Play games, learn something new, make crafts, and experience a variety of activities at this free and fun-filled celebration. Features carnival games by HiTech students, hands-on activities by community organizations, music, and food trucks ($).
The H3 Carnival features games created by HiTech students and instructors. The summer classes combined technology, teaching tools, and subject experts to deliver a fun STEAM education experience that culminates in showing off at the annual event. Coding 3D design and printing Engineering Physics Chemistry Biology Music tech Digital art Ten-80 car racing Robotics
Library staff will be on hand for some How-to stations that include coloring, composting, and talking to strangers. New this year: Experts and knowledgeable neighbors from across our community provide ways for you to get Hands-on, while learning something new, including: The Many Ways to Use Henna High-Tech Salad Digital Security Meditating in Color Camping Tent Setups & Knot Tying Make Sugar Scrubs & Bath Fizzies Agrownomics How to Make Jamaican Jerk Spice Blend Fly Hi with Paper Airplanes Find the Phytonutrient in Plants Preschool STEAM Station Intro to Scottish Gaelic Lego League Demo & Chopsticks Game and more
“An expertly fleshed-out cast and a lushly described setting [that] thoughtfully examine questions of mortality and identity. This remarkable debut explores multi-generational trauma and how its effects leave severe wounds on the present while resonating into the future, making for a heartrending tale.” – Publishers Weekly,starred review
On Saturday, Hammonds discusses her inspiration, writing process, and more.
Saturday, July 15 | 4 – 5 pm HCLS Miller Branch For ages 14 & up Registration required.
Books available for purchase and signing.
Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations.
From Macmillan Publishers: What’s more important: Knowing the truth or keeping the peace? Seventeen-year-old Avery Anderson is convinced her senior year is ruined when she’s uprooted from her life in DC and forced into the hostile home of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. The tension between Avery’s mom and Mama Letty makes for a frosty arrival and unearths past drama they refuse to talk about. Every time Avery tries to look deeper, she’s turned away, leaving her desperate to learn the secrets that split her family in two. While tempers flare in her avoidant family, Avery finds friendship in unexpected places: in Simone Cole, her captivating next-door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, daughter of the town’s most prominent family—whose mother’s murder remains unsolved.
Official Author Bio
Jas Hammonds (they/she) was raised in many cities and between the pages of many books. They have received support for their writing from the Highlights Foundation, Baldwin for the Arts and more. They are also a grateful recipient of the MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. Their debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, won the 2023 Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She lives in New Jersey.
Unofficially…
Hi! I’m Jas (pronounced like Jazz).
I like writing about messy families and queer characters and finding magic in the mundane. When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, working on jigsaw puzzles, riding my bicycle, and making my surroundings as cozy as possible. I’m a flight attendant by day (and early morning…and late night…) and I love exploring bookstores and coffee shops in every city I visit. I’m a sucker for autumn and rainy days and fuzzy socks.
You won’t want to miss this engaging and insightful discussion between contemporary literary fiction authors Jenny Xie and Molly Lynch as they explore the complexities of human relationships.
Set against a swiftly evolving Oakland and the tech culture that is changing the ways we interact and relate, Xie’s novel Holding Pattern (also available as an e-book) offers a nuanced and lightly satirical look at start-ups, influencers, and the boom-and-bust cycles of Silicon Valley enthusiasms.
Fates and Furies meets Melancholia in Lynch’s The Forbidden Territory of a Terrifying Woman, an ominous and absorbing debut novel about marriage and motherhood in a time of ecological collapse, as mothers around the world begin to mysteriously vanish from their homes.
Elizabeth Silver discusses her compelling new novel The Majority. Illuminating and compassionate, The Majority reimagines the life of a fictional first female Supreme Court Justice in the United States: Sylvia Olin Bernstein (or, “SOB”). Unlike some of the other gamechangers of her time, Sylvia is a quiet rule-follower, steadily climbing to the top of her class at Harvard and beyond, until — caught in a dramatic tug of war between career and family, truth and convenience, progress and patience — she is given a chance to change the course of American history and give voice, at last, to an overlooked majority.
