She Learned English at the Houston Public Library. Now She Runs It.

Sandy Gaw learned English as a kindergartner at the Houston Public Library. Forty years later, Mayor Whitmire appointed her to run it — a system with more than 330,000 active cardholders, 2 million visits last year, and 8 million physical and digital checkouts.

Sandy is the fourth of ten children in a first-generation American family. Chinese was the first language at home; her father took all ten kids to the public library so they could check out books and learn English together. That memory is the spine of this conversation. Sandy spent nearly 30 years inside HISD as a bilingual teacher, ESL teacher, and principal before taking the Director job in 2024, and she walks Owen through what's actually inside a modern Houston library branch — a portable planetarium the community engagement team takes on the road, three research centers (Houston history, African American history, and family genealogy), and TechLink: free makerspaces with podcast studios, 3D printers, music video gear, and Cricut machines available to any cardholder. A fifth TechLink opens later this fall with the most up-to-date equipment in the system.

Then there's the Library of Things. Sandy explains that a Houston library card now gets you bakeware and musical instruments alongside books, which produces the episode's biggest laugh when Owen asks whether he can bake her a cake. Underneath the surprises is a stakes-level argument: summer learning loss is real, kids' reading skills can slide measurably over a two-to-three-month break, and the 2025 Summer Reading Program — Unearth the Story, running June 1 through July 31 — exists to keep that from happening. FIFA World Cup programming is running at every branch all summer. Sign up at houstonlibrary.org.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

The most rewarding part of the job is when I go into any library and then I watch families or I watch different patrons going into location is that our uh staff that they're able to assist them in whatever they need.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

From City Hall in downtown Houston, this is 901 back meeting inside the mayor's office.

SPEAKER_02 0:24

We have a special guest this week, director of the Houston Public Library, Sandy Gaug, who spent almost 30 years working within the HISD and uh took this job a couple of years ago. Thanks so much for being here. It's great to meet you in person. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_00 0:38

Good. Glad to be here.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

Can you uh give us an overview to start uh of our Houston Public Library? Where are we now? I assume with millions of people in this city, we've got to have some pretty big numbers, Sandy.

SPEAKER_00 0:49

We do. So we have over 330,000 people with library cards, and we've had over 2 million visits this past year, and also over 8 million checkouts, digital, physical checkouts.

SPEAKER_02 1:04

I want to go back, if I could, um, to the beginning.

SPEAKER_00 1:07

Tell me a little bit about growing up here. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I grew up in the Markside. Alpha Jensen, some Alpha Jensen. And then uh as the family got bigger, like there were more siblies, then my dad moved us to the north side closer to uh I seem Houston.

SPEAKER_02 1:23

Okay. So you were one of how many?

SPEAKER_00 1:25

One of ten.

SPEAKER_02 1:25

Wow, Sandy. And you're in the middle, oldest, youngest?

SPEAKER_00 1:28

I'm the four, so I'm in the middle.

SPEAKER_02 1:30

Okay. What was that like growing up at 10? That's a huge who did all the cooking for 10.

SPEAKER_00 1:35

Um we all had a share of responsibility.

SPEAKER_02 1:40

Did you guys work as a family? Like all the kids work? Did some of you guys work?

SPEAKER_00 1:44

Yeah, I mean, we all we all chipped in, we all pitched in.

SPEAKER_02 1:46

Yeah, too, right?

SPEAKER_00 1:47

Yeah, we uh I grew up with seven boys. So the I got stalnship between seven boys.

SPEAKER_02 1:51

So three girls.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

So the two girls came last. Yeah. So three boys before me, and then four boys after me. I was number four.

SPEAKER_02 2:00

Did you did you always think about education as a place that you would want to work?

