Tag development

A woman rides a good while holding a chick in an open egg in her arms.

Hatchlings Classes for New Parents

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The illustration depicts Mother Goose in a beige shirt and green spotted pants, with a yellow scarf and green shoes, riding on the back of a flying white goose while holding a yellow chick, hatched and sitting in a half-shell. in the crook of her arm.

Hatchlings classes help parents and caregivers learn how to support their child’s development through fun activities and songs. These activities help children practice early literacy skills like talking, singing, playing, reading, and sharing books. Through family bonding, families learn the importance of reading and child developmental milestones.

The first five years of life are crucial for brain development and learning. During this time, children develop their ability to think, speak, learn, and reason. Their language skills are important for later success in reading, writing, and spelling. If children miss these early language skills, they may struggle with literacy in school.

Hatchlings: Baby on the Way
Adults. Registration required, one person per household. Register here.
Get ready for baby! Expectant parents learn more about supporting your little one’s development, even before they are born, through songs and fun activities.
Free book, activities calendar, and song sheet for attendees. Space is limited to expectant parents and partners. Free dinner provided by the Howard County Health Department.
Wed, Nov 13      6 – 7 pm    HCLS Elkridge Branch

Hatchlings: New Baby and Me
Parents/Caregivers with baby, newborn – 6 months. Register here.
A three-week series for you and your baby, where you enjoy fun songs and activities together and learn how to support your baby’s development. Registration required, even if you can’t make it to all of the classes.
Wednesdays | Nov 6, 13, 20
10:30 – 11:30 am
HCLS Central Branch

The MGOL Hatchlings materials were developed for the Maryland State Library Agency with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood, as part of the PDG Birth-5 funds through Grant Number 90TP0032-01-00, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Architectural rendering of a concept for a new multi-level library on Columbia's Lakefront, placed between the fountain and playground.

The Future Belongs to Everyone: Introducing the New Lakefront Library

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Architectural rendering of a concept for a new multi-level library on Columbia's Lakefront, placed between the fountain and playground.

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Governor Wes Moore and President and CEO of HCLS Tonya Aikens to unveil plans for a reimagined and transformative library in downtown Columbia. The project will be coupled with expanded mixed-income housing opportunities for the growing community.

The 100,000 square-foot structure will foster creativity, learning, and civic engagement. It will be the first, innovative library of its kind in the region. Designs unveiled were created by Heatherwick Studio, an internationally recognized firm. 

We invite your input and ideas to shape Howard County Library System’s next Strategic Plan, which will guide the future of HCLS, including the new Lakefront Library.  

Your voice matters.
Come together with other residents who are passionate about public education and enhancing library facilities, programs, and services. Please take the online survey or attend one of these:

Listening sessions facilitated by Due East Partners.: 


Thank you for helping us thoughtfully plan how we can work together to better address the evolving aspirations of our Howard County community.

Why is the new Lakefront Library needed now?
The existing branch is undersized to serve the current population, is further constrained by the addition of new housing units, and is slated for demolition as part of the Downtown Columbia plan. More information is available on the HCLS website.

  • When was the Central Branch most recently renovated and how much was spent?
    The Central Branch first opened in 1981 and was renovated in 2000–2001. Minor interior alterations were completed in 2016 at a cost of $1.8M. Due to the pending development, renovations were minimal and addressed structural, end-of-life, interim fixes and enhancements to address customer needs (e.g., new paint, new carpet), and transformed space formerly used by administrative staff into public space.
  • How long has this new Lakefront Library been planned?
    Howard County’s Downtown Columbia Plan (adopted in 2010 and updated in 2018) recommended that a new Central branch be built in Columbia’s new Downtown. In 2019, HCLS engaged G4 Architecture, Research, and Planning, Inc. to update its Master Plan, which calls for a new 100,000 SF downtown Columbia Branch to meet the increased number of new residents and visitors and to meet the Maryland State minimum library guidelines of one SF per capita.
  • Why is a 100,000 SF library needed?
    The current Central Branch is not large enough to accommodate existing customers. At completion of the redevelopment plans, downtown Columbia will feature 1.25 million SF of retail space, 4.3 million SF office/conference space, 640 hotel rooms, and 6,244 market-rate and affordable housing units. These new residential units will expand Howard County’s population by a minimum of 15 percent. In addition, the Central Branch serves the entire county through its Project Literacy program, Art Education Collection, Equity Resource Center, Business and Foundation Center, and Health Collection.
  • What is the proposed timeline for this project?
    FY24: Begin design
    FY25: Continue design, and begin permits and pre-construction services
    FY26: Start construction
    FY27: Complete construction
  • What is the cost for the new branch?
    The estimated cost is $143M.
  • What is the cost for additional staffing?
    There is no additional staffing cost. Existing Central Branch staff will be relocated to the Lakefront Library.