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The picture depicts a group of children on stage in front of an audience. Two are in wheelchairs and one uses a crutch; they are all holding hands and surrounding a microphone, with the words "Every Voice Matters!" in a thought bubble above their heads. The viewer is seeing them from the perspective of the audience; we can also see the backs of the heads of a row of audience members.

Together We’re Better: Every Voice Matters

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The illustration depicts two young people with their arms extended to make a circle; this circle is a picture window into an outdoor scene that encompasses several children holding hands and a school building, with green grass and white clouds against a blue sky. The children are of a variety of genders and ethnicities and several of them have physical disabilities (crutches, a wheelchair).
The black and white illustration depicts a student using a wheelchair on a skateboard ramp, with the words "Every Voice Matters" on a billboard on the sidelines, and a large audience behind the barrier on the sidelines. A boom box is in the foreground and the words "Be Loud!" are in the sky above the young person's head.
The picture depicts a group of children on stage in front of an audience. Two are in wheelchairs and one uses a crutch; they are all holding hands and surrounding a microphone, with the words "Every Voice Matters!" in a thought bubble above their heads. The viewer is seeing them from the perspective of the audience; we can also see the backs of the heads of a row of audience members.

By Nancy T.

On view through April 30, 2025

Howard County Library System is thrilled to showcase a selection of student artwork at HCLS Miller Branch as part of the “Every Voice Matters” traveling exhibit—the first stop on a statewide tour running through August.

This powerful display celebrates inclusion, creativity, and the unique voices of students from across Maryland. This year’s theme, “Every Voice Matters,” echoes the fundamental belief that every individual has a unique perspective and contributes meaningfully to their school communities. More than 125 students from across the state submitted entries. Artwork was selected for recognition based on inclusive messaging, use of medium, and alignment with the contest theme. Special congratulations to this year’s first place winners in the elementary and high school categories—both from Howard County: Ananya K (Veterans Elementary School) and Annabel M (Glenelg High School).

The photograph depicts a selection of the student artwork from the "Every Voice Matters" student exhibit in the Miller Branch display cases.

The “Together We’re Better” program has been promoting meaningful inclusion in Maryland schools for more than 20 years. In addition to the diversity celebration toolkit and school assemblies, the Artwork and Drawing Contests allow elementary, middle, and high school students in Maryland to show their creative sides through artwork promoting acceptance and appreciation of the diverse abilities and talents of all classmates. The pen and ink drawings created by high school students are being transformed into pages of a Children’s Coloring Book, to be published later this spring and made available at public venues, including libraries.

The artwork on display at HCLS Miller Branch represents a sampling of this year’s entries, as part of the 2024-2025 “Together We’re Better” Inclusive Education Campaign Artwork and Drawing Contests, a long-running annual program from The Arc Maryland in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

The photograph depicts a selection of the student artwork from the "Every Voice Matters" student exhibit in the Miller Branch display cases.

In Partnership with The Arc of Howard County

The Arc Maryland is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of persons with I/DD and their families. They do this through public policy, advocacy, public awareness, and training and membership support. The Arc Maryland is a membership-based organization of 8,000 members. Their local network of chapters provides a wide range of human services and other supports to people with I/DD and their family members, including individual and public policy advocacy, residential, educational, and vocational services, employment, family supports and early intervention that promote people with I/DD to participate and be included in their communities.

We invite you to visit the display at HCLS Miller Branch to experience these extraordinary student artworks and reflect on how we can all help build inclusive communities—where every voice truly matters. HCLS is grateful to Natalie (Dohner) Brooks, Director of Education Initiatives and Partnerships at The Arc Maryland, for organizing and installing this insightful exhibit celebrating inclusion, creativity, and the unique voices of students from across Maryland.

To learn more about the “Together We’re Better” inclusive education campaign , visit The Arc Maryland’s website: https://thearcmd.org/programs/twb/.

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.

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.