Tag Connect

The Longest Table logo in turquoise, with the word Longest framed by a place-setting of a fork on the left, and knife and spoon on the right.

Longest Table Tickets On Sale Now!

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The Longest Table logo in turquoise, with the word Longest framed by a place-setting of a fork on the left, and knife and spoon on the right.

Saturday, October 4 | 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Tickets: $15 – follow this link.
Howard Community College, outdoors on the quad

The Longest Table returns outdoors with renewed purpose: to spark curiosity, foster empathy, and build bridges across different backgrounds and perspectives. Join us for an evening of food and meaningful dialogue, kicking off a year-round initiative that empowers community members to host their own gatherings using free HCLS conversation kits.

Together, we can build a more connected Howard County — one conversation at a time. Everyone is welcome.

The word seek appears in lowercase letters in bright orange, with two eyes looking to the right from inside the top of the e's.

The first 200 registrants receive a free copy of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World by Scott Shigeoka (1 per household, while supplies last) Also, you are invited to an author event with Shigeoka on November 17.

Weather permitting, we will dine outdoors with seating on the lawn. Please wear appropriate footwear
and dress for the season. Dinner is served family style. While we try to accommodate most dietary needs, if you have strict restrictions, you are welcome to provide your own meal.

Gold Sponsors: Columbia Association, Friends & Foundation of HCLS
Silver Sponsors: AARP Maryland, Howard Hughes Corporation
In-Kind Sponsor: Howard Community College
Media Sponsors: Baltimore Banner, WMAR-TV

A photo of the Longest Table event from 2019, with one long table and white chair stretch along a parking lot at HCC.

DONATIONS NEEDED: NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS FOR
Vivian C. “Millie” and William Harrison Bailey Food Pantry

Urgent: Cereal, Snacks, Seasonings, Thick maxi pads

Canned vegetables (No/Low salt option, tomato products, mushrooms, olives)
Grains (Instant oatmeal packets (lower sugar preferred) & cereal with under 11g of added sugar (whole grain as first ingredient preferred)
Proteins (Low sodium beans, dried lentils)
Mixed dishes (Ready made meals, lower sodium soups)
Beverages (Shelf-stable dairy alternatives, tea, coffee)
Healthy snacks (Plain dried fruits and nuts in small packages; popcorn, pretzels, and chips in small packages)
Cooking needs (spices and seasonings, cooking oils, can openers)
Gluten-free products
Personal care (Bodywash, shampoo, and conditioner; lotion, thick maxi pads)
Cleaning and laundry supplies

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.
Three students seated in front of a laptop point at images on the screen.

National Library Week: Connect with Our Library!

Kristen B. Leave a comment
National Library Week logo: Connect With Your Library. Connect is a white mouse with cord on a blue background. A black and white image of a plug on a deep yellow goes with "with your, and "library" is on red with an illustration of two hands getting ready to clasp.

Those of us who write for Chapter Chats want to connect with you, and want you to connect with the library. Most of the time, we’re going to share with you something new and different to read or watch. We enjoyed those titles so much that we want you to experience them, too. Check out recent popular reviews of the The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman or A Song of Wraith and Ruins by Roseanne Brown. If you’re an audiobook listener, we have you covered as well.

But the library has so much more to offer than books, and we want you to know about those things, too. Here’s a brief list of some blog posts that look at the other ways we’d like to connect with you:

Have you had a chance to visit Central Branch and tour the Undesign the Redline exhibit? It’s only here a little bit longer. Christie Lassen talks all about it in this Interview.

Have you been to Glenwood Branch recently? There’s so much that’s new for you! Visit the Makerspace and see the wonderful new play stations.

Our most liked blog post since Chapter Chats began about two years ago lets you know how to use the library’s subscription services to avoid news paywalls.

Do you like to craft? Or maybe bake? The DIY Center at Elkridge Branch may be able to help. The staff there can also help you with tools to get your yard cleaned up after winter and ready for spring fun.

And, now that it’s actually spring and random snow flurries have finally ended, take a drive to Ellicott City to visit the Enchanted Garden at HCLS Miller Branch.

One of our teen volunteers who frequents the Savage Branch (and writes for the blog) recently discovered that we lend toys. She is entirely on board with this idea.

We are even bringing the library to you with our PopUp Library van, which visits neighborhoods and community events.

So, take this as a reminder and an invitation to stop by frequently and see what’s going on in the blog – and at the Library. We love our library and connecting with you in all the ways we can imagine.