This small Houston Public Library (HPL) branch is located on the ground floor of the Children's…read moreMuseum of Houston (CMOH), just past the information kiosk on the left-hand side of the entryway. One need not pay for admission to the museum, in order to use the library. Smile at the museum staff at the box office or information kiosk, give a wave, and say "I'm just going to the library", and you're In. This is the place to come, when (1) you're in the neighborhood and want to borrow or return a library book, get an HPL library card, or surf the net, or (2) you're at the CMOH and your little one becomes overstimulated by the loud music; flashing lights; and many toys & kids, and has a complete and total meltdown, and needs some quiet time, PRONTO. Back in the day when my shy little son was a poorly-socialized, stay-at-home only child, I used to bring him to the library, first, to get him acclimated to the CMOH, before turning him loose elsewhere in the museum. "Parent Resource Library" is a misnomer--the reading room stocks materials for parents and kids of all ages, including board & story books, general guides to parenting, parenting magazines, resources on everything from potty training & discipline to behavioral & developmental disabilities, and pediatric health issues. FLIP literacy program activity kits (suitable for kids age 0-8) are also available here. Reading materials are available both in English and Spanish. But because it's an HPL branch, you can have any Houston Public Library material sent here through the Interlibrary Loan program--I've checked out plenty of books that have absolutely nothing to do with parenting or children. But never you mind what they were about. (I'm absolutely blushing scarlet, right now. It's sooo embarrassing being me.) The one thing you can't do at this location is pay library fines. Luckily, from now through September 26th, Houston Public Library is offering an amnesty on accrued fines--their first in over 30 years. So return your overdue items now, & any fines you've accrued will be waived. Visit www.houstonlibrary.org for more information on the amnesty; visit the Parent Resource Library to enjoy a quiet, orderly, low-tech bastion of Zen calmness in the otherwise overly-crowded, overly-stimulating Children's Museum of Houston.

This was my go to library when my daughters were young…read more Bluebonnet books. Lone Star books. Name That Book competition books. So easy to reserve books online and then pick them up. Perfect for my zoom Yelp book club monthly readings. Cute and cozy reading areas. Could even renew your passport here. Plenty of parking. The MyLink Library Card is free with proof of Texas residency. Still a great library to pick up a book or two.

My kids (ages 2 & 5) love coming to the library and playing in the kids corner while I'm browsing…read morefor books to check out for them. There are a variety of toys and board books for them to safely play with and my 5 year old loves making new friends there. There are computer stations and a lot of different areas for reading or studying. The check out process is very easy using the computer and you can return the books at the drop off slot outside the library doors or right inside the library on the left side after you enter. The restrooms are very clean. There is plenty of parking and the staff are very kind. Every time I needed help, they would be friendly and quick to help.

Spacious, well-lit, and welcoming, the librarians at the front desk impressed me as a first-time…read morevisitor to Collier. The children's section is a HUGE (& clean) play area, as is the Teen section. The travel/geography-themed shelves near the Passport Office were a nice touch. Surprisingly, I practiced self-restraint and didn't purchase any items from their Book Sale shelf, although they were hosting a generous "fill your (book) bag for $5" promotion. There just weren't any titles that stood out to me this time around except for The Clique, a remnant of my middle school reading habits, LOL. I loved the fact that they heavily promoted the Monthly Adult Book Club and even had copies available for checkout to all those who were interested. I only wish the book club didn't take place during the middle of the day OR that there was an option to join virtually. Nonetheless, this was an informative stop on my Houston Adventure Passport expedition :)

Such a great library for families! The selection is wonderful for kids. The staff are also so kind…read moreand helpful. They're on top of keeping the library so organized, clean, and welcoming. We love Collier so much we come here at least once a werk

Easy parking and easy in and out. We came about 45 minutes before closing and didn't feel rushed…read more There were a good selection of books and they had a tray of puzzles but other than that I didn't really see a lot of kids things to do but expected more other than that it was an easy library to go to.

One of the staff helped me and he was very friendly today, as well as the security woman…read more Unfortunately it lacks a lot of open indoor seating, and some spaces were unclean. Though all in all, it's a nice quiet space to relax or study sometimes and is nearby a school, Walgreens, Kroger and strip mall district for nearby access to other stores. Truly the kindness of the two people I spoke to though push the review to a 4 instead of a 3 for me personally.

