Category eContent

The photograph shows a map of the world with various objects lying across it, including cameras, a passport, photographs, sunglasses, a string of light bulbs, and a coffee cup.

Ready to See the World? We Can Help!

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The photograph shows a map of the world with various objects lying across it, including cameras, a passport, photographs, sunglasses, a string of light bulbs, and a coffee cup.
Photo by Charlotte Noelle on Unsplash.

by Sahana C.

The library is the home of adventure, with new unknowns to explore with every turn of a page. Visiting the library can leave you with a wealth of knowledge about a new place from every book you borrow.

But sometimes, reading about another far-off place or watching a movie set in a distant land isn’t enough. Sometimes, you’re looking for a more immersive experience, and your imagination just isn’t cutting it – it’s time for the real deal. Planning trips can be exhausting, though, and finding where and how to start can be the hardest part. Let us help plan your trip! Between travel guides, our passport centers, and ways to brush up on your language skills, the library can get you ready for your next big adventure. You’ve dreamed about it, book in hand, so let us help you get there.

Wander down the travel aisle at any of our six branches, and starting with the 914s, you’ll find inspiration for all sorts of far-off places to begin your journey, whether that be on the other side of the world, or just on the other side of the country. Once you’ve discovered your destination and decided it’s time to go, our Passport Centers in HCLS East Columbia and Glenwood Branches will accept your passport application and help you through the whole process.

In the meantime, while your passport is processed, use our language resources, Mango and Rosetta Stone Online for the adults in the family, as well as Little Pim and Muzzy Online for our younger friends! Practice your newfound language skills in the community at East Columbia and Miller Branches at our monthly World Language Cafés, working with native language speakers and other language learners.

To avoid missing us while you’re gone, make sure to pick up a Flat Booker from your closest branch too, and take pictures to show us once you return, so we can share in the adventure too.

Practice Before You Go with World Languages Café
For adults.
Meet to practice a world language with fellow community members, facilitated by a native or fluent speaker of that language. Please indicate in the registration comments field the language you would like to practice. In partnership with Columbia Association.
At East Columbia: register here.
Tuesday, Nov 28
7 – 8:45 pm

At Miller: register here.
Thursday, Dec 14
7 – 8:45 pm

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

A light blue background is patterned with looseleaf pages. A child in a bright yellow slicker and rainboots holds a red backpack, while her teacher kneels crouches in front of her with a clipboard and a pencil in her hair.

Celebrate American Education Week

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A light blue background is patterned with looseleaf pages. A child in a bright yellow slicker and rainboots holds a red backpack, while her teacher kneels crouches in front of her with a clipboard and a pencil in her hair.

by Jean B.

A thousand hours. That’s roughly how much time children spend in school each year. But how many people, from the bus drivers, to the teachers and staff, to the cafeteria workers, and the crossing guards, touch their lives and make education possible throughout those 1,000+ hours? American Education Week, November 13-17, celebrates our nation’s commitment to free, public education for every child and recognizes the myriad individuals who bring that commitment to life with their skill, dedication, and kindness.

It takes a unified effort involving educators, students, families, and communities to deliver on the promise of high quality education. Join in!

American Education Week often includes opportunities to visit your students’ classrooms, one step in becoming engaged. Check with your neighborhood schools to find out what they have planned in 2023. The library offers another pathway of connection to public education. We’re a link in the education community, connecting students, parents, and teachers with resources they need to succeed, especially through the A+ Partnership.

Did you know that teachers can receive special borrowing privileges with an Educator card? And that every HCPSS student has a virtual HCLS account to access our books, databases, online research tools, and resources from home, 24/7? Did you know that in the hours your child’s teacher is not available for help, you can access Brainfuse live online tutors through the HCLS website for support in math, English, science, writing, and more.

Even if you don’t go through the door of a school this year during American Education Week, you can always open a window into that world with a book from the library. Inspiring stories of great learning abound: check out the picture book A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson; middle grade novel Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea, or adult fiction A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, or find many other options at your local branch.

Jean B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch who loves reading books for all ages when she isn’t enjoying the outdoors.

