Belle Sherman Kendall Neighborhood Library
and Community Center Groundbreaking
Houston, TX – The Houston Public Library (HPL) and Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) held a Groundbreaking and Reception for the new Belle Sherman Kendall Neighborhood Library and Community Center. The new facility will replace the existing Kendall Neighborhood Library and provide a new HPARD Community Center. This is the first combined library and community center to be built in Houston; it will nearly double the size of the library, offer the city its first three-story neighborhood library, and have the first library with a drive up window. The current Kendall Neighborhood Library is located at 14330 Memorial Drive, 77079; the new building is located at 609 N. Eldridge, 77079. The construction of new building is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of libraries said, “It is with much anticipation that we begin construction on the new Kendall Neighborhood Library because this facility represents a first in many aspects for the Houston Public Library and the City of Houston. We are continuing an outstanding partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to bring the community a ‘green facility’ that will provide combined expanded resources and services to our customers. This project will also offer customers state of the art facilities that will nearly double the size of the existing Library. With the needs of the 21st century library customer in mind, we are always looking for ways to provide exceptional customer service. The Kendall Neighborhood Library will offer the first drive up window for customer service. We are looking forward to opening the doors to this new neighborhood library and to working with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to better serve our community.”
The new Belle Sherman Kendall Neighborhood Library and Community Center will nearly double the size of the library from the current 9,600 square feet to 19,000 square feet. The new library will have a drive-up window, a first for a library in Houston. The first floor of the facility is where the HPARD Community Center will be located, sharing space with a large meeting room and the Library’s check-in and check-out services, including the drive-up window. The second floor will house the adult collection and reading area and a small conference room. The third floor will house the children’s and teen collections and reading areas and a small meeting room.
The library will incorporate the latest technology, both for public use and operational efficiency. Customers will have access to 29 computer stations, laptops for on-site checkout, reference services, self-check stations, and a large on-site collection of books, periodicals, music, movies, and reference materials.
The new facility will be adjacent to Terry Hershey Park, offering a park-like library setting and a connection to hike and bike trails. The project includes many “green” building components and is seeking Silver-level certification in the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Green Building Rating System.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Houston Public Library on this project not only because it is such a ‘green’ project and fits right into our concern for the environment; but, because of the opportunity it provides to better serve the public,” said Joe Turner, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “Our two departments are a perfect fit as partners because our customer base is so similar. This means that if we pool our resources together we can provide library resources and community center programming to our citizens in one convenient location. It’s a form of one stop shopping that we hope to repeat in the future on other projects.”
The Kendall Community Center will provide the same recreational programming (both after-school and during the summer) that all 57 HPARD Community Centers provide across the city based on community needs. The physical structure of the community center will include a class room and a fully equipped half gym.
This is a big year for Libraries in Houston. Kendall Neighborhood Library is the second of five libraries planned to have a groundbreaking or grand opening in 2009.
About the Houston Parks and Recreation Department
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department oversees the management and stewardship of the city’s 350 developed parks and greenspaces. The Department provides programming and recreational opportunities for people of all abilities and operates 57 Community Centers, the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, Lake Houston Wilderness Park, and the Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark. For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department visit www.houstonparks.org or call (713) 865-4500.
About the Houston Public Library
The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 36 neighborhood libraries, two HPL Express Libraries, a Central Library, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, the Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research, and the Parent Resource Library located in the Children’s Museum of Houston. Serving more than 4 million customers per year, HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs by providing library patrons with free use of a diverse collection of printed materials and electronic resources, Internet, laptop and computer use, and a variety of database and reference resources with live assistance online 24/7.