SPEAKER_00 2:06

Yes, because uh so my parents came here to uh US as immigrants. And so uh all the kids are first generation. And so one of the things that my parents value was education. And so, and as a kid, and because I was so close in proximity to uh my parents, I guess, because I was number four out of ten kids, and we were closer, uh, I guess to when speaking of my grandparents or speaking to my parents, so Chinese was the first language. And so because I was we were I was number four, then uh we used uh Chinese more because uh because the siblings uh hadn't already hadn't all adapted to English. And so because Chinese was my was our first language, then because uh my dad valued education, then he wanted to make sure that we had a a good um a good start, a strong start and making sure that we learned English. And so one of the fondest memories that I have as a kid with my parents is when they took us to the library and we would check out books and try to learn as much as we could, especially English.

SPEAKER_02 3:09

What a beautiful story. When when did you like did did you ever realize growing up um or or was there a moment where you realized uh we are an immigrant family and there's uh is there a hurdle we needed to overcome? What was like the lesson that your parents would teach you about what was kind of on the other side of that education?

SPEAKER_00 3:28

So they basically just instilled in us to be hard workers, and no matter what and how difficult things were, that to always work hard and that eventually uh that we would make some kind of impact. And so, and I remember as a kid that when I went to school, English was hard for me. And so, and I remember sitting there in kindergarten just when people would talk to me. I was, I was trying really hard to understand. And so that in itself uh not only motivated me, but even now as an adult, that I remember as an English language learner that no matter where I go, where I am, that I just that I that always carried that with me. And therefore, that's why I went into the field of education.

SPEAKER_02 4:07

Yeah, I tell my kids a lot, um, learning another language is so important. I can't tell them why because I barely speak English. So from your perspective, what are some of those benefits of being bilingual or multilingual beyond just two?

SPEAKER_00 4:22

So the benefits are it not only opens up the pathways in your brain because, you know, because it it helps you, because I I also speak Spanish. So uh as an educator, I was a bilingual teacher and also an ESL teacher. And so because of that background, I was able to work with the kids no matter if they spoke Spanish or other languages. So that also helped me uh grow, uh helped me grow.

SPEAKER_02 4:48

Yeah. Do do you think um for those students, um the the career options are greater when you speak multiple languages? Uh is the is the future to a certain degree brighter when you speak multiple languages?

SPEAKER_00 5:00

I think having I think knowing multiple languages does help. And so, and and as you know, as uh here in the US, uh a lot of people here speak Spanish and a lot of people uh they use Spanish uh not only in their jobs, but also, you know, uh day-to-day.

SPEAKER_02 5:17

Would you say Spanish and certainly Chinese would be two great languages for a young person to learn?

SPEAKER_00 5:22

Aaron Powell Yes, I believe those two languages would be great for a young person to learn.

SPEAKER_02 5:26

Yeah. When you look at when you look at your career in education, you did almost 30 years in the Houston Independent School District. Uh you were a teacher at one point, a principal. You've done a lot of uh different jobs, right? Uh how did some of those prepare you for what you're doing today with the Houston Public Library?

SPEAKER_00 5:43

So as I look back, I do remember how much I wanted to just be some kind of change agent. So whether it was education and and I was in a field of education, where no matter who I uh worked with, with kids or parents, that as long as we had a will to uh to work hard and to achieve and believe, then then the outcome, output was always there. I think one of the things that prepared me the most was it's the lifelong learning and how to achieve that. So, and no matter what age we are, whether we're um, you know, even infants all the way to senior citizens, there's always an opportunity for learning. And that's the part where the library also comes into. So Houston Public Library currently has three research centers. One, which is Houston Houston Research Center, focuses mainly on Houston and Texas research, then the African American History Research Center, and also one for family history. So library is a community space. And I know it's not like the days in the past where we would just go to the library to check out books. And so now, not only do we offer physical books, but we have e-checkouts. It's also a space for community where people can come together to gather together in spaces where they can have meetings. And not only that, but we also have programs. The great thing about libraries is that it offers lifelong learning. So I know in education, the learning, it was from pre-K to 12th grade. And libraries, it covers all ages. So not only when you're little, uh in, you know, as an infant, but all the way to when you're a senior citizen. And that's and that's what I loved about uh, that's what I love about both.