A collage of book covers: Picks for Kids, math made simple with Storytelling Math

Math Made Simple with Storytelling Math

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A collage of book covers: Picks for Kids, math made simple with Storytelling Math

by Sylvia H.

Summer is wrapping up as the new school year gets underway! If you are looking for ways to share early learning concepts with your kiddo(s), I present to you: Storytelling Math.

When you hear the words “storytelling” and “math,” the subject may seem self-explanatory. Maybe you picture the “How many ___?” stories, filled with little variety or excitement. Well, this is not your typical “count the bears” series. These stories feature diverse characters and cultures, blending math with everyday activities and allowing children and their caregivers to explore math together. Notes following the story often include comments from the author delving more into the topic and/or culture discussed, as well as examples of hands-on activities to try at home.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to: sorting, measurement, patterns, spatial sense, and fractions. Some stories are in board book format for the youngest learners, while others are in picture book format for preschool and prekindergarten-aged children. Both formats have titles available to borrow in English and Spanish.

Below is an overview of some of my favorites from the series. I will say, it was hard to choose! If you are interested in more recommendations, visit your local branch. We will be happy to help!  

A small child holds a wooden bird house, with blue birds sitting nearby.

Board Books

Circle! Sphere! by Grace Lin 

Olivia, Alex, and Mei are all set to blow bubbles. When they each get a different shape of bubble wand they wonder, “will their bubbles be different shapes?” Three-dimensional shapes are introduced in a fun, relatable way in this sweet story of friends playing together. 

A Beautiful House for Birds by Grace Lin 

Olivia is decorating a birdhouse and decides to paint a pattern. But when she accidentally paints the wrong color, what can she do to mend her mistake? This story explores patterning while incorporating problem-solving and perseverance, skills useful for children of all ages. 

The Last Marshmallow by Grace Lin 

After a fun time in the snow, Olivia and Mei come in to warm up with some hot cocoa. When it’s down to one marshmallow left for the two of them, they work to find a fair way to share their treat. 

A child holding an armful of balls appears to be outdoors in front of trees and bushes.

Picture Books 

Usha and the Big Digger by Amitha Jagannath Knight 

On a night of stargazing, Aarti, Usha, and Gloria see different things. Aarti sees the Big Dipper, Usha sees the Big Digger, and Gloria sees the Big Kite! Who is right? Explore spatial sense, orientation, perspective, and more as the three discover constellations. 

The Animals Would Not Sleep by Sara Levine 

As Marco prepares for bedtime, his mother asks him to tidy his toys. He decides to sort his stuffed animals, but they will not sleep! Marco tries different categories: how the animals move, their size, and color, but it doesn’t seem to work. What will help the animals feel safe? Readers will explore the concept of sorting and classifying objects, with a focus on how different methods of organization can lead to different outcomes. 

Too-Small Tyson by JaNay Brown-Wood 

As the youngest and smallest, it’s not always easy for Tyson to keep up with his four older brothers. When the family pet gerbil, Swish, escapes from his cage, Tyson and his older brothers begin a search to find him. When his brothers cannot locate Swish, Tyson thinks, “If I were Swish, where would I go?” When Swish is found under the bed, Tyson uses proportional thinking to help his little friend, showing his brothers that even though he may be the smallest, he can still think big.

Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson 

Bo’s family is preparing for the Cherokee National Holiday festival, and he has worked hard making homemade marbles to sell at his family’s craft booth. The problem is that there is limited space to display them, so he has to find something to hold them that will not take up too much room. Bo sets out on a mission for the perfect container, experimenting with the concepts of estimation and volume along the way. Will he find something that works?

Did you know that Howard County Library System has on-demand classes for all ages? Check out our Learning for Children playlist. 

  1. Storytelling math series. (n.d.). Charlesbridge. https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/storytelling-math-series 

Sylvia is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Miller Branch. She enjoys crafting, listening to audiobooks, naps, and walks with her dogs in 75 degree-ish weather.

The logo shows the regions of the brain in three colors - orange, yellow, and pale green.

