Howard County Library System’s author events are a key component of the HCLS curriculum. Notable, best-selling, and local authors provide customers with enlightening experiences throughout the year. Bringing the community together to celebrate the literary arts is a hallmark of HCLS customer service. Join us for these opportunities to meet one of your favorite authors or discover someone new!
There are 11 upcoming classes.
After the Floods with Dr. Ken Conca
Date: 05/27/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Small towns across America and around the world face mounting challenges with flood risk, a result of not only climate change but also poorly adapted landscapes, sprawl, overdevelopment and poor planning. After the Floods is about Ellicott City, a small town in central Maryland that experienced two devastating flash floods just 22 months apart.
Despite the town's many advantages―wealth, access to expertise, a mobilized community, and a stout identity steeped in 250 years of history―Ellicott City found itself mired in a deeply divisive argument over what to do in the aftermath. As a resident, Ken Conca bore firsthand witness to the conflict that took root when the flood waters receded.
Dr. Ken Conca’s research and teaching focus on global environmental governance, environmental peacebuilding in war-torn societies, environmental politics and policy in the United Nations system, water governance, and environmental policy analysis. Dr. Conca's research has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Grawemeyer Prize for Ideas Improving World Order; the International Studies Association’s Harold and Margaret Sprout Award, for best book on international environmental affairs; the Chadwick Alger Prize, for best book in the field of International Organization; and the Al-Moumin Environmental Peacebuilding Award.
This free event is co-sponsored by the Howard County Library System and the Howard County Historical Society.
This event is a part of HCLS' Author Works series.
Veterans Book Group 2025 (Online)
Date: 06/01/25Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Veterans, both active and retired military, are invited to this online discussion series. During five monthly facilitated sessions, discussions center on military experiences and a unique set of readings, which may include classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. The readings relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Registration is open to veterans/active duty only, please.
All reading materials are provided. Space is limited.
1st Sundays; February 2 - June 1 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Online.
The Veterans Book Group is moderated by David Owens. David Owens is a Navy veteran who served for six years onboard two U.S. Navy warships. Owens attended the U.S. Naval Academy and now runs a small media content production business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Owens loves to read and, even more so, enjoys the discussions and camaraderie of the veteran book groups!
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Reading Selections:
February 2: Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
March 2: The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson
April 6: The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer
May 4: Attack on the Liberty by James Scott
June 1: In Pharaoh’s Army by Tobias Wolff
Image credit: Generated using AI
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. This email will also contain the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Adult Summer Reading Showcase 2025 (Online)
Date: 06/03/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Book Clubs
Description:
This summer, we’re celebrating 85 years of HCLS—and what better way to mark the occasion than with amazing books and a community-wide reading adventure?
Join our HCLS Instructors for a live session of fiction and nonfiction recommendations, a guided look at the Adult Summer Reading 2025 list, tips on how to join the summer reading competition, and a preview of birthday-worthy events throughout the season.
Register & attend to be entered into a drawing for a bundle of VIP DECK tickets (valid with ticket only) to Merriweather Post Pavillion!
Registration required. Register to receive link to join our event!
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 06/11/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
What's On Your Shelf? Fiction and Nonfiction Book Chat
Date: 06/12/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
Share fiction and/or nonfiction titles that are on your bookshelf and we will share titles from our shelves. If you don't have a title to share, find inspiration in what others recommend and start building your reading list.
Readers also have the opportunity to ask for recommendations or to ask our instructors questions about books, reading, and the library. Previous discussion topics have included book donations, Little Free Libraries, and Goodreads (the world's largest website for readers and book recommendations).
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 07/09/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
What's On Your Shelf? Fiction and Nonfiction Book Chat
Date: 07/10/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
Share fiction and/or nonfiction titles that are on your bookshelf and we will share titles from our shelves. If you don't have a title to share, find inspiration in what others recommend and start building your reading list.
Readers also have the opportunity to ask for recommendations or to ask our instructors questions about books, reading, and the library. Previous discussion topics have included book donations, Little Free Libraries, and Goodreads (the world's largest website for readers and book recommendations).
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 08/13/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 09/10/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 10/08/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 11/12/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
