Book Discussions and Author Visits
Join us for monthly book discussions and special author visits! See the schedule.
St. Mary’s County Library Anime Club
If you need special accommodations for any Library event or program, please submit our Accommodations Request form as soon as possible. Representatives from SMC Recreation & Parks will be in the lobby with information about their programs, facilities, services, and events, as well as to answer any questions you may have. St. Mary's County Recreation & Parks strives to provide an enriched quality of life for the community through preservation of natural, cultural and historical resources, enhancement of parks and outdoor spaces, and promotion of a variety of leisure experiences. Come talk to them about their current events, programs, parks, trails, and more! Do you have an Android device and don't know what to do next? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! This in-person workshop is for those who have a new Android mobile device, or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will help learners get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their device safely. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 20331 Point Lookout Rd., Great Mills, MD 20634 Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts. Upon request, team members will happily offer recovery information and resources for those who might be recovery-curious or recovery-ready. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 21895 Pegg Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 46472 Admiral Lane, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Do you feel like you should have more money left over at the end of the pay cycle? This in-depth workshop will help you determine and prioritize your spending, creatively reduce spending, and set financial goals. Learn what influences your spending habits and use that awareness to stop the cycle of overspending. We'll also touch on how to use credit and other strategies for long-term financial success. Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange. If you're worried about AI, you're not alone. Hear from two of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI, what you need to know about AI and how to defend yourself against bogus AI claims and products. There is a lot of misinformation swirling around AI. Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, authors of AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t Do and How to Tell the Difference, can help you make sense of it all. Cut through the confusion, misunderstanding and hype around AI and learn how you can make better decisions about whether and how to use AI at work and home. This event is presented by Baltimore County Public Library in partnership with Maryland Libraries Together and will be streamed online on Baltimore County Public Library's YouTube channel. No registration required, but you can request a reminder/notification via the YouTube link. This event is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services & Technology Act administered by the Maryland State Library Agency. Join Barb Whipkey, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park and LaPlata, for this talk all about hummingbirds. Barb will discuss nesting behaviors, attracting hummingbirds to your feeders, and more. Barb will even give some of her tips for hand feeding the hummingbirds. Make this your best hummingbird season ever! Register with an email address to receive a link to join the online event. FREE Core of Knowledge training for childcare providers. The Growing Brain is an innovative course from Zero to Three that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops step-by-step, neuron-by-neuron. Units 1 & 7 are in-person at Leonardtown Library on Saturdays from 9:15am-12:30pm; doors open at 9am. Licensed childcare providers will receive 3 Core of Knowledge Hours for each unit completed. Units 1-6 provide 3 hours in Child Development; Unit 7 provides 2 hours in Child Development & 1 hour in Curriculum. Register for any or all of these units: *If unable to attend Units 1 or 7 in person, contact jhutchison@stmalib.org to make arrangements for virtual participation. Unlock your crafting potential by learning how to use the Cricut cutting machine and Cricut Mug Press to customize a ceramic mug! This introductory, in-person class will cover how to use the Cricut Maker 3, an electronic die-cutting machine, to decorate a ceramic mug by cutting an infusible ink design and using the Cricut Mug Press to transfer the design through a process called sublimation. Participants will also learn the basics of Cricut Design Space, the software used to create endlessly customizable designs. No experience necessary, all materials provided. Everyone is welcome to visit the Leonardtown Library Makerspace during open hours to use the Cricut to create whatever you can imagine! Customers need to have their own Cricut Design Space online account and bring their own material, but we have all the equipment and tools you'll need! Visit the Makerspace webpage to see open hours and learn about all the Makerspace has to offer. Note for minors: Teenagers are welcome in our Makerspace classes! Customers aged 14+ can use the Makerspace without a guardian present but must have a waiver signed by their guardian. Waivers are available in the Makerspace and are needed for minors to participation in this class. An all-ages chess social hang-out! Drop in and out to play as needed, no experience required. Staff will be available to assist those who haven't