Exercise Your Brain with BrainHQ

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The logo shows the regions of the brain in three colors - orange, yellow, and pale green.

By Holly L.

Is your daily Wordle not enough of a challenge these days? If you’re looking for a fun new way to engage your brain this summer, consider BrainHQ.

One of the many free online resources we provide, BrainHQ is brain-training program developed by international neuroscientists. Led by Michael Merzenich, co-inventor of the cochlear implant, this team has translated 30 years of brain research into a personal gym for your mind. The program works by helping to rewire the brain by taking advantage of its plasticity, or ability to change through learning and experience.

The 29 exercises focus on attention, brain speed, memory, people skills, navigation, and intelligence. A personalized trainer feature allows you to choose which cognitive areas you want to focus on, using an algorithm to measure your performance and adapting each exercise to your optimum level. Each BrainHQ level can be completed in five minutes, so you can “work out” in small chunks or longer sessions, to fit into your schedule. A BrainHQ app also allows you to play on your mobile device.

In case you’re wondering about the science behind the program, BrainHQ provides links to published studies demonstrating its proven benefits. One study documented that BrainHQ training in combination with physical exercise improved episodic memory—the memory for specific events in life, such as a first day of school or a special party.

BrainHQ might also help improve quality of life, as with improved focus, memory, and brain processing, people are able to stay healthier, with greater feelings of happiness and control.

I flexed my mental muscles today with a few rounds of a fun memory exercise called “Eye for Detail.” It focuses on brain speed and working memory, which is the brain’s ability to store small amounts of information in the short term for recall at a later time. In this exercise, three butterflies briefly appear on the screen, two of which are matching. It was up to me to remember the location of the matching butterflies for several turns. With a few misses and several hits, the butterflies flashed more quickly on and off the screen as I improved my accuracy, making the exercise feel continually challenging. After a few rounds, I earned enough stars to win a badge and a tiny dose of brain fatigue. 

If you are interested in boosting your mental mojo by giving BrainHQ a try, click here to create your free account. You can use it directly on the site or download the mobile app.

Holly is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Miller Branch. She enjoys knitting, preferably with a strong cup of tea and Downton Abbey in the queue.

The picture shows wooden tables and chairs, as if in a cafe, with a clock on the red brick interior wall surrounded by a variety of wooden rectangular clocks painted with the flag emblems of various countries.

World Language Collection & Lunar New Year

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The picture shows wooden tables and chairs, as if in a cafe, with a clock on the red brick interior wall surrounded by a variety of wooden rectangular clocks painted with the flag emblems of various countries.
Photo by Farzad Mohsenvanda at Unsplash.

by Mai-Leng O.

Welcome to Howard County Library System’s World Languages Collection! 

Howard County is a diverse and multi-ethnic community where the population comes from a myriad of countries across the globe. The vibrant, multiracial population makes our county an exciting place to be. With the growth of these demographics, HCLS began to enlarge its World Languages collection, consisting of print literature and DVDs, to support the reading and viewing needs of all residents. 

Presently, the print collection consists of many languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and several Indian languages such as Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Urdu. The World Languages DVD collection consists of languages ranging from Albanian to Zulu. Many of the DVDs have English subtitles, so non-speakers of the language can appreciate and enjoy movies and documentaries from countries around the world. 

In addition to the physical World Languages DVD collection, we offer streaming video options through the Kanopy and Hoopla platforms. You just need a library card!

We invite you to visit our branches to borrow and enjoy our World Languages print and DVD collections, or visit us at hclibrary.org to access the streaming platforms. Happy reading and watching!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with these upcoming events:

Lunar New Year: What Animal Are You?  
Mon, Jan 23
all day
HCLS Glenwood Branch
Family; all ages. Drop In. 
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Glenwood Branch! Are you a lion? An ox? A rabbit? Find out what animal matches your birth year, then decorate a paper animal to join others in this self-directed community art project.
Visit our classes and events page here for more information.

