Fort Bend County Libraries will receive $10,000 in new state funding for reading and literacy programs after Commissioners Court approved a Texas Reads 2027 grant on Thursday, Aug. 13, with no cash match required from the county.

The grant means expanded programming at branches that serve Missouri City and Stafford residents, including the Missouri City Branch Library on Texas Parkway and the Sienna Branch Library on Sienna Springs Boulevard, without adding a dime to the county budget.

County Judge Daniel Wong announced the approval on his official X account, saying the county remains committed to strengthening services while protecting taxpayer dollars. The approval comes as Fort Bend County faces a budget deadline of Sept. 10.

The Texas Reads grant is one of 14 awarded statewide by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which distributed $128,341 in total Texas Reads funding for fiscal year 2027. The money originates from a federal grant through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act. Texas Reads funds support book talks, English literacy classes, author visits, book clubs and summer reading activities at public libraries.

Fort Bend County Libraries also received a separate Special Projects 75 Grant from TSLAC, though the county has not disclosed that award's dollar amount.

Local branches already have a full fall calendar. Upcoming programs include:

  • Aug. 17 — Pajama Night Story Time: All My Feelings, 6–6:30 p.m., Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
  • Sept. 1 — Virtual Author Talk with David O. Stewart, 1 p.m. (free for cardholders)
  • Sept. 3 — Creative Connections: Backpack Charms, 4–4:45 p.m., Missouri City Branch Library (grades 4–8; supplies provided by the Friends of the Missouri City Branch Library)
  • Sept. 8 — Back-to-School Resource Fair for teens, 6 p.m., Sienna Branch Library
  • Sept. 24 — Virtual Author Talk with Lucky Diaz, 6 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish
  • Sept. 28 — Pajama Night Story Time: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Sienna Branch Library

All Fort Bend County Libraries programs are free. Visit the library's event calendar for the full schedule.