Pleasantville Neighborhood Library
🏢 Houston Public Library — Houston, Texas
Pleasantville Neighborhood Library
Set in Pleasantville — one of Houston's first planned communities developed in 1948 to provide housing for African American and Jewish American veterans facing postwar discrimination — this east Houston branch serves a neighborhood with a deep tradition of civic activism, placing the library at the center of community life on the near east side.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 1520 Gellhorn Dr, Houston, TX 77029
Phone: 8323932330
Website: houstonlibrary.org
📖 About Pleasantville Neighborhood Library
<p>The Pleasantville Neighborhood Library sits at 1520 Gellhorn Drive in one of Houston's most historically significant east-side communities. Pleasantville was established in 1948 by developers Melvin Silverman and H.M. Cohen working with mortgage broker Robinson Judson Robinson Sr. to create homeownership opportunities for African American and Jewish American veterans who faced widespread housing discrimination in the postwar era — making it one of the first areas in Houston where those groups could legally own a home. The neighborhood has maintained a strong tradition of civic engagement, with residents forming organizations such as the Pleasantville Civic Club League to advocate for the community. Situated inside the 610 Loop near the Interstate 10 East Freeway, the library serves as a localized hub providing books, digital resources, public computers, and programming to an area that continues to organize around environmental justice and quality-of-life issues.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Serves Pleasantville, one of Houston's first racially integrated planned communities, founded in 1948 for veterans facing housing discrimination
- Located on the east side inside the 610 Loop, providing library access to a dense urban community with a strong civic tradition
- Open four days a week with Tuesday evening hours until 8 pm for working residents
- Offers public computers, free Wi-Fi, mobile printing, and scanning services
- Supported by Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC) as a community resource point for immigrant residents
📱 Free with a Houston Public Library Card
Any Texas resident can get an HPL card free and unlock:
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Pleasantville Neighborhood Library's hours?
The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 am–6 pm and Tuesday 12 pm–8 pm. It is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Call 832-393-2330 to confirm any schedule changes.
Does the Pleasantville Library offer services for immigrant community members?
Yes. Pleasantville Neighborhood Library is listed as a partner resource location by the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC), and HPL branches offer multilingual collections, public computers for online applications, and staff who can connect patrons with community services.
Is Pleasantville Library near public transit?
Yes. The library is located at 1520 Gellhorn Drive in east Houston, accessible via METRO bus routes that serve the Gellhorn Drive corridor and the broader east Houston network near Interstate 10.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
