HCPL Digital Archive

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HCPL Digital Archive

The HCPL Digital Archive is an ongoing collection of photos, articles, scrapbooks, and videos of HCPL since 1921.

Each month we’re releasing digital exhibits using those items to tell a specific story.

06/27/2025

When you hear someone mention they’re coming to see the “special guests” at the library, you automatically think they mean human right? This special exhibit shows years of cute creatures stopping in to the library to visit patrons, kids and adults alike. From turkeys to sharks, longhorn cattle to lions, HCPL has had a little bit of everything! Look through the full exhibit to see the parade of animals we’ve learned about over the years! https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/a-is-for-animals-animal-guests-and-events-at-hcpl

12/12/2024

Happy Holidays from HCPL!

Celebrate the season with a special exhibit highlighting 100 years of holiday traditions at HCPL. Discover how your local library has brought joy and connection to the community during the winter holidays—from festive decorations to creative programs.

See full exhibit here: https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/tis-the-season-for-library-fun

01/11/2022

Snow covers the ground outside the Woodforest Branch Library, 49 years ago today.

1973 was a big snow year for Houston. It snowed three times in five weeks, with the largest amount coming down on Thursday, January 11th.

01/09/2022

Browse through a sample of books that were read by Harris County residents 100 years ago in the new exhibit, Books from HCPL Collections, 1921-1945, available at: https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/books-from-hcpl-collections-1921-1945

01/07/2022

Lone Star College - Tomball Community Library shortly before it opened to the public in February 1972.

Browse through newly digitized items in the Digital Archive: https://bit.ly/3JNH4jb

12/26/2021

During the 1960s, the North Channel Sentinel had a regular section called Jacinto City Party Line, which often featured updates and news about the Jacinto City Branch Library as well as the Galena Park Branch Library. For example, in November 1966, a Jacinto City resident donated 48 Harlequin romance books to the library, which were split between the two branches.

Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/galena-park-branch-library

12/25/2021

Santa Claus visited the Crosby Edith Fae Cook Cole Branch Library to hear Christmas wishes in December 1990.

Merry Christmas from the HCPL Digital Archive!

12/21/2021

In 1952, the Galena Park Branch Library moved from the Recreation Building to the old City Hall. The building would be expanded in 1958, 1963, and 1975. Even with additional rooms added, the library was never larger than 1,000 square feet.

Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/galena-park-branch-library

12/19/2021

In May 1989, the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library and Mercer Botanic Gardens parking lot experienced significant flooding. While the branch lost power for three days, thankfully no water entered the building. During the closure, kids came to play in the water near the library.

Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/baldwin-boettcher-branch-library

12/17/2021

Before 1935, the town of Galena Park was known as Clinton. The Clinton School was an early service point for HCPL, and thousands of books were checked out each year by students. The book station closed in 1938, and the community was placed on the bookmobile service.

The Galena Park Branch Library opened in June 1948. Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/galena-park-branch-library

12/15/2021

The Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library was named after German immigrant Baldwin Boettcher (pictured here), who moved to the Westfield area in 1899. In 1907, Boettcher built a sawmill on 157 acres of land on Cypress Creek. Boettcher passed away in 1912, and his widow Elzora and their son Edward took over the mill. Edward Boettcher moved the mill to Huntsville in 1929.

The land from the original Westfield Mill remained in the Boettcher family until 1982 when six Boettcher heirs donated two acres to the Harris County Public Library system. The library would open in August 1986.

Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/baldwin-boettcher-branch-library

12/13/2021

The current Galena Park Branch Library building opened 25 years ago this week. After decades in small buildings and almost ten years in a rental space, the community was thrilled when the new 5,800 square foot facility opened on December 11, 1996. Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jim Fonteno is pictured at the grand opening.

Learn more about the branch in the new Digital Archive exhibit at https://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/exhibits/galena-park-branch-library

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5749 South Loop East
Houston, TX
77033

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+17132746600

Website

http://www.digitalarchive.hcpl.net/

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