Tag celebrations

The Libary's mascot, Booker the Owl, is wearing his green shirt and a bandana over one eye as he takes aim at a star-shaped pinata in front of a sign that reads Happy Birthday.

Countdown to Summer (Reading): Celebrate Libraries!

jeanboone1 Leave a comment
The Libary's mascot, Booker the Owl, is wearing his green shirt and a bandana over one eye as he takes aim at a star-shaped pinata in front of a sign that reads Happy Birthday.

by Jean B.

Who’s counting the days until the end of school? Kids, of course, and teachers, no doubt. Even parents and caregivers may be looking forward to more flexible days and freedom from regular routines — a break from alarms, homework, and heavy backpacks.

At the library, however, we are counting the days until summer and gathering our energy, because your downtime is our opportunity — we can’t wait to spend more time with you! In fact, we’re throwing a summer-long party to celebrate the 85th birthday of HCLS and all the ways our community comes together through the library to learn, grow, and connect.

Let’s get the party started! Starting Monday, June 2, visit any branch for your Summer Reading game, complete with reading and activity ideas, prizes, and special events. WHO IS INVITED? EVERYONE!

Visit hclibrary.org/summer often for all your summer reading information and details.

Ages birth – 4
Children ages birth-4 learn, grow, and make connections by singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing. Read or do an activity from the suggestions, and color in a balloon.
Ages 5 – 10
Read, listen, learn, connect, and celebrate. Each time you read or do an activity, color in a candy. Keep reading! For both children’s games: Pick up a prize after completing 10 books and/or activities before August 31, while supplies last.
Teens: 11 – 18
Earn raffle tickets whenever you read, attend classes, borrow items, or complete challenges. When you complete 10 tickets, visit a branch to receive a prize and be entered into the grand prize drawing. Continue to submit raffle tickets all summer.
Adults: 18+
The third annual Adult Reading Challenge offers unique reading challenges and complimentary reading recommendations. Complete three or more challenges by the end of August, or read three or more books of your own choosing. Complete a finisher’s card and be automatically entered into our prize drawings. All finishers also receive a limited-edition prize, while supplies last!

Summer Reading Celebrations
For everyone.
Join us to celebrate 85 years of the Library and all things summer reading with activities for all ages.
Wed, Jun 25 from 3 – 6 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch
Wed, Jun 25 from 5 – 8 pm at HCLS Central Branch
Wed, Jul 9 from 5 – 8 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch
Sat, Jul 12 from 11 am – 1 pm at HCLS Savage Branch
Wed, Aug 13 from 4 – 7 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch
Thu Aug 21 from 6 – 8 pm at HCLS Miller Branch
Celebrations sponsored in part by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.

The photograph shows a table with an arrangement of autumn leaves and berries in shades of yellow, orange, green, and brown, with a votive candle in a glass and metal lantern-shaped holder and the words 'give thanks' written beneath them on the table in green cursive script.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Admin Leave a comment
The photograph shows a table with an arrangement of autumn leaves and berries in shades of yellow, orange, green, and brown, with a votive candle in a glass and metal lantern-shaped holder and the words 'give thanks' written beneath them on the table in green cursive script.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash.

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving! If you wish to do some reading about gratitude, please stop by a branch and ask for recommendations – our staff loves sharing their favorites.

If you’re still in need of recipe ideas for the coming weekend or the holiday season, the library has a considerable collection of cookbooks at every branch – and some great magazines available on Libby.

You can never go wrong with King Arthur Baking. Take a look at Baking School: Lessons & Recipes for Every Baker for straightforward, step-by-step instructions to become a baking expert.

If you like to be prepared: The Complete Make-Ahead Cookbook: From Appetizers to Desserts 500 Recipes You Can Make in Advance by the Editors at America’s Test Kitchen.

For many generations in the kitchen together, everyone can learn something with: The Science of Baking by Andrea Beatty.

You can celebrate all our many states during our national holiday with: 50 Pies, 50 States: An Immigrant’s Love Letter to the United States Through Pie by Stacy Mei Yan Fong.

On behalf of all the HCLS staff who write and edit for Chapter Chats, enjoy your celebrations this holiday season with family, friends, and loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

Booker stands in front of a desk and shelves of books holding a golden ticket.

Happy Reading this Summer!

Admin Leave a comment
Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

Dear Parents of HCPSS students,

Summer is almost here! In addition to fireworks, family time, and barbecues, I’m looking forward to tackling my summer reading list.

I’m proud that the Howard County Public School System and Howard County Library System are again partnering to present a fun and engaging summer reading experience for our community. I hope this letter encourages your child – and your whole family – to participate.

Here’s why:
There are games (and prizes!) for each age group, including an attractive reading journal for adults. Begin your summer reading adventure on June 1. The children and teens games celebrate reading (including graphic novels, comic books, and audiobooks) and activities.