Dim Sum of Crafts 
Mon, Jan 23
11 am – 12:30 pm & 2 – 3:30 pm 
HCLS Miller Branch
Ages 4 & up. Drop In. Allow 30 minutes.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a variety of crafts. For more information, visit our classes and events page here for the first sessions and here for the second session.

Mon, Jan 23
2 – 3 pm 
HCLS Savage Branch
Ages 3 & up. Ticketed. Allow 30 minutes.

Visit our classes and events page here for more information.

Mai-Leng Ong is the Senior Materials Specialist at Howard County Library System. She holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Wrapping Up 2022

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Kristen B. and Julie F., Chapter Chats editors

Thank you! We appreciate our readers and subscribers who have followed Chapter Chats through another year. We share a wide variety of posts with you, from Winter Reading selections to upcoming author events to a tremendous selection of reviews – fiction and nonfiction, for adults, teens, and children.

A fairly plain cover with a red edge and the title in script and the author's name hand lettered. A small wolf stands between author and title lines.

Here are some of the most-viewed posts of the year:

These posts garnered fewer views, but are definitely worth a look if you missed them:

A black cover with gold text and a mysterious illustration of the phases of the moon, a mystical eyes, and spiral all centered above a book.

And, by far, the most viewed post since Chapter Chats began in 2020: How to Bypass the News Paywall with Your Library Card.

For more great book recommendations: HiJinx, the HCLS podcast, wrapped up its year with folks talking about their favorite reads of 2022: listen here.

We hope you’ll stick with us as we head into 2023! Happy New Year!

The movie cover depicts a train in the background, with smoke and fire as if there has been an accident. In the foreground are several people fleeing the carnage, including a man carrying a young child whose face looks back a the train.

Spooky Kanopy Picks

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by Emily B.

Did you know you can use your library card to watch eight movies every month on Kanopy? Here are some spooky films to check out this October.

The image depicts a woman on pointe shoes in profile with her arms raised above her head and her head thrown back. The red of her dress runs down her legs and shoes and onto the ground, puddling as if it is blood.

Suspiria (1977) 

An American ballet student discovers that sinister things are afoot at a prestigious German dance academy. The film is regarded as one of the most influential horror films, with its striking visuals and haunting soundtrack.  

The image depicts a house on a distant hill against the backdrop of a cloudy sky. In the foreground are two men and two women and, superimposed above them, another man looking to the side with a slightly shocked expression and an eyebrow raised. The title of the film has a noose for the "o" in the word "House."

House on Haunted Hill (1959) 

An eccentric millionaire invites five strangers to a party at a haunted house, offering $10,000 to whomever survives the night. Partially inspired by Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, this film has solidified itself as a campy horror classic.  

The movie poster depicts a silhouette of the Babadook surrounding an open door and two windows, as if the Babadook is the house containing them. Viewed through the open door are two children, one perched above the other, both looking out as if into the dark.

The Babadook (2014) 

A widow struggles to raise her young son, who is convinced that a character from a pop-up book is real and lurking around their home. 

The movie cover depicts a train in the background, with smoke and fire as if there has been an accident. In the foreground are several people fleeing the carnage, including a man carrying a young child whose face looks back a the train.

Train to Busan (2016) 

A man and his daughter attempt to survive a rapidly-spreading zombie infection that breaks out while they are on the train. This record-breaking Korean film will soon undergo an American remake. 

The movie cover depicts half of a woman's face from the neck up; she wears a coronet of flowers and greenery and appears frightened or distressed.

Midsommar (2019) 

A woman accompanies her boyfriend and his friends on a trip to Sweden for a midsummer festival and chaos ensues. Don’t let the beautiful setting and cheery color palate of the film deceive you – Midsommar is one of the most disturbing horror films I’ve ever seen.

The movie cover image depicts two children standing at the end of a hallway flooded with water. There are doors to their left and high windows to their right all along the sides of the hall. One child looks straight at the camera; the other is looking down and wears a facial-obscuring hoodie.

Dark Water (2002) 

A woman, in the midst of divorce negotiations, moves to a run-down apartment with her young daughter. A mysterious ceiling leak and ghostly appearances ensue. In 2005, an American remake of this Japanese film starring Jennifer Connelly was released.

