June 30, 2023

HOUSTON - A majority of Houston's public libraries will open on Saturday so people without air conditioning can take refuge from the heat. The YMCA of Greater Houston will also open its locations as cooling centers. 

The libraries will open during their regular Saturday business hours. The Central Library downtown is unavailable as a cooling center.

The National Weather Service predicts that Saturday heat index values will reach as high as 109.

The City of Houston activated its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan on June 14 when the Houston area began experiencing excessive heat. It activates the plan when a heat advisory or an excessive heat warning is expected to last two or more consecutive days. 

People without adequate transportation to a City of Houston designated cooling center during a heat emergency can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride. Transportation is only to and from the city cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.

While weather forecasts call for slightly lower temperatures and heat indices starting Sunday, the Houston Health Department urges people continue following the safety precautions below to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

• Drink more water. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.
• Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when temperatures are not as high. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. People unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
• Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open. Check to make sure everyone is out of the car and don’t overlook children who may have fallen asleep.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen, which protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
• Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if the house is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool or moist skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and a fast and weak pulse. People experiencing these symptoms should lower their body temperature by getting to a cooler place, drinking water, taking a cool shower or bath and resting. 

A throbbing headache, red, hot, and dry skin (no longer sweating), extremely high body temperature (above 103°), nausea or vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness and a rapid, strong pulse are signs of heat stroke. If these symptoms occur, call 9-1-1 immediately and try to lower the person’s body temperature until help arrives.

Libraries open Saturday are listed below. Open library locations and their hours of operation also are available online at www.HoustonLibrary.org. 

Acres Homes Library
8501 West Montgomery
Houston, TX 77088
 
Alief Regional Library
11903 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77072
 
Blue Ridge Library           
7007 West Fugua
Houston, TX 77489

Bracewell Library
9002 Kingspoint Drive
Houston, TX 77075

Carnegie Library               
1050 Quitman
Houston, TX  77009
 
Family History Research Center at the Clayton Campus 
5300 Caroline
Houston, TX 77004
 
Collier Regional Library 
6200 Pinemont
Houston, TX 77092
 
Flores Library    
110 North Milby
Houston, TX 77003
 
Frank Express Library
10103 Fondren (inside Brays Oaks Towers)
Houston, TX 77096
 
African American History Research Center at the Gregory School
1300 Victor
Houston, TX 77019
 
Heights Library 
1302 Heights Blvd.
Houston, TX 77008
 
Hillendahl Library            
2436 Gessner
Houston, TX 77080
 
Johnson Library
3517 Reed Rd
Houston, TX 77051
 
Jungman Library              
5830 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77057
 
Kashmere Gardens Library          
5411 Pardee
Houston, TX 77026
 
Kendall Library
609 N. Eldridge
Houston, TX 77079

Looscan Library
2510 Willowick
Houston, TX 77028
  
Oak Forest Library           
1349 West 43rd
Houston, TX 77018
 
Park Place Regional Library
8145 Park Place
Houston, TX 77017
 
Robinson-Westchase Library      
3223 Wilcrest
Houston, TX 77042
 
Scenic Woods Regional Library  
10677 Homestead Rd.
Houston, TX 77016
 
Smith Library     
3624 Scott
Houston, TX 77004
 
Stanaker Library               
611 S. Sgt Macario Garcia
Houston, TX 77011
 
Stella Link Regional Library          
7405 Stella Link
Houston, TX 77025
 
TECHLink Dixon Library 
8002 Hirsch
Houston, TX 77016
 
Tuttle Library    
702 Kress
Houston, TX 77020
 
Vinson Library   
3810 West Fuqua
Houston, TX 77045
 
Walter Library   
7660 Clarewood
Houston, TX 77036
 
Young Library    
5107 Griggs Rd
Houston, TX 77021

People may seek air conditioning in city multi-service centers, libraries and recreation centers during regular business hours, even when the Public Health Heat Emergency Plan is not activated. To find the nearest cooling center location or an air-conditioned city facility, people can call 3-1-1 for more information.