Dr. Shannon Walker Library Opens its Doors, Bringing Vibrant New Community Space to the Neighborhood

The Dr. Shannon Walker Library (5505 Belrose Dr, Houston, Texas 77035), located outside of the Meyerland neighborhood, opened its doors to the public at the beginning of June. With a large play area and kids’ section, podcasting studios, a large book collection, and a technology lab, this library has something for everyone. 

The library is named in honor of Dr. Shannon Walker, NASA’s first native Houstonian astronaut. She recalls her childhood visits to this library when it was the Meyer Neighborhood Library.

Dr. Shannon Walker grew up visiting this library before it was renovated.

The library is named in honor of Dr. Shannon Walker, NASA’s first native Houstonian astronaut. She was also the first native Houstonian to command the International Space Station. She flew on two missions aboard the International Space Station on Expeditions 24 and 25 as a flight engineer and a commander, respectively. Walker, 59, graduated from Westbury High School in 1983 and went on to receive three degrees from Rice University – a Bachelor’s of Arts in Physics in 1987, a Master of Science in 1992, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Space Physics in 1993. 

As a native Houstonian, Dr. Shannon Walker grew up visiting this library before it was renovated. At the grand opening, Walker expressed immense gratitude and recalled her childhood visits to the library when it was the Meyer Neighborhood Library before renovation. She said she hopes kids “will come here and make lifelong friendships, not just with people but with books” just as she did when visiting the Meyer Neighborhood Library growing up. The new Dr. Shannon Walker Library will combine the services of Meyer Neighborhood Library and the Frank HPL Express Library. 

The new library offers a fun play area for kids. 

Braeswood Place resident Lauren Rizzoli and her two young daughters, Kate, 5, and Hazel, 3, visited the library for the first time recently and were very impressed with what was offered for visitors. 

“We heard about the library from some friends and knew we had to come to check it out,” Lauren said. Kate was eager to describe her favorite part about the library. “I love all the books in the library,” Kate said. “I loved finding and reading this one book that had the Pledge of Allegiance in it because we say that at my school every day.”

Other than browsing books, the kids’ space was the place to be for Kate and Hazel, where they made friends with other kids visiting. 

The 23,260-square-foot space library offers a variety of amenities and work spaces for the community. With its modern design and fun, bright colors, the Dr. Shannon Walker Library feels fresh and vibrant.

The library shines colorfully from the inside, with glass windows reflecting different colors. The library has a very modern design, making it feel fresh and vibrant.

Along with a large book collection, visitors can take advantage of the podcasting and vlogging studios as well as the conference rooms available to reserve.  

The Dr. Shannon Walker library, located at 5505 Belrose Dr., is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, 1-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. This summer, the library is hosting family story times on various Saturdays (July 6, 20, Aug. 3, 17). Find more information here. This library is sure to be a neighborhood hit especially as the summer days get longer and hotter.