Category Classes & Events

A fat red pillar candle burns, framed by a pinecone and holly berries.

Winter Holidays + Classes

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A fat red pillar candle burns, framed by a pinecone and holly berries.

by Sahana C.

As the dark days at the end of the year approach, we look to holidays and gatherings to bring us together with loved ones. Across the world, there are traditions for people to come together in warm places, with good food, to celebrate being sheltered from the cold. We often see a lot about Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa in the media, but winter holidays extend beyond those, from the Festival of Lights to Solstice celebrations. The dark months are a great time to come together, reflect, and curl up with a good book.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights celebrated predominantly in India, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. And around the time of the winter solstice, many cultures have festivals that celebrate the return of the sun and the gradual lengthening of days. Yule, or Midwinter, is an ancient pagan festival observed by Germanic peoples. It involves decorating with evergreens, burning a Yule log, and feasting. The winter solstice also marks the beginning of Bodhi Day for Buddhists, commemorating the enlightenment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree.

Not everything during the dark days is warm however; if you’re looking for a scary story to keep you tucked warm underneath your sheets, explore the stories of Krampusnacht, celebrated on December 5 in the Alpine regions of Europe. Krampus is a horned, demonic figure who accompanies St. Nicholas, punishing misbehaving children in contrast to St. Nick’s rewarding of the good. Explore our collection of folklore and mythology books to learn more about this captivating figure.

Whether you’re indulging in festive treats, or simply enjoying the cozy company of loved ones, the winter holidays offer a chance to embrace the darkness and find the light within. Visit your local branch to explore books, films, and resources that delve deeper into these rich cultural traditions and tell your local librarians about your own favorite winter holidays, as we keep each other in the light this year.

How to Wrap (Almost) Anything
For ages 10+ and adults. Learn more at bit.ly/wrap_anything
Learn how to wrap gifts of varying shapes and sizes this holiday season. All materials (including wrapping paper and boxes to practice on) are provided, and you are also welcome to bring your own.
Tue, Dec 3 from 7 – 8 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch
Sat, Dec 21 from 11 am – 12 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch

Jan Brett’s The Mitten: Story and Dramatic Play
Ages 5 – 8. Ticket required. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.
Cozy up and celebrate the winter season with Jan Brett’s classic adaptation of the Ukrainian folktale, The Mitten! Act out the story and make an adorable craft.
Tue, Dec 3 from 6:30 – 7:15 pm at HCLS Central Branch

Family Movie Time: Encanto
Día de las Velitas/Little Candle Day
All ages/Families.
Let’s celebrate “Little Candles’ Day” by watching Encanto and making a craft related with this traditional Colombian holiday which takes place every year on December 7. The tradition consists of lighting candles and lanterns.
Encanto (2021) Rated PG
Deep in the Colombian mountains, the Madrigal family possesses an extraordinary secret. Each member of the family is able to perform magic, except for 15-year-old Mirabel, who does not seem to possess any unusual abilities.Mirabel struggles to reconcile her place within her family while searching for who she truly is.
Sat, Dec 7 from 2 – 4 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch

Winter Celebration
All ages. Tickets available 15 minutes before start of class.
Winter time is here! Listen to stories, learn about what animals do in the winter, and make awesome crafts to celebrate the season.
Sat, Dec 28 from 2 – 2:45 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch

Noon Year’s Eve
Families. Ticket required. Free tickets available 15 minutes before class.
It’s Noon Year’s Eve! Not staying awake until midnight? Ring in the new year early with stories, dancing, and a special countdown.
Tue, Dec 31 from 11:30 am – 12:15 pm at HCLS Savage Branch

A man in full Native American regalia performs a traditional dance in downtown Columbia.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

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A man in full Native American regalia performs a traditional
11/4/23 – Native Americans and their rich heritage are celebrated during an event in the Merriweather District of Columbia.

We want to respectfully honor the Susquehannock Confederation who governed, lived, farmed, and hunted on the land we now call Howard County. Their nations conceded into land treaties in 1652 and 1661 after English colonizers ended their generational governance and stewardship of the land Howard County is built upon. This practice of land acknowledgement is to honor and respect the indigenous inhabitants both from the past and the present.

As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, you have an opportunity to learn about Native Nations – who are still present and part of modern American life. You can read books by indigenous voices, including novelist Louise Erdrich, past US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, and scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer. You can pick up a list of more indigenous stories at any library branch.

HCLS has a two special events, as well as a variety of classes for all ages: Visit bit.ly/NAHM-24 for the full list. We hope to see you!

