howard county library system
annual report 2019
Fingerpaint Fridays
Letter from CEO & Board Chair 2019 was a groundbreaking year for Howard County Library System. It was the first full year with our new President & CEO, who brought new ideas and a strong community focus to our work. The year kicked off with Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit illustrating how the federal government systematically imposed residential segregation Tonya Aikens in cities beginning in the 1930s. President & CEO Because of the overwhelmingly positive responses, we extended the exhibit by two months, giving people time to learn and reflect on the historical de jure segregation and its implications through present day. We were pleased to partner with the Horizon Foundation on a speaker series featuring Debby White, Lisa Gray, and Richard Rothstein as follow-ups to the exhibit. Bestselling author Jason Reynolds inspired students with his story about going from being a reluctant reader to becoming an award-winning author. His writings feature characters of color, which Reynolds sees as a reflection of the modern world and which gave him a special connection to students in the audience. He encouraged our youth to give reading another try … especially since he specializes in, “books that aren’t boring.”
Understanding the positive impact of exposure to the arts, the power of art to enhance lives, and how it improves a child’s lifelong outcomes, we launched an art education collection with framed museum quality prints and photos available for borrowing. Featuring art by international as well as local artists, the collection includes a diversity of themes and styles. Each artwork is accompanied by information about the artist, the piece, and tools to inspire conversation. We closed the year celebrating Saketh Sundar, HCLS Spelling Bee champion and one of the historic octochamps of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Saketh was the first four-time champion of the HCLS Spelling Bee and first national winner from Maryland. These are a few of the conversations and successes that frame the beginning of our journey to strengthen our community, working with and alongside you. Together, we will continue Howard County’s reputation as one of the most desirable places to live and to raise families in our country. Only through continual learning and constant civic engagement will we move forward in thoughtful, inclusive ways.
Richard Alexander Board of Trustees Chair
vision
How do we spell “champion”?
A vital component of Howard County’s renowned education system, we deliver excellence in education for everyone, advancing the economy and quality of life.
S -A- K- E-T- H
mission We deliver high-quality public education for all ages.
249,083 library card holders
1,963,559 visits
8,531,225 items borrowed traditional & electronic materials
The first student from Howard County and Maryland to be crowned a Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, Saketh Sundar correctly spelled bougainvillea to become a member of the historic octochamps. He advanced to the National Bee for the fourth consecutive year after winning the HCLS Spelling Bee in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Elected officials, school and community leaders, HCLS staff, the public, and local media celebrated Saketh with a celebration in June, the first just for him and in his hometown. Sixty-six students from public and private schools in Howard County competed in the HCLS Spelling Bee, sponsored by BB&T, Friends & Foundation of HCLS, Howard County Public School System, and the Josephine B. Scheffenacker Education Trust. The HCLS Spelling Bee, now in its 15th year, is part of HCLS’ signature A+ Partners in Education initiative designed to improve the overall academic success of Howard County students. Other events include the BumbleBee, a companion initiative for the Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, a literary competition for teams of fifth graders, and the Rube Goldberg Challenge, a STEM competition for fourth and fifth grade students who design complicated systems of simple machines to complete a designated task.
1,904 students participated in A+ academic competitions 2
Saketh Sundar
ons 3
Undesign the Redline
314,071
people attended classes & events
How did racial discrimination in mortgage lending shape the demographic and wealth patterns of American communities for generations? Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit, explores the history of structural racism and classism and how these designs compounded each other from redlining maps in 239 cities through today. A nonlinear timeline explored connections between challenges and solutions from Reconstruction to the 2000s. Local maps showed how redlining continues to affect Baltimore and illustrated how Columbia, developed as a utopian “colorblind” ideal, has become segregated. Created by Designing the We, the exhibit attracted scores of citizens and students from local schools and colleges. HCLS staff and volunteers led book discussion groups, reflection sessions, and related classes. More than 2,000 people participated in group tours, representing all segments of the community, including students, teachers and administrators, community groups, realtors, and faith-based groups. The conversation continued with an appearance by Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law, and a conversation between Waking Up White author Debby Irving and Lisa Gray, UMBC’s Associate Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion.
