SOURCE JULY/AUG 2022

source

Howard County Library System

jul/aug 2022

Meet the Chef & Author Michael W. Twitty see p 3

in this issue: Summer celebrations Author Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman Literary day trips Northstar digital literacy

Letter from the President and CEO V27 N4

source

hclibrary.org

HOURS MON - THU FRI & SAT SUN* *Central and Miller Branches

10 am - 9 pm 10 am – 6 pm 1 - 5 pm only.

HOLIDAYS + CLOSINGS Independence Day

Jul 4

LOCATIONS + NUMBERS HOURSplus 0NLINE PHONE RENEWALS

410.313.7890 410.313.78 1 0

CENTRAL BRANCH 410.313.7800 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 EAST COLUMBIA BRANCH

410.313.7700

6600 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD 21045 ELKRIDGE BRANCH 6540 Washington Boulevard Elkridge, MD 21075

410.313.5077

GLENWOOD BRANCH 2350 State Route 97 Cooksville, MD 21723

410.313.5577

MILLER BRANCH 9421 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

410.313.1950

SAVAGE BRANCH 9525 Durness Lane Laurel, MD 20723

410.313.0760

ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH

410.313.7750

9411 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

TTY FOR HEARING IMPAIRED Central East Columbia Elkridge Glenwood Miller Savage

410.3 1 3.7883 410.3 1 3.77 70 410.3 1 3.5090 410.3 1 3.5597 410.3 1 3. 1 957 410.880.5867

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Thomas K. Munns, Chair Antonia B. Watts, Vice Chair Phillip M. Dodge, Treasurer Anne R. Markus Robert A. Mentz Kelly L. Smith Sabina Taj MISSION/VISION: We deliver high-quality public education for all ages.

A vital component of Howard County’s renowned education system, we deliver excellence in education, advancing the economy and enhancing quality of life. source sponsored in part by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.

We’re halfway through summer, and we hope you’re having fun with this year’s Summer READers gameboard. Stop by your branch when you’re finished to be eligible for prizes. One of the suggested summer reading activities is to “Attend a library class, in person or online.” We have a great selection during the next two months to make this one easy to check off your list!

First, we are proud to bring two groundbreaking authors to HCLS. On July 27, Anna Gifty-Opoku-Agyeman (p. 9) talks about the collection of essays she edited, which feature topics ranging from Black maternal health and reparations to AI bias and inclusive economic policy. These ideas have the potential to uplift and heal not only Black America, but the entire country.

Then, Michael Twitty joins us on August 11 (p. 3) to discuss his new book, KosherSoul. He won a James Beard award for his first title, The Cooking Gene, which delved into the foodways of the deep South as well as his own genealogy. We hope these authors inspire you to borrow a cookbook or a title from the Equity Resource Collection (more summer reading activities to check off your gameboard!).

We are celebrating summer at all our branches; see p. 5 for the list of events for families. Summer is also made for vacations and road trips. We have suggestions about where to go and what to read along the way; see p. 9 for local ideas as well as some further afield.

And as August closes in, we start thinking about going back to school. We have some tips, and we again offer sessions for incoming kindergarteners and middle schoolers. Students who are about to begin kindergarten are invited to come wiggle their worries away and board a real school bus at Kindergarten, Here We Come! Rising sixth graders can get helpful hints at Moving Up to Middle School (p. 13).

Back to school isn’t just for K-12 and college students! Our new NorthStar tool helps increase digital literacy among adults. This easy-to-use resource can help bolster digital skills for anyone who wants to learn fundamental skills or help refresh and update existing skills. Basic computer classes are also available in our branches (p. 12).

Wherever summer takes you, we hope to see you at the library!

Tonya Aikens President & CEO

ACCOMMODATIONS: Appropriate accommodations made at Howard County Library System (HCLS) sponsored events for individuals with special needs, if requested at least one week in advance.

CONTENT AND ENDORSEMENT: The content of HCLS publications, classes, and events does not necessarily reflect the views held by HCLS, nor does mention of companies or organizations imply endorsement.

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE STATEMENT:

2

Please see hclibrary.org/about-us/photo-video-and-audio-release.

Author Works with Michael Twitty: KosherSoul: the faith and food journey of an african american jew Thu

Aug 11

7 – 8 pm

Miller

Please register to attend. Limited seats.

