Week Calendar

Allow 20 min.

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

This is an in-person class designed for English language learners. Improve your spoken English as we focus on listening and speaking skills with an emphasis on everyday pronunciation, intonation, and stress, as well as u

This is a class for English language learners.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
 

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min.

Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning. 

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Tickets required. Tickets issued 15 minutes before the beginning of class.

Tickets required. Tickets issued 15 minutes before the beginning of class.

This class is designed for English language learners. Improve your spoken English as we focus on listening and speaking skills with an emphasis on everyday pronunciation, intonation, and stress, as well as unique American rhythms.

This class is designed for English language learners who are interested in exploring the work of computer support specialists and learning about the skills, education and training needed to begin and advance in the IT field.

This is a drop-in class for adult English language learners.  Practice English conversational skills and discuss topics ranging from small talk and common interests to life, work and current events.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Featuring an American Sign Language interpreter.

This is an in-person class for English language learners.

This class is designed for adult English language learners. Improve your English reading skills, vocabulary and grammar by using a wide range of civics-related subject matter including US education, healthcare, history and governmen

Join other adults who knit, crochet, embroider, and sew, in an open forum for creating, conversing, sharing, and learning. This is a hybrid event, so if you would like to attend remotely via Zoom, contact pinsneedlearts@hclibrary.org.

This class is designed for adult English language learners. Practice speaking skills in a supportive environment. Students read one short story each week and discuss it in class.

JUST FOR ME

Ages 3-6; 30 min.

For children who are ready for an independent class that includes creative expression, listening comprehension, and early reading skills.

Ticket required.

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

Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Tickets required. Tickets issued 15 minutes before the beginning of class.

Tickets required. Tickets issued 15 minutes before the beginning of class.

Ages Infant-23 months with adult; 45 min. 

Songs, bounces, and rhymes for babies. Open play time with fun toys included.

This class is designed for intermediate adult English language learners.  Learn English in a supportive environment to improve your reading, writing, speaking, listening and pronunciation skills.

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

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

This class is designed for adult English language learners.  Parents of children aged ten and younger will gain a better understanding of informal spoken English and increase their knowledge of English vocabulary, especially as

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Ages 6-36 months. Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Play with toys, meet new friends, enjoy music, and develop cognitive, motor and social skills.

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

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min.

Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning.

Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
 

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

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

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

Ages 8-11; 45-60 min. Registration Required.

Powerful! Fast! Predator! Test your expertise by asking the right yes or no questions to buzz in and guess the animal!

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

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

The Howard County Muslim Council is offering a free food giveaway from 11am - 1pm, or until supplies run out, in the parking lot of the Elkridge Branch of the Howard County Library System. 

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

LITTLE LEARNERS: WINTER SIGNS

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min.

Learn winter ASL vocabulary through stories and activities.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Join us for an in person discussion of  The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan on Thursday, January 19, 2023, 12 pm at the Central Branch.

Grades 9-12. Drop in.

Do you need a place to study for your midterm exams? We've set aside a place for you. Use the space to study independently or meet with your study group. Drop in times are listed below.

Start 2023 off right with some personal goal setting - we will discuss and share different areas we'd like to improve in as well as areas that we are doing well in, then creatively put these goals onto paper in the form of vision boards.

Ticket required. Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Ages 6 & up. 30 min. Ticket required. 

Drop by our Builders’ Barn to learn how create a simple mechanism with some cardboard, clothes pins and string. Use it to create your own ‘Munching Monster’ toy! 

Ages 10 - 13. Registration required.

Ticket required. Tickets are available 15 minutes before class

Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 min.

Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning. 

Be comfortable studying for midterms alone or with friends. 

Teen Time at HCLS East Columbia Branch is an initiative for neighborhood teens that enhances student academics in a fun, welcoming, after-school environment.

Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
 

Come and celebrate the 93rd anniversary of one of the most famous detectives of all time, the incomparable super sleuth, Nancy Drew!

Ages 6-11. 45 min. Registration required. 

Explore the science of electricity by designing and building circuits!

Ages 11-18

Ages 3-5, 30 minutes.

Registration encouraged, drop-ins welcome! 

For children who are ready for an independent class that includes creative expression, listening comprehension, early reading and math skills.

Diane Tuckman discusses the collaborative memoir, a story of resilience and survival, that she wrote with her friend Cecile Spiegel. 

Check out this excellent resource!  With Brainfuse, you can receive free tutoring in math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing from teachers with this online service for students from kindergarten through coll

Be comfortable studying for midterms alone or with friends. 

Ages 5-10; 60 min.  Ticket required. Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Play Bingo featuring book characters and win a book to keep!

Join us to discuss Teen Mental Health topics! A representative from the Howard County Health Department will be sharing information on mental health services you and your loved ones can access.

What can gardeners do in the cold of winter when the ground is frozen? Plan for next spring’s garden and come to the Howard County Seed Share!

Explore STEAM careers under the tutelage of a University of Maryland Instructor. Learn about internships and how to acquire them. Develop/revise resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and more. Please attend all three sessions.

Still getting familiar with the LGBTQIA+ acronym?  Want to support family members, friends, students, or colleagues who are part of the community? You’ve come to the right place.  

Field trip for HC Health Department Family Options Teen Parent Program.

A  hang out for teens to connect, play games and create.

Grades 9-12. Drop in.

Do you need a place to study for your midterm exams? We've set aside a place for you. Use the space to study independently or meet with your study group. Drop in times are listed below.

Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 min.

Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning. 