SPEAKER_02 7:30

Yeah.

unknown 7:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 7:31

That pursuit of learning.

SPEAKER_00 7:32

The pursuit of learning.

SPEAKER_02 7:33

And you're still learning every day in this job, aren't you?

SPEAKER_00 7:35

Yes, every day.

SPEAKER_02 7:37

So um taking this job as director of Houston Public Library really allows you to sort of explore education, not just from the kids' perspective, but as you said, the lifelong learning. What are some of those programs that you offer?

SPEAKER_00 7:51

So one of the things that we have is it started this summer already. So started on June 1st and it goes through July 31st. It's one of our biggest programs in the summer. It's a summer reading program. And our theme this year is unearth the story. And so patrons of all ages can participate. It's a 60-day challenge. And of the 30 days, the youth have to read at least 20 minutes a day, and adults have to read 30 minutes a day. And they have 30 days to complete this challenge. And the beauty is that even though it's 60 days, they don't have to read every day. So they just have to at least read 30 of the 60 days. And once they fulfill that requirement, then they're entered into uh drawings where they can receive prizes.

SPEAKER_02 8:30

So how do they get started with that? Walk into their local public library and there's information.

SPEAKER_00 8:35

Yes. So they could do either. So they could find information at HoustonLibrary.org or also go to their neighborhood location.

SPEAKER_02 8:42

Talk to me a little bit about uh not just reading, but STEM, the arts. Um, it's not just literature.

SPEAKER_00 8:50

So we have activities at all of our locations for STEM activities. So not only that, but we also have a community engagement team where we will have STEM activities uh for the groups and organizations.

SPEAKER_02 9:01

What kinds of activities do they do?

SPEAKER_00 9:03

So one of the things that I love that they bring out is it's a we call it a planetarium. So they have a miniature one, they have a large one where it's actually it simulates a planetarium in that space, whether they're adults or whether they're kids, they can learn about STEM activities.

SPEAKER_02 9:20

Do you want to tell me about um Tech Link that's got all of your stuff, recording studios? Tell me a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00 9:27

So TechLink, it's it's a maker space. So whether you're an entrepreneur or you're uh just a patron at the library, so it's a maker space that not only do we have equipment for people to make podcasts, music videos, we also have uh 3D printing and cricket machines.

SPEAKER_02 9:43

And those are all free for everyone.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

They're all free for everyone. You just have to have a library card.

SPEAKER_02 9:47

It just so can you tell me a little bit about what does it take to get a library card these days?

SPEAKER_00 9:52

It's super easy to get a library card. So either going to the neighborhood library or you can also go online to HoustonLibrary.org to get information. The great thing about getting a library card from Houston Public Library is that it's a world of endless possibilities. And so not only can they check out books, check out digital books online, they can go to the libraries and have all kinds of activity and participate in all kinds of activities.

SPEAKER_02 10:16

We talked a little bit about what the library offers for seniors and older adults specifically. Is there anything related to continuing education for that for that older group that you'd like to say? I mean, what kinds of opportunities are really available for them?

SPEAKER_00 10:34

Sure. Uh there are activities every day. And so, for example, some locations, they even have coching uh for the senior citizens. And we also have literacy classes, such as computer classes, where from all levels, where they're the most basic to more advanced levels, that they can enroll in.

SPEAKER_02 10:50

Tell me a little bit about some of your experience uh working with the individual libraries. Um what makes a good library director, someone that's going to be in charge of that local library? What are some of those qualities in a person that really make them effective?

SPEAKER_00 11:05

That's a great question. Some of the qualities, first of all, is um you have to have passion. And so, and the passion to drive the work. And not only that, but to be engaged and to also have uh, because the the mission of the library is that uh that we connect you to the world. And so, and having that belief in that no matter what location that patrons go to, so it's centered on not only lifelong learning, but access to materials, it's equitable, and most of all that it's free.

