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 27 upcoming classes.
Practice Digital SAT Exam
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: College & Trade Schools
Description:
Ages 14-18 | Registration Required
Preparing for the new digital SAT format? Take a practice Digital SAT exam at Miller, facilitated by C2 Education Center.
YOU SHOULD BRING:
- A charged laptop/Chromebook*
- A charger for your device
- A graphing calculator (we will have a few to loan)
* If you need a laptop to take this exam, please email [email protected].
STEPS TO REGISTER:
- STEP 1: REGISTER here on our website.
- STEP 2: Immediately, COMPLETE the Student Information Form found in your confirmation email. The information shared will be accessed by C2 Education for the practice exam. Your scores and log-in information will not be shared with anyone other than yourself and C2 Education. If you have not completed this form by Monday 4/15 at 5pm, your registration will be voided.
*On Monday, April 22nd attend the ONLINE DSAT Results & Information session at 7:30pm, get your results, and discover test taking strategies, test options and hear about the FREE resources the library has to help you prepare for the SAT.
FAM
All Together Now (all ages with adult) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: All Together Now (all ages with adult) TK
Description:
All Together Now (all ages) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 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.
OUTDOOR All Together Now (families)
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:15am - 10:45am
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: OUTDOOR All Together Now (families)
Description:
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.
All Together Now ( All Ages) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 11:00am
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Crafts, Fun & Games!
Description:
Tickets required. Tickets will be given out 15 minutes prior to class.
Cuentos en Español y Tiempo de Juego (ages 0-5 con adulto) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 11:00am
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
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.
Play Partners [infant-23 months with adult] TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 11:00am
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Play Partners [infant-23 months with adult] TK
Description:
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
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.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners and Recycling Coordinators discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis, teaching about:
- Composting kitchen scraps and yard trimmings in your backyard or using the Feed the Green Bin (for Howard County residents only)
- Troubleshooting or advising for maintaining your home backyard composting efforts or participating in the GreenBin compost collection program
- Improving your soil’s health by incorporating compost
- The impact of composting on climate
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners and Howard County Environmental Services.
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
*Cancelled for this month* Howard County Muslim Council Free Food Pantry
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
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.
How to Make a DIY Cat Tree
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: DIY & Makerspace
Description:
Learn the basic carpentry techniques and design skills to build your own cat tree. We will discuss the new and re-purposed materials that can be used. Participants will also learn through demonstration and participation about the tools they can borrow from the DIY Center.
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
All Together Now (all ages with adult) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:15am - 11:45am
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: All Together Now (all ages with adult) TK
Description:
All Together Now (all ages) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:15am - 11:45am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Early Learning
Description:
Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.
Seed Bombs (4-10 years, 4 & 5 with adult) RG
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children, Seed Bombs (4-10 years, 4 & 5 with adult) RG
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
4-10 years, 4 and 5 years with adult; 45 min. Registration required.
Earth Day is on it's way; celebrate by creating seed bombs using air dry clay and Maryland flower seeds. At home, throw in a suitable landscape to grow flowers to benefit bees and other pollinators. Dress for mess!
Biz Kidz Academy: Fun Social Skills for Success (ages 8-10) RG
Date: 04/20/24Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Ages 8-10. Registration required.
Join Biz Kidz Academy for a Fun Social Skills for Success Workshop that provides students with creative, interactive, and engaging ways to cope with everyday life. Workshop participants will have fun with games, arts and crafts, team building exercises, and much more.
Movie Magic Cosmetics
Date: 04/20/24Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Movie Magic Cosmetics, Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Movie Magic cosmetics
Dive into the world of special effects, through the view of a Makeup Artist! Students will learn the history and science behind the film industry’s own movie magic. Learn about the chemicals that are found in the cosmetics used to create monsters and zombies in the movies, and then create your own design using DIY monster cosmetics! Taught by a HiTech instructor. Register online.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 04/20/24Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
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. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Enchanted Garden Earth Day Celebration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. Allow 30 min.
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring stations throughout the Enchanted Garden. Fun and learning for all ages!
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Plant Dissection (ages 6-9) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 6-9. 45 minutes. Ticket required.
Come learn all about the parts of plants in this fun science class. Learn about the importance of flowers in the ecosystem. Dissect different flowers and see if you can identify the different structures found inside. Use magnifiers and tweezers to examine parts up close. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.
Tabletop Gaming Time
Date: 04/20/24Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: DIY & Makerspace
Description:
Join us for an afternoon of dice-rolling, card-slapping, and strategic thinking as we host a tabletop gaming extravaganza at the Savage Branch! This is the time to create your first D&D character, start a new campaign, or bring your favorite tabletop game to share with new friends. We welcome all things tabletop role-playing for this 2-hour open event.
Whether you're a seasoned role-player or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone 12+ and at any skill level.
Please register for the event. DM/GMs please reach out to Caitlin via email if you are comfortable and willing to work with new players.
Doors close 15 minutes after start of class.
Can't wait to see you there!
Make a Plant Press (6-11 years, parents/caregivers welcome) RG
Date: 04/20/24Time: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
6-11 years, parents/caregivers welcome; 45 min. Registration required.
Earth Day is on it's way; celebrate by creating a simple plant press. Learn about different flowers you will see this spring and the best way to collect and preserve them.
Earth Day Make & Take featuring Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay [ages 7-10]
Date: 04/20/24Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Learn the story of the amazing families living in a garbage dump and how their children became known as the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Listen to them in concert, then make your own instruments out of recycled materials.
Windows & Mirrors: Teen Book Club
Date: 04/20/24Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Windows & Mirrors: Teen Book Club
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Ages 11-14. Read and discuss books with diverse viewpoints that tackle tough issues, such as finding and establishing identity. Reading the book is encouraged, but not required.
Food provided. Join us for Bagels & Books.
Registration preferred.
Windows allow us to experience other cultures, and mirrors reflect parts of our own. Read and discuss books from diverse viewpoints over snacks, in HCLS' Windows & Mirrors Book Club for Teens.
March Book: Dear Martin by Nic Stone.
Books for this book club have been set aside for students who would like to attend the book club. Ask for one at Glenwood's customer service desk or request a digital copy from Libby.
Teacher Appreciation Clipboards with the Cricut
Date: 04/20/24Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Get schooled in all the crafting possibilities of the Cricut. Using vinyl and transfer tape, create a custom clipboard just in time for teacher appreciation week. All materials are provided. Registration Required.