Stratford Library Branch Manager Lisa Blackwell, left, assists a new user of the library with a new library card and a tour of the library and its offerings. Photo by David Taylor
By David Taylor / Managing Editor
One of the many gems in the Highlands area is the Stratford Library. Nestled in the middle of the community, the library provides services and entertainment to all ages and most of it is free.
Lisa Blackwell, the Branch Manager for the library, is encouraging the public to take advantage of their summer reading program and with enough hours, score some loot too!
Many programs will include a partnership with the San Jacinto Community Center (SJCC), just blocks away at 604 Highland Woods Drive.
“One of our first is a big deal with the Museum of Natural Sciences and their Discovery Dome,” she said.
The dome is a portable inflatable theater that brings stars, planets, dinosaurs, volcanoes, tornadoes, DNA and much more. Students enter the dome, take a seat or lie down, and watch a full-dome film or live presentation on the ceiling of the dome that lasts about 30 minutes.
Full-dome presentations cover the solar system, earth science, ancient history, the human body, and more taking students on incredible adventures.
That presentation is scheduled for May 29 at 1 p.m. at the San Jacinto Community Center.
Area children might like the program on June 5 at the SJCC at 2 p.m. They can get up close with amazing wildlife during Creature Teacher including a kangaroo on occasions.
“If your children need a little humor in their life, they can enjoy the Mike the Magician’s hilarious show,” Blackwell said. The fun begins at 2 p.m. also at SJCC on June 12.
Skip over a few weeks and get prepared for fun kid’s musician Andy Roo and Andyrooniverse. The talented singer and instrumentalist writes music specifically for children with imagination and creativity. The concert is scheduled for June 26 at 2 p.m. at the SJCC.
Those are just activities that need a lot more room and are scheduled at the larger community center. Blackwell said there are even more programs and fun awaiting kids at the library.
The Robb Holladay Balloon Show arrives at the library on June 17 for a 2 p.m. show. Holladay presents mind-blowing magic, dazzling balloon creations and inspires a love of stories. Arrive early to guarantee a seat!
A few days later, on June 20 at 2 p.m., the library hosts Code Knights.
“This is a swashbuckling Minecraft adventure where kids can join their pirate crew to team up and see who can find the most treasure,” Blackwell described it.
The biggie comes at the end of June when the library hosts a limited enrollment Art Camp beginning at 10 a.m., every day, Monday through Friday. Space is limited and registration will not be online, but in person only. Drop by soon and get the kid’s names on the list. The camp is presented by the Houston Art Museum and only comes to the library once every two or three years.
“We want people that are committed to attending all five days,” Blackwell explained, “because on the fifth day, they get to go on a field trip to the museum downtown. Parents will need to fill out the waiver forms and registrations.”
July 3 the library will present Mad Science with fire and ice! That one will be at the San Jacinto Community Center at 2 p.m.
On July 10 back at the library, Express Children’s Theater visits the library to present the show, “An Art Class for Families With Frida Kahlo.” Written and directed by Tim Fried-Fiori and commissioned by the Rothko Chapel, this internationally renowned artist is magically transported from Mexico in the 1940s to the present day to lead an art class for Houston families. The presentation begins at 2 p.m.
On July 24, patrons should visit the library to watch “The Dough Show!” Presented by Domino’s Pizza in Highlands, they demonstrate how the dough is made, and kids are allowed to come up and make their own dough and try their skills at tossing the pie in the air to stretch out the dough for a pizza!
On July 31 at 2 p.m. at the library, the summer winds down with performances by the Houston Grand Opera. They will present “Opera Cat,” by Tess Weaver, Blackwell said, and also Storybook Opera, a program intended for grades Pre-K through second grade. The program brings children’s books to life through engaging and enjoyable music.
The summer reading program ends on August 2 and Blackwell said they will be handing out prizes to students and parents that participate.
“Patrons are encouraged to download the app called Beanstack. You can find your library and enter in either the minutes or the books that you’ve read,” Blackwell said. At the end of the summer, come in and show how many minutes they have read. If they’ve read 10 books, they receive a free book.
“There are many other prizes for adults and children,” she said.
Other programs include Crafternoons every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the library beginning June 3.
“They can also enjoy Storytime every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and the San Jacinto Community Center,” she said.
For more information on programs at the Highlands Stratford Branch Library, please visit them on their website at www.hcpl.net. Click on Locations at the top of the page and type in Stratford and it will direct visitors to the Stratford site.
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