Category HCLS News

We’re starting a new chapter!

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Screenshot of the home page on newly redesigned Howard County Library System's website.

Chapter Chats is moving (HERE) to Howard County Library System’s newly designed website at hclibrary.org. As of today, November 19, this is the final post on chapterchats.org. We will still provide all the same great library news and reviews in our new home, but expanded to include even more information.

Thank you for supporting this blog since it started in April 2020! We have published 830 entries, for almost 100,000 visitors. We will continue to provide you the same great content, but we’re headed home to be part the library’s website.

We’re excited to introduce your redesigned HCLibrary.org — a fresh, modern site built around what you need. Designed with our community in mind, the new site brings everything you love about the library together in one easy-to-navigate digital home. 

We listened closely to your feedback to reimagine how the website can best serve you. The result is a digital experience that mirrors the exceptional service you expect in our branches, helping you learn, grow, and connect wherever you are. 

Here’s a quick peek at what’s new: 

  • Recommendations: Find your next favorite book. 
  • Digital Library: Read, watch, and learn anywhere. 
  • Library of Things: Free tools, art, games, and more. 
  • Centers & Spaces: Explore spaces to learn, grow, and connect. 
  • News & Blog: Reviews, events, and updates from your Library. 
  • For You: Discover what’s made for you by age, interest, or need. 
A graphic showing a a blue long sleeve tee, a canvas tote bag, and an aqua T-shirt in the top row, separated from the bottom by a row of blue dots. On the bottom, a grey T-shirt, a white mug, and a black hoodie. All items have library related graphics.

Show Your Library Love at the Merch Store

Kimberly J Leave a comment

by Kim J.

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news — our library now has a merchandise store! 

From cozy hoodies to bookish totes, every item celebrates our shared love of learning, literacy, and community. Every purchase helps fund real, meaningful initiatives here in Howard County. The store is powered through Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System, the official nonprofit partner of HCLS. And let me tell you — they make incredible things happen.

A graphic showing a a blue long sleeve tee, a canvas tote bag, and an aqua T-shirt in the top row, separated from the bottom by a row of blue dots. On the bottom, a grey T-shirt, a white mug, and a black hoodie. All items have library related graphics.

What Your Purchase Supports

Our library is more than books or buildings. It’s a community hub for curiosity, creativity, and connection. Friends & Foundation helps amplify that mission through advocacy, outreach, and strategic fundraising. By shopping the new store, you’re not just buying merch — you’re investing in the future of our community. Proceeds help fuel many wonderful programs, including:

  • Battle of the Books, HCLS Spelling Bee, Longest Table and signature Events – fostering connection and community
  • HiTech STEAM classes – sparking curiosity and innovation
  • HCLS Mobile Units – bringing learning to every corner of our county
  • Project Literacy graduation – empowering adults through education
  • Notable Author Events – bringing diverse voices to our community
  • Enchanted Garden – providing practical gardening education for all ages
  • Online homework assistance – removing barriers to learning through accessible, real-time tutoring

Ready to Show Your Library Love?

Whether you’re grabbing a tote for your next book haul or gifting a mug to a fellow library lover, every purchase makes a difference. Let’s keep building a community where everyone can learn, grow, and connect — together.

Visit the new Merchandise Store and wear your support with pride.

Kimberly J is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the HCLS Glenwood Branch. She enjoys reading, photography, creating, crafting, and baking.

The banner reads, "Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11, 2025, Censorship is so 1984. Read for your Rights," with the word "censorship" crossed out in red.

Top Ten Most Challenged Books

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The banner reads, "Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11, 2025, Censorship is so 1984. Read for your Rights," with the word "censorship" crossed out in red.

The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2025 list is available now on the ALA website.

The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person’s right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information. Every year, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from confidential reports filed by library professionals and community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States.

Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represent only a snapshot of censorship attempts in libraries.

The 2024 data reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Parents only accounted for 16% of demands to censor books, while 5% of challenges were brought by individual library users. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites, which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.

