As summer winds down and back-to-school routines begin to take shape, Maud Marks Branch Library is giving The Lakes families one more month of free, close-to-home programs designed to help children learn, teens prepare, seniors explore and neighbors connect.

Located at 1815 Westgreen Blvd, Katy, TX 77450 near Highland Knolls Drive, Maud Marks Branch Library has long served as more than a place to check out books. For local families, retirees, students and caregivers, the library continues to be a steady community resource for early literacy, lifelong learning, volunteer connections, cultural outings and affordable family activities.

The following free, in-person programs will take place at Maud Marks Branch Library during August. Residents may call 832-927-7860 for more information.

Summer Reading Program Ends August 1, Prize Pickup Continues Through August 10

Families participating in the 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” have until Saturday, August 1, to complete the program.

The Summer Reading Club, open to both readers and listeners, began Monday, June 1, and encourages children and families to keep reading throughout the summer months. Participants earn points for reading and can collect prizes along the way.

Although the program ends August 1, the last day to pick up prizes is August 10.

For The Lakes parents looking to keep reading momentum going before school starts, this is a helpful reminder to finish logging books and stop by the library before the prize deadline passes.

Community Volunteer Fair Connects Residents With Local Ways to Help

Residents looking for meaningful ways to give back can attend the annual Community Volunteer Fair on Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to noon at Maud Marks Branch Library.

The event will bring together dozens of community organizations from the Greater Katy area that are looking for volunteers. Attendees can learn what each organization does, who they serve and how local residents can get involved.

For families, retirees, students, service groups and anyone new to the area, the volunteer fair offers a practical starting point for connecting with causes close to home. It is also a reminder that some of the most important work in a growing community happens quietly, neighbor to neighbor, through people willing to lend their time.

Former Academic Advisor Offers College Advice for New Students

Students preparing for college can attend “Things you Should Know from a Former Academic Advisor” on Tuesday, August 4, at 4 p.m.

The presentation is designed for students who may be excited, nervous or still figuring out what to expect as they transition into college life. A former academic advisor will share practical guidance on starting strong, staying on track and avoiding common freshman-year pitfalls.

For The Lakes families with recent high school graduates or first-generation college students, this session may be especially useful. College orientation can cover the basics, but this program aims to give students the kind of real-world advice that helps them make better decisions once classes begin.

Wednesday Wonders Features Back-to-School Craft With National Charity League Volunteers

Children can enjoy a special Wednesday Wonders craft program on Wednesday, August 5, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The National Charity League’s mother-and-daughter volunteers will sponsor a special back-to-school arts and crafts project. The program is best suited for children ages 6 to 11, or kindergarten through fifth grade. All necessary materials will be provided.

Wednesday Wonders gives younger students a relaxed way to ease into the school-year mindset while still enjoying hands-on summer fun at the library.

There will be no library programs from August 10 through August 31.

Kids, Tweens and Teens Can Learn Chess at the Library

Youth in second through 12th grade are invited to learn chess at Maud Marks Branch Library on Thursday, August 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Teen volunteers, including Andy and friends, will help students learn basic chess moves, build confidence and improve their game. The program is open to beginners as well as young players who want to sharpen their skills.

Chess remains a popular activity for students because it encourages focus, patience, strategy and problem-solving. For The Lakes families looking for a free after-school-style activity before the school year begins, this program offers both fun and learning.

Genealogy Workshop Helps Residents Unearth Their Family Stories

Residents interested in family history can attend “Unearth Your Story: West Houston Area Genealogy Society” on Saturday, August 8, at 2 p.m.

A representative from the West Houston Area Genealogy Society will introduce tools and resources that can help participants begin researching their family lineage. The program is designed to help attendees understand how to get started with genealogy research and uncover more about their family’s past.

The program ties in with the library’s broader “Unearth a Story” theme and gives adults and families a chance to explore personal history in a thoughtful, accessible way.

Timeless Travelers Senior Trip Heads to Blaffer Art Museum

Seniors age 55 and older are invited to take part in the Maud Marks Library Timeless Travelers program for a trip to the Blaffer Art Museum on Tuesday, August 18.

Participants will take a guided tour led by museum staff. Located at the University of Houston, the Blaffer Art Museum focuses on contemporary art through exhibitions, publications and public programs. The museum also serves as a connection point between the University of Houston’s Central Campus and the City of Houston, supporting creative innovation, experimentation and scholarship.

Registration for the August trip runs June 29 through July 2, 2026.

Timeless Travelers is a monthly program series that promotes educational and cultural enrichment for senior adults. Through free bus trips across southeast Texas, participants can experience the culture and history of the region. The only requirement is that attendees be 55 or older.

The series is sponsored by the Friends of the Maud Marks Library.

Friends of the Maud Marks Library Book Sale Set for August 29

The Friends of the Maud Marks Library will hold a book sale on Saturday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shoppers can browse a large selection of hardback fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, paperbacks and other hidden gems. Items will be sold at low prices, making the sale a budget-friendly stop for families building home libraries, students looking for books before school starts and readers hoping to discover something new.

Friends members will also have access to a members-only preview on Friday, August 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Book sales hosted by library friends groups often help support local library programs, while giving residents an affordable way to keep reading at home.

Weekly Storytimes Support Early Literacy

Maud Marks Branch Library will continue offering early literacy programs for young children and caregivers in August.

Read & Rhyme Storytime, also known as Preschool Storytime, is offered on Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. for children ages 3 to 5. The program helps children build early literacy skills through oral language, phonological awareness and print recognition. Crafts and coloring sheets may be provided at the end of storytime.

Patty Cake Infant Storytime is offered on Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. for infants and their caretakers. Designed for babies ages 3 to 18 months who are not yet walking, the program includes nursery rhymes, songs, books and fingerplays.

Totally Toddler Time is offered on Thursdays at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for toddlers ages 18 to 35 months. Toddlers participate through songs, dance, fingerplays, shared reading, occasional parachute fun and group activities. Families should arrive 15 minutes before the program to receive a ticket for entry.

Preschool Explorers is not available during the summer.

For parents and caregivers in The Lakes, these weekly storytimes offer a simple but important routine: a chance for young children to practice listening, language and social skills while becoming more comfortable in a library setting.

A Free Local Resource Before the School Year Begins

The August calendar at Maud Marks Branch Library highlights the many roles a neighborhood library can play in everyday life. It can be a quiet place to find a book, a first stop for college advice, a gathering place for volunteers, a learning space for young chess players, a cultural connection for seniors and a trusted early literacy resource for families with small children.

For more information about August programs at Maud Marks Branch Library, call 832-927-7860.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local library events, family activities and community updates happening near The Lakes.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.