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.
On January 20, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who made heroic efforts to end segregation and inequality despite tremendous adversity. Dr. King remains a significant figure of the Civil Rights Movement, who fought for peace, equity, and justice for all individuals until his tragic death on April 4, 1968. On November 2, 1983, Ronald Reagan signed legislation, setting the holiday for the third Monday in January. Through peaceful protests, such as the March on Washington, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the founding of the NAACP, minorities claimed their rights and privileges as outlined in the United States Constitution.
HCLS offers numerous books, videos, and online resources on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The 2015 film Selma illustrates how Dr. King, John Lewis, and others led sit-ins and marched across Alabama and throughout the South, fighting for the right to vote. When you visit the Equity Resource Center at HCLS Central Branch, browse for books, CDs, and DVDs that highlight diversity and inclusion.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and to serve your community. Consider your favorite community organizations and see what they have planned for the national day of service. If you need suggestions, take a look at local nonprofit organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, The Bea Gaddy Family Centers Inc., and in your community. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at times of convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Let us continue Dr. King’s legacy by doing our part to make this world better and allow HCLS to help guide us through the process.
Brandon is a Customer Service Specialist at HCLS Central Branch who loves reading, football, and taking nice long walks around his neighborhood.
Did you know that Central Branch is home to Howard County Library System’s newest special collection? The Equity Resource Center (ERC) debuted in September 2021 with more than 9,000 items, offering a diverse and inclusive collection of adult, children, and teen materials spanning many formats and topics.
The idea for the Equity Resource Center first came about during the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. Community members wanted a place to come together to learn and heal, a place where they could see themselves and their stories represented and have the opportunity to learn about those different from them. Director of Collection Development Vera Davies explains that the Equity Resource Center and its collection were established “to support self-directed education and exhibits, facilitated and unfacilitated classes and conversations, and as a space for the community to identify, document, and share local issues and concerns.”
Some of the titles offered at the collection’s launch were recommended by members of HCLS’ Racial Equity Alliance. As the collection continues to grow, HCLS selectors choose materials that fall within a broad and inclusive scope that includes key themes like ableism, LGBTQIA+, the history of race and racism in the United States and Maryland, and more.
Dr. Kelly Clark, HCLS’ Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer, has big ideas for the future of the Equity Resource Center. In addition to continuing to host exhibits and equity programs, Dr. Clark hopes to develop and introduce bundles with self-guided curricula. These bundles would feature various ERC materials – a book, movie, and music CD – alongside a study guide with reflection questions, activities, and suggestions on how to engage your friends and family in what you learn.
Dr. Clark hopes that the ERC “will grow to be a coveted community resource as Howard County residents continue to grapple with tough contemporary issues of equity, inclusion, and belonging.” Whether you want to research, learn, or celebrate, the Equity Resource Center has something for you. Visit HCLS Central Branch to check out the collection in person or browse the collection online.
Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys puzzling, reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.
As you celebrate, take the opportunity to include the library. The Fourth of July holiday commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which the American colonies sought their freedom from England’s authority. The Equity Resource Center located at our Central Branch provides access to information on famous people like Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, and Gandhi. In addition, you can borrow great films that celebrate freedom and equality such as, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Schindler’s List, Philadelphia, and Freedom Writers.
As people traveled to America to embark on a new journey, they came from all races and cultures to find life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, everyone’s journey to the United States was not a pleasant experience. InFrederick Douglass and the Fourth of July by James A. Colaiaco, he illustrates the extraordinary story of a slave turned distinguished gentleman.
Born in Maryland to a white father and black mother, Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist who taught himself how to read and write, which almost cost him his life. Through self-education and resilience, Douglass became one of the greatest orators and writers in American history. Frederick Douglass was invited to speak to the citizens of Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852 at the Corinthian Hall. In the speech that would be later entitled “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July,” Douglass explained how it was difficult to celebrate a holiday that symbolizes freedom and independence for Americans, even when many blacks were lynched, beaten, and sold as property. Douglass states in his speech, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”
As you enjoy your great family barbecues, parades, concerts, and spectacular fireworks shows, consider what look the Fourth of July looks like from many points of view.
Brandon is a Customer Service Specialist at HCLS Central Branch who loves reading, football, and taking nice long walks around his neighborhood.
Happy Pride, y’all! Since 1970s first Pride march in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, LGBTQ+ community members and allies have turned an incident of brutality and discrimination into an annual celebration that honors the past and works toward a more inclusive and equitable future. Whether you fit somewhere under the LGBTQ+ umbrella or are a supportive ally, we’ve got you!
When you aren’t sure where to start, you can begin with the Rainbow Reads booklists for adults, teens, and kids that are curated by our instructors to make sure everyone is represented. You’re bound to find a title or two that makes you feel seen or opens a window on a different life experience, building empathy and understanding.