Summer reading helps connect your family to the library this summer. That includes six celebrations, hundreds of free summer classes and activities for all ages, and STEAM classes for middle and high school students. HCLS has an amazing collection, and staff that love helping your child select a book they’ll love. Learn about it all at hclibrary.org/summer.

Just like a dessert with secret veggies in it, this fun is good for you! Reading all summer has been shown not just to eliminate slide in reading but also to help students advance their skills.

Get started! Every elementary school student will receive a gameboard at their school. Middle and high school students can pick up gameboards at their school media centers. Additional copies may be picked up at any Howard County Library System branch. I know that library staff are ready to answer questions and get you started!

New this year: When your elementary student finishes summer reading and submits a ticket to the library to receive their prize, please check the box authorizing the library to share their success with their school so we can continue to celebrate them when they return to school in the fall.

Happy reading!

Sincerely,
William J. Barnes
HCPSS Superintendent

Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

Summer Reading Adventures 2024

jeanboone1 Leave a comment
Booker, the library's mascot owl, strides out from a spinning globe while carrying a suitcase.

by Jean B.

It’s summer, hooray! So much free time!
It’s summer, oh, no! So much free time!

What will you do with the kids this summer? Check out the library’s summer reading program, which begins June 1. Join in the adventure. It’s FREE, it’s for everyone!

So what’s in it for you? FUN! Borrow music, dance and sing! Borrow puppets and put on a show. Take home the Gingerbread Man literacy activity kit, and build a boat that floats. Get a book of jokes to share. Take our Summer Reading Mascot on a journey as Flat Booker.

BOREDOM BUSTERS. Try some activity ideas from the summer reading game board at home, at the library, or in your neighborhood. Party at our branch Summer Reading Celebrations (see p. 11) scattered throughout the summer. You may discover safari surprises, mythological creatures, carnival games, and more. The one thing that you won’t find is boredom!

STRUCTURE and GOALS. Instead of school routines, use your game board as a daily brain-builder. Make a plan to read together every day and complete a space on the game board. Visit the library often — where your child can collect a stamp for completed activities, earn a sticker, and find more great things to borrow. It all builds to a great goal: complete the game and earn a summer reading prize – hooray!

A (SECRET) BOOST TO SCHOOL SKILLS. Did you know? Reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing all summer helps reduce “summer slide,” so your kids are ready for the transition to a new grade in August.

AIR CONDITIONED COMFORT. On the hottest days of summer, you can find cool spaces and even cooler events at HCLS’ six branches. Crafts, STEAM activities, games, book clubs, movies – it’s all happening at your library.

Get on board and pick up your map for a Summer Reading Adventure at any HCLS branch, beginning June 1. Bet you can’t wait for summer to arrive with lots of time to explore and learn. See you at the library!

Join Booker in games for ages birth – 4 and ages 5 – 10. Teens (ages 11 – 18) participate in a raffle. Adults receive the new 2024 Reading Challenges booklet.

For book lists, classes, and more, visit hclibrary.org/summer.

SUMMER READING CELEBRATIONS
For all ages. Drop in to these sessions happening all summer! For details, visit hclibrary.org/summer
Passport to Adventure
Tue, Jun 18; 3 – 7 pm | Glenwood Branch
Party on the Patio
Wed, Jun 26; 5 – 8 pm | Central Branch
Summer Reading Carnival
Fri, Jul 19; 11 am – 2 pm | East Columbia Branch
Summer Safari
Sat, Jul 20; 11 am – 2 pm | Savage Branch
Mythological Creatures of Legend
Thu, Aug 15; 6 – 8 pm | Miller
Summer Reading Celebration
Sat, Aug 24; 10 am – 4 pm | Elkridge 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.

The cartoon image says "Year of the Tiger" in a variety of languages, with a smiling tiger extending his paw towards the viewer, with three gold lanterns hanging above him against a red backdrop.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

juliefitzreader Leave a comment
The cartoon image says "Year of the Tiger" in a variety of languages, with a smiling tiger extending his paw towards the viewer, with three gold lanterns hanging above him against a red backdrop.

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger! The Lunar New Year is the most important social and economic holiday for billions of people around the world. Tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, the holiday was originally observed as a time to honor household and heavenly deities and ancestors. Today, Lunar New Year brings friends and family together for feasting and festivities in China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Mongolia, and other countries all over the world.

This website, recommended by our presenters, offers a helpful guide where you can discover more about everything from food and drink to clothing and decorations for Lunar New Year celebrations. In addition, we have an assortment of books and other materials available at HCLS to help families learn and celebrate.

In recognition of this significant holiday, HCLS is celebrating with an online class, Learn About the Lunar New Year Celebration, in partnership with Howard County Chinese School. A panel of middle and high school students and parents share the histories and traditions of the Lunar New Year celebration in a variety of Asian American Pacific Islander sub-communities. Join us on Saturday, Feb 5 for a combination of short presentations, Q&A, and interactive educational games with prizes.

Additional upcoming children’s classes with Lunar New Year-themed sessions include:

Please join us!