Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library - Houston Public Library

Family Place has been the living, breathing core of our library since we reopened in May 2017 with a WIC clinic inside our branch. Families feel welcome in our library, and for many families, this is a novel experience for them. The look of surprised relief when a librarian tells a parent that it is okay if their child makes noise justifies every effort put into the Family Place approach, and the engagement when we follow up with playing with the child has turned many one-time visitors into regular patrons. In the nearly three years we have been reopened, we have seen children grow up and truly blossom in a space they feel welcome and safe in. We have been told by numerous caregivers that the library and their home are the only places they see their children so excited and outgoing. We are proud to claim that we are the home of a number of children's first lurching crawl and stumbling steps. Together with our welcome families, we will continue to crawl, walk, and one day leap forward into a strong, healthy future.