Howard County Library History

1940 

• Howard County Library (HCL) began operating in a portable school building in Ellicott City on October 11, 1940. 

1943 

• Lenna Baker Burgess appointed to lead Howard County Library. 

1945 

• The Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland established Howard County Library as an educational institution eligible to receive State and County funds for its operating budget. 

1952 

• A flash flood destroyed 5,175 books. Within two months, Howard County Library reopened. 

1958 

• Howard County Library purchased a bookmobile.

1960 

• Howard County Library moved to rented quarters on the corner of Route 144 & St. John’s Lane. 

1962 

• Howard County Library opened its first permanent building on Frederick Road. 

1963 

• Marvin Thomas hired as Howard County Library’s first Director. 

• Howard County Library developed a card catalog and began reference services. 

• The Library’s hours extended to six days and four evenings per week. 

• Air conditioning was installed in The Library. 

1966 

• To expand collections and classes beyond its Frederick Road location and bookmobile, Howard County Library rented space to open a small branch in the Carroll Baldwin Memorial Hall in Savage. 

• The Library began purchasing paperbacks, expanded hardback collection, and developed a pamphlet collection. 

• Photocopiers added for public use at The Library’s two branches. 

1968 

• Wilde Lake Branch opens, expanding The Library to three locations and one bookmobile. 

1969 

• The Library initiated a regular schedule of classes and programs for children and adults at each location. 

• Two additional branches opened: one on Church Road, and the other on Main Street.

1971 

• The Library considered possible locations for a new branch to be centrally located in Columbia. 

1972 

• The Library established a microfilm collection. 

• The Library renovated Frederick Road Library, providing space to establish a phonograph record collection. 

1974 

• The Library purchased the Minimobile to deliver books and materials to homebound customers. 

• Sunday hours, from September to May, started at the Frederick Road Library. 

• An audiocassette collection was established. 

1975 

• Director Marvin Thomas formed the Central Library United Effort citizen committee to facilitate the Central Library’s planning process. 

1976 

• Long Reach Branch Library opened in a rented storefront in the Long Reach Village Center, establishing TTY service at that location. 

1977 

• Howard Research and Development donated 3.5 acres of land to build a new Central Library.  

• The Frederick Road Library Branch added a balcony to house an expanded fiction collection. 

1979 

• The revolutionary process of automating and computerizing library operations began. 

1980 

• Administrative and support staff moved to the Central Library. 

1981 

• The Central Library opened. Features included an audiovisual area, a large meeting room, and an automated system to improve the efficiency of loaning books and materials. 

• The Lisbon Community Branch Library opened on Frederick Road. 

• Director Marvin Thomas created citizen groups to begin planning strategically for the future. 

1983 

• Age and developmentally appropriate educational toys for infants and toddlers were added to the collection. 

1984 

• In-branch personal computers for public use were offered for the first time. 

• The Elkridge Community Branch Library opened in a rented storefront on Route 1. 

1985 

• The Lisbon Community Branch Library moved to the Lisbon Center. 

• The Library established videocassette collections at each branch location. 

1986 

• The Frederick Road Library was renovated and renamed the Charles E. Miller Library. 

• The Church Road Community Branch Library closed. 

1987 

• A systemwide compact disc collection was established. 

1989 

• INFO-LAN, a stand-alone, multi-station CD-ROM network for public use was introduced. 

• The Library made online customer access catalogs available to the public. 

• The Library introduced its first databases, DIALOG and LOGIN. 

• The Library established a specialized Health Education Collection. 

• Project Literacy, an adult basic education initiative, was launched. 

• The Library began providing materials accessible to and services for customers with varying disabilities through Easy Access projects. 

1990 

• Remote dial-in access to The Library’s online catalog was launched. 

1991 

• The Savage Branch Library, which replaced both the Savage Community Branch Library and the bookmobile, opened. 

• After-hours remote access to INFO-LAN was made available to customers. 

1993 

• The new Elkridge Branch Library opened. 

• The Elkridge Community Branch Library closed. 

1994 

• The East Columbia Branch Library opened. 

• Approximately one-half of the administrative and support staff relocated from the Central to the East Columbia Branch Library. 

