Parent Resource Library

This small Houston Public Library (HPL) branch is located on the ground floor of the Children’s Museum 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 26^th, 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
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.