Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Photo by Askar Abayev of gift boxes and greeting cards

Kwanzaa Celebration: Exploring African Traditions and Creativity!

Friday, December 19, 2025 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Marvin Thomas Room at East Columbia Branch

Event Details:

Experience the culture surrounding Kwanzaa that celebrates history, values, family, and community.For all ages/families. Registration preferred, but walk ins are always welcome!&nb...

Library Branch: East Columbia Branch
Room: Marvin Thomas Room
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program Type: Community Events, Culture & Language, Race, Equity & Inclusion
Registration Required
Event Details:

Experience the culture surrounding Kwanzaa that celebrates history, values, family, and community.

For all ages/families. Registration preferred, but walk ins are always welcome!

 

Winter night scene with trees, snow and stars

The Longest Night (All Ages and Families)

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:15am
ECO Children's Classroom (Lucille Clifton Rooms A/B) at East Columbia Branch

Event Details:

All ages and families.  Children under 7 with adultListen to a story about the winter solstice and create a small lantern craft.Ticket required.

Library Branch: East Columbia Branch
Room: ECO Children's Classroom (Lucille Clifton Rooms A/B)
Age Group: Children, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program Type: Early Learning, Gardening & Nature, Tech Skills or STEAM
Event Details:

All ages and families.  Children under 7 with adult

Listen to a story about the winter solstice and create a small lantern craft.

Ticket required.

hands wrapping small gifts on a table

How to Wrap (Almost) Anything (ages 10+)

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Studio B at Glenwood Branch

Event Details:

Learn how to wrap gifts of varying shapes and sizes this holiday season! All materials (including wrapping paper and boxes to practice on) are provided, and you are also welcome to...

Library Branch: Glenwood Branch
Room: Studio B
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Registration Required
Event Details:

Learn how to wrap gifts of varying shapes and sizes this holiday season! All materials (including wrapping paper and boxes to practice on) are provided, and you are also welcome to bring your own.  

Saving seeds from beans.

Howard County Seed Library

Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Lobby (Miller) at Miller Branch

Event Details:

The Howard County Seed Library provides a space to share free seeds to allow everyone to build their own garden or greenspaces. Anyone can take part in the Seed Library by visiting...

Library Branch: Miller Branch
Room: Lobby (Miller)
Age Group: Adults, Everyone
Program Type: Gardening & Nature
Event Details:

The Howard County Seed Library provides a space to share free seeds to allow everyone to build their own garden or greenspaces.

Teen hula-hooping

Teen Live: A So Fetch Y2K Party! (ages 11 - 17)

Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Central Branch at Central Branch

Event Details:

 Ages 11 - 17. Registration required. Miss our Y2K Party? As if! Celebrate the best of the late ‘90s and early 2000s at our Y2K themed party! Hang out with friends, engag...

Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Central Branch
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Art, Movies & Music, Crafts, Fun & Games!, Tech Skills or STEAM
Registration Required
Event Details:

 

Ages 11 - 17. Registration required. 

Girl flipping through a magazine.

Teen Scene Magazine: Interest Meeting (ages 11 - 17)

Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00pm - 7:45pm
Maxine White Warfield Room at Central Branch

Event Details:

 Ages 11 - 18. Registration required.Learn all about our *NEW* teen-led magazine in this interest meeting! Share your voice by joining our Teen Scene Magazine Committee. Write...

Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Maxine White Warfield Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Art, Movies & Music, Career, Business & Finance, Crafts, Fun & Games!
Registration Required
Event Details:

 

Ages 11 - 18. Registration required.

Mother and child watching a storytime

Bilingual All Together Now Spanish/English (All Ages) TK

Friday, January 9, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Maxine White Warfield Room at Central Branch

Event Details:

All ages with adult; 30 min. Free ticket required.  Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, r...

Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Maxine White Warfield Room
Age Group: Children
Event Details:
All ages with adult; 30 min.
White masquerade mask with white feather

Bridgerton Tea Party

Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
CEN Studio at Central Branch

Event Details:

Waiting for the next season of Bridgerton to premiere? We cordially invite all fans to kick off the social season with a Bridgerton-themed tea party. Costumes are highly encou...

Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: CEN Studio
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Art, Movies & Music, Crafts, Fun & Games!
Registration Required
Event Details:

Waiting for the next season of Bridgerton to premiere? 

Filters
Age Group

Baby's Play Date (infant-23 months)

9:30am–10:30am
Children
Savage Branch
Library Branch: Savage Branch
Room: Abacus Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!, Early Learning
Event Details:

Allow 20 min.

Play with our toys, read a board book, and visit with others.

All Together Now, Ages Everyone

10:00am–10:30am
Children
Glenwood Branch
Library Branch: Glenwood Branch
Room: Pindell Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning

All Together Now

All ages with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class. 
 

 

3, 2, Fun (ages 2-3 with adult)

10:30am–11:00am
Children
East Columbia Branch
Library Branch: East Columbia Branch
Room: ECO Children's Classroom (Lucille Clifton Rooms A/B)
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Ages 2-3 years with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Preschoolers develop skills for talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing through stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes. 

Just For Me (3-6 years, independently) TK

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Savage Branch
Library Branch: Savage Branch
Room: Albert Einstein Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

JUST FOR ME

Ages 3-6, independently; 30 min. Limited Attendance. Ticket (name tag) required.

Play Partners (infant - 23 months, with adult)

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Miller Branch
Library Branch: Miller Branch
Room: Miller Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning

Play Partners

Ages infant - 23 months with adult; 20-30 min. Ticket required.

