SOURCE Mar/Apr 2021

source

Howard County Library System

mar/apr 2021

AW AR D-W INNING

Classes & Events Guide

sponsored by Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System

see page 8

Letter from the President and CEO It’s been one year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives. Nearly half a million lives have been lost.

Members of our community – and our own team – have lost loved ones. We have all struggled with disruptions to our daily lives while doing our best to stay safe while pressing forward.

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hclibrary.org

CONTACTLESS PICKUP HOURS

Monday – Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm Thursday 10 am - 8 pm Friday & Saturday 10 am – 6 pm HOLIDAYS + CLOSINGS

Spring Holidays Good Friday Easter

Apr 2 Apr 4

L O C A T I O N S + N U M B E R S HOURSplus 0NLINE PHONE RENEWALS

410.313.7890

410.313.78 1 0

CENTRAL BRANCH

410.313.7800

EAST COLUMBIA BRANCH

410.313.7700

10375 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 6600 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD 21045

ELKRIDGE BRANCH

410.313.5077

GLENWOOD BRANCH

410.313.5577

6540 Washington Boulevard Elkridge, MD 21075 2350 State Route 97 Cooksville, MD 21723 MILLER BRANCH

9421 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

410.313.1950

SAVAGE BRANCH

410.313.0760

ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH

410.313.7750

9525 Durness Lane Laurel, MD 20723

9411 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

TTY FOR HEARING IMPAIRED Central East Columbia Elkridge Glenwood Miller Savage

And while we deal with the effects of a global health pandemic, we must also reckon with the dual pandemic of racial injustice. Members of the Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities suffer disproportionately not only from COVID and inequities in the health care system, but also from education, employment, criminal justice, housing, and myriad other inequities.

At Howard County Library System, we are committed to education for everyone in our community. It’s right there in our mission statement: We deliver high-quality public education for all. That includes dismantling unjust systems and creating a more equitable and just society for all people through top-notch educational opportunities. We have long created space for diverse perspectives through our classes, events, print, and eContent. We commit to being even more intentional about integrating equity practices into our internal and external work, and supporting community building for Howard County residents, businesses, and leaders.

Our community is hungry for ways to build connections and relationships and to learn more about each other’s stories, experiences, and cultures. As Daryl Davis reminded us during last fall’s Longest (Virtual) Table, change happens through conversations and relationships.

Our new Racial Equity Alliance, comprised of people representing numerous cultures and experiences from across the county, will help guide our work in this space. The richness of your perspective, lived experience, and personal stories are critical to true equity work. We invite you to join us on this journey and look forward to growing alongside you. Watch for news this spring on our website and social media channels.

Best Regards,

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 Robert A. Mentz, Chair Ankur (Andy) P. Dalal, Vice Chair Thomas K. Munns, Treasurer Phillip M. Dodge Anne R. Markus Kelly L. Smith Antonia B. Watts

irtuale Serata Vevening Tonya Aikens President & CEO

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.

in the stacks

HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

! e i z a r G

Many thanks to everyone who supported our annual fundraiser.

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

Business Roundtable

by Nancy Targett, Instructor & Research Specialist

It's great when a wannabe business owner like myself can access first hand business entrepreneurs who are courageous enough to share their stories. I can't tell you how much I have gained from these business

Are you a budding entrepreneur or dreaming of owning your own business?

Do you want to connect with other entrepreneurs in the community?

Last spring, we shifted the way we shop due to the pandemic. The awareness of the importance of buying local and supporting businesses owned by people of color in our community grew. We could promote actionable change by altering where we shopped and which businesses we supported. HCLS began partnering on the Business Roundtable series with a focus on people of color.

Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, this online roundtable discussion is moderated by Nat Alston, Chair and Founder of the Ujamaa Business Roundtable. Typical questions asked include: How did you get started? How do you get access to capital? How has the pandemic affected your business? How do you adapt your business to changing political climates? How do you manage working from home?

roundtables. Just by tuning in and listening, I am now inspired to pursue my next encore.

— Elexis L. Participation in the Roundtable exposes entrepreneurs to the amazing workforce in Howard County that these businesses need to continue to expand and grow. You have time to ask questions and learn from seasoned business owners.