Register at bit.ly/twittyhcls In KosherSoul, Michael Twitty, author of the acclaimed The Cooking Gene, explores the cultural crossroads of Jewish and African diaspora cuisine and issues of memory, identity, and food.

For Twitty, the creation of African-Jewish cooking is a conversation of migrations and a dialogue of diasporas offering a rich background for inventive recipes and the people who create them. The question that most intrigues him is not just who makes the food, but how the food makes the people, looking at how culinary traditions reflect the journey and validate the existence of marganialized identities. Twitty aims to move beyond the idea of Jews of Color as outliers, but instead as significant and meaningful cultural creators in both Black and Jewish civilizations.

He shares recipes for Southern touchstones like apple barbecue sauce, watermelon and feta salad, and collard green lasagna, while blending the traditions of his mixed identity into new creations such as Louisiana-style latkes and kush. KosherSoul is more than a cookbook; it is an exploration of selfhood when born at a crossroads of race.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR A highly sought-after speaker and consultant, Twitty has appeared on programs with Andrew Zimmern, Henry Louis Gates, Padma Lakshmi, and most recently on Michelle Obama's Waffles and Mochi.

He is a TED Fellow and was just named as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. His first MasterClass course, “Tracing Your Roots Through Food,” is now available. Over the past year he has partnered with Atlas Obscura to teach multiple online seminars and was the first guest on a new web series for their food division. Michael will also be a consulting producer on a new food competition program coming soon from OWN. He lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

from Chapter Chats blog: The James Beard Award-winning book, The Cooking Gene, defies categorization: part memoir, part highly researched historical account of Southern foodways, and part genealogical research into the author's ancestry. It also includes recipes. By no means an easy book to read in its themes or storytelling, Twitty takes us on journeys throughout the American colonies with the contributions of enslaved Africans front and center. The book generally follows the history of the American South, but other bits work their way in, too.

Personal experiences and family stories intersperse with long lists of ingredients found at plantation feasts. It's like having an extremely learned docent talking about all his favorite subjects, which is a fair assessment of the situation.

Michael Twitty is a gay, Black, Jewish man who interprets historical Southern cooking, particularly from the pre-Civil War era. His book recounts some of those experiences, intermingled with a wealth of knowledge about how "soul food," that indelible American cultural touchstone, came to be. read more:

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r e m sum

s r e EAD

R

Have fun!

Have fun this summer while tracking your reading and activities! Prizes available beginning August 1. Summer READers:

•

READ BOOKS, including eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and more. Reading can be substituted for any activity.

•

DO ACTIVITIES, chosen from the list provided on the gameboard and online.

All activities can be repeated.

•

WIN PRIZES! Visit hclibrary.org/summer for how your age group wins prizes.

Sponsored by Friends & Foundation of HCLS. Part of the A+ Partnership with Howard County Public School System.

until Aug 31

Visit Savage Branch's StoryWalk®, featuring Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert and All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold.

The StoryWalk® stretches across the front of the library and down the path to the outdoor classroom. Meet, read, learn, and walk together as you enjoy the stories that highlight our community's core values of kindness, inclusion, and fun for all ages! Don’t forget to sign the StoryWalk® guest book located at the customer service desk.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

As part of BrainFuse, this online summer skills camp features lessons and videos in math, science, language arts, and social studies for students in grades 3 - 12. Camp also includes exercises and practice tests for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP classes.

Visit hclibrary.org > Youth & Educators to login with your HCLS card and PIN.

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and celebrate!

Celebrate Summer READing at your favorite library branch!

Join one (or more!) of our branch celebrations throughout the summer.

Off the Beaten Path

Under the Sea! Celebrate summer...under the sea! Enjoy creating crafts and a scavenger hunt and other fun activities. Tina, the fish tank caregiver, shares touch tanks/bowls with salt water starfish, sea glass, and other sea creatures.

Let's celebrate! Join us as we highlight summer reading and our new Builders' Barn and Makerspace. Fun activities for the entire family, including hedgehogs. Costumes welcome.

Fri

Fri

Come celebrate what the Elkridge community has to offer!

Hop on board big vehicles, see demos and performances from local organizations and groups, and enjoy outdoor games, crafts, and activities with your neighbors.

