Hurricane Harvey tagged interest

The Houston Public Library opened the first new build TECHLink concept in the city’s north side neighborhood of Trinity Gardens made possible through a public and private collaboration with Aramco Americas. 
 
The TECHLink Dixon powered by Aramco comes from a $1.6 million donation from the company to fully fund the rebuilding of the building which was closed for renovation and damaged beyond repair from Hurricane Harvey.  
 
“We looked and listened closely to how we could help the city to rebuild with lasting impact after Harvey.  This facility is a natural fit for a city with such a strong tradition of innovation in energy, engineering and technology,” said Nabeel AlAfaleg, President andamp; CEO Aramco Americas.  “It is also a natural fit for Aramco where we are big believers in STEM education and applying creativity to solving energy challenges.”  
 
The facility, rebuilt in the same location at 8002 Hirsch Rd., bridges the technology divide with the latest interactive technology to enhance learning.  Features include:  free access to computers and the Internet, state-of-the-art technologies to enhance learning, music and video production studios, digital animation, graphic design, photo editing, and multimedia presentation capabilities. 

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Related Article: HPL Reopens the Flores Neighborhood Library
 
The opening of the TECHLink Dixon was celebrated via a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony. Special guests participating in the ceremony included: Mayor Sylvester Turner; District B Council Member Tarsha Jackson; District B Council Member Emeritus Jerry Davis; HPL Library Director, Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson; Houston Public Library Foundation Chairperson, Licia Green Ellis; Nabeel Alafaleg, Aramco Americas President andamp; CEO; Super Neighborhood Trinity-Houston Gardens #48, President, Huey German-Wilson; and Amanda Dixon Family Representative Bernadette.  The library reopens with HPL’s popular HPL To Go Curbside Service where the community can check out books and other materials, including computers and hotspots. The community is invited to check out the new facility through a virtual tour.  To view the virtual event and tour as well as learn more about services and programs, please visit The Houston Library Website.
 
TECHLink is one of Houston Public Library’s premier library service models featured in its transformative plan “One Houston. One Library” aimed at ensuring that Houstonians throughout the city have equitable access to resources and services within any area of the city.    
 
While other library locations have been remodeled with the TECHLink concept, this is HPLand#39;s first stand-alone TECHLink facility, uniquely designed and specifically constructed for the delivery of TECHLinkand#39;s robust technology resources.  TECHLink Dixon is the standard-bearer for HPLand#39;s TECHLink brand of technology tools and training housed in a high-tech and exciting atmosphere for the community.
 
“The City of Houston is extremely proud of the new TECHLink Dixon and thankful to Aramco for its generous investment that will provide Houstonians equitable access to digital resources and services,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “TECHLink Dixon will be a gamechanger for the Houston library system and will take us one step closer to closing the digital divide in our City.”
 
 “The new TECHLink Dixon is not only a model for technology centric library services and access thanks to the generous contribution of Aramco," shared Dr. Rhea Lawson, “But its namesake, Amanda Dixon, also serves as a model for championing education and opportunity and her legacy will live on through the operations of this facility.” 
 
 “The importance of a library to a community cannot be overstated. Libraries are where our children go to grow their imaginations, to expand their horizons, to grow their knowledge. Libraries are where the community can go for meetings, to learn new skills and stay connected. Libraries bring our communities together.  Trinity Gardens is a healthier community today because this library is reopening,” said Tarsha Jackson, Council Member District B.
 
Amanda E. Dixon led a six-year drive for a branch library to serve the Trinity Gardens neighborhood on the city’s north side.  The library opened in 1972 and was named in honor of Dixon, serving the community for nearly 50 years.  
 
The high-tech modern design incorporates a lot of technology in a small space with flexible space to adapt over time to new technologies and equipment.  The library serves as an example of one of the best new library models in the nation incorporating digital and information technologies.  
 
The library incorporates Leadership in Energy andamp; Environmental Design (LEED) sustainable Building Practices throughout, including material selections, building placement on the site, use of north facing glass to reduce heat gain and improved energy efficiency and LED lighting throughout to  reduce energy consumption.  
 
On the outside, the design utilizes surface drainage as much as possible to increase infiltration and improve storm water quality.  The library’s finished floor is elevated above the prior height to help protect against future water damage.  
 
Aramco Americas received the Houston Public Library Foundation’s 2020 Igniting Impact Award for its support of HPL’s vision for serving the community.  
 
HPL Links people to the world through a broadly defined platform of educational, recreational and cultural programs and services for persons of all ages, ethnicities, and life stages throughout Houston and the surrounding region.  “Aramco’s corporate investment in the under resourced Trinity Gardens community bridges the technology divide and goes light years beyond free access to computers and the Internet.  They are changing the future through their social investment,” said Licia Green Ellis, Chairperson, Houston Public Library Foundation, who presented the award to Aramco.