Our first featured owner was Funlayo Alabi, co-founder of Shea Radiance, a natural beauty brand that manufactures products using clean and effective ingredients. She started making products in her kitchen in Howard County to solve her family’s dry skin problems. This sent her on a quest to her homeland in West Africa, where she rediscovered the healing properties of shea butter. Funlayo believes in the power of economic access and what can happen when women reach out to lift other women up.

Learn from the experiences and challenges faced by a variety of local business owners, so you can start thinking strategically about how to achieve your goals at our monthly Business Roundtable.

Workforce Development Classes Virtual Interviewing Tue Mar 9 6 - 7 pm In the current environment, job seekers must be prepared to market themselves over the phone and online. Jayne Kaiser, employment professional, offers tips for you to impress your future employer.

Create a Compelling Resume and Cover Letter

For a wide variety of FREE online tools for entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit HCLS' web page dedicated to helping local businesses thrive.

This resource deals with how to prepare and launch a new business, as well as build and protect an established company. hclibrary.org/community-education/small-businessresources

Thu Mar 25 4 - 5 pm Drawing on more than 25 years' experience as a professional career and resume consultant, former college teacher and Harvard graduate Dan Berman, PhD, shares inside tips and techniques for quickly developing a compelling resume.

Virtual Job Fairs The Maryland Labor Regional Business Solutions Team offers a series of targeted recruitments to help restaurant and hospitality workers who are seeking employment in other industries until the hospitality industry bounces back. Dates and times available online.

Presented by the Maryland Workforce Exchange.

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HCLS Launches Racial Equity Alliance

By Katie DiSalvo-Thronson, Community Education & Engagement Manager Howard County Library System is pleased to launch the new HCLS Racial Equity Alliance. This group of 20 dynamic and connected community leaders will guide and collaborate on HCLS’ racial equity offerings for the public. Together, we endeavor to strengthen the movement for racial equity in Howard County and to advance a more equitable and just community for all people.

What can you look forward to? We want to provide dynamic and powerful education and community engagement experiences for people to begin or continue their racial equity journey through speakers, resources, and other opportunities, and we will connect people with opportunities for action. We plan to gather and share the experiences and insights of local civic leaders and residents in the public square, followed by important conversations about racial equity and related local policy/issues. We will create inclusive opportunities for all of us to connect, learn, and discuss what matters most.

HCLS has been providing education and engagement opportunities for some time, including signing the Urban Libraries Council’s Statement on Race and Social Equity, our Board adding a commitment to race and social equity to HCLS policy in June 2020, and numerous educational exhibits, speakers and events.

We offer deep thanks to this Alliance for their commitment to help our future work educate and connect to the community even more powerfully. We look forward to what we will do together.

Beyond the Statements: Leading Racial Equity in Humanities Organizations At a time when many organizations have issued public statements in support of Black Lives Matter and in opposition to White supremacy, dismantling our organizational inequities remains an elusive next step.

The speaker series focuses on racial equity work in the humanities field. Leaders from Maryland speak to the efforts they have led in their respective organizations.

Alicia McLeod, Executive Director of Challenging Racism and Maryland Humanities Board Member, moderates the series.

Registration required. mdhumanities.org/news-resources/ racial-equity Mon Mar 22 10 am Dr. Tuajuanda Jordan has served as St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s (SMCM) seventh president since July 2014.

Mon Apr 19 10 am Tonya Aikens is President and CEO of Howard County Library System Presented by Maryland Humanities

Community mural at HCLS East Columbia Branch

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MAR/APR 2021

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.

Author Works: Katrina Adams “Tennis is a preparatory sport for becoming who you are. It builds character and resilience both inside and outside the sport.

It teaches us what it means to have a good loss that helps us to develop smarter strategies for the next match, along with the endurance and persistence that comes from repeatedly falling on your face."

Thu

Mar 25

7 pm

From the former President, Chairman and CEO of the United States Tennis Association — the first Black and youngest person ever to hold the position—comes a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership skills involved in hosting the US Open.

Katrina Adams takes readers on a privileged look into the US Open, which has been described as “a 14-day Super Bowl,” while revealing what makes tennis the sport of a lifetime. Adams leads readers on a powerful tour of her personal journey, filled with hard-won lessons.

