Libraries Launch New PressReader Digital-Media Platform
October 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries announces the launch a digital-media platform – PressReader – offering unlimited access to thousands of online magazines, including exclusive, digital access to The Economist.
PressReader is a library service that provides access to both U.S. and world news, along with thousands of popular magazines, all in a user-friendly reading app, making selections available offline for reading at any time, from any place.
Library cardholders can enjoy digital print replicas of thousands of magazines from more than 140 countries/regions, in 40+ ... Read Full Blog
Texas Author Amanda Churchill to Headline Libraries’ Annual Book Festival
November 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Annual Book Festival 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, at George Memorial Library in Richmond. This year’s event features “FBCL Community Reads” author Amanda Churchill, as well as festive activities for all ages.
FBCL’s Book Festival highlights the talent of local authors – both professional and amateur – while bringing together readers of all ages for a day full of activities, performances, and bookish fun celebrating the art of writing, literacy, storytelling, creativity, and community.
T... Read Full Blog
Libraries Add Kanopy PLUS Video-Streaming Platform
Fall 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) announces the addition of a new video-streaming platform – Kanopy PLUS -- for library cardholders, who will have unlimited access to hundreds of video titles.
Kanopy is the leading streaming provider of high-quality videos that give movie lovers free access to films that stimulate the imagination, promote learning, and spark meaningful conversations.
The Kanopy app is available on iOS and Android and all major streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TV. Library users who already ... Read Full Blog
2025 Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival Features "The Merchant of Venice"
October 2025
Deception is the currency. Love is the jackpot. Justice is always a roll of the dice. For 2025, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival will feature The Merchant of Venice: Vegas Edition – where every secret is a wild card, revenge has a price, and the fate of the players hangs on a single hand.
In conjunction with The Live Oak Playhouse, Fort Bend County Libraries presents the 2025 Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival featuring live theatrical performances of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice at George Memorial Library in Richmond on Fri... Read Full Blog
Libraries Add Morning Hours Starting October 6
October 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries will expand its business hours to include earlier opening times at most locations starting on Monday, October 6, 2025. The hours of operation will be as follows:
George Memorial Library, Richmond
Monday – 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Tuesday – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday -- 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday – 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday/Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday – 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Albert George Branch Library, Needville
Monday – 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm
Tuesday-Thursday – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Friday – ... Read Full Blog
Libraries Select “The Turtle House” for 2025 “Community Reads” Initiative
September/October/November 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in this year’s “Community Reads” initiative, a county-wide reading program encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together September through November. The 2025 selection for “Community Reads” is Amanda Churchill’s debut novel, The Turtle House.
Book discussions on The Turtle House will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times during the months of September, October, and November. The “Community Reads” initiative will concl... Read Full Blog
Illustrators Huda Fahmy & Junepurr to Headline Library’s First “Fort Bend Fandom” Event
September 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries invites comic-book lovers, costume enthusiasts, and animé superfans to a “Fort Bend Fandom” special event on Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at George Memorial Library in Richmond.
The event will celebrate fandoms of all kinds – anime, manga, role-playing, and more – and will feature creators, artists, graphic novelists, performances, cosplay, and games for visitors of all ages.
Graphic novelist and cartoonist Huda Fahmy, along with SubZero creator Junepurr, will headline the event with a talk on the graphic ... Read Full Blog
Winners of Libraries’ “We Are Fort Bend” Photo Contest Announced
August/September 2025
Winners of Fort Bend County Libraries’ amateur photo contest, “We Are Fort Bend: Vibrant Colors of Fort Bend,” were announced at the exhibit’s opening-day reception on Saturday, August 9. All the entries will be on display in the Bohachevsky Gallery, on the lower level at George Memorial Library in Richmond, through September 26.
The exhibit features original photographs that portray the culture, nature, people, and places of Fort Bend County – from hidden gems in our communities to favorite places and scenes around town.
Prizes for the Judges’ Choice... Read Full Blog
Limited-Edition Library Cards Available for Limited Time for National Library Card Sign-up Month
September 2025
This summer, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) hosted its first-ever Library-Card Design Contest. Library users were invited to showcase their creativity by designing a unique library card that would be featured as official, limited-edition library cards for Library Card Sign-Up Month in September.
One winning design portraying the theme “Our Stories, Our Community” would be selected from three categories: Child (ages 0-12 years), Teen (ages 13-17), and Adult (ages 18+).
Artists were challenged to create original, non-computer-generated artwork that reflecte... Read Full Blog
Libraries’ New Network & Online-Catalog Access Launches September 2!
August 13, 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries is excited to announce the launch of a new, state-of-the-art online network, catalog, and computer/Internet access for library users starting September 2.Library users will once again have access to computers and Internet, as well as digital collections and traditional services and materials they have come to enjoy over the years – and much more!
The library system experienced a network outage that began on February 24 that impacted its online catalog and computer/internet access for six months. The outage affected the online catalog, t... Read Full Blog
Items Sought for New “Library of Things” Collection
UPDATE (Sep 30): Thank you to those that have donated to the Library of Things. We are no longer accepting donations. Stay tuned for the exciting launch of the FBCL Library of Things collection at George Memorial Library in Richmond!
August 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries is now accepting donations of items for a new “Library of Things” collection that will launch this fall. The pilot program will be available at George Memorial Library in Richmond, but items can be donated at any location in the Fort Bend County library system during regular business hours.
The Library of... Read Full Blog
Entries Sought for Library Card Design Contest
In conjunction with the Summer Reading Challenge and National Library Card Sign-Up Month, Fort Bend County Libraries is hosting a Library-Card Design Contest!
Library users can showcase their creativity by designing a unique library card for the library system. Winning designs will be featured as official, limited-edition library cards available for Library Card Sign-Up Month in September.
Winning designs will be selected from three different categories: Children (ages 0 to 12 years), Teens (ages 13-17), and Adults (ages 18+); one winner will be selected from each category. The ... Read Full Blog
Fort Bend County Willie Melton Law Library Adds Virtual Court Kiosks
Virtual court kiosks are computer stations where you can attend virtual court or find legal help.
Kiosks are easy to use.
Kiosks are free and available to everyone. Every kiosk is accessible in English and Spanish.
Reserve a spot at a kiosk.
You may call or book online to reserve a spot. Reservations may not be offered at some locations.
Virtual Court Navigators offer help with technology during video meetings.
They can assist you with signing into your court session, turning on the audio, and more.
What can I do at a virtual court kiosk?
... Read Full Blog
Entries Sought for Libraries’ “We Are Fort Bend” Photo Contest
Summer 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) is seeking entries for its “We Are Fort Bend” Photography Contest. Amateur photographers of all skill levels are invited to enter original, photographs that portray the culture, nature, people, and places of Fort Bend County as they relate to the 2025 theme of “Vibrant Colors of Fort Bend.”
To be eligible for competition, contestants must submit a printed copy of their photograph – no larger than 8”x10” – between June 30 and July 21. Entries can be submitted at any FBCL location.
A panel of judges will determine the top three w... Read Full Blog
Libraries Host Free Summer Art Workshops
Summer 2025
In conjunction with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Fort Bend County Libraries will present a series of free, hands-on art workshops exploring a variety of artistic styles and art movements from different time periods this summer.
Fort Bend County Libraries recognizes the educational, social, and mental-health benefits of art and play for all ages and offers a variety of opportunities throughout the library system for individuals to express their creativity through arts or crafts. Check FBCL’s online calendar for activities, events, and opportunities throughout th... Read Full Blog