Now that you’ve read some new titles, the best way to cement your thoughts is to talk about them with some like-minded souls. Although all our book discussion groups are inclusive and new attendees are always welcome, Central Branch has a perfect fit for LGBTQ+ adults and allies with Reads of Acceptance. Join this group to talk about titles of interest in a safe space for social support, personal growth, and intergenerational learning.
If self-direction is more your jam, the Equity Resource Center housed at Central Branch is a great place for you to spend some time browsing our large collection of titles on LGBTQ+ topics, race, religion, and more. Safely explore the many treasures in this collection and hang out to read – without having to spend a dime. Even if you don’t visit the ERC, library branches are a safe space to chill, read, work on schoolwork, use a computer, or meet up with friends – all are welcome here!
Sometimes we’d all rather celebrate Pride from the comfort of home, and you don’t have to leave the house if you have a library card in hand. OverDrive (and its app, Libby) provides access to e-books, e-audiobooks, and magazines including Out, The Advocate, Gay Times, and Transliving International. The Netflix of libraries, Kanopy offers streaming movies like Oscar-winner Moonlight (2016), Filipino horror-comedy Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings (2013), or the uplifting coming-of-age drama Hearts Beat Loud (2018).
Look for us at Howard County Pride, which takes place in October! And if you are interested in celebrating Pride with something a bit more low-key than a march that still gets you out of the house, check out upcoming library classes and events.
Author Works: Tonee Moll For adults. Register here. Tonee Moll reads from and discusses their award-winning book of poetry, You Cannot Save Here, this work is queer, it’s punk, and it uses cultural allusion to address how we live our lives when it feels like the world is ending. Sat, Jun 17 | 3 – 4 pm Savage Branch
Films that Connect Us For adults. Register here. How do films shape and connect us? Join our film discussion. Please watch the film prior to the discussion date. The film for June is And Then We Danced (available on Kanopy). Mon, Jun 5 | 4 – 5 pm online
Pride Button Making Ages 11-18 and adults. Register here. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month by creating your own rainbow or pronoun buttons to wear or share. In this class, you learn about the different types of pride flags, learn about pronouns, and make a rainbow or pronoun button. Sat, Jun 17 | 1 – 2:30 pm Savage Branch
Stick to Being You – Creating Pride Stickers with the Cricut Teens and adults. Register here. Celebrate Pride Month at the Glenwood Branch + Makerspace and learn how to create custom stickers with the Cricut maker. Wed, Jun 21 | 6 – 8 pm Glenwood Brabch
Rainbow Pride Ages 8-11. Ticketed. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month with related reads, activities, and a rainbow craft! Wed, Jun 14 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Central Branch Thu, Jun 15 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Elkridge Brach Wed, Jun 21 | 2 – 2:45 pm | Savage Branch
Craft Pop-Up Shop: Rainbow Pride Edition Ages 4 and up. Allow 15 minutes. Drop in. Pop-in and make a rainbow craft! Mon, Jun 12 | 3 – 4:30 pm Miller Branch
Films with Humans: Moonlight For adults. Register here. Watch a film about humans, since all great stories involve great characters, followed by a discussion with fellow humans. The movie is available on DVD and via Kanopy. Watch the movie at the library on June 29 or view it in advance. Thu, Jun 29 | 6 – 8:30 pm Elkridge Branch
Jessica is an Instructor & Research Specialist at HCLS Savage Branch. She likes comics, anime, all things science fiction, and horror movies. She’s currently learning about 3D Printing and AI.
On your next journey to the Central Branch, promise you will climb to the top floor and venture beyond the computers to the Equity Resource Center, established in 2021. The ERC is a place for community events and a treasure trove of classic and cutting-edge books, audiobooks, movies, television series, and music. A collection of materials you’ve always wanted to read, watch, and discuss.
Recently, I had the opportunity to shift the positioning of ERC materials. I was up to my elbows and down on my knees handling the books, CDs, and DVDs. This is a librarian’s paradise, being among new copies of books I’ve read and can barely wait to read. I wanted to open almost every book and peruse the first pages. This was a physical task, however; the goal was moving and organizing, not intellectualizing. Just as when I’m shelving materials or directing a customer to a topic area, my job at that moment is not to indulge my interests but to engage others’ curiosity. It’s rough, though, staying focused in the ERC when I’m surrounded by all the intriguing titles, many that have been past favorites, shelves of those that I’ve heard others rave about, and new publications that I’m excited to discover.
Honestly, I’m continually surprised by the ERC. The diversity of voices and perspectives in the works seems impossible. While the classic titles attest to the reality that marginalized communities with strong voices have always existed, the scope and depth of contemporary publications feels like hope. Publishers are expanding their willingness to broadcast unique perspectives, and exploring these materials in one place collapses time, as if we have always been privileged to share in each other’s experiences and dreams.