Jul 15

1 – 5 pm

Glenwood

Grow Our Community Celebrate our fantastic community at the Savage Branch!

Plant a seed, enjoy our StoryWalk, make crafts, play games, and celebrate summer reading. Help grow our community relationships by meeting neighbors, participating in classes, and making your mark on our Savage Community Art Project.

Sat

Jul 16

10 am – 2 pm

Savage

Jul 22

1:30 – 3:30 pm

East Columbia

Community Festival

Sat

Jul 23

10 am – 2:30 pm

Elkridge

Enchanted Garden Carnival Come one! Come all! Bring the family and have a ball at our Enchanted Garden Carnival. Games, music, and fun for everyone. Rain or shine.

Wed

Aug 24

6 - 8 pm

Miller

FREE SUMMER MEALS & SNACKS for children & teens (ages 18 and under) Mon - Fri, through Aug 12 Must consume onsite.

Lunch at East Columbia Branch 12:30 - 2 pm provided by HCPSS

Snacks at Central Branch 2 - 3 pm provided by Good Harvest

children & teens

adult nonfiction

adult fiction

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55

Beyond the Fireworks!

by Cherise Tasker, HCLS Central Branch

Before Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton, there was Sherman Edwards and 1776. A WWII veteran who studied history as an undergrad and graduate student, Edwards taught high school history. He was a jazz pianist and enjoyed acting and songwriting. For six years he researched early American history, and his primary source studies at libraries and historical societies became the 1969 Tony award-winning musical 1776. The founding fathers harmonize and dance, Thomas Jefferson even plays the violin. Abigail and John Adams share a romantic ballad of quotes from their lifelong correspondence. Check out the film on DVD, and soundtrack on CD and Freegal, and celebrate July 4th singing, “Just as Tom here has written, though the shell may belong to Great Britain, the eagle inside belongs to us!”

The Great Courses offers a 4-part CD series, Origins and Ideologies of the American Revolution, and a video series, Early American History: Native Americans through the 49ers, where Professor Linwood Thompson delivers 30 lectures while dressed in various period costumes. Combine either or both of these courses with a David McCullough book, such as 1776 or John Adams, for a deep intellectual dive into the birth of the United States.

for the fourth! adult nonfiction

adult fiction

children & teens

For reenactments of pivotal moments in American Revolution history from 1763-1788, watch the Peabody Award-winning 6-part series Liberty! on DVD and Kanopy.

The accomplished cast includes Tony-award winning stage and screen actress Donna Murphy as Abigail Adams and Oscar-winning Phillip Seymour Hoffman portraying Joseph Plumb Martin, a young soldier who published a narrative of his experiences in the Revolutionary War. Yo-Yo Ma and Winton Marsalis play on the soundtrack.

Traditional annual celebrations such as Independence Day offer a consequential opportunity to explore the nation from diverse perspectives. The HCLS Equity Resource Collection offers thousands of titles across fiction, nonfiction, music, television, and film. For widely different perspectives on the United States origin story, read Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers, an essay collection edited by Robert Woodson, and The 1619 Project: A New American Origin Story, by Pulitzer Prize-winning Nikole Hannah-Jones. The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier-Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware documents the little-known story of the Marbleheaders, White, Black, Hispanic, and Native American mariners from Marblehead, MA. Without this special ops-type regiment, Washington may never have crossed Delaware and changed the course of the Revolutionary War.

Reading Human Rights Reading Human Rights is a monthly book discussion hosted by the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and Howard County Library System. We read books that promote cultural awareness, diversity, equity.

Tuesdays; 6:30 - 7:30 pm East Columbia Branch Jul 19 The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein Register at bit.ly/rothsteinjuly Aug 23 Visit hclibrary.org > classes & events for a title to be announced soon.

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JUL/AUG 2022

HCLS continues to offer a wide selection of classes and events online, including live and pre-recorded classes for all ages. Stay up-to-date by visiting hclibrary.org > classes & events.

WHERE: Equity Resource Center HCLS Central Branch - second floor

Author Works: Anna Gifty OpokuAgyeman & The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System

WHEN: Operating hours (see p. 2) through August 2022.

Brave Stories online: Learn more about this project, watch filmed stories, and share your stories at hclibrary.org/brave-stories.

