Find educational classes and enriching experiences for all ages and interests.
- Click here for video tutorials by HCLS instructors
- Click here for a list of on-demand classes (e.g, Gale Courses, Lynda.com, Cisco).
- Click here to participate in summer reading.
Virtual classes and events presented on Zoom are closed captioned by request only. If you would like to request closed captioning for a live class or event, email [email protected] at least three business days in advance.
TO SEARCH select a beginning AND ending date on the calendar below by clicking in the date field. Use the more specific dropdown fields to further customize your search. IMPORTANT… RESET between each search.
There are 39 upcoming classes.
Everyday English Conversation-Adult (In-person)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
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. The class meets in the HCLS Central Branch. Email [email protected] for more information.
Reading, Writing & Grammar - Adult (Online)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
This is a class for English language learners. It focuses on essential English grammar and on the basics of writing for work and personal communication. Each class session will focus on one or two concepts of grammar and allow students to apply these grammar concepts in writing sentences, paragraphs and simple essays. Registrants will receive an email invitation to attend an orientation. This orientation is required for all participants. Email [email protected] for more information.
3, 2, Fun! [ages 2-3 with adult] TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: 3, 2, Fun! [ages 2-3 with adult] TK
Description:
Little Learners (ages 3-5 with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min.
Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning.
Play Partners (infant-23 months) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Play Partners (infant-23 months) TK
Description:
Play Partners (infant-23 mos with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Early Learning
Description:
Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
3, 2, Fun! ( Ages 2-3 with Adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:30am - 11:00am
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Art, Movies & Music
Description:
Ticket required. Tickets will be issued 15 minutes prior to class starting.
Terrific Tuesdays (Ages 18 mos - 3 years with Adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 10:30am - 11:00am
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Terrific Tuesdays (Ages 18 mos - 3 years with Adult) TK
Description:
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.
Little Learners (ages 3-5 with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 11:15am - 11:45am
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min.
Fun stories, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning.
Play Partners (infant-23 mos with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 11:15am - 11:45am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Early Learning
Description:
Ticket required. Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
3, 2, Fun! [ages 2-3 with adult] TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 11:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: 3, 2, Fun! [ages 2-3 with adult] TK
Description:
All By Myself (Ages 4-6) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Children, All By Myself (Ages 4-6) TK
Program type: All By Myself (Ages 4-6) TK
Description:
Tickets required. Tickets issued 15 minutes before the beginning of class.
All By Myself [ages 4-6] TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, All By Myself [ages 4-6] TK
Program type: All By Myself [ages 4-6] TK
Description:
Little Learners (ages 3-5 with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 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.
Tuesday Movie Matinee - 'Oppenheimer'
Date: 04/23/24Time: 2:00pm - 5:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Our fourth Tuesday of the month movie matinee will start at 2 pm in April!
- March 26: Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023, PG-13)
- April 23: Oppenheimer (2023, R)
- May 21*: Polite Society (2023, PG-13)
No refreshments provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
See you at the movies!
Registration for the movie is optional. If you would like a movie reminder, please register with an email address.
*Movie will be shown on the third Tuesday in May.
Little Learners (ages 3-5 with adult) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 3:15pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 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.
Teen Space
Date: 04/23/24Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teen Space, Teens
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
After school supervised safe-space for middle and high school students. Socialize with peers, do homework, or enjoy optional games, crafts, and other activities. Healthy snacks provided while supplies last.
Drop in.
The Meetup
Date: 04/23/24Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group: The Meetup, Teens
Description:
A hang out for teens to connect, play games and create.
ArtTech
Date: 04/23/24Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Graphic design and digital art guidance provided as you work on your own digital art, with access digital drawing applications such as Procreate and Autodesk Sketchbook. Students will get hands-on experience with hardware like the Apple iPad Pro and Wacom tablets. And learn about the principles and elements of design. Taught by a HiTech instructor.
Illustrate with Procreate
Date: 04/23/24Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Have you ever looked at a digital illustration and wondered “How did they do that?” Learn tips, tricks, and the steps to creating your own illustration in the iPad app, Procreate. Taught by a HiTech instructor.
Tutoring Tuesdays: Math Made Easy!
Date: 04/23/24Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Do you struggle with math homework or tests? Do you want to improve your math skills and confidence? If you answered yes, then this is the perfect class for you! "Tutoring Tuesdays: Math Made Easy!" is geared towards middle school and high school students who need extra help or practice with math topics in middle school math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2.
The class is free and open to all students. No registration is required. Just drop in anytime between 4 - 5 p.m. on Tuesdays at CEN Studio in the Central Branch. Don’t let math stress you out. Join Tutoring Tuesdays: Math Made Easy! and discover how fun and easy math can be!
Video Gaming & Chill
Date: 04/23/24Time: 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Teens
Description:
Challenge your friends - and make new ones - to a round of Mario Kart or Smash Bros. Settle which of your favorite NBA players is truly the GOAT in NBA2k-24. Or check out some of our other great titles for Nintendo Switch and PS5!
And if you're not into video games, come hang out and have a good time!
Pequeños Lectores (Bilingual) (Ages 6-9) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
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.
Join us for Easy-to-Read Stories in Spanish, and have fun with activities related to the book of the week.
Unplugged Code Club (5-8 years) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children, Unplugged Code Club (5-8 years) TK
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
5-8 years ; 60 min. Ticket Required.
Join us for fun, hands-on activities that will help you learn the foundation of computer science coding without the use of technology.
Tickets available 15 minutes before class.