Small , quaint library with generous staff. When you enter the building a temperature check is…read morerequired. Once you have checked your status then you may enter the library. The only thing is over the years the amount of books have decreased. I wish there were more options. Such a historic location that has been well kept. I hope this location stays around for years to come.

Really wanted to enjoy this library because they're so close…read more The ladies do a good job monitoring the front door - it's so close to the exit and can be a safety hazard. Unfortunately, the staff is not very welcoming or helpful. A neighbor told me they have been there forever and in turn are somewhat territorial. I interpreted it as entitled in their positions, but it was hard to watch people standing around waiting as the staff seemed upset when they were asked to help. It was good in that many were in there applying for jobs, etc. I just wish the staff was more welcoming to us. The lady in charge of story time was very nice, though. I wish the stories contained substance since it's supposed to be a teaching time.

Right when you approach the front door, there's already a long line leading to the tax collector's…read moreoffice. When it's your turn to walk thru the second door, there is someone there to Greet you and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork for whatever you're here to accomplish. Apparently they're going thru a computer upgrade so it's taking more time than usual to be called up. You receive a number and sit down and wait patiently for your number to be called. I don't know if the ac is broken but it is so hot in this office, my glasses were steaming up. Arrived around 250pm and was called up at 3pm. Staff was friendly and provided service in a timely manner. I definitely recommend this place over downtown as you have plenty of parking at this location and it's free!

Bought a brand new car from a Californian company that apparently isn't allowed to sell cars in…read moreTexas - ahem- so they sent me a bunch of paperwork to file myself (usually done by dealerships). I had a lot of questions and emails to the Harris county tax office were promptly answered. The answers to my questions were pretty generic and didn't really give me the details I was asking for so I decided to make an appointment to go in person as I didn't want to mess up and snail mail the wrong title fees and sales tax. I lucked out and managed to snag an appointment for the very next day (10/12/21) when all the other locations didn't have any availability until at least a week or two out. ***FYI*** they don't take walk-ins for vehicle related stuff. Lady in an email said I could walk-in only to pay the sales tax on my new car but couldn't register. I got to my appt 10 minutes early, there were 2 other people getting served. When one of those people left, I was called up. Handled my business with no hassle I'm about 5 minutes and WALKED OUT WITH TAGS IN HAND! I had read online that tax offices in Texas were taking weeks or even over a month to mail tags! Seriously was blown away by how smooth this transaction was. I had had a fair amount of anxiety about this but it couldn't have gone any better. The best experience I've ever had at a government office!

I came here for an Emergency Passport, while it was pricey, I got it quickly and with little fuss…read more The staff were friendly and polite. The only negative was the garage parking, astronomical! However, I didn't ask if the validated parking which I regret. It would be nice to apply for a regular Passport here rather than send it off to the UK, wait 3-6 months and pay $300! This is not their fault though so I'll try to let it go.

Tries to renew an old British Passport - issued in 1994 - online. Came to grinding halt when age…read moreof current passport made this a no go. Said I would have to go to passport office to renew. Called British Consulate number in Houston and was given a number of websites to visit and various phone numbers one of which was an 011-44 number which is, apparently obsolete. The speed at which the numbers were read was very fast and to have them repeated I was told to press "Hash"???. Not very helpful to an aging senior.

I visited this library for the first time looking for a place to complete my schoolwork assignments…read morein a distraction-free environment. I made my way to the African American Library at the Gregory School. Located in midtown the library is housed in what was the first public school for African Americans in Houston. They are undergoing a bit of construction but they have a dedicated parking lot and inside, it was quiet! I went on a Saturday afternoon and plan to return in the future!

This landmark deserved honor quoted from the Houston Public…read moreLibrary. "This History Research Center is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of African Americans in the Houston area and beyond. The collections provide books, manuscripts, and photographs; the research center hosts events, exhibits, and programs that explore the lives and achievements of African Americans. Built in 1926, the two-story, former elementary school named after Edgar M. Gregory, a Union officer and Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau for the Texas area, is in historic Freedmen's Town, in Houston's Fourth Ward. This area is the city's oldest established African American community. By 1876, the former Gregory Institute became a part of Houston's public school system, and the Gregory School became the first public education institution for African American children. The State Historical Commission designated the Gregory School building as a State Archaeological Landmark in 1995; the highest historical landmark classification that can be placed on a building. In 2008, ground-breaking work began to restore and transform the former school into The African American Library at the Gregory School. The renovated library opened on November 14, 2009. The library's name was changed to the African American History Research Center in 2022." My photos were taken during my visit a while ago.