played before. Small chess guides will be available for each player for reference. Chess boards will be provided by the library, but feel free to bring your favorite set. A book discussion series for veterans led by Vietnam veteran Wayne Karlin. Registration required; space is limited. For more information contact Kimberlé Fields at 301-863-8188 or kfields@stmalib.org. Monthly Reading List Book descriptions from Amazon unless otherwise noted February 01 - Uncertain Ground by Phil Klay From the National Book Award-winning author of Redeployment and Missionaries, an astonishing fever graph of the effects of twenty years of war in a brutally divided America. When Phil Klay left the Marines a decade ago after serving as an officer in Iraq, he found himself a part of the community of veterans who have no choice but to grapple with the meaning of their wartime experiences—for themselves and for the country. American identity has always been bound up in war—from the revolutionary war of our founding, to the civil war that ended slavery, to the two world wars that launched America as a superpower. What did the current wars say about who we are as a country, and how should we respond as citizens? Unlike in previous eras of war, relatively few Americans have had to do any real grappling with the endless, invisible conflicts of the post-9/11 world; in fact, increasingly few people are even aware they are still going on. It is as if these wars are a dark star with a strong gravitational force that draws a relatively small number of soldiers and their families into its orbit while remaining inconspicuous to most other Americans. In the meantime, the consequences of American military action abroad may be out of sight and out of mind, but they are very real indeed. This chasm between the military and the civilian in American life, and the moral blind spot it has created, is one of the great themes of Uncertain Ground, Phil Klay’s powerful series of reckonings with some of our country’s thorniest concerns, written in essay form over the past ten years. In the name of what do we ask young Americans to kill, and to die? In the name of what does this country hang together? As we see at every turn in these pages, those two questions have a great deal to do with each another, and how we answer them will go a long way toward deciding where our troubled country goes from here. March 01 - The Women by Kristin Hannah From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women―at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided. Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets―and becomes one of―the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam. The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era. April 05 - The Genizah by Wayne Karlin In the novel The Genizah, Wayne Karlin enters its pages as a character in his own novel, reimagining his family's lives―and fate―if they had not come to America but stayed in his mother's village in Poland where the rest of her extended family were murdered by the Nazis in 1941. Karlin commemorates and mourns that unutterable loss by making it present, in the spirit of the words from the Passover Seder, which asks those at the table to recount the story of oppression as if they had lived it. It is a phrase that calls upon the people at the table to feel, not just to know, what happened, as good fiction calls us to do. How can anyone who had not been through the Holocaust share even a little part of such experiences? How can anyone who has not felt some of that horror reverberate in their own bones try to understand the terrible massacres of our own days, sparked by hatred of the Other, in Syria, in Myanmar, in Israel, in Gaza, in Charleston, and in Pittsburgh―in so many other places, they overwhelm our ability to empathize. Karlin's answer to that question is to personalize the impersonal, to imagine what could have happened if his grandparents, and mother, and her brothers and sisters and his father and his family, had not torn themselves away from a place they and their ancestors had lived for hundreds of years, in a town and on a continent where they had always been unwelcome guests. May 03 - For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway's masterpiece on war, love, loyalty, and honor tells the story of Robert Jordan, an antifascist American fighting in the Spanish Civil War. In 1937 Ernest Hemingway traveled to Spain to cover the civil war there for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Three years later he completed the greatest novel to emerge from “the good fight” and one of the foremost classics of war literature. For Whom the Bell Tolls tells of loyalty and courage, love and defeat, and the tragic death of an ideal. Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades, is attached to an antifascist guerilla unit in the mountains of Spain. In his portrayal of Jordan’s love for the beautiful Maria and his superb account of a guerilla leader’s last stand, Hemingway creates a work at once rare and beautiful, strong and brutal, compassionate, moving, and wise. Greater in power, broader in scope, and more intensely emotional than any of the author’s previous works, For Whom the Bell Tolls stands as one of the best war novels ever written. June 14 - The Heart That Fed by Carl Sciacchitano A brilliant graphic memoir debut, this is a loving son’s exploration of his tumultuous relationship with his father, told through the lens of the Vietnam War and its lasting effects long after returning home. As a college dropout amidst the tumult of the 1960s