Beginning Tuesday, September 2, 2025, all six Howard County Library System (HCLS) branches will open one hour earlier on weekdays and Saturdays to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
New Hours of Operation: 

• Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 8 pm

• Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm

• Sunday: 1 – 5 pm (no change) 

“Our new hours will make it easier for people to visit the library before their day gets underway – whether they’re heading to work, school, or simply want a quiet space to start their morning” said Tonya Aikens, President & CEO of Howard County Library System. “This change is a result of requests from our community to open earlier. Visit patterns to our branches support this, showing we were less busy the last hour we were open. At HCLS, our mission is simple but powerful: Learn. Grow. Connect. Our new hours will make it easier for our community to do just that.” 

The earlier opening time aims to serve a wide variety of community members, including early risers, students preparing for classes, parents and caregivers with young children, and community members needing early access to resources, technology, or programs. 

Whether you’re picking up a hold, attending a morning class, or simply enjoying quiet time to read or work, HCLS will be open an hour earlier to welcome you. 

For more information about branch hours and services, visit hclibrary.org.