SPEAKER_02 11:39

When you look at the library of the future, I think you and I may be of a similar age. Growing up, it was probably hard to predict a library that would have a recording studio or a podcast studio. When you look to the next step to the future, what do you see the library looking like in, I don't know, 10 years, 20 years?

SPEAKER_00 11:57

So not only is um that we've advanced so much, and again, as I've stated earlier, that in the past that people would just came to us for checking out books, but now we we do so much more where not only do we have the great technology where they can come and just create videos and podcasts, but we're gonna continue on that trend. And not only that, but the ebooks have just skyrocketed.

SPEAKER_02 12:24

Let me ask you, do you do you do ebooks or do you still do hard copy paper books?

SPEAKER_00 12:29

I do both.

SPEAKER_02 12:29

Do you?

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Yeah, I do both. I do ebooks, I do hard copies because I like the the print, the touching the book, but I do ebooks when I'm in the car.

SPEAKER_02 12:40

I was gonna ask you, how do you decide? So when you travel, you can only take so many books, right? But when you're sitting at home, you still like Correct. Is there any difference for a young person? Because I feel like this is one of the great debates at home, which is like the grandparents will say, No, grab a paperback, and even the parents will go, well, you know, there's good screen time and bad screen time. Where do you sit uh in that debate? How how do you advise families and and and yourself and your own family in that in that sense?

SPEAKER_00 13:04

I think there should be a balance between the two because there's value in in making sure that when so for example, when when kids go to school, that I know a lot of things are digitized now, but then a lot of things are still in print form. And so I think there's a lot of value in making sure that there's equitable time between the two types.

SPEAKER_02 13:24

Is there is there something special about paper that uh in your mind you just can't replicate no matter what?

SPEAKER_00 13:30

Uh for me, the special thing about paper is uh not only the touch and the feel, but also writing and notating, making notations, highlighting, and just writing notes on the side.

SPEAKER_02 13:41

That's an important feature, right? That's harder to do digitally, isn't it? Do you have any um what what would you tell a family? What would you tell a family or parents who are looking at the summer and saying, oh boy, it gets so hot in Houston. If I don't have camps, if I don't have activities for my kids, I'm just fighting against the tablet. What kind of advice would you have for those families to try to push them more toward reading throughout the summer? How do we keep reading an important feature when we're not in school?

SPEAKER_00 14:10

Reading, reading opens the doors. So not only does it open the door to the imagination, but it also allows you to explore opportunities that sometimes that we're not able to go. For example, traveling. So when kids are at home, you know, there's you know, there's time for play, but there's also time for reading. And reading is really important because as you know, when kids are out for two to three months in the summer, their uh their literacy uh skills sometimes they go, they go backward. So it's really important that parents help kids not only maintain a proper balance of, you know, the screen time and making sure they read, whether it's uh what do they read, uh print books or digital books, that they need to have that, they need to have that schedule.

SPEAKER_02 14:55

Does the library get uh busier during the summer, or do you notice a drop-off because the children are out of school, the various uh community libraries?

SPEAKER_00 15:04

The libraries definitely get busier over the summer because not only are parents looking for a place to go to, it's a free space. And so, and in addition to some of things that uh that I've already mentioned, the story time, but there are also different kinds of programs that kids can participate in. So there are activities where they can uh do crafts, and there are also activities where they can just be engaged with uh with the people who visit the locations.

SPEAKER_02 15:30

How important are the neighbors who live around the libraries to the success of those libraries?

SPEAKER_00 15:37

That's also very important, but at the same time that we do understand that the people who visit the lot the libraries, they don't necessarily live in the geographical area because sometimes it's just dependent on where uh the parents work, or sometimes it's dependent on where their babysitters are.

SPEAKER_02 15:55

Aaron Powell In that sense, um the entire Houston public library system, back to your earlier point about being equitable, you want to have those resources as equally spread out throughout the community as possible to give all families a chance for learning, for creative expression, and all of that.

