FLIP kits

The new FLIP(Family Literacy Involvement Program)kits have arrived with a brand new kiosk. The kits contain books and a related activity for children and parents to do together. The kits are not to be opened or used in the library as some contain glue/paint.

Important Points:
FLIP kits are like library books and may be checked out for two weeks at a time and may be renewed online
All kits returned by customers go to CMH to be "refurbished" via delivery.
If the book is missing from the kit when it is returned by a customer, then it is put on the patrons record and they must pay for it just like a regular library book.
Kits that come in delivery must have a "refurbished" note on it. This means that all of the other materials in the bag have been replenished.

English Groups and Classes at HPL

We occasionally receive requests for information about the classes and groups HPL offers to people who want to learn English. Here at Collier, we offer an English Conversation Group every other Saturday (3-4:30pm). Our group is mainly an opportunity for customers to practice conversing in English. I facilitate discussion questions, we do some role-playing exercises, and I include a bit of basic English instruction as well.

Central Library also offers a conversational English group which meets every Saturday from 11am to 12pm. It is also mainly a group for customers to practice speaking English.

Freed-Montrose has ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (1-4pm each day). These free intermediate English classes are offered by Houston Community College to customers age 18 to adult. Registration is required and takes place September 7-9 (1-4pm).

And finally, Stanaker library offers beginning basic English instruction to ESOL customers Tuesdays (4-6pm) and Thursdays (5-7pm). Classes are taught by a rotating group of volunteers from the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Apparently, plans are in the works for English instruction classes to be offered at more branches of the Houston Public Library starting in 2011.

-Krista Lewis Abedrabbo

Youth Services All Star Team Quarterly Award

Michelle, Debbie, Sydney and Krista would like to thank Jane Hensley for taking the time to submit the nomination for this award. We would also like to thank the rest of the staff here at Collier. We could not do the things that we do without their cooperation and support. The award money will be used to pay for a staff "end of summer reading" luncheon as well as our annual staff Christmas celebration. This was a big honor, and again, we thank you for the recognition.

-Collier Regional Library Youth Services Team