and the Vietnam War, David Sciacchitano enlisted in the Air Force and volunteered to be sent overseas. An aircraft mechanic away from the front lines, David nevertheless experienced the chaos of war during the Tet Offensive and the 1975 evacuation. But although David returned home from the war with no physical injuries, it would be as if a part of him was forever left behind. Set against one of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century, The Heart That Fed is a beautifully illustrated and moving story of trauma and love—told by a son seeking to understand a father forever changed by PTSD and the horrors of war. The St. Mary's Co. UMD Extension Office on Family and Consumer Science will be in our lobby to share information on food safety, financial management, home & work safety, and more! The Family and Consumer Science Educators want to help the communities they serve live happier and healthier lives through improved health, well-being, and resiliency to life’s challenges. Are you new to using email or just wanting to build more confidence using email? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! This in-person email training workshop will be using Gmail, one of the most common email platforms. Attendees will create a Gmail account, and perform basic email functions, such as sending, receiving, and replying to email. Attendees will learn to recognize and deal with spam, organize and delete emails, and search for messages. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. Register with an email address to receive the link to a trivia game and test your knowledge! The game is multiple choice questions and speed matters! Registration for each week ends at 5 p.m. on Mondays. After 5 p.m., registrants will be emailed a link to that week's trivia. You will have until Thursday at 5 p.m. to complete the game, then you'll receive an email with the full results. Trivia uses Kahoot, accessible through any internet browser, no account needed. Administración del Seguro Social provee protección para los trabajadores y sus familias. El programa provee ingreso mensual a las personas mayores de edad, los trabajadores que sufren de una incapacidad, niños con incapacidades y las familias en las que fallece un cónyuge o padre. Le invitamos a esta presentación virtual para aprender los requisitos de elegibilidad de medicare, los períodos de inscripción, el proceso de solicitud y los recursos. Presentado por Diana Varela, Especialista en Relaciones Publicas, Administración del Seguro Social. Preguntas y respuestas después de la presentación. Este evento no será grabado. The Social Security Administration provides protection for workers and their families. Programs provide monthly income to seniors, workers with a disability, children with disabilities, and families in which a spouse or parent has died. We invite you to this virtual presentation to learn about Medicare eligibility requirements, enrollment periods, the application process, and resources. Presentation by Diana Varela, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration followed by Q&A. This event will not be recorded. This event is cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Have you ever wanted something 3D printed at the library, but weren't sure how? Now is your chance to learn! This introductory course will cover the basics of how a 3D printer works and how to use PrusaSlicer software. Learn how to find ready-to-print files online and submit them to the Library for printing. No prior experience is needed. This is an in-person class held in the Computer Lab Makerspace. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. Maritime Building Whether you have been creating for years or just started on your journey, join fellow crafters who love all things fabric and fiber. Open to knitters, crocheters, quilters, embroiderers, cross-stitchers, and any other kind of needleworkers. Bring your current project, mingle with like-minded makers, and swap patterns, ideas, and tips. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 24400 Mervell Dean Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636 Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 23154 Wetstone Ln., California, MD 20619 Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts. Upon request, team members will happily offer recovery information and resources for those who might be recovery-curious or recovery-ready. 2025 is our 75th Anniversary! April is also National Library Month! We're celebrating all things St. Mary's County Library this month to kick off our celebratory year. Curious about the inner workings of your local Library? Want to learn more about what the St. Mary's County Library offers? See behind the scenes on a comprehensive tour and help us kick off our celebratory year with a special crafternoon! Visit the St. Mary's County Health Department in the Leonardtown Lobby to get free information. Fun promotional items will be provided, too! Information will be provided about tobacco cessation programs, free colon cancer screenings, colonoscopies, and mammograms programs, health insurance/Medicaid information, and information about asthma programs and so much more. We will also provide community members with COVID-19 resources and will also offer on-site registration for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for anyone who is interested/eligible. