The Katherine Tyra Branch Library at Bear Creek serves about 2.3 million residents in the City of Houston and is part of the Houston County Public Library. Opened in May 1983, the publicly funded and managed library was named for Harris County District Clerk Katherine Tyra in 1999. It maintains 82,633 volumes, circulates 645,634 items annually, and houses a Maker Lab, Save the Children Family Learning Center, and Meeting rooms. It offers Proctoring for Distance Learning Exams, English Learning (ESL) Classes, Passport Services, and Tours for schools & other groups.