Get Online Access to Current & Archived Newspapers
February 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries offers online access to a variety of news outlets from around the world, making millions of full-text articles from newspapers, journals, magazines, newswires, transcripts, and blogs available free to library cardholders for research or daily use.
With professional subscriptions to different digital services, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) enables library cardholders to access online current and past editions of publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Houston Chronicle, and many more.
FBCL’s NewsBank... Read Full Blog
George Memorial Library to Host Volunteer Fair
January 2025
Are you a teen or adult who would like to volunteer your time and talent to help a worthy organization, but you don’t know where to start? Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library in Richmond will have a “Volunteer Fair” on Monday, January 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library.
Representatives from a variety of local organizations and agencies will be on hand to share information about their programs, services, and volunteer opportunities, and to answer any questions. Find out where your talent, skills, and time are most needed, and... Read Full Blog
Libraries to Celebrate Lunar New Year with Dancing Lions
January/February 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries will host Lunar New Year Celebrations at several locations in January and February. Activities and crafts celebrating the Year of the Snake are planned for families with children of all ages. Made possible by the Friends of the Library organizations that support these libraries, the Lunar New Year activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Saturday, January 25, 2:00-4:00 pm -- George Memorial Library in Richmond.
Dan... Read Full Blog
Libraries Host Disaster-Preparedness Workshops for Families in May
May 2025
In collaboration with AmeriCorps Texas, the Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Department, and Sewa International, Fort Bend County Libraries will host a series of free Disaster-Preparedness Workshops for children and adults throughout the month of May at library locations throughout Fort Bend County.
Each workshop will include one session specifically for children and one session for adults. While the adults are attending their workshop, children may remain and participate in special activities.
Families will learn ways to become better prepared and wor... Read Full Blog
Multicultural Festival Features Exciting Performances
May 2025
Experience some of the vibrant cultures of the world at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Multicultural Festival on Saturday, May 10, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, in Richmond.
Sponsored by the Friends of the George Memorial Library, the Multicultural Festival celebrates the rich, cultural diversity of the county and of the people who reside in it. Featuring an exciting line-up of performances, games, crafts, and more, the festival will have free activities and fun for the whole family.
In addition to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition area in the ... Read Full Blog
FBCL’s Summer Reading Challenge -- for Kids, Teens, & Adults -- Starts May 26
May 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) presents special reading challenges during the summer to encourage reading among children from birth and up, as well as teens and adults. “Color Our World” is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which takes place at all FBCL locations.
Online registration for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge begins on Monday, May 26, and continues through August 31. Library activities for children begin during the week of June 2 and continue through July 26. Activities for high school students also begin the week of June 2 and continue ... Read Full Blog
Free Income-Tax Help at FBCL
February 1 - April 15, 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries will again host representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who will provide free income-tax-preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers at several locations in the Fort Bend County library system from February 1 through April 15.
Income-tax forms are not available at the libraries.
The following information should be brought to the session if possible: a photo ID; Social Security card(s) for self, spouse, and all dependents; last year’s tax return; W-2, 1099s, and any other compensatio... Read Full Blog
Autism Awareness Symposium at Missouri City Branch Library
April 2025
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Fort Bend County Libraries will host an Autism Awareness Symposium at the Missouri City Branch Library on Thursday, April 17, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library.
Families, caregivers, and others affected by autism will be inspired by hearing success stories of individuals with autism who have surpassed societal expectations.
A panel of experts and autism advocates will share their insight into therapy options, early intervention, education, community support, and advocacy. Hear about valuable resour... Read Full Blog
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra - Free Family Concert at Library’s Outdoor Amphitheater
April 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries will present a free, musical performance, The Orchestra Games, by the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, on Saturday, April 12, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at George Memorial Library in Richmond.
This family-friendly concert is a great way to foster a young child’s love of music. In The Orchestra Games, composed by Gregory Smith, the instruments and sections are presented in an Olympic Games format in preparation for their “events,” such as the low-note limbo, the glissando slide for life, the fast-note das... Read Full Blog
Famous Poets “Visit” Library in Interactive Theatrical Experience
April 2025
Special “guests” will be returning to Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library in April for National Poetry Month! Library visitors will have an opportunity to interact with some of their favorite poets in a theatrical experience that is sure to delight poetry lovers of all ages!
“Walking in Verse: An Interactive Poetry Experience” is an immersive live-performance event that will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, at George Memorial Library in Richmond.
Actors from The Live Oak Playhouse will portray iconic poets, such as Emil... Read Full Blog
Celebrate National Library Week April 6-12
April 2025
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) encourages all community members to visit the library during National Library Week, April 6-12, to explore all they have to offer.
Most people know about the wealth of stories available at the library, from picture books and large print to audiobooks and ebooks, but there's so much more to the library story!
Libraries are welcoming spaces that bring communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, story times, movie nights, crafting classes, lectures, cultural events,... Read Full Blog
Popular Magazines Available Online Through Libraries’ Flipster® Service
March 2025
Users of Fort Bend County Libraries have instant access to popular magazines online through the libraries’ Flipster® service from EBSCO Information Services. Flipster is a next-generation magazine service that allows people to browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines for adults, teens, and children, courtesy of the library.
Flipster magazines are full-print, full-color digital duplicates of the hardcopy print magazine, and library cardholders can access them remotely through FBCL’s website. The libraries’ collection includes 58 popular titles ... Read Full Blog
Learn American Sign Language with FBCL’s “Transparent Language” Online Resource
March 2025
American Sign Language (ASL) is available as part of Transparent Language® Online’s database of more than 110 languages to learn!
Learning another language can have many benefits, and Fort Bend County Libraries’ (FBCL) “Transparent Language® Online” resource makes learning a new language easier than ever – and it’s free!
The Transparent Languages resource offers online courses for people who would like to learn a new language. The online resource includes more than 110 languages – from Afrikaans and American Sign Language to Zulu – as well as ESL (English...
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Discover Animated Children’s Picture Books in the TumbleBook Library Online Collection
The TumbleBook Library is a digital collection of online children’s books available on the library’s website. These animated, talking picture books and graphic novels are presented in an innovative and exciting format that helps children to read, build vocabulary, and have fun at the same time. This collection is recommended for children from pre-K through grade 6.
The TumbleBook Library may be found in the eLibrary on FBCL’s website and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, whether at the library, at school, or at home. More than 1100 books are available, and... Read Full Blog
Friends of the Libraries - Membership Drive
March 2025
FBCL invites and encourages area residents to support their local library by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library organizations that support the library system.
Although the enormous amount of work that they do to support the Fort Bend County library system may not always be visible at first glance, the members of the Friends of the Library organizations provide invaluable support and financial assistance to the libraries by holding membership drives and book sales throughout the year.
The Friends of the Library groups are composed of many individuals... Read Full Blog