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 21905 Chancellors Run Rd., Great Mills, MD 20634 The Maryland Food Bank’s Mobile Market is coming to visit! Stop by to shop from our “grocery store on wheels” and receive free nonperishable food items, fresh produce, and other non-food necessities while supplies last. The Three Oaks Center will connect those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to resources in the tri county that can help them with benefits, mental health, substance abuse, housing, and more. They will also be completing referrals for service on site and collecting paperwork to enroll in their programs and/or offer shelter if available. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 22611 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Blvd., Lexington Park, MD 20653 Interested in learning how to research your African American family history? Learn tips for how and where to begin your research. We will explore several popular online genealogy sites and discuss a variety of books, databases, and other resources available through the Library. This program will be led by Christine Iko, a Librarian with the African American Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center. Please register to receive the Zoom link. Each month we will discuss a different fantasy or science fiction novel. April's book is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Find the eBook and eAudio book in our catalog. Are you new to the internet or want to build more confidence finding information online and navigating websites? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card!
Attendees at this in-person workshop will learn about web browsers and search engines, build skills to navigate the internet, and discover tips and tricks for basic and advanced searching online. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. This film explores the history and impact of public libraries in shaping our lives. Join us for an engaging discussion about the incredible ways the library helps us learn, connect, and grow together. Leonardtown's film discussion will feature Everlyn Holland, local historian; Dr. Janice Walthour, former library board member, educator, local historian, and activist; and Carolyn Guy, former library board member and current Friends of the Library volunteer to discuss women, segregation, and racial justice in the library movement. The film, Free for All: The Public Library, tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen – to create a place where anyone can enter and encounter a universe of ideas, free of charge. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today's librarians who serve the public while navigating a world experiencing library closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all. Refreshments provided! Watch the Free for All: The Public Library trailer. Register to receive reminder text/emails. Walk-ins Welcome! Free for All: The Public Library will premiere on MPT on April 29, 2025. Have you ever heard of Book of the Month or Stitch Fix? This is a personalized package like those, but for Library books! Similar to our teen Lit Kit program, the Adult Lit Kit is a customized, packaged surprise for any adult (18+) who loves to read that comes with two Adult Library books that we will choose specifically for you. When you are finished with the books, just return them to the nearest library! Fill out the registration and interest form between the 1st and 8th of the month (or until all registration spots are full). Please answer honestly in order to help our staff select a book that suits your literary tastes. You will then be notified on the 12th of the month that your Adult Lit Kit package is ready for pickup at the Leonardtown Library. Please note that the Adult Lit Kit has now moved to every-other-month to match our Teen Lit Kits. Looking for the Teen Lit Kit? Please click here. This event has been rescheduled for May 3, 2025 due to inclement weather. Saddle up and test your cycling know-how! Whether you're new to biking or a seasoned cyclist, all ages can practice riding right with our series of challenges. From bike safety and street smarts to skills tests and agility exercises, each activity is designed to build your confidence on two wheels - or three! Bring your bike, helmet, sense of adventure, and passion for making Southern Maryland safer for cyclists - and join the stampede! Note: This event is weather-dependent. This event has been rescheduled for May 3rd, 10am-2pm. Register to receive a reminder email or notice of cancellation due to weather. Walk-ins (and bike-ins!) welcome If you have questions about the event, or if you’d like to volunteer in any capacity, please contact Jake Stergio at jakestergio1@gmail.com Piscataway historian Mario Harley will explore Piscataway Indigenous history from pre-European contact through the present day. This insightful presentation offers a Tribal perspective on the rich history of the Piscataway People. Through the lens of his Piscataway ancestors, Mario will explore the survival strategies shaped by cultural values and inter-tribal relationships. This presentation highlights the resilience and adaptability of the region's Indigenous communities, emphasizing their ongoing presence and dedication to preserving traditions on their ancestral lands in the Nation's Capital, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay. Mario Harley is a citizen of the Piscataway Indian Tribe, and a member of the Wild Turkey Clan. Since childhood, he has embraced and lived his culture. He is a graduate of the American University in Washington DC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Since 1991, Mario has been a lifetime “Sequoyah" member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Beginning