Houston Public Library System
Overview
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total E-Rate subsidies | $145K | $199K | $1.4M | $205K | $190K | $292K | — | — | — | — | $9K | $190K | $171K | $251K | $285K | $261K | $72K | $59K | $1.2M | $81K | $83K | $63K | $23K | $33K | — | $45K | $138K | $161K |
| Average discount rate | 89% | 90% | 89% | 90% | 90% | 88% | — | — | — | — | 60% | 81% | 78% | 80% | 84% | 88% | 84% | 85% | 82% | 76% | 74% | 74% | 71% | 66% | — | 73% | 66% | 73% |
| Schools & libraries (in this area) | 40 | 41 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Service providers | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Avg download speed (Mbps) | 1,806 | 1,620 | 344 | 359 | 170 | 151 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Avg upload speed (Mbps) | 1,805 | 1,619 | 343 | 358 | 169 | 150 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Subsidies by E-Rate service type
| Service type | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $9K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Telecomm Services | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $152K | $133K | $214K | $262K | $241K | $52K | $26K | $30K | $24K | $25K | $9K | $23K | $33K | — | $45K | $130K | $153K |
| Internal Connections | — | — | $1.2M | — | — | $67K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $1.2M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $8K | $8K |
| Data Transmission and/or Internet Access | $145K | $199K | $204K | $205K | $190K | $226K | — | — | — | — | — | $38K | $38K | $37K | $23K | $20K | $20K | $33K | $57K | $57K | $58K | $54K | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Managed Internal Broadband Services | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Back of Envelope Estimate of Equal Distribution
| Recipient | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acres Homes Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Alief Regional Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Blue Ridge Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Bracewell Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Carnegie Regional Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Childrens Museum Of Houston | $19K | $2K | $30K | $2K | $2K | $2K | $2K | $2K | $2K | — |
| Clayton Genealogical Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Collier Regional Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Community Engagement Literacy Mobile | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | — | — | — | — |
| Discovery Green Express Library | — | — | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Dixon Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Dr. Shannon Walker Library | $21K | $4K | $28K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fifth Ward Branch Library | — | — | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $7K | — |
| Flores Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Frank Branch Library | — | — | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $4K | $6K | $7K | — |
| Heights Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Hillendahl Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Houston Central Library | $71K | $49K | $70K | $42K | $20K | $29K | $27K | $18K | $23K | — |
| Houston History Research Center At The Julia Ideson Building | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $12K | $4K | — | — | — |
| Houston Public Library Alief | — | — | $28K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Houston Public Library Montrose | — | — | $28K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| John P. Mcgovern-Stella Link Branch Library | $24K | $7K | $42K | $27K | $23K | $22K | $38K | $48K | $53K | — |
| Johnson Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Jungman Regional Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Kashmere Gardens Br Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Kendall Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Lakewood Branch Library | — | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Looscan Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Mancuso Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Melcher Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Meyer Branch Library | — | — | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Montrose Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Moody Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Oak Forest Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Park Place Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Pleasantville Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Ring Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Robinson Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Scenic Woods Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Smith Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Southwest Multi Service Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $7K | — |
| Stanaker Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| The African American Library At The Gregory School | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Tuttle Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Vinson Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $6K | $6K | $7K | — |
| Walter Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $13K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
| Young Branch Library | $21K | $4K | $31K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $4K | $6K | $6K | — |
Recipient demographics
| Recipient | City | Discount Rate | Students | NSLP | Down Mbps | Up Mbps | Urban/Rural |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acres Homes Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Alief Regional Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Blue Ridge Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Bracewell Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Carnegie Regional Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Childrens Museum Of Houston | Houston | 85% | — | — | 40 | 10 | Urban |
| Clayton Genealogical Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Collier Regional Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Community Engagement Literacy Mobile | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Discovery Green Express Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 100 | 100 | Urban |
| Dixon Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Dr. Shannon Walker Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Fifth Ward Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 100 | 100 | Urban |
| Flores Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Frank Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 100 | 100 | Urban |
| Heights Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Hillendahl Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Houston Central Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 10,000 | 10,000 | Urban |
| Houston History Research Center At The Julia Ideson Building | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Houston Public Library Alief | Houston | 85% | — | — | — | — | Urban |
| Houston Public Library Montrose | Houston | 85% | — | — | — | — | Urban |
| John P. Mcgovern-Stella Link Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 10,000 | 10,000 | Urban |
| Johnson Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Jungman Regional Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Kashmere Gardens Br Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Kendall Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Lakewood Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Looscan Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Mancuso Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Melcher Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Meyer Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 100 | 100 | Urban |
| Montrose Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Moody Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Oak Forest Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Park Place Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Pleasantville Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Ring Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Robinson Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Scenic Woods Branch Library | Houston | 90% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Smith Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Southwest Multi Service Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Stanaker Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| The African American Library At The Gregory School | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Tuttle Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Vinson Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Walter Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
| Young Branch Library | Houston | 85% | — | — | 1,000 | 1,000 | Urban |
Subsidies by service provider (top 10)
| Service provider | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Bell Telephone, L.P. | $109K | $155K | $161K | $155K | $157K | $204K | — | — | — | — | $9K | $126K | $117K | $194K | $261K | $227K | $50K | $49K | $73K | $67K | $69K | $60K | $12K | $31K | — | $42K | $122K | $142K |
| Netsync Network Solutions | — | — | $1.2M | — | — | $67K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SBC Datacomm, Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $1.2M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| PS LIGHTWAVE, INC | $35K | $42K | $42K | $49K | $31K | $20K | — | — | — | — | — | $34K | $34K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Phonoscope, LTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $34K | $20K | $20K | $20K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AT&T Corporation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $2K | $10K | $9K | $9K | $10K | — | $8K | — | — | — | $7K | $10K |
| Sprint Spectrum, L.P. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $26K | $16K | $20K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Verizon Southwest Incorporated | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $5K | $4K | $4K | $2K | $3K | $2K | — | $3K | — | — |
| Avaya Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $8K | $8K |
| NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS SERVICES, INC - CONSOLIDATED | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $1K | $14K | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Overview and provider figures are the entity’s total authorized disbursements (entity-wide, FCC Form 471 FRN Status). Per-recipient figures are a back-of-envelope estimate: each funding request line item’s post-discount cost divided equally among the line’s recipients. FY2010–2015 figures are from USAC legacy data (BEN level). FY2026 omitted (funding year in progress). Note: the last year or two in any disbursement series always looks artificially low (FY2025 invoices are still being paid), which is why figures dip at the end — that’s the real state of USAC’s data, not an error. Source: USAC Open Data, retrieved 2026-06-10.