Welcome to the Howard County Library Website
Librarians plan for summer Reading program
April
Greetings from The Howard Country Library! Even though we are only in the
middle of spring, we are excitedly planning our Summer Reading Program! We are
going to offer our Children’s Summer Program in June on Thursdays at 10 AM and
Saturdays at 11 AM for the entire month. The theme this year is “Unearth a
Story” and we will have lots of fun activities, games, crafts and of course,
stories, to go along with the theme. Further information keep checking
this website, our Facebook page and the newspaper. You can also give us a call at
660-248-3348.
Junior Readers to Return
We
will also offer a reading program this summer for our Middle School students,
called ”Junior Readers” which will be an informal program, where middle school
students can drop by anytime between 10 and 5 on Thursdays to discuss what they
have been reading. We will provide games and puzzles for them also.
Thursday Morning fun at the Library
Thursday
mornings are made for little ones! Join us for Toddler Time every Thursday at
10:00 a.m., where stories come to life and playtime is part of the adventure.
Bring your toddlers to enjoy a cheerful mix of stories, puzzles, and hands-on
games designed just for them. And the fun doesn’t stop there—our Children’s Room
on the lower level is always ready to welcome you, filled with even more toys,
puzzles, and opportunities to explore, imagine, and play. It’s the perfect place
for curious minds and busy little hands!
Spring is perfect time to join Readers
Our regular programs are going strong, and there’s always a seat waiting for
you! One of our favorites is our adult reading group, Readers, which meets on
the first Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. This isn’t your typical
book club—there’s no required reading and no pressure. Whether you’ve just
finished a novel, are in the middle of three books, or haven’t picked one up
lately, you’re welcome to join the conversation. It’s simply a gathering of
people who enjoy sharing stories, ideas, and recommendations. The discussions
are lively, engaging, and often full of surprises—you’ll laugh, learn something
new, and very likely leave with your next great read in mind.
Do you want to know more about your Family's story?
Looking
to learn more about your family’s story? Our resident genealogist, Kathy Brady,
along with members of the genealogy department, are available each Friday from
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the genealogy room. Whether you’re just getting started or
have hit a roadblock, Kathy and the team are a wonderful resource—especially for
those researching roots in Howard County. Stop in, ask questions, and discover
where your history might lead!
Library receives grant
Howard County Public Library has been awarded a $10,000 gift from the Andrew
Carnegie organization in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of
the Declaration of Independence. The Howard County Library staff say the funds
will be used to expand programs and create new opportunities for residents
across the community. The grant honors the legacy of Scottish immigrant and
philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of 1,681 free public
libraries in the United States between 1886 and 1917. Today, approximately 1,280
of those libraries remain in operation, with about 750 still serving their
communities from their original buildings. Carnegie famously described libraries
as “cradles of democracy” that “strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of
the citizen.” His belief that free public libraries provide opportunity and
access to knowledge for all continues to shape communities more than a century
later The $10,000 gift will directly support expanded programming, and
educational workshops designed to increase access to learning resources for
residents of all ages. “This generous gift allows us to build on Carnegie’s
vision by ensuring our library remains a place where everyone has access to
information, enrichment, and opportunity,” The award not only commemorates a
historic milestone in the nation’s history but also reinforces the enduring role
of public libraries as vital centers of education, civic engagement, and
community connection.
Third Thursday is Homeschoolers Board Game Day
Homeschoolers!
On the third Thursday of every month, join us for Homeschoolers Board Game Day—a
perfect chance to connect, learn, and have fun. Whether your family has a
favorite game to share or you’d like to try something new from our collection,
there’s a seat at the table for everyone. Bring your homeschoolers and get ready
for an afternoon of friendly competition, laughter, and maybe even a new
favorite game!
Renew your shelf at the library Booksale!
Don't
forget about our downstairs book room where the books, which have been
donated, are four for a dollar. You might find a "treasure!"
Do you want to support the library? Join Friends of the Library
Some of you have indicated that you would like to do more to support
our library. A great way to do that is to join “Friends of the Library!”
This is an organization open to anyone who is interested in the ongoing
success of the library. An individual membership to join friends is $10
annually, while a family membership is $20. We also offer lifetime
memberships for $200. The purpose of Friends is to provide annual funding
for the library collection, underwrite programs, such as The Summer Reading
Program, Special Holiday events and visiting author programs and to support
the purchase of various items that cannot be fulfilled from the library’s
operational budget. We would love to have new members!