Sixth Annual NAHM Celebration

Sat, Nov 2 | 12 – 4 pm
Color Burst Park, Merriweather District, Columbia
A fun event for the entire family, the celebration includes live performances, arts and crafts, authentic vendors, and delicious Navajo tacos!
Featuring:
Author Traci Sorell
Brett Walking Eagle, seen on The Voice
Sponsored by: Downtown Columbia Partnership
In partnership with Nave Be Diné, Howard County Executive, Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity, Howard Hughes Corporation, Columbia Association, and Columbia Community Care.

Author Works with Chef Sean Sherman

Sean Sherman stand in front of his bright red food truck, Tatanka Truck, with a bison in the four sacred colors on the window. Blue skies and red construction cranes appear in the background.

For teens and adults.
Online. Register to receive a link.
Wed, Nov 20 | 7 – 8 pm

Chef Sean Sherman, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, discusses his award-winning cookbook The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen. His focus is on the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous food systems throughout North America. Through his activism and advocacy, Sean is helping to reclaim and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Indigenous communities around the world.

Sherman was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He has dedicated his career to supporting and promoting Indigenous food systems and Native food sovereignty. His goal is to make Indigenous foods more accessible to as many communities as possible through the nonprofit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) and its Indigenous Food Lab, a professional Indigenous kitchen and training center. Working to address the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways, NATIFS imagines a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.

In 2017, Sean published his first book with author Beth Dooley, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, which received the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook in 2018. He is also the recipient of the 2019 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2021, Sean opened Minnesota’s first full service Indigenous restaurant, Owamni by The Sioux Chef, which received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America for 2022. Most recently, Chef Sean Sherman was honored as TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023 and in 2023 was named recipient of the ninth annual Julia Child Award for culinary activism and innovation.

A woman rides a good while holding a chick in an open egg in her arms.

Hatchlings Classes for New Parents

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The illustration depicts Mother Goose in a beige shirt and green spotted pants, with a yellow scarf and green shoes, riding on the back of a flying white goose while holding a yellow chick, hatched and sitting in a half-shell. in the crook of her arm.

Hatchlings classes help parents and caregivers learn how to support their child’s development through fun activities and songs. These activities help children practice early literacy skills like talking, singing, playing, reading, and sharing books. Through family bonding, families learn the importance of reading and child developmental milestones.

The first five years of life are crucial for brain development and learning. During this time, children develop their ability to think, speak, learn, and reason. Their language skills are important for later success in reading, writing, and spelling. If children miss these early language skills, they may struggle with literacy in school.

Hatchlings: Baby on the Way
Adults. Registration required, one person per household. Register here.
Get ready for baby! Expectant parents learn more about supporting your little one’s development, even before they are born, through songs and fun activities.
Free book, activities calendar, and song sheet for attendees. Space is limited to expectant parents and partners. Free dinner provided by the Howard County Health Department.
Wed, Nov 13      6 – 7 pm    HCLS Elkridge Branch

Hatchlings: New Baby and Me
Parents/Caregivers with baby, newborn – 6 months. Register here.
A three-week series for you and your baby, where you enjoy fun songs and activities together and learn how to support your baby’s development. Registration required, even if you can’t make it to all of the classes.
Wednesdays | Nov 6, 13, 20
10:30 – 11:30 am
HCLS Central Branch

The MGOL Hatchlings materials were developed for the Maryland State Library Agency with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood, as part of the PDG Birth-5 funds through Grant Number 90TP0032-01-00, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Bauder Book Talk with Jason Reynolds

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Author Jason Reynolds is dressed all in black, sits with his head propped in his hand.

Wed, Nov 6 | 4 – 6 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch
Ages 11 – 18
Registration reopens Monday, October 28 at 7 pm, when more seats become available.
Books available for purchase and signing.

Mark your calendars to reserve a seat at this unforgettable event with Jason Reynolds, bestselling author of Long Way Down and Stamped. Jason speaks about his journey as a writer and engages in a live Q&A moderated by local teens.

Reynolds received a MacArthur Foundation Grant in 2024.
From his Foundation page:
Jason Reynolds writes children’s and young adult literature that reflects the rich inner lives of kids of color and offers profound moments of human connection. With a poet’s ear for rhythm and a storyteller’s sense of narrative pacing and structure, Reynolds weaves humor, joy, and playfulness into his works. At the same time, he does not shy away from depicting the challenging realities of racism, economic inequity, police brutality, and grief for his young readers.