Though set against the rich sweep of the 20th century, The Majority directly engages with the world right now, bringing to light huge questions at the current center and foreseeable future of American life: What is the role of the Supreme Court? How much power should these nine figures have? How are women treated within the law?
Summer Reading Bonanza! Free Book Giveaway!
Register to win! One hundred randomly selected registrants (50 from each event) will receive a copy of a book by one of the authors. If chosen, you may pick up a book at a Howard County Library System branch of your choice. Winners will be contacted via email with more details.
Thu, Jul 13 7 – 8 pm Miller Branch Learn more and register here.
Trail Dogs and Firefighters: A Memoir from the Burning West is an enthralling story about Robert J. (Bob) Roller’s unexpected plunge into the intense world of trail “dogging” and wildland firefighting. The story brings to life the beauty of the American West, the community of interesting people who seek the danger of this lifestyle, and the bonds forged in this environment, in a way that only someone who lived through these experiences can describe.
Trail Dogs and Firefighters captures the dangerous early season efforts to clear isolated routes high in the Wyoming mountains, and it climaxes with a series of intense wildfires fought across the intermountain west.
This is the perfect book for anyone interested in the real lives of wildland firefighters or anyone who simply enjoys reading about people who rise to meet impossibly challenging situations by relying on their training, luck, and faith in each other.
Roller has deployed to wildfires, mass migrations, hurricanes, and pandemics. He is a Certified Emergency Manager, a Nationally Registered Paramedic, and a civilian graduate of the US Army’s Command and General Staff College. Roller was the vice president of Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, where he has served as a firefighter, paramedic, and special operations swiftwater rescue technician, and he has also served on three mid-Atlantic mountain-rescue teams.
We want to see what you can imagine! Draw anything that you love and want to share that uses the given space in interesting ways, and maybe brings a smile to someone’s face. There are no required themes. Our contest runs from May 31 through July 31. Winning bookmarks will be available at all HCLS branches in the fall.
All children in grades K – 12 who live or attend school (or homeschool) in Howard County may enter.
One winner in each category (five total) will be chosen to be printed: Kindergarten & Grade 1, Grades 2 & 3, Grades 4 & 5, Grades 6 – 8, and Grades 9 – 12
Please don’t trace or use copyrighted images (such as from favorite TV shows, movies, or books) or include computer- or AI-generated art. If you include words, check for correct spelling and legibility. Keep text away from edges. In fact, keep all important design details away from the line around the box.
Consider what medium works best for you. Sparkle crayons, gel pens, and neon colors don’t reproduce well and probably won’t be chosen. Make sure that your design is well defined, not sketchy or pale.
Dear adults: This contest is for students, please don’t “help” with anything other than the form.
Best of luck! We look forward to seeing the results of your artistry, creativity, and imagination.
Happy Pride, y’all! Since 1970s first Pride march in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, LGBTQ+ community members and allies have turned an incident of brutality and discrimination into an annual celebration that honors the past and works toward a more inclusive and equitable future. Whether you fit somewhere under the LGBTQ+ umbrella or are a supportive ally, we’ve got you!
When you aren’t sure where to start, you can begin with the Rainbow Reads booklists for adults, teens, and kids that are curated by our instructors to make sure everyone is represented. You’re bound to find a title or two that makes you feel seen or opens a window on a different life experience, building empathy and understanding.
Now that you’ve read some new titles, the best way to cement your thoughts is to talk about them with some like-minded souls. Although all our book discussion groups are inclusive and new attendees are always welcome, Central Branch has a perfect fit for LGBTQ+ adults and allies with Reads of Acceptance. Join this group to talk about titles of interest in a safe space for social support, personal growth, and intergenerational learning.