Infants and toddlers learn to express feelings, language, and movement through stories, baby games, musical activities, and playtime. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.

Play Partners (Infant-23 mos w/adult)

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Central Branch
Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Maxine White Warfield Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Ages newborns-23 months with adult; 20-30 min. Free ticket required.

Newborns and toddlers learn to express feelings, language, and movement through stories, baby games, musical activities, and playtime. 

Veterans: Visit with a Social Worker from the Baltimore VA Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)

10:30am–1:00pm
Adults
Savage Branch
Library Branch: Savage Branch
Room: Lobby (Savage)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Community Events, Health & Wellness
Event Details:

Veterans: drop in to meet with a Social Worker for the Baltimore Veterans Administration Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC), ask questions, seek support, and get information on the services provided at the CRRC in Baltimore.

Meet with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist from Howard County Health Department  

10:30am–4:00pm
Teens, Adults
East Columbia Branch
Library Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Community Events, Health & Wellness
Event Details:

Meet with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist from Howard County Health Department  

Teen Space (ages 11-17)

3:00pm–4:30pm
Teens
Glenwood Branch
Library Branch: Glenwood Branch
Room: Studio B
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Event Details:

After-school hang out time for teens! Come enjoy some snacks, video games, and crafts!

Teen Takeover (ages 11-18)

3:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
Central Branch
Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Teen Area (CEN)
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Event Details:

Ages 11-18. Drop-in. 

Take over the teen area after school. Enjoy a free snack, hang out, do homework, play games, and more!

Elem'Up

3:45pm–5:30pm
Children
East Columbia Branch
Library Branch: East Columbia Branch
Room: ECO Makerspace (Was Homework Room)
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Event Details:

Afterschool activities for ages 9-11; including arts and crafts, makerspace activities, book clubs and homework support

The Loop Troop: Teen Crochet Club

6:00pm–7:30pm
Teens
Glenwood Branch
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Glenwood Branch
Room: Studio B
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Registration Required
Event Details:

Crochet and meet other crafty teens in this drop-in club. Bring a project from home or get help starting a new one.

Pajama Time (all ages with adult) TK

6:30pm–7:00pm
Children, Everyone
Elkridge Branch
Library Branch: Elkridge Branch
Room: Seahorse Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children, Everyone
Program Type: Early Learning

Pajama Time

All ages with adult; 30 min.  Ticket required.

A class before bedtime. Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities. Children may wear their pajamas and bring their loveys and blankets.   

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.

Pajama Time (All Ages) TK

6:30pm–7:00pm
Children
Central Branch
Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Central Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

All ages with adult; 30 min. Free ticket required.

Time For Us: Toddler Play & Learn (ages 18-35 months with adult) TK

9:30am–10:00am
Children
Elkridge Branch
Library Branch: Elkridge Branch
Room: Seahorse Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Art, Movies & Music, Crafts, Fun & Games!, Early Learning
Event Details:

Ages 18 - 35 months. 30 minutes. Ticket required.

Play Partners, Ages 0-23 Months

10:00am–10:30am
Children
Glenwood Branch
Library Branch: Glenwood Branch
Room: Pindell Room
Age Group: Children

Play Partners

Ages infant - 23 months with adult; 20-30 min. Ticket required.

Infants and toddlers learn to express feelings, language, and movement through stories, baby games, musical activities, and playtime. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.

English Conversation Class-Adult (In-Person)

10:00am–12:00pm
Adults
Central Branch
Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Tapestry Classroom (Project Literacy)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult English Classes
Event Details:

This is an in-person class for intermediate and advanced adult English Language Learners.

All Together Now (all ages, with adult)

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Miller Branch
Library Branch: Miller Branch
Room: Miller Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning

All Together Now

All ages with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class. 
 

 

Picture Book Parade with Craft (2-5 years with adult) TK

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Savage Branch
Library Branch: Savage Branch
Room: Albert Einstein Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Crafts, Fun & Games!, Early Learning
Event Details:

Picture Book Parade

Ages 2-5 with adult; 30 min. 

Children build language, literacy, and social skills by singing, talking, listening, reading, and learning to get along with others through tales, tunes, and fun activities.

 

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Time For Us: Toddler Play & Learn (ages 18-35 months with adult) TK

10:30am–11:00am
Children
Elkridge Branch
Library Branch: Elkridge Branch
Room: Seahorse Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Art, Movies & Music, Crafts, Fun & Games!, Early Learning
Event Details:

Ages 18 - 35 months. 30 minutes. Ticket required.

All Together Now (all ages, with adult)

11:30am–12:00pm
Children
Miller Branch
Library Branch: Miller Branch
Room: Miller Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning

All Together Now

All ages with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class. 
 

 

Library Closed - Evening in the Stacks 2026

All Day
East Columbia Branch
Closing
Branches:
East Columbia Branch
Description:

HCLS East Columbia Branch will be closed Saturday, February 28 for Evening in the Stacks Gala Fundraiser. Passport Services will be available from 10AM - 4PM.

All Together Now (all ages with adult) TK

9:30am–10:00am
Children, Everyone
Elkridge Branch
Library Branch: Elkridge Branch
Room: Seahorse Children's Classroom
Age Group: Children, Everyone

All Together Now

All ages with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities. 

Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class. 
 

 

All Together Now (All Ages) TK

9:30am–10:00am
Children
Central Branch
Library Branch: Central Branch
Room: Maxine White Warfield Room
Age Group: Children
Event Details:

All ages with adult; 30 min. Free ticket required.

Children build skills in singing, talking, listening, reading, and getting along with others through stories, music, rhymes, and activities.