Suburban H-town libraries - 2 of 2 - Far north end…read more If any library review needs a tag line, it's this one - the Kingwood Branch Library. As you drive up to it and park, it may portend disappointment, but "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover." Let me explain. Kingwood is a master planned community that has some cachet, containing many named and themed neighborhoods, and it is the farthest northeasterly tentacle of the city of Houston. However, as you approach this library, you are looking at the short side of a big rectangle. The library entrance is reached by following a trellised path down its side. Then, when you turn and enter the library, you finally realize it's a substantial two level facility. Most of the key areas in the Kingwood Branch Library are upstairs. This would include the stacks, open study areas with tables, study rooms, computers, and very comfortable lounge-like reading areas, the latter of which will not be suitable for "lounge lizards." Downstairs, one finds circulation, a children's area, community rooms, restrooms, and even a used bookstore. However, with its high ceilings and big windows, the upstairs makes for a very likable place to be. With Kingwood branding itself as the "livable forest," the windows bring in the abundant verdant aspects of this area and, even if ridiculously hot outside, provide a soothing feeling inside. This is a fitting library for this relatively newer area. The staff at this library is very helpful. They were on point with helping me with my low maintenance needs ... and did so with a smile! Another thing to note is a bureaucratic issue that might confuse some. Since it is within the city of Houston proper, one might think it's a branch of the Houston Public Library (HPL). It is not, although there are many HPL branches. Instead, the library in Kingwood is part of the Harris County Public Library system. That said, some of the libraries in H-town will be HPL libraries, while others in the city, and in nearby municipalities, will be in the Harris County Public Library system. They are not one and the same.

Love the library here in Kingwood. It's clean, the staff is awesome and always willing to help…read moreothers. They have a nice children's area and a spacious quiet room upstairs to work or study. Right when you walk in they have a books store where you can scroll through so many hard to find titles. Reminds me of my days of hanging out in a Half Price Book Store location. They also have a drive thru for book returns. How cool is that. Not sure if other locations have this, the only one I've seen was the Freeman Library in Clear Lake when I lived there. It is open post Covid and they do have their hours and contact info updated on their website. I was looking for a quiet place to get some work done and do some reading. I am so glad I decided to swing by to see what's new here.

Libraries are so important to the world. We need more of them. I love Octavia Fields Library. I…read morereally like checking out criterion collection dvds. Why don't y'all take advantage of free movies? Best life.

Have been Reading a lot lately. Not being able to go into the library was a hassle but not a bother…read moresince the people that work there had my titles ready whenever I got there. Way to go all the workers and help at the library. Thank you so much

A gem of a library tucked on a quiet neighborhood street. There's a good range of books for all…read moreages, fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, etc. Staff is friendly and helpful. Not only is it free to visit the library and check out books, internet is free as well as printing services. You can also reserve a private room if needed. The AC is also cold and strong. Support your local library!

Library itself is small but I like the programs offered. We tried the kingwood children's story…read moreand activity time and this library is way way way better than kingwood. Registration is required unlike kingwood because it's usually full class. But walk ins are accepted and usually taken as many no shows. 10 am Thursday is the over 2 years old, and I believe there is an under 2 afterwards at around 11. Teachers here are much better organized than at kingwood.

We used to go here regularly when my child was in toddler time but that was about 8 years ago, and…read moresince the flood happened, the library has been in a smaller tree house along inside of the garden, and is now on the side of the welcome building at the Mercer Botanical garden. I agree with the other reviewer that's that they feel sorry for the librarians who work here because they really don't have a library that they can call home. They are such sweet women and although they don't have a huge selection of books, because of limited space, they are able to request and hold books for you at this location. It is a great place to stop by and also go to the garden. They have sheets that have pokemon scavenger hunts along the garden and other fun things that you can do. I really enjoy it. I just wish they had a larger location and weren't crammed into such a small space. I will continue to visit and support our local library, but I wish it was on par with the other libraries in Spring/ The Woodlands/ Houston.

I went to vote early, and I wound up circling the small parking lot and went back home. The parking…read moreis a joke, seriously it is. There wasn't that many people standing in line and all of the parking spots were gone.

I'm always a fan of all Barnes and noble. They are always kept clean and well organized with a…read morecoffee shop. Quiet area to browse and enjoy a few pages before making decision. Prices are always reasonable and even great deals available.

I have always been an avid reader. I remember the first book I read; I believe I was in junior…read morehigh, about 12 years old. My mom bought me Sweet Valley High about these twin sisters, a book series. She would take me on the weekends downtown to the bookstores and libraries. So, I'm happy that bookstores are making a return in a big way. I like the feel of a book, flipping the pages, and going into the stores. I never could get use to the Kindle. Barnes & Noble has always been my number one. Now, there are lots of smaller bookstores, and people crowd them, and I sometimes go there if I'm meeting a friend who doesn't read much. But Mr. Barnes & Noble has my heart, like so many other readers. As you can see, there are rows of books, plenty of room to sit, and you know, this store has a very impressive area for children's books, the Llama Red Pajamas, Creepy Series, etc. This location I'm going to make it my home for reading on the weekends. It's a nice store, and as I stated before, there are lots of books and plenty of room. Oh, and a big selection of toys.

My last apartment overlooked the Park & Ride (don't be jealous). I remember the day they expanded…read morefrom 1 giant (plastic only) bin to 6 bins. The Kingwood Park & Ride lot has proved to be the perfect spot for a recycling drop center. It's centrally located and provides ample parking, obviously. The drop off center is located at the Metro Park and Ride, just beyond Kingwood Library. It's best to enter on West Lake Houston Pky since the Rustic Wood access is usually closed. The bins are picked up every Monday (years ago it was the first Monday of every month!) Like any recycling center, you must sort through your recyclables before tossing. There's a bin specifically for: 1. Plastics #1-5, #7 (bottles, containers, & packaging) 2. Aluminum and steel cans (including aerosol cans) 3. Clear glass 4. Colored glass 5. Paper (junk mail!) 6. Cardboard I'm glad this center caught on with the locals. I'm also glad HEB stopped recycling plastic bags because people didn't really know how to use the bins. *Tip: Once they're full you CLOSE the lid.* It was too common to see those bags to take flight & dance their way into traffic. This is *the* place to be in Kingwood on weekends.

it's super easy to drop recycling off even with the limited hours and sorting; just kinda bummed…read morethat there is no consistency with pick ups .

There was a time before Texas wasn't known for oil and gas. This marker recalls some of the…read moreearliest history as oil was discovered here. The marker is on the side of the road. It reads, "Early reports of natural gas seepages in this area were not uncommon in the late 19th century. James Slaughter noticed such natural occurences near the San Jacinto River in 1887. Several years later, with S. A. Hart, he set up a drilling operation in the area, but it proved unsuccessful. Charles Barrett, a former Huston merchant, also drilled wells here, but found the results limited. In 1904, the Higgins Oil Company brought in a major gas well and the following year, the first successful oil well was drilled." "This area, known as the Moonshine Hill section of the great Humble oil field, became the site of a boom town. Within months of the 1905 discovery, the population of the Moonshine Hill settlement increased to 10,000. Early operations associated with the site included the Moonshine Oil Company of Walter Sharp, Ed Prather, and Howard R. Hughes." "Although tents comprised most of the early structures, Moonshine Hill eventually included a church, school, postal station, stores, hotels, and saloons. Despite three separate boom eras, the last occurring in 1929, Moonshine Hill declined as a community. Its brief existence, however, had a dramatic impact on the economic development of Humble and Houston." "Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986" [Review 17376 overall - 393 in Texas - 894 of 2022.]