The ERC fills me with gratitude. I am thankful to be alive at a time when I can work and live in a place where the library system offers such wonders to all who choose to enter the doors. I am thankful when I realize how many of the DVDs are multi-award-winning, popular films and that so many of the books are past and current best sellers. These works offer engagement, information, and entertainment to those whose experiences are worlds apart from the authors’. They provide a shared experience for those who want to feel they are not alone. The creators of these artistic riches are of different races and classes. They come from many countries, practice a spectrum of religions, view the world from differently-abled perspectives, and live with distinctive gender identity and sexual orientation. The materials challenge stereotypes, open our minds, provoke strong opinions.
Visual characteristics that are plain for all to see do not define who we are or how we should be treated. We wouldn’t want to, nor should we have to, wear signs identifying the people we are or are not. No person or artist owes us their story. Nevertheless, history and narrative have been abundantly gifted to us in the ERC, presenting opportunities to read, watch, listen, and learn. The fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose, exist to be soaked up, broaden world views, and spread inclusive perspectives.
Times may seem grim with two steps back for every one step forward. Sometimes I despair for the health of our children, our planet, and our marginalized communities. The ERC, though, attests to the fact that despite the pain in the world, forward strides have been accomplished. The sanctuary of the ERC may be in the back of the top floor of the Central Branch, but it is not distant. It is accessible and evolving as we speak.
Welcome to the library, the community gathering place you know, and the oasis of ideas and opportunities beyond what you’ve imagined.
Cherise Tasker is an Adult Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch. When not immersed in literary fiction, Cherise can be found singing along to musical theater soundtracks.
Juneteenth is considered one of the longest-running African American holidays. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is the day in 1865 that federal troops traveled to Galveston, Texas to free all enslaved people living in the state. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in U.S. states that were part of the union. While other citizens were freed from bondage and captivity, the citizens of Texas endured continued hardship and pain. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden established Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
We should not look at Juneteenth as simply a day off from work, but a celebration of freedom, peace, and a continued fight for social equity and equality. Though Juneteenth is a day in which we recognize the end of slavery in the U.S., we must also recognize other injustices and freedoms that are worth fighting for. Racism has been a pervasive and powerful tool in preventing minorities from advancing to elite status and higher growth in society. It took one hundred years after Juneteenth to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which allowed people of color the franchise. Even now, gerrymandering and voter suppression efforts seek to prevent people of color from exercising their right to vote. We continue to witness violence against minorities through law enforcement and vigilantism.
We must answer these questions: Are people really free? Has America freed all its citizens from inequality or are we just repeating history? In order to make progress, we must study our dark past. We can change laws and policies, but America has to first change its heart through empathy and understanding.
A great place to visit and study subject matters like Juneteenth is your public library. HCLS has a variety of books and audio-visual materials in our new Equity Resource Center located at the Central Branch. The Equity Resource Center highlights the contributions of individuals from different cultures and select social groups. Let’s continue to serve others and show empathy towards the less fortunate. Happy Juneteenth, America!
Brandon is a Customer Service Specialist at Central Branch who loves reading, football, and taking nice long walks around his neighborhood.
by Tonya Aikens, President & CEO, Howard County Library System
It’s National Library Week! First observed in 1958, National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library staff, and promote library use and support. This year’s theme, Connect With Your Library, promotes libraries as places to connect – to technology, to learning, and, most importantly, to each other.
We invite you to connect with us and your neighbors when you attend a class or event, participate in a book discussion group, visit an exhibit, get a passport, study or conduct research, browse the collection, or simply stop by for a visit.
At Howard County Library System, we are focused on making connections with and between members of our community. We launched our new mobile unit last summer, bringing classes and materials to preschoolers and their families in communities less able to come to our branches.
We reopened the renovated Glenwood Branch in December, and families are now spending hours in our new Builders Barn and interactive play spaces. After school, teens flock to the cozy booths, play games, and record raps in the recording booth at our makerspace.
Over the past year, we also embarked on an equity journey. We formed a Racial Equity Alliance, comprising 20 people representing a broad cross-section of the community, which guides and partners with us in our racial equity work. We launched our Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative which hosted racial equity training for more than 400 community members, collected more than 600 stories of racism, bias, and discrimination, and convened circles of people seeking to make sense of what they learned and discuss how we should move forward as a community.
In response to requests for a physical space where people can come together to learn more about one another, to learn more about people different than them – whether that’s a different race or culture or belief or gender identity – we created an Equity Resource Center at our Central Branch. This new Center includes space to gather, for exhibits, and for a new 9,000-plus title equity collection.
Libraries serve the entire community and provide opportunities to connect and bring people together across conversation…to hear, listen and understand our differences, to learn how we can make meaning of them, and how we can find and increase common ground.
When we create connections, the fabric of our community is stronger. Libraries are unique places where all people, regardless of background or means, are welcome. Whether you connect with us online or in person, we hope to see you soon.
CHAPTER CHATS 