Related programs and events

Wed Jul 27 7 – 8 pm Equity Resource Center, second floor of Central Branch Register at bit.ly/boldsolutionshcls The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions For a Broken System features Black voices across economics, education, health, climate, and technology, speaking to the question "What's next?" as it pertains to centering Black people in policy matters in our country. Essays by Dr. Sandy Darity, Dr. Hedwig Lee, Mary Heglar, Janelle Jones, and others present groundbreaking ideas ranging from Black maternal health to reparations to AI bias to inclusive economic policy, with the potential to uplift and heal not only Black America, but the entire country.

Create art inspired by these stories and your own experiences

•

Participate in discussion and story sharing events

•

Request a story sharing event for your organization (email racialequity@hclibrary.org)

Exhibit

We know our own stories, and see the world through our own eyes. What other people experience can be invisible to us, or hard to understand even when it’s happening right in front of you.

Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is an awardwinning Ghanaian-American researcher, entrepreneur, and writer. The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System is the first collection to exclusively feature Black scholars and experts across subject matters. She graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics and a minor in Economics.

Currently, she is studying public policy and economics at the Harvard Kennedy School. She has been featured widely in Bloomberg, NPR, Teen Vogue, Slate, and The New York Times.

She will be in conversation with Dr. Sheri Parks, who is the vice president for strategic initiatives for the Maryland Institute College of Art. Parks has appeared frequently in national and international media and is a regular cultural critic for WYPR-NPR and the Baltimore Sun podcast, Roughly Speaking. Her most recent publication is Fierce Angels: Living with a Legacy from the Sacred Dark Feminine to the Strong Black Woman.

•

As part of our ongoing commitment to high quality education for all, HCLS has been collecting “Brave Stories” of experiences of race relations in Howard County.

Hundreds of residents have shared stories that gave them hope, made them think “things have to change,” or seemed typical of race relations here.

When we read other people’s stories, and see the world a little more through others’ eyes, we can learn important things about the community we share, and about how we might heal and improve it.

Some of the stories collected so far are available for you to encounter and explore in a new exhibit in the Equity Resource Center of the HCLS Central Branch.

We hope you come – perhaps with a companion or small group! Read the stories, reflect on them and how they inspire you, and add your own.

This project was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Maryland State Library.

FOLLOW FOLLOW US: US:

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77

Sprucing Up This Summer

by Eric Laun, HCLS Elkridge Branch While the DIY Education Center was extremely popular this spring, summer is also a great time to get working on your DIY project!

To be sure, the central Maryland heat is often oppressive in July and August, so perhaps it’s a good time to start an indoor project. Painting is arguably the easiest and least expensive way to spruce up your space. We do not lend paint brushes, roller frames, and paint trays (or what some call paint sundries); however, we do have spackle knives and joint compound pans to get those walls ready for painting.

More importantly, we have a variety of ladders to lend. One can borrow 6’ and 8’ step ladders to get those high spots, and 3’ ladder with a large standing platform (perfect for room painting). We have several Little Giant 17’ Velocity ladders and telescoping plank scaffolding systems as well.

However, I cannot describe this tool system better than a video can. I'd recommend an internet search so you may get a full appreciation of its greatness. (I'm joking, but it is sort of neat!)

The paint sundries are not very expensive, and disposable in many cases, but ladders are expensive and take up a lot of storage space. I have painted more areas than I’d care to remember, and, honestly, the clean-up is the worst part.

The actual painting is sort of relaxing, a good time to listen to music, have a glass of wine (just a few to stay on task), and chat with your family members, roommates, or just spend some time alone with your thoughts. Painting is also an extremely rewarding endeavor, with quick results and a refreshed space.

Traveling abroad this summer?

beach and travel reads adult nonfiction

adult fiction

HCLS offers online language learning for all ages:

•

Little Pim: birth — age 6

•

Muzzy Online: ages 6 — 10

•

Mango Languages: ages 12 & up

•

Rosetta Stone Library Edition: ages 18 & up

children & teens

Visit hclibrary.org/research/online-classes to sign in with your HCLS card number and PIN.

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JUL/AUG 2022

HCLS continues to offer a wide selection of classes and events online, including live and pre-recorded classes for all ages. Stay up-to-date by visiting hclibrary.org > classes & events.