He is a dynamic champion of storytelling who inspires reluctant readers and the adults who teach and care for them. He travels the nation to connect with kids at their level and remind them that their personal narratives hold important truths, that they are worthy of appearing on the pages of the books we all read. An inventive author and captivating speaker, Reynolds ensures that kids see themselves in literature and empowers them to tell their own stories.

Bauder Book Talks is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Lillian Bauder, a community leader and Columbia resident. Howard County Library System presents this annual endowed author event, for under-served students in grades 6-8 attending public schools in Columbia with high percentages of African American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students. Authors and titles selected are high-interest and high-quality on topics of social issues, equity, and related matters. Student participants have the opportunity to hear from and engage the author and receive a copy of the author’s book. The event honors the memory of Don Bauder, late husband of Dr. Lillian Bauder and a champion of civil rights and social justice causes.

The photograph shows colorful works of art from student artists that reflect of themes on nature and outdoors, including fish, owls, leaves, spider webs, rainbows, and night skies.

Welcome to the Miller Branch Display Space

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By Nancy T.

The photograph shows colorful works of art from student artists that reflect of themes on nature and outdoors, including fish, owls, leaves, spider webs, rainbows, and night skies.
In October, HCLS Miller Branch showcases the work of art students from Ms Sun’s Artroom.


At HCLS Miller Branch, our display spaces not only showcase materials from our extensive collection and promote library services and activities, but they also celebrate the work of local artists, students, organizations, and groups. These spaces are dedicated to reflecting the rich diversity of our community, serving to both educate and inspire.

We invite you to explore the works currently on display, including a beautiful collection by Alice Webb. A beloved artist who lived in Howard County for nearly fifty years, Alice was known for her watercolor paintings and detailed etchings, as well as her ability to foster creativity in others. She inspired many through her teaching at her Sunburst Studio. Her work captures the beauty she found in the world, from the landscapes of Howard County to the many places she visited. Alice often created both paintings and etchings of the same subject, demonstrating her deep exploration of each medium.

The display case shows the paintings of Howard County artist Alice Webb as well as a photograph of her and descriptions of her pieces, which include landscapes and paintings of buildings.
A selection of the work of local artist Alice Webb on display at HCLS Miller Branch.

Alice Webb’s artwork is part of collections in other countries, the United States government, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and many local businesses. You can even find her work in an environmental textbook at MIT. Although Alice passed away in 2022, her artistic legacy continues through the works on display at HCLS Miller Branch through the end of October.

Don’t forget: the library offers a variety of free art classes throughout the year, as well as a wide range of books and DIY supplies available for lending. Explore your creativity and learn new skills with the many resources the library has to offer. Our art collection includes pieces from well-known and local artists, available to borrow from the Central and Glenwood branches. Be sure to check our catalog and calendar for upcoming opportunities and resources to foster your creativity!

Nancy T. is an instructor and research specialist and the display coordinator at Miller Branch. When she’s not in the branch, you’ll find her in the swimming pool, sitting with her cat, or out walking in the fresh air.

Ouija Board with a curved alphabet, numbers 1 through 0, a moon and yes in the upper right corner, and a moon and no in the upper left.

Mediums, Magicians, and the Ouija Board

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Ouija Board with a curved alphabet, numbers 1 through 0, a moon and yes in the upper right corner, and a moon and no in the upper left.

Thu, Oct 10 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm   
HCLS Online  
For adults. Register here to receive the link 

Join us for a journey into Charm City’s Spiritualist past.  

Julie Saylor, of Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Maryland Department, explore the roles of mediums, magicians, and the Ouija Board in early 20th century Baltimore through the lens of Spiritualism. A religious movement that gained popularity in 19th century America, Spiritualism offered its followers hope that they could communicate with their deceased loved ones. These exchanges occurred through ritual seances, the dearly departed speaking through a person called a medium. The Spiritualists were active in Baltimore Society, many aligning themselves with progressive causes such as abolition, feminism, prison reform, and labor reform. 

Working in opposition to the Spiritualists were magicians, who viewed Spiritualists as charlatans who took advantage of impressionable mourners. Seeking to protect the integrity of their craft, Baltimore magicians founded a magic club called The Demons Club, which had ties to such prominent magicians of the day as Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, and Harry Houdini.  

While the magicians were working to debunk the Spiritualists and spirit mediums, local manufacturers picked up on a surging interest in “spirit boards.” With origins in Northern Ohio, the spirit board, a small wooden board with letters, numbers, and a pointer, was devised as a tool to facilitate communication between the living and the dead. Find out how Baltimore businessmen created and patented the famous Ouija Board, which continues to enjoy popularity to this day. 