• The Library established connection to the Internet in library branches. 

1996 

• The Library partnered with The Mall in Columbia to place DataDepot, a computer research station, in the Mall’s food court. 

• Director Marvin Thomas retired after 33 years of service. 

• Norma Hill was appointed as the new Director. 

• Great Expectations, a quarterly publication featuring Howard County Library resources, classes, news, and events, was premiered. 

• The Library of Congress designated The Library as home to the Maryland Center for the Book. 

1997 

• Pulitzer Prize winner Maxine Kumin headlined an author event at the East Columbia Branch Library. 

• The Governor’s Office of Crime Control Prevention gave The Library a grant to fund multimedia computers offering homework assistance for teens. 

1998 

• “Mother Goose Asks Why,” a series of literature/science children’s classes sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is introduced. 

• The Library’s first web site was launched at www.howa.lib.md.us. 

• The Library partnered with Howard County General Hospital to develop a collection of print and online research materials for the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Imaging Center. 

• The first Evening in the Stacks gala was hosted at the East Columbia Branch Library. 

1999 

• A portable network with six notebook computers was introduced to enhance HCL’s line-up of web and PC classes. 

• The Library introduced a world languages collection to library branches.

• Write From Maryland, a directory of authors developed by The Maryland Center for the Book, was launched for the benefit of the entire state. 

• National Book Award winner Alice McDermott was the keynote speaker at Supper at Six, The Library’s annual author event. 

• The Library introduced their five-year Strategic Plan. 

2000 

• The Central Library closed for a major renovation. 

• The Lisbon Community Branch Library closed. 

• The Glenwood Branch Library opened. Its meeting room was named the Pindell Room to honor western Howard County residents Bill and Betty Pindell. 

• The Library’s Supper at Six featured acclaimed novelist, Gail Godwin. 

2001 

• DVDs were added to the collection. 

• Director Norma Hill retired after 21 years of service. 

• Valerie J. Gross was appointed as HCL’s third Director. 

• The Central Library reopened after a 17-month, $5.37 million renovation. 

2002 

• American Sign Language video collection added to The Library. 

• A+ Partners in Education, a comprehensive partnership with the Howard County Public School System, was launched. 

2003 

• The Elkridge and Savage Library branches expanded their hours to include Sundays during the school year. 

2004 

• Friends of Howard County Library established an endowment fund with the Columbia Foundation. 

• The Library adopted the Howard County Library System Facilities and Assessment Master Plan: Facilities and Services 2005 to 2030 by the Howard County Library System Board of Trustees. 

• The Howard County Chamber of Commerce named Hope Chase, the head of The Library’s Children’s Curriculum, Educator of the Year. 

• The Howard County Chamber of Commerce named Howard County Library System as Non-Profit Business of the Year. 

• The Howard County Commission on Disabilities awarded The Library the Accessibility Award for its American Sign Language video collection. 

• The Library was awarded the Triple A Partnership Award for significant contributions to Accelerating the Academic Achievement of students in Howard County through A+ Partners in Education. 

• The Library hosted notable author Lemony Snicket, sponsored by Harper Collins. 

• The Cancer Information Collection was established at the Central Library branch. 

• Howard County Library System became the first public library system in Maryland to begin offering free wireless Internet access at all library branches. 

• The Library partnered with the Farmers Market and Economic Development Authority to host Farmers Markets at the East Columbia and Glenwood branches. 

2005 

• The Library was ranked first in the nation among the great public library systems (Hennen’s 2005 American Public Library Ratings, American Libraries). 

• A new brand launched using the “Hi” logo as Howard County Library System’s visual identity, reflecting The Library’s progressive nature while emphasizing its customer service and high-quality public education for everyone. 

• The HCPSS Kindergarten curriculum established required field trips to Howard County Library System branches. 

• The first Howard County Library System Spelling Bee launched as an official Regional Bee, establishing the academic competition as part of A+ Partners in Education. 

• The Library partnered with Howard County Tourism and Howard County Government on the Blossoms of Hope project, beautifying Howard County with 1,000 memorial Kwanzan cherry trees. 

• Customers could borrow e-books by downloading them to a computer or personal device. 