Literary Day Trips with Kids

by Jean Boone, HCLS Central Branch out the picture book by Lisa Papp, The Town that Fooled the British: A War of 1812 Story, to uncover the clever trick that saved St. Michael’s from destruction 200 years ago.

Books can take you anywhere – you can discover all kinds of places and people from the comfort of home. But books can also lead you OUT into real life adventures. This summer, check out some of these children’s books with local connections then take a family excursion to live it yourself!

Interested in ingenuity? For an adventure in Howard County’s backyard, read TickTock Banneker’s Clock by Shana Keller. Learn about the African American colonial scientist Benjamin Banneker, then explore the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park in Oella. Tour his restored colonial cabin and gardens, hike woodland trails, and participate in fun summer programs with nature and colonial history themes.

For the ambitious, a trip to Jamestown, Virginia could be like a true crime investigation when combined with the award-winning nonfiction book, Written in Bone by Sally M. Walker. This fascinating (and sometimes gruesome) account shows how forensic scientists are studying skeletons found in Jamestown’s colonial ruins to decipher exactly who these bones belonged to, how they lived, and how they died.

Fascinated by famous faces? Read Parker Looks Up by Parker and Jessica Curry. Visit the National Portrait Gallery to see the portrait of Michele Obama, as well as those of many other interesting Americans of the past and present.

Seeking sports glory? One of baseball’s legends, Babe Ruth, grew up in Baltimore. Explore his childhood story and how he was introduced to the game - you may be surprised! - with the book Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares. Then visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, or go to a baseball game at Camden Yards or Bowie.

Intrigued by history’s mysteries? Take a drive to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and you’ll find the quaint waterfront town of St. Michael’s. Before your visit, check

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staff spotlight: Julie Fitzpatrick Title and branch: Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Miller Branch How long have you been with HCLS? Almost 11 years! I started at the “old” Miller Branch about a month before we closed to build the new branch, with the good fortune to work with my Glenwood Branch colleagues during the closure. I’ve been at Miller since we reopened in the new building.

What excites you most about your work?

I love the sense of community with both customers and colleagues, and the variety of activities in the course of my working day. I especially love Reader’s Advisory, in part because I have a 15-year history in both indie and chain bookstores prior to working for the library. That’s over a quarter-century of book recommendations! Helping customers find their perfect books gives me immense satisfaction.

How are you involved in the community?

In the library community, I’m really excited to be the incoming editor of the Maryland Library Association’s

quarterly newsletter, The Crab (I also edit HCLS’s blog, Chapter Chats). In the wider community, I’ve had many opportunities to share book reviews and recommendations with several senior and retirement living communities. My branch is situated between a 50+ Center and a retirement community, so we really have a heart for our senior neighbors, who have so much knowledge and experience to share and are so appreciative of the library.

What’s an unusual fact about you?

My aunt bred thoroughbred racehorses in the sixties and seventies, and named one mare Rash Julie after me. She did have a Maryland-bred Horse of the Year two years in a row but Rash Julie did not turn out to be a stakes winner!

What was your first job?

My first job was with a theatrical costume, makeup, and dancewear shop, in high school and through four years of college. Then I worked for a florist/event designer while in graduate school. I love small business because you are part of a dedicated and supportive team working towards the same goals.

Congratulations! to our movers & shakers Howard County Library System staff members Nay Keppler and Katie DiSalvo-Thronson were named 2022 Movers and Shakers by Library Journal, a recognition that, since 2002, annually spotlights a group of individuals who are moving the library field forward as a profession.

Nay Keppler is the Miller Branch manager and was recognized in the Educators category.

“Libraries transformed my life and gave me a vehicle to help other people,” Keppler says.

“The library gave me a purpose on this planet.”

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JUL/AUG 2022

Katie is the Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager and was recognized in the Community Builders category. “I want to live in a world with more community,” she says. “The library is a great tool for advancing that. Connecting to community is really imperative for helping as many people as possible use those resources.”

HCLS continues to offer a wide selection of classes and events online, including live and pre-recorded classes for all ages. Stay up-to-date by visiting hclibrary.org > classes & events.

Do you have pets?

We have four adorable, adored, and active indoor cats: Juniper, Cinders, Mercury, and Poppy. I haven’t had a dog since childhood, but we have enjoyed pupsitting for friends.

Favorite type of music?