in 2013, Mario has been the lead volunteer instructor for the Charles County Indian Education program for Native American students. In collaboration with the University of Maryland leadership team, Mario served as the Piscataway lead in implementing various Tribal themes and history displays within their Yahentamitsi (Yah-hen-tah-mit-si) Dining Hall. He led a team of Piscataway citizens in developing a curriculum and teaching Piscataway history to Honor Course students at the University of Maryland, College Park campus which was first offered for the Fall 2023 semester. Mario is currently serving as the Piscataway Tribal representative to the Mallows Bay – Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. He has been an active member in perpetuating the Piscataway culture, teaching the youth, educating the public, and advocating for the lands and waterways that make up the traditional Piscataway homeland which includes most of the western shore of Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington DC. The tribal history that is being shared belongs to all the Piscataway people. He views his tribal knowledge as a gift bestowed upon each generation from the elders. * This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland 250 Commission, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. Project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State or Maryland 250 Commission. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. Intersection of Suburban Drive and Pleasant Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 21691 Eric Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Explore the interconnected relationships between the Dutch, Swedes, English and Algonkian peoples in their respective regions during the early colonial period of the late 1600s. Track the adaptation of Native American life to European settlement and trade goods, including the importance and use of wampum through this critical period along the mid-Atlantic region. Understand the magnitude of the earliest American culture clashes through customs of war, adoption, captivity, alliance, friendships and marriages between Natives, Europeans, and Africans. * This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland 250 Commission, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. Project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State or Maryland 250 Commission. Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”) holds a cum laude Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Connecticut State University and a Certificate Degree in Archaeology from Norwalk Community College. A true American of the mid-Atlantic region, his family includes indigenous Pocomoke heritage, Pennsylvania Dutch, Welsh, Swiss, English, Scots Irish, Boyko Ukrainian and Ashkanazi/ Sephardic Jewish, he honors all of his ancestors as a practicing living historian and regularly participates in colonial era reenactments, interpretations and public educational events. He works diligently in the research and preservation of the Eastern Woodland languages, particularly Renape, southern Unami and Nanticoke and is educated in the many European languages at use in the Colonial Period. He was the first garden manager of Western Connecticut State University’s Permaculture Garden, and practices Native horticulture. In July 2021, Drew was elected by his Paramount Chief Norris Howard Senior and Council member Norris Howard Junior as Cultural Ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation of Maryland. In June of 2023, Drew was hired as a contractual research and preservation specialist with Maryland State Archives where he worked to record oral histories, life ways and traditions of Maryland’s eastern shore tribal communities, this contractual work concluded in June of 2024. Drew also serves as the Algonkian historical consultant for the New Amsterdam History Center of NYC where he writes numerous articles on 17th century Algonkian culture. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 46075 Westbury Blvd, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Do you have an Android device and don't know what to do next? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! This in-person workshop is for those who have a new Android mobile device, or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will help learners get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their device safely. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. Community health advocates will be in the lobby to talk about health and wellness services through the hospital. Learn about ways that AccessHealth can help with overcoming barriers such as transportation, housing, food insecurity, insurance, benefit applications, and more! Registration is full. Join us for a Nature Walk and Citizen Science Adventure, a fun partnership between Historic Sotterley and St. Mary's County Library! Explore the beauty of nature on a guided walk with one of our local experts. Afterward, head to the Mobile Library to discover the Library’s Citizen Science Kits to learn how you can contribute to real-world science from your own backyard. End the day with a relaxing stroll through the Colonial Garden, observing pollinators and putting your new Citizen Science skills to work! This event will take place at Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636. Registration is now full. Do you enjoy arts and crafts? Do you enjoy games? Do you want to make new friends? Connect and Converse might just be the event for you! Join us