Adams also serves as Vice President of the International Tennis Federation. An accomplished professional player, she previously competed for 12 years on the Women’s Tennis Association tour, winning 20 career doubles titles. She also spearheaded outreach to underserved communities of color. Adweek and Forbes named her one of the “Most Powerful Women in Sports,” and she was featured in Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” list.

Registration required. Visit hclibrary.org > classes & events.

Author Works: Brandon Hobson Wed

Mar 10

7 pm

Drawing deeply on Cherokee folklore, The Removed by Brandon Hobson seamlessly blends the real and spiritual to excavate the deep reverberations of trauma — a meditation on family, grief, home, and the power of stories on both a personal and ancestral level. In the fifteen years since their teenage son, Ray-Ray, was killed in a police shooting, the Echota family has been suspended in private grief. With the family’s annual bonfire approaching — an occasion marking both the Cherokee National Holiday and RayRay’s death — his mother attempts to call the family together from their physical and emotional distances once more.

“Brandon Hobson has given us a haunted work, full of voices old and new. It is about a family’s reckoning with loss and injustice, and it is about a people trying for the same.

The journey of this family’s way home is full—in equal measure—

Brandon Hobson is the author of Where the Dead Sit Talking, which was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction and winner of the Reading the West Book Award. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at New Mexico State University and teaches in the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Hobson is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation Tribe of Oklahoma.

Registration required. Visit hclibrary.org > classes & events.

Sponsored by Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library System and presented with support from Carroll County Public Library, Charles County Public Library, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, and Talbot County Free Library.

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of melancholy and love. The Removed is spirited, droll, and as quietly devastating as rain lifting from earth to sky.”

—Tommy Orange, author of There There

hclibrary.org

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Women's History Month Harriet Beecher Stowe & Harriet Tubman Tue

Mar 23

adult fiction

nonfiction

childrens & teens

7 - 8:30 pm

“So you’re the little lady who started this great war!”

This “little lady” was the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin,

Women & the American Revolution

a roller-coaster anti-slavery novel that had become a

Wednesdays

huge bestseller. Lincoln, like many other people, believed

The Revolutionary War was fought on battlefields, in forests, and on the homefront—and the contributions of American women shaped the fight at every turn.

said President Abraham Lincoln in the fall of 1862 when he finally met Harriet Beecher Stowe.

that Stowe’s novel had precipitated the Civil War. Lincoln may just have well have been talking to and about Harriet Tubman. As the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad, Tubman and her allies built an antislavery escape network that stretched from the deep South all the way into British Canada. Join us for a talk about both of these American icons with University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell.

Apr 7

Apr 7, 14, 21 & 28

12 - 1 pm

Jane Mecom

Hear the story of the Revolution from the point of view of Jane Mecom, the widow of a Boston shopkeeper—and the favorite little sister of Benjamin Franklin. During the war, Jane was menaced by soldiers, made a refugee, and lost her home and her possessions.

Apr 14

Deborah Sampson

Learn more about women’s suffrage, historical events, or notable women who’ve changed the world with HCLS' FREE online tools.

Meet Deborah Sampson, the young Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man in the Continental Army.

Biography (Gale in Context) contains profiles of many notable figures in women’s rights, such as Mary Church Terrell, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony.

Explore the American Revolution with a Native Mohawk woman known as Molly Brant, the widow of a powerful British diplomat. Straddling the British and Iroquois worlds, Molly emerged as the most important military and cultural broker in Native America after her husband's death.

High School Research (Gale in Context) lets you explore key events and organizations like The Seneca Falls Convention or the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

Liberty Magazine Archives (1924-1950) includes valuable insight into everyday life in the United States during the Depression era and World War II. Greta Garbo wrote a guest piece in 1932 called “Why I Will Not Marry,” while regular women sought advice about writing to servicemen, using their husbands’ names, and being drafted.

Find all of these online tools and more at hclibrary.org/research/online-resources-alphabetically

Apr 21

Apr 28

Molly Brant

Martha Ballard

Discover the story of a Maine midwife named Martha Ballard, whose life was lived entirely in small towns.

