to libraryoftomorrow@cityofhouston.net
• Enclose application and essay in envelope and drop off at any Houston Public Library
• Mail to: Houston Public Library, c/o Library of Tomorrow Essay Contest
  500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002

For more information, call 832-393-1313.