You can borrow Midsommar, Dark Water, Train to Busan, The Babadook, and House on Haunted Hill on DVD, too.

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.

The picture is of the National HIstory Day logo, with black lettering on a white background and red stripes in between the lines.

Crossing the History Day Frontier

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The picture is of the National HIstory Day logo, with black lettering on a white background and red stripes in between the lines.

by Jean B.

Middle and high school students participating in the 2023 National History Day competition can count on HCLS to be their partner as they explore the theme, Frontiers in History. It’s easy to cross the frontier into your neighborhood library for support and materials. In fact, many HCLS resources are available to you without leaving home! Go to our History Day web page where you can find details on the local, state, and national contest rules and timelines, and a gateway to curated support for your journey:

Inspiration and guidance. You’ll find classes and workshops at many HCLS branches where you can meet History Day judges and learn important tips and tools, from choosing a topic, to thinking about a research strategy, to completing an annotated bibliography. Search National History Day on our calendar of events for dates, locations, and details.

Personalized support. Once you have an idea for your project, sign up for a one-on-one meeting with an HCLS teen instructor to develop your thesis, learn how to use library research tools, access appropriate primary and secondary source materials, or have your work reviewed. Request an appointment at hclibrary.org/new-a-main/students/history-day-research.

Authoritative primary source materials. Did you know that you can read The Ellicott City Times from the 1920s to the 1950s on microfilm at the Central Branch? That’s one classic way to cross history’s frontiers! But with your A+ Student account and a computer, tablet, or phone, you can access the vast range of historical documents found in HCLS’ online databases, like these:

  • American Periodicals: Includes more than 1,500 magazines and journals published from 1740 – 1940.
  • Archives Unbound: Includes Maryland’s city and business directories from 1752 – 1929, letters and reports from the War of 1812, and Confederate newspapers.
  • Baltimore Afro-American Archives: Search issues of the most widely circulated African American weekly newspaper on the East Coast (1893-1988).
  • Indigenous Peoples of North America: Find short films, photos, newspaper articles, manuscripts, and much more about Native Americans.

Hitch your wagon to HCLS for History Day success and start your journey today.

Jean B. is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch and loves reading books for all ages when she isn’t enjoying the outdoors.

Three HCLS staff members in a photo with the Eiffel Tower behind them, says "Greetings from ALA 2022."

HiJinx at the ALA Conference

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by Addison and Simone

The co-hosts of HCLS’ podcast, HiJinx, recall attending the annual American Library Association Conference in June. They had a great time, and hope you enjoy the podcast episode from the convention floor.

Three HCLS staff members in a photo with the Eiffel Tower behind them, says "Greetings from ALA 2022."

FROM ADDISON

I was at the ALA Conference to gather soundbites for the podcast. Coming from a career in the private sector, I could only pull from my recent experience at a smaller conference. I was concerned with capturing enough exciting material to appeal to our podcast’s audience. Nonetheless, I arrived, stepped on the escalator, and descended to the exhibit floor. I glanced out in astonishment. The conference floor was expansive, large enough to fit more commercial airplanes than one could count on their fingers.

ALA provides public, academic, government, and special libraries with programming, tools, and services. The 2022 annual convention was attended by 7,738 librarians, along with 5,431 exhibitors, publishers, and authors. My concern about filling a podcast episode became replaced with where to begin and what to cut.

We began our interviews, and as I’ve become accustomed to in the industry, people were friendly and willing to share their stories. This made the experience feel like we were catching up with old friends and not pointing a recorder at strangers. Before I knew it, it was nearing the end of the exhibit and time to go home to produce the podcast.

When listening to the episode, you will hear author interviews and publishers’ discussions, as well as learn about valuable vendors and services. In addition, you will get a glimpse at the inner working of the library world, one that I am excited to be a part of.

FROM SIMONE

This June when I had the opportunity to go to the ALA Conference, our team was in the company of other library professionals and literary enthusiasts. The event featured guest speakers and authors, exhibits, and vendors.  