I’m an all-around music nerd. My father’s family was extremely musical, but my bookstore colleagues exposed me to an eclectic array of new bands and albums and broadened my appreciation for so many genres.

My favorite role there was as the inventory processor for the multimedia department, working with some of the most knowledgeable music experts I’ve ever met. If you’ve read Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, or seen the John Cusack movie based on the book, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

Do you read more than one book at a time?

I always have at least three on the go: currently, my two book club selections are Anxious People by Fredrik Backman and The Other Woman by Daniel Silva, and my pleasure reading is Return of the Osprey: A Season of Flight and Wonder by David Gessner.

How to Create and Write a Successful Blog Thu Jul 14 7 – 8 pm Miller Branch Register at bit.ly/hclsblog Do you love to write and want to share your words and views with others? Creating and writing a blog is a great outlet for building a space where you can share your thoughts, and use those to generate great discussions with others via this social media.

Long-time bloggers Reed and Pauli Kohberger guide you through the process of envisioning, designing and creating your blog, writing engaging articles, and cultivating a group of dedicated readers and commenters. Reed created The Pitt POV football blog in 2016 after writing for an earlier blog since 2010. His readership averages more than 610,000 per year.

Favorite place to travel?

My parents retired to the Delaware shore, where the hiking and birding opportunities are plentiful. Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges, Delaware Seashore State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, Gordon’s Pond in Rehoboth – we love them all.

Favorite time of year?

For birding, nothing beats the spring and fall migratory seasons, but there is also something magical about a pristine, untouched snowfall in wintertime. This native Marylander has never gotten used to the summer humidity.

Do you speak other languages?

I took six years of French in high school and college, but that was a long time ago. My dream for retirement is to brush up on my French and learn Italian, for travel and for reading.

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Introducing NorthStar Improve your Digital Fluency on YOUR schedule!

Build your digital skills and fluency with NorthStar, available for free at the Library.

NorthStar uses an assessment quiz to help you identify the areas where your skills are strong, as well as areas that need improvement. This easy-to-use resource can help bolster digital skills for anyone who wants to learn fundamental skills or help refresh and update existing skills.

NorthStar points you towards the classes on the platform that will help you with those skills. This covers everything from the basics (e.g., identify a mouse, power button, USB port) to more advanced skills like navigating Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Google Docs, Job Search Skills, and even participating in Telehealth appointments.

A few things to know about NorthStar:

•

No HCLS library card is required to register a learner account on NorthStar.

•

You receive unique recommendations for classes based on your initial assessment.

•

These are self-directed online classes that can be taken from any location, so you can take classes at any library branch, from home, from work, or anywhere and on your own schedule.

If you need a computer or internet to access NorthStar, come to any HCLS branch. You can also borrow a Chromebook (a type of laptop) and wi-fi hotspot (which provides internet access) from the library and take them home with you. For more information on how to borrow a Chromebook and wi-fi hotspot, visit hclibrary.org/ chromebooks or call your local branch.

Get started with NorthStar by visiting bit.ly/hclsnorthstar and creating a Learner Account. You will need an email address to get started.

If you would like some in-person help with digital skills, register for one of our computer clinics (listed below). Find the full schedule here: bit.ly/hclscomputers

Computer Skills Open Lab

Register for for any of these sessions at bit.ly/hclscomputers, scan the QR Code, or call 410.313.7700.

If you’re looking to improve your computer skills, visit our computer skills open lab. Boost your technical knowledge by getting hands-on assistance with topics such as:

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Basic computer skills

•

Using the Internet

•

Setting up an email account

•

Creating and saving documents

Computer Basics

We work with you at your skill level and provide information and guidance to develop the skills you are seeking or resolve the problem you are facing. Use our PC laptops and headphones, or bring your own laptop and headphones.

Bring your questions!

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Tue

Jul 5

1 – 3 pm

East Columbia

Thu

Jul 21

11 am – 1 pm

Elkridge

Tue

Aug 2

10 am – 12 pm

East Columbia

Thu

Aug 18

11 am – 1 pm

Elkridge

JUL/AUG 2022

Wed 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Jul 13 Central Branch

Mon 2 – 4 pm

Jul 25 Savage Branch

Wed

Aug 10

6:30 – 8:30 pm

Central Branch

Mon

Aug 22

2 – 4 pm

Savage Branch

New to using computers? This class introduces some basic computer terminology and leads you through practice activities, such as opening and saving files and folders, searching the Internet, and creating an email account using Gmail. Use our PC laptops and earbuds, or bring your own laptop and headphones.