If self-direction is more your jam, the Equity Resource Center housed at Central Branch is a great place for you to spend some time browsing our large collection of titles on LGBTQ+ topics, race, religion, and more. Safely explore the many treasures in this collection and hang out to read – without having to spend a dime. Even if you don’t visit the ERC, library branches are a safe space to chill, read, work on schoolwork, use a computer, or meet up with friends – all are welcome here!
Sometimes we’d all rather celebrate Pride from the comfort of home, and you don’t have to leave the house if you have a library card in hand. OverDrive (and its app, Libby) provides access to e-books, e-audiobooks, and magazines including Out, The Advocate, Gay Times, and Transliving International. The Netflix of libraries, Kanopy offers streaming movies like Oscar-winner Moonlight (2016), Filipino horror-comedy Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings (2013), or the uplifting coming-of-age drama Hearts Beat Loud (2018).
Look for us at Howard County Pride, which takes place in October! And if you are interested in celebrating Pride with something a bit more low-key than a march that still gets you out of the house, check out upcoming library classes and events.
Author Works: Tonee Moll For adults. Register here. Tonee Moll reads from and discusses their award-winning book of poetry, You Cannot Save Here, this work is queer, it’s punk, and it uses cultural allusion to address how we live our lives when it feels like the world is ending. Sat, Jun 17 | 3 – 4 pm Savage Branch
Films that Connect Us For adults. Register here. How do films shape and connect us? Join our film discussion. Please watch the film prior to the discussion date. The film for June is And Then We Danced (available on Kanopy). Mon, Jun 5 | 4 – 5 pm online
Pride Button Making Ages 11-18 and adults. Register here. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month by creating your own rainbow or pronoun buttons to wear or share. In this class, you learn about the different types of pride flags, learn about pronouns, and make a rainbow or pronoun button. Sat, Jun 17 | 1 – 2:30 pm Savage Branch
Stick to Being You – Creating Pride Stickers with the Cricut Teens and adults. Register here. Celebrate Pride Month at the Glenwood Branch + Makerspace and learn how to create custom stickers with the Cricut maker. Wed, Jun 21 | 6 – 8 pm Glenwood Brabch
Rainbow Pride Ages 8-11. Ticketed. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month with related reads, activities, and a rainbow craft! Wed, Jun 14 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Central Branch Thu, Jun 15 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Elkridge Brach Wed, Jun 21 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Savage Branch
Craft Pop-Up Shop: Rainbow Pride Edition Ages 4 and up. Allow 15 minutes. Drop in. Pop-in and make a rainbow craft! Mon, Jun 12 | 3 – 4:30 pm Miller Branch
Films with Humans: Moonlight For adults. Register here. Watch a film about humans, since all great stories involve great characters, followed by a discussion with fellow humans. The movie is available on DVD and via Kanopy. Watch the movie at the library on June 29 or view it in advance. Thu, Jun 29 | 6 – 8:30 pm Elkridge Branch
Jessica is an Instructor & Research Specialist at HCLS Savage Branch. She likes comics, anime, all things science fiction, and horror movies. She’s currently learning about 3D Printing and AI.
The library isn’t just providing good food for thought through books, movies, and other materials – it also can help you make good choices in staying healthy with cookbooks, nutrition guides, and classes.
The Farmers’ Markets are open again! You can shop for locally grown herbs and flowers, fresh produce, meats, and other food and drink. Operated by Howard County Economic Development Authority, there are several throughout the county, including at HCLS East Columbia Branch on Thursdays from 12-6 pm and HCLS Miller Branch on Wednesdays from 2-6 pm.