Dr. Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and is author of Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home,

which is shortlisted for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. His full bio can be found at richardbell.com.

Making a Statement: Jewelry and Other Adornments of the Suffragist Movement Tue Mar 16 7 - 8 pm Author and jewelry historian Elyse Zorn Karlin discusses how the suffragettes, and those who upported them, used jewelry and other accessories to express their politics.

Presented by Howard County Library System with support from Howard County Historical Society, Carroll County Public Library, Kent County Public Library, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, and Worcester County Library.

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MAR/APR 2021

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.

Meet Dr. Richard Bell As we've seen with Hamilton, pop culture can be a great way to pique interest in history. A recent example is Lovecraft Country, which dealt with Sundown Towns. From the pop culture lens, what series, movies, or graphic novels do you recommend to people who want to engage more with history?

Well I hesitate to recommend Bridgerton (Netflix), as it takes rather too many liberties with the British Regency period in which it’s set, but there are lots of other great choices out there. Right now, I’m watching Babylon Berlin (Netflix), which is a detective story made for German television about the inter-war years, known as the Weimar Republic, in Berlin. I also enjoyed the attention to historical context in The Good Lord Bird (Showtime) about John Brown and the coming of the Civil War. If you become interested in a particular era or event after watching a TV series or movie, what are some good ways to pursue your new interest and learn more about it from reliable sources?

Local libraries are always great places to learn more. Most library catalogs have subject heading searches that can allow you plug in search terms like Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, or the Weimar Republic. And if you’re looking for prize winning works of history to satisfy your interest you can always check out online list of finalists for major accolades like the Pulitzer Prize for History, or the Bancroft, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, George Washington, and Lincoln prizes.

Tubman and Beecher Stowe’s strategies—which couldn’t be more different—make for a fascinating reminder of all the tools that antislavery women brought to bear.

If you could travel back in time and be a fly on the wall for any moment in history, what event would you pick and why?

In March, you're doing a virtual lecture for us on Harriett Tubman and Harriet Beacher Stowe. Can you give us a little teaser about what you'll be discussing and why you chose these two historic figures?

I consider Harriet Tubman a truly great American, a woman who fought for freedom against the toughest possible odds on the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), is less well known today than Tubman, but back before the Civil War it was the other way around. Too often we forget the central roles that American women played in driving the United States towards the reckoning of the Civil War, and

I’m drawn to the lives of ordinary Americans who didn’t enjoy privilege or power, and I sometimes think we get too caught up with big events like battles and votes in Congress.

So I’d love to be there for smaller moments, like when a 17-year-old weaver named Deborah Sampson turned up at army recruiting station in rural Massachusetts in 1782 dressed as a man to try to join George Washington’s army; or the day when Molly Brant, a Mohawk woman who spent that war trying to keep the British-Iroquois alliance together, arrived at a refugee camp near Niagara Falls and gave herself the job of improving conditions for the thousands of struggling women and children huddled there.

What are some of your recommended reads for folks who may want to explore some of the important, but lesser known, aspects of American history?

The course I’m going to be leading on Women and the American Revolution (see p 6) will be full of great recommendations for further reading. As regards the antislavery fight, I love narrative histories of lesser known lives. Some of the best are Adam Rothman’s Beyond Freedom’s Reach, Erica Dunbar’s Never Caught, and Caleb McDaniel’s Sweet Taste of Liberty. And folks interested in my own work in this field might check out my new book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home.

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staff spotlight: Meghan Whitfield contactless pickup. HCLS is working together, a community unto itself, in service to our Howard County friends and neighbors.

How are you involved in the community?

Before Covid-19 restrictions, my husband and I enjoyed volunteering as dog walkers at the animal shelter. I also volunteered as a guest reader for a school in Baltimore.

Every year, I crochet hats and scarves to donate to children in our community, and I am so glad I was able to continue that tradition this year.

What’s an unusual fact about you?

I am a maker. Most of my friends can attest that I’m always building or tinkering with something. When I was in high school, I built a device designed to teach principles of recycling and states of matter for elementary students, which took me to the International Science and Engineering Fair two years in a row. Even now, my favorite area in a Pre-K classroom is the Block Center, because that’s where the building, tinkering, making happens.