Student will have access to audio and video editing software and will be able to create and/or edit video and create musical sequences using Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X. Drop-In

A  hang out for teens to connect, play games and create.

Grades 9-12. Drop in.

Do you need a place to study for your midterm exams? We've set aside a place for you. Use the space to study independently or meet with your study group. Drop in times are listed below.

Ages 6-10. 60 minutes. Ticket required. Tickets available 15 minutes prior to class.

Travel to Antarctica with Jack and Annie for some icy science activities and penguin fun.

Learn the skills of an audio engineer in the digital realm! Gain hands-on experience with DAWs and microphone setups, and dive into the music editing software of Logic Pro X to produce your own creations. Grades 6-12.

Calling all foodies and cooks! In celebration of the Lunar New Year, our next International Grocery Store tour will be highlighting the cuisine of China.

A  hang out for teens to connect, play games and create.

Graphic design and digital art guidance provided as you work on your own digital art, with access to the Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and more) and other software. Registration preferred.

Learn how to use 3D printing software to create designs for fabrication on the Makerbot Method X 3D printer.

Interested in coding? Interested in design? Want to build a robot? Then FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) might just be the perfect competition for you!

READY, SET, POUR!  Using paint, pouring medium, and canvases, learn about how chemistry and fluid dynamics can create amazing works of art. Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Ages 8-11; 30 min. Registration Required.

Powerful! Fast! Predator! Test your expertise by asking the right yes or no questions to buzz in and guess the animal!

AV Lab
Drop-in to use the equipment in the A/V Studio! Record and mix music or create and edit movies with the help of a HiTech Instructor.
No registration required. Grades 6-12.

Ages 2 & up with adult; 60 min. Ticket Required.

Drop-in, allow 20-30 minutes, to play! Activities may include arts and crafts, building, coloring, gaming, or puzzling.

Ages 6-9; 30 min. Ticket required.

If your child has "learn Spanish" in their New Year's Resolution, this is the perfect class for them.

14 + AV lab
Drop-in to use the equipment in the A/V Studio! Record and mix music or create and edit movies with the help of a HiTech Instructor.
No registration required.

Meet up with fellow anime and manga fans to practice drawing your favorite characters (or create your own!), recommend the manga you're reading and the anime you're watching and check out our collection/make suggestions for it.

All ages. Allow 30 min.

Be comfortable studying for midterms alone or with friends. 

Be comfortable studying for midterms alone or with friends. 

Ages 6-10 years 

45 minutes, Ticketed 

Work together in small groups investigating hands on STEAM activities.

This is an in-person class for intermediate adult English language learners who wish to improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  It meets in the Tapestry Room in HCLS Central Branch.

Ages 8-13. Registration required.

This class is designed for English language learners who are beginning learners who wish to to improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The new Cricut in the Makerspace can do so many things. Create your own custom cork coaster in this Make It & Take It class. Learn about HTV Vinyl and how to create personalized gifts and décor.

Ages 7-9.  45 minutes.  Registration required.

Kathryn Finney is the Managing Partner of Genius Guild, a $20 million dollar venture fund & studio that invests in amazing Black founders.  One of the most influential women in tech

This is a class for adult English language learners.  Practice conversational skills and discuss topics ranging from small talk and common interests to life, work and current events. This is an in-person class that meets

Be comfortable studying for midterms alone or with friends. 

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Looking to sharpen your chess skills?  Come drop in and challenge new opponents!  All skill levels and ages are welcome.

Drop-in or register with an email address to receive a Chess Club reminder.

With SO many great products on the market for nonalcoholic (NA) beverages, what's good?

Mocktail Beverages is the official mocktail of Dry January and Sobar thinks they are a FABULOUS base for tons of great drinks.

Read and discuss a wide array of graphic novels. 3rd Tuesdays 7 - 8 pm.

Ages 11-18 & Adults; Drop-in, 90 min.

These classes are designed for adult English language learners who are in high intermediate and advanced levels. Classes meet twice a week on Tue. & Thur., 7-9PM.

This is a class for English language learners. Improve your English reading skills, vocabulary and grammar by using a wide range of civics-related subject matter including government, community, emergency services, and naturalization process.

Bas Bleu, French for “bluestocking,” refers to an intellectual or literary woman.  We read a variety of literary fiction, and all are welcome – not just bluestockings!

Join us for a discussion of the following books:

Explore various culinary cuisines/chefs of the world. A new cuisine/chef every month. This month's cuisine is Chinese Cuisine featuring Ming Tsai.

Join the Nonfiction Book Club to share your thoughts on a varied array of Nonfiction selections.

Join the Nonfiction Book Club to share your thoughts on a varied array of Nonfiction selections.

These classes are for adult English language learners from low beginning, high beginning and low intermediate levels. The classes meet twice a week on Mon.

This class is designed for English language learners. Practice your speaking skills in a supportive environment. Students read a short story each week and discuss it in class.

Is English your second (or third) language? Practice speaking and listening in a small group.

Wednesdays, 7:45 - 8:45 pm

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Explore the genre of nonfiction and join our discussions on third Thursdays!
 

Dec 15th: Madhouse at the End of the Earth

Explore the genre of nonfiction and join our discussions on third Thursdays!
 

Dec 15th: Madhouse at the End of the Earth

We will be discussing Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King

These classes are designed for adult English language learners who are in high intermediate and advanced levels. Classes meet twice a week on Tue. & Thur., 7-9PM.

This class is designed for English language learners who are interested in taking the U.S.