As first-timers, it was not easy to imagine the enormity of this conference. By the time we reached the vicinity of the convention center (while circling for good parking in the city on a busy Sunday), the sidewalks were bustling with attendees from all around the country. Buses rolled by wrapped in branding from related literary and tech companies, as increased crossing guards and security manned the busy intersections. So, we were in the right place – check! After making our way to the building, through COVID-19 screening, and check-in, it was time to hit the exhibit floor with our roving podcast.

We were in search of what’s now, new, and next in libraries. Since we met up at the Mango Languages booth – and posed in “Paris” at their green screen photo-op – it was only fitting to begin our interviews right there. HCLS customers have access to this convenient (and highest-rated) language-learning app.  

Next up was a spirited chat with another Library vendor, Hoopla, a media streaming platform and probably one of HCLS’ biggest cheerleaders. We continued to wade through the sea of booths and conduct interviews with an array of vendors, authors, publishers, and a couple of staff members we bumped into along the way.  

To hear directly from these dedicated individuals and organizations who help us bring high-quality education and services to the community, tune into Episode 48 of the HiJinx Podcast and explore the Library’s website for access to each resource.

Happy listening!  

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Computer Basics: Online and In Person

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Introducing NorthStar

Build your digital skills and fluency with NorthStar, available for free at Howard County Library System.

Northstar: Digital Literacy Assessment logo, which includes a diamond with blue points on three sides, a yellow point at the top and a black N inside a white square.

NorthStar uses an assessment quiz to help you identify the areas where your skills are strong, as well as areas that need improvement. This easy-to-use resource can help bolster digital expertise for anyone who wants to learn fundamental skills or refresh and update existing skills.

NorthStar points you towards the classes on the platform that will help you with those skills. The classes cover everything from the basics (e.g., identify a mouse, power button, USB port) to more advanced skills like navigating Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, Google Docs, Job Search Skills, and even participating in Telehealth appointments.

A few things to know about NorthStar:

  • No HCLS library card is required to register a learner account on NorthStar.
  • You receive unique recommendations for classes based on their initial assessment.
  • These are self-directed online classes that can be taken from any location, so you can take classes at any library branch, from home, from work, or anywhere and on your own schedule.

If you need a computer or internet to access NorthStar, come to any HCLS branch. You can also borrow a Chromebook (a type of laptop) and a wi-fi hotspot (which provides internet access) from the library and take them home with you. For more information on how to borrow a Chromebook and wi-fi hotspot, visit hclibrary.org/chromebooks or call your local branch.

Get started with NorthStar by visiting bit.ly/hclsnorthstar and creating a Learner Account. You will need an email address to get started.

If you would like some in-person help with digital skills, register for one of our computer clinics (listed below). Find the full schedule here: bit.ly/hclscomputers

Computer Skills Open Lab
If you’re looking to improve your computer skills, visit our computer skills open lab. Boost your technical knowledge by getting hands-on assistance with topics such as:

  • Basic computer skills
  • Using the internet
  • Setting up an email account
  • Creating and saving documents

We work with you at your skill level and provide information and guidance to develop the skills you are seeking or resolve the problem you are facing. Use our PC laptops and earbuds, or bring your own laptop and headphones. Bring your questions!

Tue, Jul 5 at 1 – 3 pm | East Columbia

Thu, Jul 21 at 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | Elkridge

Tue, Aug 2 at 10 am – 12 pm | East Columbia

Thu, Aug 18 at 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | Elkridge

Register for for any of these session at bit.ly/hclscomputers or call 410.313.7700.

Computer Basics
Wed, Jul 13 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm | Central Branch
Mon, Jul 25 at 2 – 4 pm | Savage Branch
Wed, Aug 10 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm | Central Branch
Mon Aug 22 at 2 – 4 pm | Savage Branch

New to using computers? This class introduces some basic computer terminology and takes you through practice activities, such as opening and saving files and folders, searching the internet, and creating an email account using Gmail. Use our PC laptops and earbuds, or bring your own laptop and headphones.