1,798
STEAM classes
10,224
classes taught for all ages
208,049
online class sessions
1,665,336
research assistance interactions
2,159,286 web site visits
5
Jason Reynolds Bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds addressed a “sold out” crowd of 400 students and adults at East Columbia Branch in October. In partnership with Howard County Public School System, students from Cradlerock Elementary, Lake Elkhorn Middle, Homewood, Wilde Lake Middle, Harpers Choice Middle, and Oakland Mills Middle schools attended Reynolds’ riveting presentation about his life growing up in Prince George’s County, struggles as a student, and success as an author. Both Reynolds’ personal story and those he writes are especially relatable and inspirational to his young adult audiences. He speaks openly about his transformation from a nonreader living on the edge in Oxon Hill, Maryland to becoming a literary celebrity whose promise to his young audience is, “not to write boring books.” Reynolds’ writing reflects his understanding of the fears and challenges that all young people experience. A challenge match from the Kathleen S. Glascock Tribute Fund raised funds to provide signed copies of Reynolds’ book, For Every One, for the students. The free-verse book provides hope and reassurance to teens as they try to make sense of their own dreams for the future. A self-professed dreamer, Reynolds wants kids to know that dreams take time and they involve countless struggles. In 2016, Robert Glascock established the tribute fund in his wife’s name for children/youth literacy and education at HCLS. Reynolds writes novels and poetry for young adult and middle-grade audiences. He addresses today’s issues in fresh, bold voices, telling exciting stories — the opposite of the boring books he remembers being told to read in school. His novels include the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, a story told in verse that received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and a Printz Honor. 6
7,985
attendance in homework clubs
5,617
lunches served FREE MEALS In partnership with Howard County Public School System, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services, and Community Action Council of Howard County, HCLS East Columbia and Central Branches served as reliable locations for youth ages 18 and younger to receive lunches (provided by HCPSS) and snacks (provided by KidzTable) during school breaks. Providing meals and snacks in libraries removes stigmas that may be barriers to those in need. No applications or enrollments needed. At HCLS East Columbia Branch: • During summer 2018: 3,411 lunches and 2,306 snacks • During winter break 2018: 143 lunches • During spring break 2019: 625 lunches • School year snacks: 11,578 At HCLS Central Branch: • During summer 2018: 1,438 lunches and 1,127 snacks • School year snacks: 5,231 7
325
paintings, photographs & prints borrowed
F I V E S TA R
ART EDUCATION COLLECTION Need art for your home or office? Borrow framed artwork (prints and photographs) from HCLS Central Branch’s new Art Education Collection. Launched in March, the new collection contains diverse visual styles and themes, and features artists such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Ernie Barnes, Charles Bibbs, Paul Cezanne, Mark Rothko, and Pablo Picasso, as well as local artists. Each artwork is accompanied by information about the artist, the piece, and tools to inspire conversation.
LIBRARY Howard County Library System was ranked a five-star library by Library Journal, the highest standard attained by fewer than one percent of public libraries in the U.S. — the only five star library system in Maryland.
OTHER AWARDS HCLS 2019 Evening in the Stacks Promotional Materials Win Hermes Gold Award HCLS Elkridge Branch + DIY Education Center Receives Sustainable Design Award
8
k Artist Joan Lo
Howard County Library System invites you to engage in the many other events and services offered, such as: battle hitech
of the books | rube goldberg challenge | children’s discovery fair | notable author events |
| s.t.e.a.m.
classes | project literacy | summer reading | passport processing | proctoring |
evening in the stacks | the longest table | educational toys | social cinema | diy collection & classes | enchanted garden | quiet work and study rooms | e-content for businesses | kindergarten readiness | sensory friendly classes | workshops for veterans | voter engagement
562
guests enjoyed An Otherworldly Evening in the Stacks
Meet the Author Kate Quinn
Meet the Author Richard Rothste in
Talk: Let’s enth te June
HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Public Education for All