Title and Branch Early Childhood Education Instructor at the Administrative Branch.

How long have you been with HCLS? I came to HCLS almost four years ago. I started as a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch, and then moved into my current role about two years ago.

What excites you the most about your work and/or HCLS as a whole?

I am excited about our organizational focus on community and how we continue to adapt - not just with Covid-19 but the increased work with social justice and racial equity. My position directly reflects that commitment as I work in the community. Whether at Head Start family events or through on-demand videos, I meet children and families where they are, connecting them with library resources and educating them about the importance of early literacy.

Outreach does not stop for a pandemic; it evolves. We are rising to the occasion. Our children’s instructors have adapted lessons for online preschool classes. Branch staff have kept our community in books, music, and movies with

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MAR/APR 2021

What was your first job?

I have always enjoyed working with children, and I worked with kids at a summer camp in my hometown. When I was 16, I was hired as the official camp photographer. Every week, I snapped pictures to send home with the kids. I had no idea that “other duties as assigned” might also include “snake wrangler,” “chicken chaser,” or “goat herder.”

Favorite type of music?

More than once my husband has come home to find the couches pushed against the wall with me and Fitz dancing around the living room to Taylor Swift, The Beatles, or U2.

When we’re not dancing, I will almost always reach for Gary Clark, Jr., Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, or Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl).

Favorite time of year/season: I love from September to April when the weather gets cooler and the falling leaves are a swirl of reds, oranges, and golds.

What book is on your nightstand?

I am often reading several books. I recently finished an advance copy of These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan, a young adult fantasy novel coming in July 2021. Tiny Pretty Things

by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton now occupies the coveted space on my nightstand. I also like to listen to audio books when I walk, and right now, Norse Mythology brings Neil Gaiman to my ear buds.

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.

Working with Fitz

by Meghan Whitfield, Early Childhood Education Instructor Fitz the Wonder Whoodle just celebrated his third birthday in January. When he’s not filming new episodes of “Imagine Your Story,” he likes to dance, hike, or swim. Training with Fitz is not terribly different from teaching. Fitz and I learned foundational cues, and now we put those together for more complex behaviors. For example, I had to teach Fitz “down” before I could teach him “crawl.” The same is true for early literacy. Learning shapes, for example, is an important first step in learning letters and numbers. Similarly, fine motor activities, like using scissors or lacing shoes, helps build the muscles in children’s hands and wrists needed for writing. Families are a child’s first and best teacher, offering safe spaces to learn and apply skills in different contexts. Other literacy tips at hclibrary.org/kindergarten-readiness.

Play is the heart of my teaching philosophy. When children play that they take risks, make up stories, imagine possibilities. As I plan content for our videos, I actively look for ways Fitz and I can demonstrate playful learning and explain its relationship to early literacy.

Getting adjusted to new routines, learning to play with others, and controlling impulses are just a few of the social skills kids need for Kindergarten. I’ve integrated some of Fitz’s routines into our videos, hoping that a child will see Fitz doing something that is hard and think, “Fitz does hard things. I can do hard things, too.”

We’ve now produced more than 20 videos together. I love that I get to share early literacy and playful learning tips with families while also sharing the big, goofy joy that is Fitz the Wonder Whoodle.

You can view classes with Meghan and Fitz on the HCLS YouTube channel, along with an amazing array of other classes.

Did you know?

HCLS' YouTube channel hosts a

wide range of on demand classes for all ages. You can find Meghan

Five Fitz Facts Favorite Food Fitz’s absolute favorite treat is turkey meatballs. He also likes apples, carrots, and cheese.

First Trick Fitz loves to spin in circles.

Favorite Book No, David! by David Shannon and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen.

Random Fact #1 Fitz is 3 feet tall (from the top of his head to his toes) and weighs 60 pounds.

Random Fact #2 Fitz is a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Standard Poodle.

That’s why we call him a Whoodle.

and Fitz there. You can also access our Teen Advisory Board playlist for teens. Adults can find DIY and Gardening classes, among others.

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9

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY Ages infant-10. 60 mins.

