By Stacey F.

“We held our own with the experts!”
A favorite quote from two proud Mah Johngg Meet Up players

Note: This post refers to the American version of Mah Jongg. I have only a nodding acquaintance with Asian Mah Jongg, but I hope to learn how to play that version, too.

The community is the heart of the library – particularly since returning from the pandemic. In February 2024, we mark the second anniversary of one such community building activity: Mah Jongg Meet Up.

Growing up, my grandmother loved playing Mah Jongg with “the girls.” They would play, chat, and eat Entenmann’s snacks. While she would never let my sister or me be around when they played, she would show us her tiles and explain how to play the game. I was fascinated. When she passed away, I asked for her Mah Jongg set. I eventually joined a local group and playing regularly made me want to find (or create) a bigger community.

Inspired by a friend who taught a Mah Jongg class at Carroll County Public Library, I started planning to offer something similar before the pandemic. I did not give up hope! In December 2021, I was able to host my first Mah Jongg 101 class. The response was exciting, and we held our first Mah Jongg Meet Up in February 2022. 

Then, I got a phone call from someone from Howard Community College (HCC) asking if we could meet more often. HCC offers an American Mah Jongg class, and the HCC instructors volunteered to assist with more regular playing sessions at the library. A partnership was born, and we now offer (with my colleague Julie) meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. 

I love how Meet Ups foster community within the library. Some people come by themselves, and others bring friends. What makes me kvell* is when strangers become friends and form new Mah Jongg groups. One group of friends attended an early set of Mah Jongg 101 classes then came to the monthly Meet Ups to practice. When I saw them at the library over the summer, they told me how much they love the game and meet weekly to play, then go out to lunch afterwards.

Recently, I posted about Mah Jongg 101 on Facebook and received a message from a friend from junior high. She joined with a group of friends, who enjoyed the class. They now come to Meet Ups, as well as meet on their own. They laughingly told me how they played with all of my handouts in front of them, trying to figure out what’s going on. 

*kvell – [Yiddish] to feel happy or proud  
**verklempt – [Yiddish] overcome with emotion; unable to speak

Want to learn how to play American Mah Jongg? We have an upcoming class in April. Register once for both sessions.

Want to join us for a Mah Jongg Meet Up?  We meet on the second & fourth Tuesday of the month.  Check the calendar. No registration is required.

And, of course, we’ve got books on Mah Jongg, too!   

Learn about the history of Mah Jongg with Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of American Culture  by Annelise Heinz.

Want to learn to play? This is my favorite book for new players: American Mah Jongg for Everyone: The Complete Beginner’s Guide by Gregg Swain & Toby Salk.

Stacey F. is the Children’s Instruction & Research Supervisor at the Miller Branch.  She has been at HCLS since 2004 (this time) and has been playing Mah Jongg on and off since 1995, which is why she chose Mahjchick as her Girl Scout camp name. If you would like to know more about Mah Jongg, feel free to reach out: stacey.freedman@hclibrary.org