Every single person has capacities, abilities and gifts. Living a good life depends on whether those capacities can be used, abilities expressed and gifts given. Each time a person uses his or her capacity they are valued, feel powerful and well connected to the people around them, the community is stronger and the person becomes more powerful because of the contribution the person is making. For this reason, there are strong communities, which are basically places where the capacities of local residents are identified, valued and used. Weak communities are places that fail, for whatever reason, to mobilize the skills, capacities and talents of their residents or members.

Today libraries and museums are unique institutions with the potential both to “develop” and “explain” new knowledge and its significance to the general public. We have the potential to help shape the future by establishing programs that complement the research, exhibitions, and collections together with society’s interest, giving way to integrated opportunities. Our innovative and creative programs are enhancing the new role libraries and museums are playing in the life of communities unfamiliar with this type of culture.

It has come to past, in face of a rapidly growing need to examine environmental, cultural and socio-economic problems, people are turning to institutions or sources that will address universal problems at local levels. By developing quality alliances and relationships in a broad spectrum of areas important to society, libraries and museums both evolve and succeed in providing those opportunities to safeguard history of those who either fail to realize they are a part of history or believe their contribution is not significant enough to warrant saving. Providing education, health, archeology, ancient history, geology, music, travel, and spiritual understanding of traditional knowledge, we create the ambiance for scholarship.

Libraries and museums are among those institutions, with an opportunity to incorporate a diverse community from a broad approach, therefore, transforming the community to further advance the vision for social change. The Leadership is at it’s best with the integration of society taking an active role in a guided conversation taking place in libraries and museums about our collective future.

This library and museum is a wonderful addition to the museum district. We are excited about this opportunity to contribute to Houston’s showcase of diversity. We look forward to working with you in the future as we build to remember the dedication, commitment and works of the late George Thomas “Mickey” Leland, in a space that will be as timeless as his passion was for others.