The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.

Since 2021, ALA has tracked a sharp spike in censorship attempts in libraries. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990: ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023, when a record high 1,247 attempts were reported. ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles in 2024, which significantly exceeds the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020.

Looking for the most challenged books from previous years? Check out the Top 10 Most Challenged Books Archive for lists and data going back to 2001, as well as the 100 most challenged books of past decades.

Art Contest Winners

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Congratulations to the winners of our two art contests, for library cards and bookmarks. We receive thousands of entries every year, and we always enjoy seeing the talent in our community!

The library card contest ran from April through May, followed by the bookmark contest that ran June through July. Judging happened according to a rubric that, among other criteria, rated the submissions on originality, reproducibility, and overall excellence.

All the new cards and bookmarks are available in HCLS branches now.

LIBRARY CARD WINNERS

Rainbow stripes feature a circle divided into rainbow segments and a blue Hi.
This card gives you a high five for the library's 85th - with two hands and lots of colorful balloons.
A character in a book leans out of the page to dream of 85 years, with a cute little bluebird sitting on edge of the page.
A party is ready to go with a cake with chocolate frosting and candles shaped like 8 and 5. There are banners, daisies, books, and a blue balloon with the Hi.
A bright pink card features decorative tear drop shapes, a large light green 85, and the library's owl mascot reading a book.
The striking black ink drawing shows a coffee cup, a stack of books, and an open book on a table with a big 85 centered.

BOOKMARK WINNERS

A gallery of all five winning bookmarks, an extra large frog, a cat playing with a ball of yarn, a colorful sunrise, a group of diverse people, and a disco 85 - all celebrating the Library's 85th birthday.
A photo opportunity station at HCLS Savage Branch shows an illustration in a pixelated style reminiscent of Minecraft and includes a quote from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

Visit Our Selfie Stations

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A photo opportunity station at HCLS Central Branch has a mosaic style illustration of Toni Morrison, accompanying one of her quotes.

Show Us How You Connect! 
This fall, each HCLS branch features a one-of-a-kind social interaction station, a photo-ready, interactive display inviting you to explore how you Learn, Grow, and Connect at the library. 

Snap a pic, share your story, and enter to win great prizes! Visit all six branches for more chances to win. Here’s how to enter: 

  1. Visit any HCLS branch 
  1. Take a photo with the Social Interaction Station 
  1. Post to your feed or story on Instagram or upload here
  1. Tag @hocolibrary + use #ConnectHCLS 

For each branch you visit, share the picture. You can get up to six chances to win. 

Don’t want to be featured on social media? You can still participate by adding your perspective to the board – each station has an opportunity for you to share the ways you learn, grow, and connect with us. 

Weekly favorites will be featured on our page, and winners will score some fun library swag. 

Contest runs until Oct 31. Winners announced in November. 

A photo opportunity station at HCLS Savage Branch shows an illustration in a pixelated style reminiscent of Minecraft and includes a quote from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.
Two children celebrate at the Library's birthday party. They have their arms raised in front of decorations and balloons.

New Hours Begin September 2

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Two children celebrate at the Library's birthday party. They have their arms raised in front of decorations and balloons.

Beginning Tuesday, September 2, 2025, all six Howard County Library System (HCLS) branches will open one hour earlier on weekdays and Saturdays to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
New Hours of Operation: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 8 pm
  • Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
  • Sunday: 1 – 5 pm (no change) 

“Our new hours will make it easier for people to visit the library before their day gets underway – whether they’re heading to work, school, or simply want a quiet space to start their morning” said Tonya Aikens, President & CEO of Howard County Library System. “This change is a result of requests from our community to open earlier. Visit patterns to our branches support this, showing we were less busy the last hour we were open. At HCLS, our mission is simple but powerful: Learn. Grow. Connect. Our new hours will make it easier for our community to do just that.” 