HCLS continues to offer a wide selection of classes and events online, including live and pre-recorded classes for all ages. Stay up-to-date by visiting hclibrary.org > classes & events.

BACK TO SCHOOL

by Brandon Bannister, HCLS Central Branch No matter if you are a recent high school graduate, transfer student, non-traditional student, or you are returning to the classroom, preparing to continue education can bring a lot of excitement and anxiety. Parents will be excited to send their child off to college dorms, making them (temporary) empty nesters. On the other hand, older students may be apprehensive about giving college one more try or nervous about fulfilling expectations. No matter what the circumstances are for pursuing your college degree, it can feel like an emotional roller coaster. Before you embark on your journey through your institution of higher learning, consider a few things.

Where will you attend classes? Attending a four year college can be costly, so starting at a local community college or trade school is a great option. One school to consider is Howard Community College, which has been recognized as one of the best community colleges in the nation. While at a community college, you can take care all of your general requirements and secure an associate's degree while cutting down on your college expenses. College may not be for everyone, so trade school is another good option, perhaps to study the culinary arts. Lincoln Tech, in Columbia, offers auto mechanic, culinary arts, and HVAC certifications.

Planning your schedule. You need to decide if you are planning to be a full-time or part-time student. For example, an incoming freshmen more than likely does not have the responsibilities and obligations of a parent, so plan accordingly. A full-time student carries 12 credits or more, which requires a serious time commitment.

Kindergarten, Here We Come! is a 45 - 60-minute class for children entering Kindergarten this fall. Registration required.

Textbooks and other required resources: Purchasing textbooks can be expensive, but you can utilize the library's inter-library loan system to borrow required reading material from all over the state. Buying used textbooks can also defray costs.

Graduation and career goals. Once you declare a major, it would be in your best interest to build a great relationship with your academic advisor. Your advisor can help you plan for graduation and future career endeavors, as well as educate you on internship opportunities related to your field of study.

If you need additional help about college search and preparation, please visit any library branch. Our staff can assist with all of your back-to-school needs.

Kindergarten, Here We Come!

The class features stories and activities to help mark that all important first day, including boarding a real school bus.

Cosponsored by Friends & Foundation of HCLS and Howard County Public School System.

Moving Up To Middle School Moving Up To Middle School is a 60 or 90 minute class for students starting sixth grade this fall. Registration required, and begins two weeks before each date.

Meet new classmates, discuss the big move, and learn the secrets to success. Compete in a book bag relay and combination lock time-trial!

Visit howardcounty.librarycalendar.com for dates, times, and locations for both sessions.

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Appreciating American Art: A Closer Look at Norman Rockwell

by Emily Bell, HCLS Central Branch August is American Artists Appreciation Month, and it would be tough to find a more quintessentially American artist than Norman Rockwell. Born in New York City in 1894, Rockwell was a prolific painter and illustrator whose work made its way into American homes and hearts throughout the 20th century.

Rockwell began his career in art illustrating covers for Boys’ Life magazine, later illustrating more than 300 covers for Saturday Evening Post. During World War II, Rockwell’s art pivoted towards depictions of life on the American front.

Rockwell even illustrated Rosie the Riveter in 1943, taking inspiration from Michaelangelo’s depiction of Prophet Isaiah in the Sistine Chapel. Rockwell’s popular depiction of Rosie was utilized by the Department of the Treasury to promote the purchase of war bonds.

His stand-alone artworks tended to spotlight slices of American life in his signature hyper-realistic and detailed style. Rockwell’s work was often underappreciated by art critics during his lifetime.

His distinct style that now evokes a sense of nostalgia was jokingly labeled as “rockwellesque,”diminishing his talent for capturing such an idyllic glimpse at American life.

Though his paintings and illustrations skewed towards quirky and wholesome, Rockwell did not shy away from tough topics. One of his most poignant works, The Problem We All Live With, depicts a young Ruby Bridges flanked by four US Marshals as she endures the treacherous journey to her desegregated elementary school.

