Summer Reading 2024
Summer Reading Student Volunteer Application
Summer @ Your Library Prizes
Summer Arts
Access Summer Reading Account
Accolades for HCLS
Read Howard County Library customer comments here. HCLS Retains Distinction as Maryland's Only 5-Star Library 2021 - HCLS was again designated a national Five Star Library System by Library Journal for delivering excellence in public education. HCLS earned the highest five-star ranking attained by fewer than one percent of public libraries in the U.S., and again the only library system in Maryland to do so. Details. HCLS Retains Distinction as Maryland's Only … [Read more...]
Test Prep Tools
HCLS Online Test Prep Tools LearningExpress Library Requires library card barcode and PIN. Must register with an e-mail address to use this online tool. Registering is necessary to keep track of your test scores and progress each time you use a practice exam or e-course. Elementary/middle/high school Practice sets for grades 4 – 12 for math, reading, and writing skills Practice exams for Catholic high school admissions (COOP, HSPT) Practice AP exams in 9 subjects AP exam … [Read more...]
Mission and Vision
Mission We deliver high-quality public education for all. Vision A vital component of Howard County's renowned education system, we deliver excellence in education for everyone, advancing the economy and quality of life. Organizational Equity Commitment Statement As great democratic institutions, public libraries serve all people with a full range of educational resources needed to live, learn, work, govern, and thrive. As a public library that strives for excellence, we at Howard County … [Read more...]
HoCoCast
Volunteer
Community Health Information
Categorized links to various health related websites and services. Hover over any of the categories below to display their links. Children's & Teen Health Children's & Teen Health Center for Young Women’s Healthgirls & young women’s health Go Ask Alicehealth & well-being Q&A HealthyChildren.orgchild health & parental guidance Kids Healthfor children, teens, and … [Read more...]
About Watson’s Tin Box
About Watson's Tin Box Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars, is a literary society focused on the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson’s Tin Box was founded in 1990 and holds monthly dinner meetings, at which approximately 20 to 30 Tin Box members discuss a Sherlock Holmes story. At most gatherings, a member presents a scholarly paper or some other type of presentation, or entertainment that raises issues, … [Read more...]
History
Recognizing the power of knowledge, a group of civic-minded women opened the first library in Howard County in Ellicott City on October 11, 1940. Little did they know that their vision and leadership would set into motion an overarching philosophy that would result in its being hailed “a 21st-century library model, with a position, purpose, and curriculum worthy of study and consideration by every library in America, if not the world.” when it was awarded Library of the Year in 2013. Howard … [Read more...]
Help Pages for Free Software Featured on Howard County Library’s PACs
Howard County Library Public Access Computers Each of the Library's 300 customer computers feature free software. The free software packages are offered with the expectation that customers already know how to use them or can easily learn them. The software was selected to provide full computing functionality, including word processing, Internet-based research, photograph and image manipulation, and audio playback. As the Library adds and modifies the free software, it will … [Read more...]
The Sound of Music
Observing a HCYP baseball game I overheard a conversation between two mom's from my son's public school. One was bemoaning that there were "Hebrew songs at the Christmas concert". I volunteer for Howard County Parents for School Music and we encourage music teachers to have their concert programs reflect the diversity of our community - - and I generally feel so proud about this being expressed at our concerts. Yet this woman was clearly put off by this. I am Jewish and wondered in the moment if … [Read more...]