The earlier opening time aims to serve a wide variety of community members, including early risers, students preparing for classes, parents and caregivers with young children, and community members needing early access to resources, technology, or programs. 

Whether you’re picking up a hold, attending a morning class, or simply enjoying quiet time to read or work, HCLS will be open an hour earlier to welcome you. 

For more information about branch hours and services, visit hclibrary.org. 

A photo of a glass box at HCLS Central Branch, upstairs with a view of the open, wooden ceiling.

HCLS & Howard County Health Department: Partnering to Support Recovery in our Community

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A photo of a glass box at HCLS Central Branch, upstairs with a view of the open, wooden ceiling.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED AT HCLS BRANCHES: 10:30 am – 4 pm 
bit.ly/peer-recovery
Peer Recovery Specialists are available at HCLS locations, on a drop in, first come first served basis:
Central Branch: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
East Columbia Branch:  2nd & 4th Thursdays
Elkridge Branch: 1st Thursdays
Glenwood Branch:  2nd Tuesdays
Savage Branch: 4th Tuesdays (beginning Aug 26)
Miller Branch: 3rd Thursdays

Howard County Library System is teaming up with the Howard County Health Department’s Bureau of Behavioral Health to offer a valuable resource for individuals and families affected by alcohol and substance use. Together, they connect community members with Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) – trained professionals who have lived experience with addiction and recovery.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are uniquely qualified with the lived experience of recovery from substance use, mental health or co-occurring disorders to share with others that are experiencing similar challenges. The non-clinical, strengths-based support is founded in their own unique recovery journeys, raising awareness, normalizing conversation around such struggles, and connecting individuals to local resources and support networks.

This partnership goes further, offering on-site Naloxone (Narcan) training on request. This life-saving medication is used to reverse opioid overdoses, and community members have the opportunity to learn how to properly administer it.

By providing peer support, overdose awareness, and prevention training, HCLS and the Health Department aim to empower community members with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help themselves and others. The initiative is a vital step towards creating a more supportive, informed, and resilient community for all. This opportunity is open to everyone at no cost, and all information is confidential.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. Contact Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Behavior Health, at 410.313.6202, or call 988.

A rainbow circle broken by clouds, has Beyond Words written above it in purple and a set of icons below the clouds: music notes, a sunflower, a stack of books, a paint palette, and a baseball.

Celebrate Disability Pride Month with Beyond Words at HCLS

sahanacallahan Leave a comment
Several people sit around an arts and crafts station working on projects.
Participants and caregivers step into the fun and active world of Beyond Words, a vibrant and inclusive monthly class designed to spark joy and ignite the imagination of young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. at the East Columbia Branch of Howard County Library System.

by Sahana C.

Libraries aspire to be welcoming, inclusive spaces for everyone. During Disability Pride Month this July, we want to highlight Beyond Words, one of our sensory-friendly classes designed with and for neurodivergent individuals — and anyone who benefits from a more adaptable, engaging learning environment!

Disability Pride Month reminds us to honor the uniqueness of every individual and to recognize disability as an essential part of human diversity. We know that learning looks different for everyone, and that’s something worth celebrating. Beyond Words is a do-it-yourself sort of class, with an emphasis on creativity, movement, and hands-on activities built around themed, sensory-rich stations. From arts and crafts to motor skills and movement play, the program encourages joy, exploration, and connection in ways that feel comfortable and are accessible. Beyond Words started at Miller Branch, but the class has now spread to the East Columbia, Central, and Savage Branches, with an option for every age group.

A rainbow circle broken by clouds, has Beyond Words written above it in purple and a set of icons below the clouds: music notes, a sunflower, a stack of books, a paint palette, and a baseball.

This year, we’re really excited about the Beyond Words Summer Reading game, too! While Summer Reading began on June 1, it’s not too late to pick up a specially designed gameboard at any HCLS branch or the mobile library. Like our traditional summer reading program, this version encourages participants to read, explore, and complete activities — but it’s been thoughtfully adapted to meet different needs and learning styles. The goal? To make summer reading more inclusive, flexible, and most of all, fun for everyone. The Beyond Words gameboard includes a variety of ways to participate and celebrate progress. There’s no one right way to take part—just lots of opportunities to discover new interests, build confidence, and enjoy the magic of stories and imagination.