Tue

Mar 2

4 & 6:30 pm

Celebrate the joy of reading with guest readers from the library and community.

Listen as they read you a story. Learn about entertaining reads, and fun athome activities.

CHEMISTRY IN THE LIBRARY Ages 7 and up, children ages 7-8 must be accompanied by an adult. 60 mins.

FIVE WAYS TO REUSE PAPER BAGS :

Celebrate Earth Week with a chemist from the Army Research Laboratory and the American Chemical Society. Participate in a live, online program focused on reducing our carbon footprint and the chemistry behind greenhouse gases.

Register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event.

This email will also contain as the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.

Sat Mar 13 11 am Sat Apr 10 11 am

Check out books and other resources related to Earth Day and the environment.

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2 3

4

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Decorate and use them as gift bags or wrapping paper.

Shred or tear into small pieces and add them to your compost pile.

Line your trash can.

Wrap a fresh flower bouquet.

Ripen fruit.

Watch DIY videos for reusing plastic bags on HCLS' YouTube channel: Upcycling Plastic Bags-Making PLARN Upcycling Plastic Bags into Coasters

Howard County's Bureau of Environmental Sciences wants you to Know Before You Throw! Learn about what goes in your curbside recycling as opposed to needing to go directly to Alpha Ridge. Learn tips about going green at the grocery store, too.

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MAR/APR 2021

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.

Join us for live, interactive 30-minute virtual presentations with The Maryland Zoo. This program is made possible thanks to generous support from the Howard County Arts Council.

Registration required to receive Zoom link.

Register at hclibrary.org > classes & events.

TEENS & ADULTS Learn about one of the Zoo's Signature Animal Programs.

Discover how the Zoo ties exceptional in-house husbandry, medical care, research, and education programs to conservation action in the field.

Wed Mar 24 1:30 pm African Penguins Tue Apr 20 3:30 pm Polar Bears

LITTLE KIDS Ages 2-5 and family Zoo Educators lead an interactive activity, then children have a chance to meet three of the Zoo's Animal Ambassadors.

Fri Mar 5 11 am ABC Mystery Fri Mar 19 11 am The Bare Necessities Thu Apr 1 11 am The Big Book of

Animal Tales Fri Apr 23 11 am Sensory Safari

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS Ages 5-10 and family Zoo Educators lead an interactive activity, then children have a chance to meet three of the Zoo's Animal Ambassadors.

Sat Sat

Mar 20 Apr 17

1:30 pm 1:30 pm

Night Shift Fur, Feathers & Scales

Battle of the Books

Howard County Library System

crevette

boudin

kudize

deleterious quadrifid

piebald

symbiosis

fortuitous

zoroastrian samphire

sebaceous

machete

B.

pompadour

(spelling) 2020

Spelling Bee

pugilant

physiology

Saturday, March 20, 2021: HCLS Regional Spelling Bee takes place virtually, and the winner advances to Scripps National Spelling Bee.

This academic competition for fifth grade students takes place Friday, April 16, 2021, 6 - 8 pm.

Visit hclibrary.org/battle-ofthe-books for information.

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HCLS invites you to be part of the celebration with opportunities to learn more about the library and to tell us why you love libraries. During the week, we will give you a look at the "State of HCLS" with some statistics about the pandemic pivot along with news about our various community outreach initiatives.

Stay tuned to our website and social media in April.

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in strengthening our communities.

The theme for National Library Week (April 4-10, 2021), “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes how libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome. During the pandemic, our team adapted to our changing world by expanding resources

Did you know?

HCLS offers so much more than books!

Elkridge DIY Center Spring clean-up and household projects are right around the corner.

Borrow tools - and other equipment - for your DIY projects for FREE at the HCLS Elkridge Branch + DIY Education Center. The collection provides opportunities for learning hands-on skills, whether you are interested in gardening or fiber arts, bike repair or drywall work, fun baking implements, hiking, or home repair.

Details about the collection, related classes, and books at hclibrary.org/diy or call 410.313.5077.

Watch DIY on-demand videos on HCLS' YouTube channel.

and continuing to meet the needs of our community.