At Bridges’ request, the painting was displayed in the White House when she visited President Barack Obama.

the sentimental smalltown feel of Rockwell’s art when directing Forrest Gump. He said, "I imagined Norman Rockwell painting the baby boomers."

Today Rockwell’s art offers a wistful and nostalgic look back at “simpler” times, though times were not simpler for all. His art serves as a reflection on the important changes America endured during the 20th century, world wars and civil rights movements. His art is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.

Framed Rockwell prints are available to borrow from the Art Education Collection at the Central and Glenwood Branches, including: Checkers Cobbler Studying Doll's Shoe The Golden Rule (above) Spring Flowers (left) Stockbridge Christmas

more art resources adult nonfiction

adult fiction

children & teens

Though he passed away in 1978, Rockwell’s influence is still felt today. Lana del Rey, a singer known for her fondness for 1950s and 1960s American culture, paid a tongue-in-cheek homage to Rockwell naming her 2019 album NFR! and its title track after the artist. Robert Zemeckis drew inspiration from

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JUL/AUG 2022

HCLS continues to offer a wide selection of classes and events online, including live and pre-recorded classes for all ages. Stay up-to-date by visiting hclibrary.org > classes & events.

thank you!

Our sincere thanks to the individuals, organizations, and businesses for their generous financial and in-kind donations to Howard County Library System. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this list of those who made contributions between March 1 - April 30, 2022. Please call 410.313.7799 to report any errors or omissions. $5,000+ Clarksville Commons Grimm + Parker Architects Howard Hughes Corporation

PRESIDENTIAL CIRCLE ($10,000+) Yolanda and Francis Bruno Family Fund Friends & Foundation of HCLS Howard County Public School System Howard Hughes Corporation M&T Bank Josephine B. Scheffenacker Education Trust Estate of George Rothstein UP TO $1,000

$1000-$4,999 Books in Bloom M&T Bank Sabina Taj and Kyle Reis Howard County Association of Realtors Ayers Saint Gross Bolton Partners Commonwealth Digital Office Solutions Costello Construction Davis, Agnor, Rapaport, and Skalny, LLC Ron and Ellen Flynn Giles Jack and Jill of America, Columbia, MD Chapter The Mall in Columbia MidWest Tape On Point Consulting

Nancy Adams Personnel Ala Makai Foundation Open Sense Solutions, LLC Overdrive The Wendy Slaughter Team at Elevate Real Estate Brokerage Risk Management Consultants, LLC TRIBUTES In memory of Kathleen S. Glascock: Robert Owings Glascock In memory of Cecil G. and Marian Christian INKIND Brown & Associates Innovative Party Planners Catering by Seasons La Prima The Wine Bin

As a fourth-generation farmer and financial advisor in Howard county, I love being a part of our community. You may remember me from the Wednesday Farmers market, Love Dove Farms. I am proud to serve on the Friends and Foundation of HCLS Board, as it has opened my eyes to so many wonderful opportunities that the library offers.

summer

ers D A E R

As a father of two girls, ages 3 and 5, I am always looking for fun, educational opportunities, and the library is a great go-to. I am very excited about the summer reading program, for Summer READers.

This program is such a great way to explore all the library has to offer!

I invite you to sign up today for the Howard County Library System's summer reading program. This free opportunity is open to both children and adults. Teens and children will earn points towards a free book, while adults can be entered into an end-of-summer prize drawing. Everyone can play fun educational mini games while pursuing missions and unlock badges.

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FRIENDS & FOUNDATION

of HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

- John Dove, Board member, Friends & Foundation of HCLS

Friends Make It Happen!

FOLLOW US:

Join the Friends: friendshcls.org

hclibrary.org

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HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH 9411 FREDERICK ROAD ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21042

NONPROFIT ORG U.S.

P

POSTAGE

A

STEAMMACHINE

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PERMIT NO. 18

Coming Soon!

HCLIBRARY.ORG

I

COLUMBIA, MD

Postmaster: Please deliver by JULY 5, 2022.

MOBILE DEVELOPMENT HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

Our new STEAM bus brings hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences to Howard County!

Details coming soon at hclibrary.org.

HCLIBRARY.ORG

STEAMMACHINE

MOBILE DEVELOPMENT This mobile unit was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Library Services and administered by the Maryland State Library Agency.

Additional funds provided by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.

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17476 Howard County Library