SPEAKER_00 16:12

Yes, that's really important. Yes, to make it as equitable as possible.

SPEAKER_02 16:16

Can you can you take me back to because you said this is now you're coming up on your second, right? August will be September. September will be your second anniversary. Can you take me back to a couple Septembers ago when you first got the call about this job? What was it about this that made you say yes to Mayor Whitmire?

SPEAKER_00 16:35

One of the things that excited me about this opportunity is the passion that I have for lifelong learning. So not only uh was that done through my background in education, but being here in this role, it's an opportunity to also have that lifelong learning.

SPEAKER_02 16:50

Do you still feel like a teacher some days? Or do you still do you feel more of an administrator? Do you feel like you're you still get to have that creative or hands-on part of learning?

SPEAKER_00 17:00

I I still do. It's it's both. It's so not only having that creative part of that learning, but every day, uh not only myself, but I know other people, uh, we learn different things every day.

unknown 17:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:12

Is there anything about this job that you uh find particularly challenging?

SPEAKER_00 17:16

So one of the most challenging things for me coming into the new system is learning how all the different systems operate it and how they all intertwine.

SPEAKER_02 17:23

Is there anything so far? I mean, I know it's only been two years. What's been the most rewarding part of the job so far?

SPEAKER_00 17:31

The most rewarding part of this job is when I go into any library and then I watch families or I watch the different patrons going into location is that our uh staff that they're able to assist them in whatever they need.

SPEAKER_02 17:46

Can you tell me a little bit about this World Cup? FIFA has a lot of stuff going on in town over the next couple months. Um, how is the Houston Public Library involved in some of that World Cup excitement?

SPEAKER_00 17:58

So the main thing in how we connected this summer is that we ensured that all the locations have FIFA related activities. Stuff for kids of all ages, stuff for kids, stuff for adults and kids of all ages.

SPEAKER_02 18:08

That's great. We know getting a library card is super easy. What's the what's the real big reason one a person wants to have a library card?

SPEAKER_00 18:16

One of the greatest benefits of having the library card is that it's free and it opens the door to a lot of things in the system. For example, not only is it good for physical checkouts, but also for digital checkouts. And also we have library of things where people can check out bakeware, they can also check out different instruments.

SPEAKER_02 18:40

Bakeware though. So you're telling me I can bake you a cake if I want.

SPEAKER_00 18:44

They can check out bakeware, they can check out instruments, they can check out all different kinds of things.

SPEAKER_02 18:50

So that's interesting because the library as a resource is a place to go, but it's also a place to to take the resources, use them in the community in in a shared kind of way.

SPEAKER_00 19:03

They can. So for example, so if they if someone has an interest in music where they need uh an instrument and it's available through the library of things, then they can actually check out that instrument and then take it to if they're practicing with a band or they're practicing with the group of friends, then then they then they can enjoy that together.

SPEAKER_02 19:23

Yeah. And and I understand we talked a little about podcasting, right? So audio, video production. Um we all have phones these days and we can record video, but there's some more professional um equipment and things available, right?

SPEAKER_00 19:36

Yes, yes, there is. There's uh high-tech, not only for uh recording of music videos, also for podcasts and for videos also. So sometime later this fall, we will have a fifth tech link, and it's gonna be the most up-to-date technology equipment. So again, it's the it's the same concept where it's the video music uh production along with podcasts, and also with the 3D printing and the cricket machine.

SPEAKER_02 20:04

And that's just a matter of someone finding the tech link location within the library system.

SPEAKER_00 20:09

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 20:09

I think the library, people need to get out of their head, right? This old picture of the library. There's a there's a new modern library. It's a place for people to come, to learn, for community to share, right? And I really hope we can do this again, maybe at the end of the summer before the school year and see what's exciting for students as they head back to school.

SPEAKER_00 20:31

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 20:32

Thanks so much.

SPEAKER_00 20:32

Thank you.