Art Collection

George Bellows, Blue Morning

Tired of the same walls with the same pictures? Change it up with something new from HCLS' Art Education Collection, which features framed prints and photos available for borrowing for FREE. Borrow prints by such artists as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Ernie Barnes, Charles Bibbs, and Pablo Picasso - as well as local photographers and painters. The collection also includes photos of historic buildings and structures around Howard County, including Main Street Ellicott City.

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Details about the collection, related classes, and books at hclibrary.org/hcls-aec or call 410.313.7800.

MAR/APR 2021

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.

STEM Activity Kits

by Betsy Varkus, STEM Education Project Manager & Instructor Howard County Library System’s HiTech initiative looks to excite students about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) ideas by lending STEM Activity Kits.

Geared toward middle and high school students, kits can be reserved by calling the East Columbia Branch (410.313.7700) or Savage Branch + STEM Education Center (410.313.0760).

The first phase of kits focuses on biochemical, computer science, and electrical engineering. Each kit comes with all necessary materials, instructions, and learning objectives.

Made possible by the Friends & Foundation of HCLS and a grant from Verizon.

electrical engineering Understanding and building circuits is an important skill that electrical and computer engineers need to develop.

Circuits rely on the properties of electricity and magnetism, combined with semiconductor physics, to build the foundation of all electronic devices we use today. They are used to build everything from refrigerators and cellphones, to trains and power generators.

Learning objectives:

• Identify and build series and parallel circuits.

• Apply series and parallel circuits using light and sound stimuli.

• Identify and build PNP and NPN transistor circuits.

• Apply transistor circuits using light stimuli.

computer science engineering Understanding the principles of programming will help you build a strong foundation that will serve you well in any future STEM career.

Artie 3000 provides a platform to start learning some of these skills through programming. Artie 3000 is a robot that you can program to draw. To program Artie, you will use a drag and drop programming, but you can also program him using computing languages such as Python or Javascript. Along with programming skills, we hope Artie 3000 fosters your love of learning, encourages your curiosity to explore something new, and builds upon your tenacity to persevere through difficulties.

Learning objectives:

• Define fundamental programming terms: variable, function, loop.

• Create shapes and designs by writing computer programs.

biochemical engineering With this kit, you will learn the proper technique of using a microscope as you observe several prepared slides. You will also be provided an empty slide to be able to add a specimen sample of your choice.

Learning objectives:

• Use a microscope properly.

• Observe prepared microscope slides and identify HiTech, HCLS’ STEM education initiative for teens, teaches cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, and math via project-based classes.

different cell types.

• Explore the theory behind slide preparation.

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Announcements got questions? Ask HCLS...

Call your branch (see p. 2), email askhcls@hclibrary.org, or chat online during regular library hours by clicking on the "We Are Here" widget.

Blog

Podcasts

Chapter Chats

HiJinx

HCLS staff post regular reviews of books, movies, and other Library resources. It also includes news and announcements about the library. If you miss chatting about books, movies, and knowing about library events - stop by to see what's new at chapterchats.org.

Listen to interviews with a wide array of authors and other guests on topics of local and national interest, including anti-racism, education, mental health, education, and virtual events. hclibrary.org/hijinx

Here's a peek at a recent entry: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abby Waxman

HoCoCast

reviewed by Piyali C.

Produced by local teens, episodes tackle issues such as fighting Zoom fatigue, self-care, teen health, and equity.

Smart, sarcastic, socially awkward, 29-year-old Nina Hill lives by Khalil Gibran’s saying in The Prophet, “You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.”

Nina is the daughter of a freespirited single mother, a famous photographer who concealed Nina’s father’s identity because she did not consider his presence essential in Nina’s life.

Nina grew up under the loving supervision of her amazing nanny Louise who was ‘bookish, loving and gentle’ while Nina’s mother traveled the world for her job, appearing occasionally and briefly in Nina’s life. Nina’s childhood was surrounded by books and solitude. For someone who finds sanctuary in book stores and libraries, what could be more fulfilling than working at an independent book store for a living? Nina works as a book seller in a book store called Knights, owned by lovable and eccentric Liz who is always behind on her rent for the store and has to hide from the landlord. The book store is only part of Nina’s commitments though. She runs several book clubs, is part of a champion Trivia team Book ‘Em, Danno, and has perfectly sane conversations with her cat Phil. Plus, there are so many books to read. Nina’s calendar, as well as life, are full and busy. If she ever feels something is missing, she simply picks up another book.