• The Library partnered with HCPSS to produce “Blast Off to Reading,” a summer reading video that won a Telly Award. 

• Strong Foundations, Enduring Success was developed, The Library’s strategic plan for 2006 through 2010. 

2006 

• The Cancer Information Collection at the Central Library expanded into a Health Education Center. 

• Howard County Library System BumbleBee, a companion initiative to the Howard County Libary System Spelling Bee for first, second, and third grade students, was launched. 

2007 

• The Central and Miller Branch Libraries expanded their hours of operation to include year-round summer Sunday hours.  

• 40 Alliance Partners were recruited to join Choose Civility, the lead organization in the community-wide initiative to make Howard County a national model of respect, consideration, empathy, and tolerance. 

2008 

• Howard County Library System was categorized under “Education” in the County’s operating and capital budget categories, joining Howard County Public School System and Howard Community College as the three major educational institutions in Howard County. 

• The Battle of the Books reading competition for fifth grade students was initiated. 

• A Financial Education Center was established at the Central Branch. 

2009  

• The Library received a top ranking in Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. 

• The Library was cited as a contributing factor in Howard County’s premium ranking in Forbes magazine’s list of best counties to raise a family. 

• The Playaway format was added to the audiobook collection. 

• The Library adopted Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, blogs, and videos into communications plans. 

• The mosaic “Underwater Treasures,” by artist Mary Deacon Opasik was unveiled at Elkridge Branch Library, in collaboration with Howard County Government, the Howard County Arts Council, and HCPSS 

• Joe Ehrman, former Baltimore Colts defensive lineman, was featured in the first Choose Civility Symposium. 

• A+ Educator Cards were extended to include preschool teachers. 

2010  

• Public Education for All: Howard County Library System’s Strategic Plan 2010-2015 was unveiled.  

• The Library was featured as the 2010 Wiley Library Spotlight, which highlights a nationally recognized library system each year. 

• Public Libraries’ awarded The Library Best Feature Article for “Transforming Our Image Through Words That Work.” 

• The Library received the State of Maryland International Reading Council’s Literacy Award for A+ Partners in Education and Project Literacy. 

• The ARC of Howard County awarded the Library the Excellence in the Community Award. 

• The East Columbia Branch established a Passport Acceptance Facility. 

2011 

• The Library received the Wiley Award for Excellence, an award given to one library system each year for extraordinary customer service, creativity, and commitment. 

• A collection of 60 e-book readers was launched. 

• The Howard County Library System Rube Goldberg Challenge, an academic competition incorporating STEM for fourth and fifth grade students, was initiated. 

• Well & Wise, a partnership with Howard County General Hospital: A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine to advance health education, was launched. 

2012 

• The Library was designated a national “Star” library system, receiving the highest five-star rating and prominence as featured library (Library Journal). 

• The Library was ranked in the national Top 10 libraries Borrowing Per Capita (American Libraries). 

• Howard County Library System was recognized nationally as a premier library system in HAPLR Rankings (American Libraries). 

• The new Miller Branch was featured in American Libraries’ Library Design Showcase. 

• Public Libraries’ awarded The Library Best Feature Article for “Choose Civility: Public Libraries Take Center Stage.” 

• The Charles E. Miller Branch & Historical Center had its Grand Opening. 

• The Library received a $100,000 federal grant to launch HiTech, a STEM education initiative for teens that teaches 21st century science, technology, engineering, and math skills via project-based classes. 

2013 

• The Library was selected as Library of the Year from among North America’s 21,000 public and academic library systems (2013 Library of the Year, Gale/Library Journal). It was recognized for developing and living a new vision for libraries, Libraries = Education, which Library Journal hailed “a 21st century model worthy of study and consideration by every other library in America, if not the world” (John N. Berry, Library Journal, June 15, 2013, p. 33). 

• The Urban Libraries Council for HiTech Received awarded The Library the Top Innovator Award. 

• Library Journal designated The Library as a Five-Star library system again. 

• The Library was recognized as Library of the Year in the Congressional Record. 

• The Miller Branch attained LEED Gold Certification. 

