Welcome to the Digital Archive of the Harris County Public Library

An ongoing collection of photos, articles, and other media
showcasing library service to the Harris County region since 1921.
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The featured exhibits for October celebrate the histories of the City Lake City-County Freeman Branch and South Houston Branch Libraries. View lesson plans for 4th grade and high school students that use materials from this month's exhibits.

Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library

The Freeman Memorial Library first opened in 1964 and was named in honor of Captain Theodore C. Freeman, the first astronaut to lose his life in the U. S. space program. The library moved to the Harris County Multipurpose Annex in 1976. The current joint-use facility of Harris County and the City of Houston opened in 2004 and was renamed the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library. 

South Houston Branch Library

The library initially opened in 1922 but moved locations frequently while the community grew during the 1920s and early 1930s.  A new library was constructed and opened in 1935. In 1967, the library moved into a barracks building bought from Ellington Field. The current building opened in 1991 and was expanded in 2012. The branch is a cooperative effort of Harris County and the City of South Houston.

Architectural Drawings

View floor plans and elevations for various branches from the 1960s to the present day.

HCPL Oral History Collection

A collection of memories and stories from staff, partners, customers, and Friends of the Library.   

Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), view past Hispanic Heritage Month performances throughout HCPL.

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Want to explore the collection?  Build your browse using the categories below.

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HCPL Digital Archive is an online archive of historical and cultural materials that illustrate the continuing story of the library, our partners, and our community.  Our collections are curated by the Harris County Archives, the Harris County Public Library. The site, exhibits, collections, and individual items are managed and maintained by the Harris County Public Library. Learn more about the project on our About page.