Find us at hclibrary.org > community-education > hococast

eNewsletter HiLights Delivered to your email inbox on Saturdays, the HCLS newsletter provides a quick update on news and announcements, as well as upcoming classes and events.

Subscribe at: hclibrary.org > Contact Us

Book Bundles If you want something to new to read or watch, but aren't exactly sure what ... HCLS staff will browse the stacks for you! Fill out the form at hclibrary.org and follow the usual contactless pickup procedue to get a bundle curated just for you! Topics change regularly, so check back often.

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MAR/APR 2021

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.

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 Janet Ziffer

thank you! $10,000+ Howard County Government Rise to the Challenge grant $5,000-$9,999 Grimm + Parker Architects

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 Nov 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020.

Please call 410.313.7799 to report any errors or omissions. $1,000-$4,999 Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny Downtown Columbia Partnership Harkins Builders MELOS, Inc. UP TO $1,000 Lawrence Bodin Rex Carpenter and Myrna E. Clemenson Carpenter Frank Donaldson Ron & Ellen Flynn Giles Open Sense Solutions OverDrive Tarantino Engineering Consulting Thomas C. Watts The Wendy Slaughter Team at Elevate Real Estate Brokerage TRIBUTES In memory of Kathleen S. Glascock: Franklin Garden Club, Robert Owings Glascock In honor of Ms. Leah Sellers: Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Batson In honor of staff at Central Branch: John and Regina Tesk

Friends Make It Happen!

Join the Friends: friendshcls.org

Libraries are the foundation of any community. As a lifelong resident of Howard County, I have personally benefited from the positive contributions HCLS has had towards making Howard County one of the best places to live in the country. As a Howard County educator, I can also attest to the importance of how the strong partnership between HCLS and HCPSS strengthens the community and provides the access and opportunity for students to grow and learn. Becoming a Friend of the HCLS is one of the most meaningful ways to support the community and the growth of all children.

HCLS has delivered 2,032 classes with attendance of more than 49,828 between March 16 (the start of our virtual operating model) and Dec 14, for customers of all ages. These classes include topics that are a high priority during the election cycle, pandemic and economic crisis, including mental health, physical wellness and nutrition, budgeting, eviction prevention workshops, voter information sessions, as well as enrichment opportunities with book clubs, and classes highlighting the arts and music. Many of our early education, literacy, and STEAM classes offer additional virtual learning opportunities for students.

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FRIENDS & FOUNDATION

Allen Cosentino, Friends & Foundation of HCLS Board Member FOLLOW US:

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hclibrary.org HOWARD COUNTY 15 LIBRARY SYSTEM

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

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Postmaster: Please deliver by Mar 5, 2021.

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COLUMBIA, MD PERMIT NO. 18

HCLS Rated 5-Star Library

Howard County Library System (HCLS) has again been designated a 2020 Five Star Library by Library Journal for delivering excellence in public education for all ages. HCLS consistently earns the highest five-star ranking attained by fewer than one percent of public libraries in the U.S. and remains the only library system in Maryland to do so.

HCLS President and CEO Tonya Aikens said, “Everyone in Howard County can be proud of this honor. Our talented team is passionate about providing extraordinary customer service, engaging classes and activities, and a high-quality collection for our community of voracious readers and lifelong learners. And even during this pandemic, we continue to explore new ways to develop innovative ideas and bring more services to benefit our customers.”

The LJ Index rates U.S. public libraries based on selected per capita output measures: overall borrowing, borrowing of electronic materials (eContent), library visits, class and event attendance, and public internet computer use, wifi sessions, and (new this year) electronic information. The last item measures usage of online content, such as online research tools (databases).

HCLS per capita numbers (based on a population of 331,414) are as follows: overall borrowing (19.88), visits (6.08), eContent borrowing (3.16), class and event attendance (1.21), and public Internet computer users (1.92), and wifi sessions (.83).

The 2020 scores and ratings are based on FY 18 data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Public Library Survey.