Join us in June for a wide variety of classes related to health and wellness:
Fight Stress Before It Gets to You For adults. Register here. In our modern lives, our bodies and minds are subject to many stresses. When we support our bodies before we are challenged, we can prevent certain negative health impacts. Nutrition Specialist Courtney Carpenter focuses on diet and lifestyle choices, including supplements. Thu, Jun 1 at 7 – 8:30 pm Central Branch
Addressing Menopause Naturally For adults. Register here. Menopause can be a challenging time in a woman’s life. Nutrition Specialist Courtney Carpenter discusses menopause, including recent developments in our understanding of hormones. In addition, learn how fine-tuning one’s diet and taking advantage of both foods and natural products can make this transition more manageable. Thu, Jun 8 at 7 – 8:30 pm Central Branch
Edible Landscaping with the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) For adults. Register here. Are you interested in incorporating edible plants into your existing landscape, but don’t know where to start? Discover plants that you can easily add to a large or small landscape or to containers. Gain a better understanding of edible plants and the knowledge you need to get you started. Feel free to bring photos to the Q & A with staff from the CEI Nourishing Gardens program. Visit the Freetown Farm display during June in the Miller Branch lobby. In partnership with the Community Ecology Institute. Sat, Jun 10 at 10:30 am – 12 pm Miller Branch
Fry, Fry Baby: Air Fryer Tips and Tricks For adults. Register here. Learn how to boost your produce intake, reduce your saturated fat intake, and keep your taste buds happy. Presented by Melanie Berdyck, Giant Food Nutritionist. Thu, Jun 22 at 2 – 3 pm Elkridge Branch
If you ever find yourself having trouble finding your next book to read, take my advice – choose a science fiction novel. I’m sure most people associate the genre with high-tech futures, robot butlers, and mind-bending math equations, but the most important aspect of the genre comes from the wonder of discovery. Experimentation, analysis, deduction: all keys to jump start intellectual excitement. Even if many of Cixin Liu’s novels may touch on those first, stereotypical themes.
The Three-Body-Problembegins in the middle of China’s Cultural Revolution in the mid-1960s. From the perspective of a persecuted academic, the immediate result is a strong emotional hook. A woman, Ye Winjie, watches as her father is killed during a riot. She is sent to a labor camp and then to a hidden scientific facility, where she begins to use her background training in astrophysics. A test radio signal sent up into space results in an unexpected response eight years later. The alien civilization at the other end are the Trisolarians, from Trisolaris. As the book’s title says, they face a problem. Their world orbits three stars in an unpredictable pattern, continuously destroying civilization and leaving the inhabitants to restart. Earth and Trisosolarians become connected, with Earth being the Trisolarian’s new hope at finding a habitable planet. With 450 years to prepare, humans have to figure out what to do.
This highly inventive book jumps between time periods and across the universe. As the story slowly unfolds, the reader is constantly left to wonder, “where is this going to go next?” Keeping in mind that the book is the first in a trilogy, the scale of Liu’s world-building is astounding. The book is definitely not a quick read, but fans of scientific info-dumps will enjoy those sections. Regardless, the time taken to explore tangents and add description is ultimately fascinating and an experience you’ll remember for years. Or at least, until you read the sequels.
Have you or someone you know and love ever experienced symptoms of depression resulting in contemplating ending your/their life? Chances are you, or someone you know, has had these thoughts and experienced feelings of hopelessness and overwhelming sadness.
Suicide and attempted suicide are widespread in this country. Suicide was the twelfth leading cause of overall death in the United States in 2020, claiming the lives of more than 45,900 people. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among 10 to 14 year olds and 25 to 34 year olds, and the fourth leading cause for people between the ages of 35 and 44 (NIH).
In 2020 alone, the US had one death by suicide every 11 minutes. Despite the prevalence, suicide is a topic that most people feel uncomfortable talking about; one that, unfortunately, carries a great deal of stigma. Those suffering in silence often do not reach out for and receive the help they need, when they need it. A person struggling with thoughts and feelings of suicide is in a deeply painful and dark place, often not knowing how or where to turn for assistance and relief.
In July of 2022, to provide a resource – indeed, a lifeline – for those struggling, the federal government mandated that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline change its ten digits to a new, 3-digit number: 988. Making this change has increased awareness, providing more equitable and accessible crisis services to people across the country. The 988 helpline is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365 for anyone experiencing mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis.