Presented in partnership with the Maryland State Library Resource Center. 

Space Shuttle Stories with Astronaut Tom Jones

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A black book with large white type features the space shuttle in the place of the A.

Thursday, Oct 17
7 – 8 pm
HCLS Elkridge Branch
For everyone. Registration preferred.
In partnership with the Maryland STEM Festival and the Howard Astronomical League. Books available for purchase and signing.

“Astronaut Tom Jones provides readers of all ages with a definitive look into the spirit, challenges, enjoyment, and faith that accompanies Earth-orbit exploration. Space Shuttle Stories takes us inside the lives, the risks, and the dedication of those men and women who are reaching for the stars.”
—Harrison H. Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist

NASA’s space shuttle was the world’s first reusable spacecraft, accomplishing many firsts and inspiring generations across its 30-year lifespan as America’s iconic spaceship. In Space Shuttle Stories, astronaut Tom Jones interviewed more than 130 fellow astronauts for their personal vignettes, covering all 135 space shuttle missions from Columbia’s maiden flight in 1981 to the final launch of Atlantis in 2011.

Dr. Thomas Jones in a blue flight suit covered in patched standing with arms crossed in front of the Atlantic shuttle.

Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., is a veteran astronaut, planetary scientist, pilot, author, and speaker who completed four space shuttle missions and three spacewalks in helping build the International Space Station. Jones has authored six books, including Sky Walking: An Astronaut’s Memoir, and has written for aerospace magazines such as Air & Space Smithsonian, Aerospace America, Popular Mechanics, and The Planetary Report. A senior research scientist for IHMC, he appears regularly on television news as an expert commentator for space exploration and science stories.

Space Shuttle Stories is available to borrow in print.

Yellow caution tape stretches across an arrangement of books, all of which are perennially on the challenged book list. They include 1984 by George Orwell, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Tango Makes Three.

Banned Books Week: Sep 22 – 28

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Yellow caution tape stretches across an arrangement of books, all of which are perennially on the challenged book list. They include 1984 by George Orwell, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Tango Makes Three.

by Sahana C.

Howard County Library System is your place to learn, grow, and connect. As a library, one of the best ways we know to bolster learning, to encourage growth, and to promote connection happens through books. It’s why we have such a vast range of topics, themes, identities, and authors represented in our collection. It’s why we have so many different book clubs across all our branches, and so many ways to access them. It’s why you’ll see the On the Road to Kindergarten van in your neighborhood and at schools with books to borrow. While the library is not just about books (we’re proud of all our resources and collections), our books are a large part of what brings us closer to our community.

In recent years, the challenges and objections to different titles in libraries across the country have made major headlines, including the state of Maryland. We now live in a state with a Freedom to Read Act, which asserts intellectual freedom as lawful and denounces censorship plainly, which is not the case nationally. To highlight stories that are challenged or censored, the American Library Association (ALA) celebrates Banned Books Week each year. Banned Books Week started in 1982 as a response to book challenges and has turned into a national celebration of literature.

To celebrate Banned Books Week this year, visit your local library branch and check out the displays and resources about different titles that have been challenged. And, for even more immersion, hop online each day of Banned Books Week at noon for our virtual Banned Books Read-a-thon. With a new title each day, we will discuss a work that has been banned or challenged in some form, and read an excerpt of the text.

The ALA’s theme for Banned Books Week 2024 is “Freed Between the Lines,” and it asks readers everywhere to consider the ways that books can help us explore new ideas, understand the world around us, and find freedom. It encourages us to delve deeper and be unafraid to be creative with our understandings of the books we read.

Banned Books Week Read-A-Thon
For adults. Register to receive the link.
Learn about the history and significance of Banned Books Week, then listen to a reading from a frequently challenged book. You can join every day or just for the ones that interest you.
Mon- Fri | 12 – 1 pm | online
Mon, Sep 23
1984 by George Orwell

Tue, Sep 24
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Wed, Sep 25
Looking for Alaska by John Green

Thu, Sep 26
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Fri, Sep 27: Children’s picture books
Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan and The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.
This Day in June, written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten.
And Tango Makes Three, written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole.

Sahana is an Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Savage Branch. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.

A deep golden background shows five dancers in a variety of poses, photographed in black and white.

Sheila Rohan: One of the Swans of Harlem

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A deep golden background shows five dancers in a variety of poses, photographed in black and white.

Wed, Oct 9  | 7 – 8 pm  
HCLS Miller Branch

For everyone. Register here.