Sewing Machines for Teens: Lab
Date: 04/23/24Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Sewing Machines for Teens: Lab, Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 11-18 | Ages 11-18 | ** NOW A TICKETED CLASS. The FREE tickets will be given out 15 minutes before the class starts in The Center(where classes take place), All students must have a parent or guardian complete a waiver online or complete a paper waiver in class. Space is limited.
Want to practice your sewing skills? Sewing machines will be ready for you to drop in and work on a simple project we provide or your own project that you bring.
WAIVER: To take part, a parent or guardian will need to have signed the waiver attached here. If you need a print copy, please stop by the Miller library info desk.
See more sewing classes HERE!
FAM
Spanish Conversation and Vocabulary (Bilingual) (Ages 8-12) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
Ages 8-12; 30 min. Ticket required.
Join us for an informal Spanish conversation and homework assistance time. We will practice basic phrases and vocabulary.
*This class is designed for students with a basic understanding of Spanish up to a medium Spanish level.
Anime & Game Hangout
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Anime & Game Hangout, Teens
Program type: Anime & Game Hangout
Description:
Ages: 11 - 18. Meet up with fellow fans and discuss your favorite series/games. We will be watching anime together, having game demos, making art/crafts, and exploring some Japanese language/cultural tie-ins. Drop-ins encouraged and welcomed!
AGH! is a weekly hangout dedicated to our 11- 18 population and their love for anime and video games. Please come ready to have fun and make friends.
STEAM Team [ages 7-10] RG
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 7-10. 45 min. Registration required.
Work together in small groups investigating hands on STEAM activities.
Please register for each class separately.
Registration for this class begins Wednesday, April 17 @ 10a.
Healthier and Happier You (Ages 5-7 with adult) RG
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group:
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 5-7 with an adult. Registration required.
Learn about your mental and physical health through hands-on activities and lessons. Explore your emotions, sensory systems, and coping strategies. Learn about the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and sleep through this four class series.
Family Fun at Your Library (Families)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. Allow 30 min.
Explore hands-on, interactive activities for family members of all ages. These weekly activities develop STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and literacy skills. Each week offers a different set of activities, including STEM exploration stations, origami, tangrams, craft nights and more!
3/5 Mini Golf
3/12 Mega Blocks
3/19 Tangrams
3/26 Skoolzy Straws
4/2 Slinky Science
4/2 VR headsets - Will need a cell phone to participate
4/16 Engineering Challenge
4/23 Brain flakes building
4.30 Lego Challenge
5/7 Cardboard Square Building
5/14 Bug Bingo
5/21 Mini Golf
5/28 Puzzles and Games
English For Beginning English Language Learners - Adult (In-Person)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
This is an in-person class for beginning adult English language learners. It meets weekly in HCLS Central Branch. You will receive an email invitation to attend an orientation. This orientation is required for all participants. Email [email protected] for more information.
Pajama Time (families) TK
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children
Description:
Earth Day: Blackout Poetry
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Art, Movies & Music
Description:
Earth Day themed blackout poetry class for teens. Welcoming, safe environment to explore your creativity! Learn about the techniques of "found" poetry to reuse discarded library books to create your own piece of art. All supplies provided.
Registration required.
Baltimore and the Road to the White House
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Did you know that Baltimore was once the main city for hosting presidential nominating conventions?
Join author Stan Haynes for a discussion of the unexpected twists and surprises of the Baltimore presidential conventions.
Stan Haynes is a Howard County author who published The First American Political Conventions: Transforming Presidential Nominations, 1832-1872.
Presented by the Howard County Library System and Howard County Historical Society.
This session is part of HCLS' Read. Think. Vote. series. Click here to find similar classes and events.
Beaded Bracelets and More
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: DIY & Makerspace
Description:
Enjoy a relaxing evening of crafting and create unique jewelry pieces to keep or give as gifts.
We're Jammin': Ukulele Strum & Sing-along
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
Come and strum with us! We play easy tunes on the ukulele! Bring your uke or borrow one from the library's collection.
World Languages Cafe @ East Columbia Senior Center (in person)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
The World Language Cafe is now being held at the new East Columbia Senior Center 6610 Cradlerock way, Columbia, Md. 21045 on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7-8:45pm.
Established by the Columbia Association’s International Exchange & Multicultural Program 10 years ago, the World Languages Café (WLC) provides a venue where people meet to practice a world language with fellow community members, facilitated by a native or fluent speaker of that language. Over the years, the WLC has featured languages including Arabic, *American Sign Language, *Chinese, *Catonese, *Dutch, *French, German, Hebrew, *Irish Gaelic, *Italian, *Japanese, *Korean, *Portuguese, and *Spanish. (*Currently available at East Columbia Branch Library and the Senior Center)
4th Tuesday, 7 - 8:45 pm.
The World Languages Café is free, and registration is preferred, but not required. Please indicate in the registration comments field the language you would like to practice. Ages 13+.
We are also seeking language table hosts. If you are interested in connecting with community members by volunteering to host a table in the language of your choice at HCLS Miller Branch, or East Columbia Branch, please email [email protected] or call 410-924-2226.
Intermediate ESL - Adult (Online)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
These classes are for adult English language learners at intermediate levels. The classes meet twice a week on Tue. & Thur., 7-9pm. If you're new to this program, you will receive an email invitation to attend an orientation. This orientation is required for all participants.Email [email protected]
Reading & Vocabulary For Intermediate to advanced English Language Learners - Adult (Online)
Date: 04/23/24Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
This class is designed for adult English language learners. Improve your English language knowledge with evidence-based strategies that build your reading skills. Instruction focuses on reading speed, word patterns, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. It meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. Registrants will receive an email invitation to attend an orientation. This orientation is required for all participants. Email [email protected] for more information.