Trained mental health counselors are available through landlines, cell services, and voice-over-internet devices for conversations on the phone or through texts and chats. The counselors are available to listen to each caller, assess their level of need, identify whether they are in a crisis state, and provide them with the connections and resources to help. 988 is a helpline for everyone, of any age, anywhere in the US, regardless of their situation and circumstances.
It is sometimes difficult to know who is suffering or how to help those struggling with overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and/or any number of other stressors and emotional challenges. For this reason, it is important and necessary for everyone in our communities to share the 988 resource with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues – everyone in our social circles. No one is alone in their struggle. Help is here.
In partnership with Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, HCLS Miller Branch is offering QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide Prevention Training Monday, May 15 at 6:30 pm. Some key components of QPR training include:
How to help someone who is considering suicide
The common causes of suicidal behavior
The warning signs of suicide
How to get help for someone in a suicide crisis
Register here for this training, specifically designed for people who do not have experience in suicide intervention.
In light of HCLS’ community partnership with Howard County General Hospital, Chapter Chats is pleased to have Laura Torres, LCSW-C, as a guest blogger today. Laura is the Behavioral Health Program Manager with the Population Health Department at Howard County General Hospital.
At a press conference on March 30, 2023, County Executive Calvin Ball and Howard County Library System (HCLS) President & CEO Tonya Aikens were joined by Governor Wes Moore to announce the proposed location and design for the new Library at the Kittamaqundi Lakefront. To learn more, you can visit our website for FAQs, watch a newly released video from Dr. Ball, or listen to the library’s latest Hijinx podcast.
In the latest episode of Hijinx, Tonya Aikens and Addison Landers discuss how the Lakefront Library builds a future that belongs to everyone. Tonya addresses how the new library will serve children preparing for kindergarten, teenagers looking for a space to call their own, and lakefront visitors in need of public amenities. The new Library brings the branch up to Maryland minimum standards of 1 square foot per county resident. Tonya believes that libraries are not just about books, but they are for people. Placing the person at the forefront of the library allows for re-imagined inter-generational spaces, like literacy kitchens that promote STEAM concepts and wellness for the community. The podcast addresses architect Thomas Heatherwick’s radically human buildings and how the design will seamlessly merge public education, community space, and nature. Finally, you hear firsthand how the creative change in location includes more housing, state funding, gifted lands, and a home for the new library location in some of the county’s most desirable real estate.
The Top Five Things to Know about the Lakefront Library
1. The new Lakefront Library will be built on important and valuable undeveloped site in Howard County. The lakefront is the community’s heartbeat and gathering place. Placing the new Library there provides more public space and is a tangible representation of commitment to and investment in County residents and visitors. Thomas Heatherwick’s design of the Lakefront Library will complement the dynamic architecture of iconic architect Frank Gehry.
2. A new, larger Central Library has been a part of the Downtown Columbia Plan since it was unanimously adopted by the County Council in 2010. The current branch is undersized, not only for current residents, but also for the anticipated population growth called for in the Plan. A minor renovation of the building in 2016 addressed structural, end-of-life, interim fixes, and transformed staff space into public space.
3. The Lakefront Library design includes a parking structure with approximately 500 parking spaces, more than double the number on the site today and the first truly public parking lot/garage at the Lakefront (current parking is owned by Whole Foods).
4. This investment in public education for all comes from a variety of sources, including private donors, the State of Maryland, grants, General Obligation (GO) Bonds, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF revenue generated by the area’s development is intended for the creation of public spaces, transit improvements, parks, and parking. This funding mix requires less County funding than when the library was planned for the Merriweather District. The Library building: $94M Site work and public parking: $38.5M Library park and transportation improvements: $10.3M
5. Learn more about the project and read FAQs, and voice your support through written testimony or at County Council hearings.
CHAPTER CHATS 