Jacinto City Library hosts grand opening

Ribbon cutting for the new Family Place wing. L – R: Gaby Prado - Youth Services Librarian @ Jacinto City Library (JC), cutting the ribbon, Israel Favela - Branch Manager @ JC Library and Director Edward Melton - Harris County Public Library.
Ribbon cutting for the new Family Place wing. L – R: Gaby Prado – Youth Services Librarian @ Jacinto City Library (JC), cutting the ribbon, Israel Favela – Branch Manager @ JC Library and Director Edward Melton – Harris County Public Library. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Director Edward Melton of the Harris County Public Library said, “The George and Barbara Bush Family Place Libraries are transforming the way children and families are using the library. These interactive spaces allow for children and the caregivers to play and interact with various toys and manipulatives that enhance their learning experience. The interactive play connects the children to reading behaviors and fosters lifelong learning at an early age. These spaces also provide resources for caregivers and parents to encourage and engage with children in a meaningful educational way. The staff also received training to support the caregivers, parents, and children so that they can make the most out of using these resources and spaces.”

Israel Favela, Branch Manager at the JC Library, said, “The Jacinto City Library is proud to announce the opening of the George & Barbara Bush Family Place! Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement and supportive communities play a critical role in a young child’s growth and development. Family Place Libraries create fun and welcoming environments where children along with their caregivers can play, learn and grow together.

“These specially designed spaces feature interactive materials for children ages 0-5 and parents including board and picture books, age appropriate toys, puzzles, dramatic play items, blocks and drawing stations providing a rich space for little ones to explore. Part 2 of Family Place includes free parent-child workshops which will be offered once a week for 5 weeks at a time; these workshops will begin January 2020,” Favela said.

The Jacinto City Branch Library was built in 1992. The building, the A.J. “Bert” Holder Library, is a replacement for the original branch, which still stands on Mercury Drive in Jacinto City. The Library is named after former Jacinto City Mayor Bert Holder (1925- 1991), His picture hangs in the library as a gift from the Holder family.

Jacinto City Branch is a cooperative effort between the City of Jacinto City and Harris County. The city built and maintains the facility, while the county furnishes staff and materials. This cooperative agreement has been in force since 1957, when a local resident, Mrs. Dorothy Bowyer, spearheaded the effort to obtain a library for Jacinto City. Mrs. Bowyer also served as the Branch Librarian from 1958 – 1989, when she retired.

Services and equipment provided is, Citizenship Classes, Computer Classes, Spanish/Bilingual Computer Classes, English Language Acquisition (ESL) Classes, CAC Reader (Common Access Card for U.S. Military), Laptops, Pharos Computer Booking Station, Photocopier, Print Station and Scanner.

The Library is located at 921 Akron street in Jacinto City, TX. 77029 / phone: 832-927-5520 / facebook: jacintocitylibrary / To find a library near you visit: www.hcpl.net