Teen Beyond Words
Wed, Jul 23 | 6 – 7:30 pm  
HCLS East Columbia Branch
For 11-17. Register at bit.ly/TBW_723
For teens with learning/developmental disabilities. Come and participate at five different activity stations. This month’s theme: SUMMER.

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.

Classic Americana tattoo style of a red heart with a banner acroos it and a black-eyed susan in the bottom left. The white banner reads: People are the heart of the library.

Summer Reading for Adults

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Classic Americana tattoo style of a red heart with a banner acroos it and a black-eyed susan in the bottom left. The white banner reads: People are the heart of the library.

This summer kicks off the third annual reading challenge for adults, while also celebrating 85 years of the library. People are the heart of our library – and we want to see you achieve your goals, explore the world, and find joy in the pages of a good book. Pick up a booklet at any branch to inspire you through a year of reading, filled with suggested titles and prompts for reflection.

While there are 14 reading challenges listed, you need to complete only three of them to participate in summer reading. Once you have read three books (print, e-book, and audio all count), come back to the Library to receive a prize and be entered into a grand prize drawing.

Here’s a sneak peek – and a Chapter Chats review or two:

Read a book published in or before 1940
Celebrate our birthday with us by reading a book that would have been on the shelves when we first opened our doors. Suggestions include:
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Native Son by Richard Wright

Revisit Your Library Memories
What is the first book you remember checking out of the library? Or, what book have you borrowed from the library that impacted you the most? We invite you to read it again! Suggestions include:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Language of Art
In addition to books, libraries are places for artists and the arts. At HCLS, you can borrow artworks by and books about famous artists from around the world and from local artists. Suggestions include:
All the Beauty in the Word: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley: read review
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi: read review
The Work of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing by Adam Moss

85 Years of Connection: Bridging Generations Through the Library
Explore stories of multi-generational relationships, families, and communities. Suggestions include:
Real Americans by Rachel Khong: read review
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

These are a taste of what a year of reading could have in store for you. Visit our branches often to check displays for more titles or to ask a staff member for a recommendation.

Exhibit poster shows the logo for the Equity Resource Center & Collection above a yellow panel with the photo of Mary Caldwell Dawson and exhibit information. The Howard County Library System logo is centered at the bottom.

Hidden Voices Exhibit

Kristen B. Leave a comment
Exhibit poster shows the logo for the Equity Resource Center & Collection above a yellow panel with the photo of Mary Caldwell Dawson and exhibit information. The Howard County Library System logo is centered at the bottom.

Organized in partnership with The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF), the Hidden Voices exhibit illuminates the untold stories of marginalized musicians who shaped American classical music. It is dedicated to uncovering the contributions of composers, musicians, and educators of color whose work has often been overlooked in mainstream history.

Founded by renowned opera singer Denyce Graves, DGF seeks to bring these hidden figures to the forefront, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve. Through Hidden Voices, DGF aims to expand the public’s understanding of the multicultural roots of classical music, highlighting the diverse individuals who made groundbreaking contributions.

The exhibit presents a rich collection of artifacts, music, and multimedia presentations, all designed to engage visitors and foster a deeper appreciation of the diverse voices that have shaped America’s vocal arts. Not just a tribute to the past, the installation also serves as a platform for emerging artists.
By showcasing the achievements of those who have come before, Hidden Voices offers inspiration to young artists from all backgrounds, empowering them to pursue careers in the arts without limitations. This initiative is part of the DGF’s broader mission to promote inclusion, access, and representation in the classical music world, providing opportunities for all artists to thrive.

Tour the Hidden Voices exhibition on the second level of the Central Branch in the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) in June and July. Drop by during regular library hours to view.