• The Library received the distinguished Wintergreen Award, a sustainability design award from the U.S. Green Building Council (U.S.G.B.C), Maryland Chapter, in the category of “Community Impact” for the new Miller Branch. 

2014 

• The Bookapalooza was held at the Central Library in partnership with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. 

• A Vision of Shared Leadership: HCLS Internal Customer Service Philosophy was held. 

• The Savage Branch Express opened, an interim location during the renovation of the Savage Branch Library. 

2015 

• The HCLS Savage Branch & STEM Education Center Grand Opening was held. 

• Vision 2020: Education for All, Howard County Library System’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020 was developed. 

• Passport acceptance was expanded to the HCLS Glenwood Branch. 

• The Enchanted Garden was certified as an official Monarch Waystation. 

2016  

• Celebrated the of The Library 75th Anniversary with culminating event, Celebrate 75, including the Howard County Library System Chapters-of-our-Lives Time Capsule Installation Ceremony. 

• Incorporated Launchpads, rechargeable Android tablets for children, pre-loaded with ad-free learning apps into The Library’s collection. 

2017  

• The re-opening of the HCLS Central Branch was celebrated with an open house.  

• The Library’s curriculum introduced ukulele kits and instruction. 

• The East Columbia Branch was designated as a Monarch Waystation. 

• Test proctoring was launched systemwide. 

• Passport photo service was expanded to be systemwide. 

• Valerie J. Gross retired after 15 years of service to The Library. 

2018 

• Tonya Kennon joined the Howard County Library System team as President & CEO.  

• Library Journal designated The Library as a Five-Star library system again. 

2019 

• Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit showcases how the federal government systematically imposed residential segregation in cities, was held at The Library.  

• Award-winning author Jason Reynolds gave signed copies of his book, For Every One, to students at an event with HCPSS. 

• Library Journal designated The Library as a Five-Star library system again. 

• Evening in the Stacks Promotional Materials won the Hermes Gold Award. 

• The HCLS Elkridge Branch + DIY Education Center was awarded the Sustainable Design Award. 

• Saketh Sundar, the first four-time champion of the Howard County Library System Spelling Bee, was the first student from Howard County and Maryland to be crowned a Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. 

2020 

• The Howard County Library System closed in mid-March for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• STEM classes for students were launched online. 

• AskHCLS was expanded to phone and web chat. 

• Lent sewing machines from HCLS’ DIY collection to a local manufacturer to make cotton face masks and gowns for first responders. 

• A COVID-19 web portal was created with resources around food, mental health issues, unemployment, housing, utilities, and more. 

• Contactless pickup of materials became offered. 

• Created While Isolated, a creative outlet for community members to share photography, poetry, art, and thoughtful perspectives about life during the pandemic, was debuted. 

• Customer fines for books were wavied as a means of increasing equitable experiences. 

2021 

• Branches opened with limited hours and services in April. 

• Take-home hands-on learning activity kits for student learning support were debuted. 

• Brave Voices, Brave Choices was launched, a racial equity initiative that provides training programs to help people grow personally and professionally, increase understanding and relationships across differences, and create an equitable society 

• Library Journal designated The Library as a Five-Star library system again. 

2022 

• The STEAM Machine was introduced, a mobile classroom that brings hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics classes to students. 

• Library Journal designated The Library as a Five-Star library system again. 

• The Equity Resource Center opened at the Central Branch 

• The Glenwood Branch reopened after renovations, offering a community makerspace, expanded classroom and meeting areas, and outdoor reading and instructional space. 

• The PopUp Library opened, bringing the library to festivals and community events and bringing classes and resources to preschool children of asset limited and income constrained families. 

• The Battle of the Books competition resumed after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. 

2023 

• The Inequities Within report was introduced, which provides an overview of racial equity across education, healthcare, housing, economic, and legal systems within Howard County. 

• The strategic planning process resumed after a hiatus due to COVID-19. 

• The Pathways to Success program started in collaboration with the Howard County Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and a Federal grant, to help immigrant students identify and build career paths 

• The new mascot, Booker, the saw-whet owl, was introduced. 

2024 

• The Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 launched, adopting the new mission “Learn. Grow. Connect.”