HCLS’ largest branch, the Charles E. Miller Branch & Historical Center opened in 1962 and was renovated in 1984. The previous building was converted to the administrative branch, and the current building opened in 2011.
The branch features a collection of a quarter-million items, 100 web accessible computers equipped with word processing software, and seven study rooms for small groups. Classroom space includes a 3,000 sq. ft. meeting room that can be partitioned, a children’s classroom, and a Tech Lab. The Terrace Overlook allows customers to read and work outdoors while enjoying the green vegetative roof and views beyond.
The Historical Center vision includes a partnership between HCLS and the Howard County Historical Society for enhanced research opportunities, classes, seminars, and events.
The Enchanted Garden is a sustainable, community-based teaching garden for all ages. The design reflects our environmental sustainability goals and complements the LEED Gold certification of the branch building. Pathway materials are permeable, and the rain garden, rain barrels, and bioswale slow stormwater runoff. Composting along with the native plantings represent some of the sustainable components chosen purposefully for the garden. The Enchanted Garden has earned several certifications such as a Monarch Waystation and National Wildlife Habitat, thanks to the efforts of youth gardeners, Master Gardeners, and community volunteers. In the parking lot closest to the Enchanted Garden, the Miller Branch also hosts the Howard County Farmers’ Market on Wednesday afternoons, May through November.
Designated LEED Gold by the United States Green Building Council, the energy efficient Miller Branch includes 72 solar panels, an abundance of controlled natural daylight, approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of vegetative roof with self-sustaining plants, and many other sustainable, energy efficient features.
Building tours of the Miller Branch, which highlight many of the building’s features, are available by appointment by calling the branch.
Centers & Special Collections
- Enchanted Garden
- STEM Activity Kits
- Literacy Activity Kits
- Educational Toy Collection
- Ukuleles
- view all HCLS Special Collections
Classes & Events
View Adult Classes
View Teen Classes
View Children’s classes
View All Classes
Meeting & Study Rooms
Meeting Rooms may be reserved together to accommodate larger gatherings, View More
Group study rooms may be reserved online.
Computers and Printing
- Public Access Computers
- Linux OS computers with LibreOffice Suite available (word processing, etc.)
- Wireless in-branch printing
printing & scanning | Free
B&W copies | $0.20
color copies | $0.75
faxing (first page) | $1.50
faxing (additional pages) | $1.00
HCLS Land Acknowledgment:
We want to respectfully honor the Susquehannock Confederation who governed, lived, farmed, and hunted on the land now called Howard County. Their nations conceded into land treaties in 1652 and 1661 after English colonizers ended their generational governance and stewardship of the land Howard County is built upon. This practice of land acknowledgement is to honor and respect the indigenous inhabitants both from the past and the present.
