HPL staff recognized that many ethnically diverse, low to middle income students who visited the library had limited or no opportunities to access Houston’s popular cultural and scientific attractions due to financial and transportation barriers. Although libraries have historically been the destination of field trips, by flipping the script, HPL arranged to take youth from the library on field trips to museums and other cool destinations around the city.

HPL engaged youth in the library’s After-School Zone to learn places they wanted to visit. Five locations became target destinations. Key elements were trust in the library, promotion, transportation, entry costs, snacks and parental permission. HPL partnered with the YMCA to provide transportation and additional chaperones. Staff negotiated lower group rates at the selected destinations to maximize the number of youth who could participate. Staff provided snacks, promoted the program and obtained parental permission slips.

The most significant achievement is that HPL took a suggestion from students and turned it into a reality, thereby empowering students and acknowledging their voice. Secondly, students got to explore venues in areas of the city they had never been before. A total of 65 youth participated in the field trips with many visiting multiple destinations. A post-program survey indicated that 95 percent learned something new and it was their first visit to the destination.