“A vibrant and captivating look at five trailblazing women.” —Arlington Magazine

Hear the story of The Swans of Harlem directly from former dancer Sheila Rohan, a founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. These ground-breaking dancers performed for the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, at the White House, and beyond. But decades later, almost no record existed of their history. Out of a sisterhood that had grown even deeper with the years, these Swans joined forces again—to share their story with the world.

Rohan toured extensively in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe, performing as soloist in several works in the repertoire, including Geoffrey Holder’s Dougla, Arthur Mitchell’s Rhythmetron. She was soloist and Ballet Mistress with the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and toured China and Korea with the Myung Sook Chun Dance Company, a modern dance troupe. She performed the role of Rosa Parks in Gordon Parks’ televised ballet Martin and, as a choreographer, assisted legends such as Louis Johnson and Walter Rutledge.

Karen Valby’s book, The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History, tells the captivating tale in vivid detail, steeped in the glamour and grit of professional ballet. The Swans of Harlem offers a riveting account of five extraordinarily accomplished women, a celebration of both their historic careers, and the sustaining, grounding power of female friendship, and a window into the robust history of Black ballet, hidden for too long.

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History is available in print and large print formats, and as an e-book and an e-audiobook on Libby/OverDrive.

A faded black and white photo of raised hands sits beneath text that read Democracy is everyone's business. Provided by the ALA Reader. Voter. Ready campaign.

Prepare for the Election

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A faded black and white photo of raised hands sits beneath text that read Democracy is everyone's business. Provided by the ALA Reader. Voter. Ready campaign.

by Brandon B.

Elections can be an intellectually and emotionally tough subject to discuss. Howard County Library System has resources to help you make an educated decision before heading to the polls in November. Visit any of your local HCLS branches for books, resources, and events to evaluate candidates’ positions on critical issues. Our library collection includes materials from many perspectives and priorities. Many candidates have authored (or co-authored) books.

The upcoming election is crucial to the future of our country, as are all elections. Not only will we elect a new president and vice president, but also the makeup of Congress will change. Locally, we’re voting for our Howard County Board of Education. Attend one of the Speed Date the Board of Education Candidates sessions listed below to meet the people running for these important positions and ask questions.

Misinformation, disinformation, and AI deepfakes make it more important than ever to do your research for fact-based, nonpartisan information from trusted sources. The League of Women Voters publishes a nonpartisan voter guide with information about candidates, ballot questions, and polling places. The Maryland State Board of Elections (elections.maryland.gov) provides answers to frequently asked questions, links to request absentee ballots, forms to sign up to be election judges, and more. FreeState Justice is partnering with HCLS to offer a series of classes about voter rights, voting policies, and other information.

Only 27 percent of Howard County residents voted in the 2022 midterm elections, so take advantage of these resources to prepare and make informed decisions in the voting booth. Exercise your vote this fall – it’s important!

Voter Rights and Current Voting Policies
For teens and adults. Register at bit.ly/voter_rights_HCLS
Gain insight into the voting process with up-to-date information about voter rights, requirements, and more. Learn about recent changes to voting laws, understanding voting districts, determining polling places, same-day registration, and more. Whether you are a first-time voter or a seasoned participant, this seminar is the perfect resource to ensure you are up-to-date with current voting policies and procedures in Maryland.
In partnership with FreeState Justice, a non-profit organization
Fri ,Sep 13 from 4 – 5 pm | HCLS Elkridge Branch
Thu, Sep 19 from 2 – 3 pm | HCLS Central Branch
Thu, Sep 26 from 7 – 8 pm | HCLS Miller Branch (date change)

Speed Date the Board of Education Candidates
Meet the candidates in the Board of Education race at this speed dating style event. Following brief introductions by the candidates, visit each candidate and ask your questions. At the end of five minutes, we will ring a bell, and you will switch tables to visit another candidate. The League of Women Voters will be on hand to help people register to vote and answer questions about the voting process and the election ballot.
In partnership with the League of Women Voters of Howard County.
Saturday, September 21
11 am – 1 pm at HCLS Savage Branch | Districts 3 & 4
3 – 5 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch | Districts 2 & 3
Saturday, September 28
1 – 3 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch | District 5
1 – 3 pm at at HCLS Central Branch | District 4
Saturday, October 5
11 am – 1 pm at HCLS Miller Branch | Districts 1 & 5
3 – 5 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch | Districts 1 & 3

Brandon is a Customer Service Specialist at HCLS Central Branch who loves reading, football, and taking nice long walks around his neighborhood.