Week Calendar

Walking is a great way to get some activity into your routine.  Lets get up and walk together. Come and walk around East Columbia Library. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle.

Join us for flower crafts, pollinator games, and bee hotel building kits!

This is connected to the June 17-25 Middle Patuxent Environmental Area StoryWalk - learn more

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.  If you're new to this class, you'll receive an email invit

This is an in-person class designed for adult English language learners. Students read one short story each week and discuss it in class.

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min. Ticket Required.

Join the fun as we create, discover, and explore the world around us! Together we will complete Summer Reading activities.

Ticket required.

Ages 2-5 with adult. 30 minutes. Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Tales, tunes, and tons of fun!

Ages 0-5 with adult. 30 minutes. Ticket required.

Únase a nosotros para cuentos, canciones y rimas en español. Seguido de un tiempo de juego.

Ages 2-5 with adult; 30 min.

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

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

At Howard County Library System, we invite your input and ideas to shape our next Strategic Plan that will guide our future, including new facilities.

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 will be available 15 minutes before class.
 

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

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min. Ticket Required.

Join the fun as we create, discover, and explore the world around us! We will do activities together to earn your Summer Reading completion prize.

TIME FOR US

Ages 18 months-3 years with adult; 30 min.

Develop early learning skills through stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

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

Ages 18 mos - 3 years with adult; 20 - 30 minutes.

Stories, songs and play time.

Ticket required. Tickets will be available 15 minutes before 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 working as Ophthalmic Technicians in an ophthalmologist’s office.  The participants will learn about the work setting, responsibilities, potential earni

This is an in-person, 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.

Ages 18-35 months with adult; 20-30 min. Ticket required.

Stories, songs, and activities.

Tickets are available at the children's desk 15 minutes before the start of class.

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.

Limited Attendance. Ticket required.

All ages; 30 min.

Come experience the joys of music and movement. 

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.

This is an in-person class 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.

Ages 3 - 5 with adult; 25 mins.

Take a jaunt through the world of classical music. 

Ticket required. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Outdoor classes may be cancelled or moved indoors without notice due to unfavorable weather, air quality, or ground conditions at the class site. We recommend bringing a bottle of water with you to the class.

Ages 6-24 months with adult. 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.

Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.

Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.

Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required. 

Master Gardeners discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis. Free bins provided to Howard County residents.

In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners.

Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns.

Take a practice ACT test facilitated by C2 Education Center. Bring pencils and a graphing calculator. {We will have some pencils and calculators for students who need them}

Ages 2-5 with adult. 30 minutes. Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

Tales, tunes, and tons of fun!

Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min. Ticket Required.

Join the fun as we create, discover, and explore the world around us! We will do activities together to earn your Summer Reading completion prize.

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

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

Ages 18-35 months with adult; 20-30 min. Ticket required.

Stories, songs, and activities.

Tickets are available at the children's desk 15 minutes before the start of class.

All ages; 30 min.

Come experience the joys of music and movement. 

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.

Limited Attendance. Ticket required.

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

Ages 2-5 with adult; 30 minutes.

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

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

Ages 5-7 with adult; 30 mins.

Hands-on STEAM fun based on your favorite children's authors! Let's read books together and have fun doing a STEAM- related activity. 

Join us for a relaxing crafty morning and learn simple techniques to create a decorative mosaic coaster.

Do you love the Elkridge community? Enjoy working with children? Need Student Service Learning Hours or want a Leadership Recommendation for your college application?

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

Celebrate Pride Month with rainbow crafts including button making.

HCLS is celebrating Pride Month! Please visit bit.ly/hclspride23 to find more classes. 

We will be discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Join us for an in person discussion of The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman on June 15, 2023 12 pm at the Central Branch.

Vive la France!

Paris was the center of the universe for a long time and they have the stuff to back it up!

Ticket required. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Therapy dog(s) from Pets on Wheels will be at the East Columbia Branch for friendly visits with customers. Drop in - no registration required. 

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month by creating your own rainbow or pronoun buttons to wear or share. In this class, you will learn about the different types of pride flags, learn about pronouns, and make a rainbow or pronoun button.

Ages 6-10; 45 min. Ticket Required.

Join the fun as we create, discover, and explore the world around us! Together we will complete Summer Reading activities.

Ticket required.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Ages 2-5 with adult; all 30 minutes. Ticket required. Tickets available 15 minutes before class begins.

Explore and engage in various STEM concepts through self-guided stations and sensory play.

Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 min.Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

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

Ages 6-10; 45 min. Ticket Required.

Join the fun as we create, discover, and explore the world around us! We will do activities together to earn your Summer Reading completion prize.

*Tuesdays throughout the summer.

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.
 

Ages 8-11; 30 - 45 min. Ticket Required.

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month with some wonderful related reads, activities, and a rainbow craft!

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

Fairytale Engineering: Three Billy Goats Gruff Bridge Building

Ages 6-9, 45 minutes, TK, ticket required. Free tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Classic stories and fun problem-solving activities.

Ages 8-11; 30 - 45 min. Ticket Required.

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride month with some wonderful related reads, activities, and a rainbow craft!

Read and discuss light-hearted books that will make us smile. The books will talk about love, hope, and grace. They will include humor, and perhaps some snark, to spice things up. It will be fun! Join us. 

3rd Thursdays: 2 - 3 pm

Let your creativity shine in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Journal, draw, paint, color, or create this month’s featured craft. Bring in any projects you’d like to work on, or start something new.

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

Families; allow 30 minutes. Ticket required.

Explore and engage in various STEM activities through self-guided stations.

Families; Allow 30 minutes.

Drop-in to make a fun craft or create your own masterpiece!

Ages 8-11.  Allow 15 minutes.  Drop in.  

Pop-in and make a rainbow craft!

Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 min.Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

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

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

Winner of the 2022 Jean Feldman Poetry Prize from the Washington Writers' Publishing House, You Cannot Save Here is a collection of poems about how we live when each day feels like the world is ending.

Please register for this event only after having attended a Teen Summer Reading Volunteer Interview session.

Ages 11+, 15 min.

From Pre-Algebra to Calculus, explore student-created tutorials to learn middle and high school math concepts at your own pace.  

Grades 6-12. Registration required.

The Howard County Health Department will offer COVID-19 Boosters (Bivalent) for adults 12+ and children 5-11 free of charge with no insurance information required.

Grades Kindergarten-3rd; 15-30 min.

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 8-11; 60 min. Registration Required.

Explore the STEAMy side of rainbows & make one out of Perler beads to take home!

Dress for mess & the outdoors, weather permitting.

Learners will create and decorate a total of three handmade Z fold cards (two horizontal and one vertical Z-fold) featuring interesting patterned paper, die cuts, and embellishments. 

Ages 8-12; 30 min. Ticket required.

Únase a un tiempo de diversión jugando Scrabble y juegos de Lapiz y Papel en Español.

Ages 6-9; 30 min. Ticket required.

Únete a un tiempo Lectura en Español nivel Basico y diviértete con actividades relacionadas con el libro de la semana.

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.

Ages 8-12. 30 minutes. Ticket required.

Si te gusta la serie Sobreviví, únete a nosotros para actividades divertidas que incluyen preguntas de comprensión de lectura, ejercicios y juegos en español. Edades 8-12.

Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns.

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

This is an in-person class for English language learners. It focuses on essential English grammar and on the basics of writing for work and personal communication. The class meets every Monday night at the Central Branch.

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.

Studying for high school finals? Stop by during your study break to enjoy our relaxing space and take a brain break. Hydration Station, wellness themed craft, puzzles, coloring, and jokes available. Drop-in. 

Join us for friendly games of Mah Jongg with players of all levels of experience.  We have both American and Asian sets available!

2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6:30 pm

June 13 and 27

July 11 and 25

This is an in-person class for beginning adult English language learners. It meets weekly in HCLS Central Branch. If you're new to this program, you'll receive an email invitation to take a placement test to determine your level.

This is an in-person class for beginning level adult English language learners. It meets weekly in HCLS Central Branch. If you're new to this program, you'll receive an email invitation to take a placement test to determine your level.

Ages 6-10.  45 min.  Ticket required.

Come learn about the history of the American Flag. Includes stories, activities, and a craft. 

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

Age: 6-9 TK. 45 min. Free tickets available 15 min before class. Create a masterpiece with LEGO blocks individually and in pairs.

This class an in-person class designed for intermediate level English language learners who wish to improve their English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.  The class meets in HCLS Central Branch.

This painting class will teach participants about portraiture and how to work in acrylic paint. Participants will  learn techniques on enlarging using a grid, composition, lighting, under painting, brush selection, and more.

Ages 7-9.  45 minutes.  Registration required.

Do you want to visit Westeros? Journey through the wardrobe to Narnia? Enroll at Hogwarts? We can show you where these movies and TV shows were filmed.