Dear friends,
It is hard to believe that it has already been 1 year since the Houston Public Library dedicated the Dr. James & Betty Key Map Room in the Julia Ideson Building.
Through their visionary leadership, Jim and Betty Key have ensured that HPL has joined the ranks of other major metropolitan library systems with a space dedicated to cartographical and geographical resources right at the heart of our library system. Please click here to view a video to hear about what this gift means to them.
In celebrating the second year of the Key Map Room, HPL is launching a new exhibition in the space: Al Otro Lado | The Other Side. You’re invited to an opening reception for the new exhibition of June 14, 2025, from 12 pm through 2 pm.
The exhibition features the work of photojournalist Raquel Natalicchio, focusing on her portraits and interviews of people who have migrated to the United States. Their personal narratives, highlighting their diverse experiences and journeys, are paired with historical maps highlighting regions along the U.S.-Mexico border, sourced from the Houston History Research Center.
These maps not only chart physical landscapes but also document the history leading up to the establishment of the border and the socio-political complexities surrounding immigration.
We look forward to seeing you on June 14!
With best regards,
Nick Sawicki