for an opportunity to connect and converse with others. During this monthly program, we will gather in the meeting room to either create artwork or play a game. For the month of April, our art activity will be coffee filter flowers. Our game will be Blokus. This event is intended for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities as well as their friends, family, and caregivers. Connect and Converse usually meets on the second Monday of the month. Please register with an email address to receive a reminder email about this event. Walk-ins are welcome. Green Burial is a growing national movement that supports environmentally sound ways of returning the body to the earth in a natural, simple and dignified way. Green Burial conserves resources, reduces carbon emissions, protects workers’ health, and preserves or restores natural habitats. Green Burials also use non-toxic and biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and the body is not embalmed. The presentation will include images of families and friends gathering for green burials to give a feel for the simplicity and beauty that is possible when choosing this option. We will cover stories of the Green Burial Movement in Maryland and broader trends in the US will also be covered. In addition, we will compare green burial with conventional burial practices and flame cremation. The presentation will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session. The Green Burial Association of Maryland is a 501-c3 nonprofit dedicated to educating people and to advocate for Green Burial options in the State of Maryland. MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Community Health Advocates will be in the lobby to talk about health and wellness services throughout the hospital, and to provide blood pressure and other screenings. They will also provide information about ways that Access Health can help with overcoming barriers such as transportation, housing, food insecurity, insurance, benefit applications, and more. CareFirst will have information on Medicaid, including how to sign up for Medicaid in Maryland, helpful resources, and free giveaway items. Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts. Upon request, team members will happily offer recovery information and resources for those who might be recovery-curious or recovery-ready. Shopping & Cooking on a Budget is back with more tips and tricks for saving money in the kitchen! Learn how to make the most of your resources with practical tips for shopping smart and cooking delicious, nutritious meals without breaking the bank; and develop essential skills such as meal planning, budget-friendly grocery shopping, and preparing simple, healthy recipes. This extended session will allow time for participants to practice their skills in the kitchen - right here at the Library! Key Learning Outcomes: Whether you're a student, a professional, or anyone looking to save money in the kitchen, this course will empower you to eat well while staying within your budget. This interactive program includes practical demonstrations, budget planning exercises, and access to easy-to-follow recipes. Perfect for individuals or families seeking to eat smarter and save money! This program is made possible with support from the Family & Consumer Sciences program of the University of Maryland Extension and will be hosted by Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Dr. Deon Littles. Learn how to protect yourself and your information online! Topics include using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, avoiding internet scams, and using freely available tools to limit the information that's collected and shared when you browse the web. Join us to discuss a different cozy mystery on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Leonardtown Library. Be ready to talk about a genre that puts us all at ease while keeping us on our toes. This month, we will be reading one of the latest books in the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs, Lemon Curd Killer, which is #25 in the fan-favorite series. The series focuses on our sleuth, Theodosia Browning and her dog, Earl Grey in their quest to balance running Charleston's Indigo Tea Shop and solving all the murders that they keep getting entangled in. These books do not generally have to be read in order unless you want the full backstory of the various characters (find the rest of the series in our catalog). In this 25th installment of the series, Theodosia Browning is hosting a fancy Limón Tea in a genuine lemon orchard to kick off Charleston's Fashion Week. Then amongst the twinkling lights, lemony scents, and tea tables, a fashion designer's unlikely murder puts a squeeze on things. As the lemon curd begins to sour, the murdered woman's daughter recruits Theodosia to uncover the truth. Tea events and fashion shows must go on, however, which puts Theodosia and her tea sommelier, Drayton Connely, right in the thick of squabbling business partners, crazed clothing designers, irate film producers, drug deals, and a disastrous Tea Trolley Tour. Will Theodosia be able to balance all of that AND catch our killer? Find physical copies of the book in our catalog; search for digital versions on Libby or on the Palace Project app 2025 is our 75th Anniversary! April is also National Library Month! We're celebrating all things St. Mary's County Library this month to kick off our celebratory year. Curious about the inner workings of your local Library? Want to learn more about what the St. Mary's County Library offers? See behind the scenes on a comprehensive tour, join us for a special craft in our makerspace, make some exclusive 75th Anniversary buttons, and help us kick off our celebratory year. Do you have an Apple device and don't know what to do next? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! This in-person workshop is for those who have a new Apple mobile device, or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will help attendees get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their device safely. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. Lexington Park Library is closed in observance of Easter. The St. Mary's Co. UMD Extension Office on Family and Consumer Science will be in our lobby to share information on food safety, financial management, home & work safety, and more! The Family and Consumer Science Educators want to help the communities they serve live happier and healthier lives through improved health, well-being, and resiliency to life’s challenges. Have a skirt, dress, or kilt that you love, but it doesn’t have pockets? Learn how to add your own! Bring a garment to work on and we’ll provide the rest! We will go over all the steps needed to add your own pockets to your clothing so that you will never find yourself lacking somewhere to put your phone, wallet, keys, etc. Needles, thread, and fabric for the pockets will be provided. Just be sure to bring your own clothing item to work on. We highly recommend you select a garment that you are not extremely attached to, incase of any accidents. Items with side-seams may be easier to maneuver your first time, though we will go over how to add pockets to items with or without them. This will be a hand-sewing based program, rather than a machine-sewing one. Prior sewing skills are not necessarily required, though they will help you with the process. Register with an email address to receive the link to a trivia game and test your knowledge! The game is multiple choice questions and speed matters! Registration for each week ends at 5 p.m. on Mondays. After 5 p.m., registrants will be emailed a link to that week's trivia. You will have until Thursday at 5 p.m. to complete the game, then you'll receive an email with the full results. Trivia uses Kahoot, accessible through any internet browser, no account needed. Therapy animals from Pets on Wheels are visiting the library! Friends of all ages are invited to practice reading with a furry friend, or just enjoy some pets and snuggles. Our panel of industry experts are here to answer your most important questions about preparing your home for sale, and overcoming the challenges of selling your home. Attend in-person or online. With over a decade of real estate experience in three States as well as two decades of business ownership and community volunteerism, your host Amy Scott, Broker/Owner of OE Realty is proud to announce a panel filled with knowledgeable experts in the fields that will directly impact the sale of your home. Each of our panelists bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will help you navigate common pitfalls, discover problems before they become emergent, conduct general repairs to make your home more appealing to buyers thus assisting you in getting top dollar for your home. Selling your home can be a challenging and emotional time. Let us help you navigate those choppy waters with ease. Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 13723 Point Lookout Rd., Lexington Park, MD 20653 Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 47720 College Dr., St. Mary's City, MD 20686 Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts. Upon request, team members will happily offer recovery information and resources for those who might be recovery-curious or recovery-ready. Library services on the Mobile Library include Wi-Fi access, library card services, crafts to go, and materials for checkout! While the Mobile Library collection is unavailable for holds, staff are able to assist with requests for books and materials from other Library locations. The Mobile Library can accept returns from any location, and materials checked out from the vehicle may be returned to any location. 13270 Point Lookout Rd., Ridge, MD 20680 The St. Mary’s County Circuit Court offers a free Family Law Self Help Legal Clinic to provide legal assistance/advice regarding family law.
Come for a one-on-one session with an attorney to discuss matters such as custody, visitation, divorce, child support, name change, guardianship, and domestic violence. First Come First Serve. No appointments - walk-ins only. Contact Person: Claire Langeluttig, Family Services Coordinator Email: claire.langeluttig@mdcourts.gov NOTE: Dates are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact Claire Langeluttig to confirm dates. We recommend getting to the library by 5:30pm to sign in. Please note that the attorney must leave by 7:30pm Are you new to using a PC or want to build more confidence using the Windows 10 operating system? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! During this in-person workshop, attendees will learn how to navigate the Windows 10 operating system, manage applications using the task manager, find and manage files and folders, save and delete files, and more. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. The Three Oaks Center will connect those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to resources in the tri county that can help them with benefits, mental health, substance abuse, housing, and more. They will also be completing referrals for service on site and collecting paperwork to enroll in their programs and/or offer shelter if available. Each month we will discuss a different romance novel. April's title is The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot Check out the book in our catalog Drawing inspiration from the Library's native garden, artist Parran Collery, of Eartha Handmade Tile will lead participants through the process of making their own relief sculpted tile. This is an all-day workshop for ages 14 and up, and beginners are welcome. The program will be from 9:30-3:00, with a break for participants to lunch on their own. The final tiles will be ready for pickup approximately 2 weeks after the program. Participants will spend some time in the Library’s native plant garden sketching and then use those drawings as inspiration for their tile design. Parran will guide everyone through the steps of creating a drawing, cutting shapes in clay, assembling the tile, and adding color. Parran has created mosaic art in public settings throughout Southern Maryland and the Library's garden is home to her newest work: "Lush Life; Seasons and Cycles in a Native Plant Garden". Join this workshop for an opportunity to follow along in her tile making process, spend time observing local nature, and get your hands in clay! Learn more about Parran and her work at Eartha Handmade Tile. Bring your love for comics and your creativity to join us for a fun-filled day where the library is giving away our used adult graphic novels. Pick up your favorites in trade paperback or hardcover. Put your ideas to paper by participating in our comic strip creation station, where you can design and illustrate your own unique story. Contribute your talents to our community comic strip project, with a nostalgic "vintage comics" theme that celebrates the classic roots of the art form and the 1950's Space Race. No Registration required. Please note in the event that we run out of comic books before 4 p.m., we will probably close the event early. We appreciate your understanding! 2025 is our 75th Anniversary! April is also National Library Month! We're celebrating all things St. Mary's County Library this month to kick off our celebratory year. Curious about the inner workings of your local Library? Want to learn more about what the St. Mary's County Library offers? See behind the scenes on a comprehensive tour and help us kick off our celebratory year with fun scavenger hunts, coloring activities, and makerspace demos throughout the Library. Meet real, live reptiles & amphibians! Discover how these fascinating animals adapt to their surroundings in the framework of major environmental issues - pollution, climate change, and habitat loss, to name a few. Come see these creatures up close and gain a new appreciation for the wonders of the natural world, while understanding the importance of protecting their fragile environments. The Creature Feature will run in 15-minute increments - with a brief educational lecture followed by hands-on interaction for each animal. Drop in for a favorite animal or stick around for the whole thing! Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome as space allows. Do you love finding ways to reuse items that might otherwise get thrown away? Have you ever wanted to create art? In this program, you can do both! Make new art creations using found items! Artist Deb McClure will be available to help let your creativity run wild. Come prepared to get a bit messy and have fun! Drop in or stick around for the whole thing. Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome as space allows. Meet with a variety of local "green" organizations that are helping preserve the natural beauty of Southern Maryland! Learn ways to save money through energy efficiency programs, hear about how to save the bay with oysters, take home your very own milkweed for monarch butterflies, and more! Learn more about the library's Cricut Maker and practice cutting cardstock to create a fun floral art! This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker to create a decorative shadow box filled with paper flowers! Participants will also learn the basics of Cricut Design Space, the software used to create endlessly customizable designs compatible with Cricut cutting machines. No experience necessary, all materials provided. NOTE: This program will be repeated later in the evening on the same day at 5:30pm. Please register for only the afternoon session or the evening session. Learn more about the library's Cricut Maker and practice cutting cardstock to create a fun floral art! This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker to create a decorative shadow box filled with paper flowers! Participants will also learn the basics of Cricut Design Space, the software used to create endlessly customizable designs compatible with Cricut cutting machines. No experience necessary, all materials provided. NOTE: This program is a repeat of the same event earlier in the afternoon the same day at 1:30pm. Please register for only the afternoon session or the evening session. Looking to learn more about the American Revolution? Join us for a virtual presentation! Dr. Jim Gibb will discuss struggles between the American colonists & the British government regarding taxation. In this series of presentations, we'll uncover the stories of the American Revolution! From January through June, we will explore the individual actions and events leading to the Continental Congress declaring independence from Great Britain. Living conditions in Colonial Maryland on the eve of the Seven Years War (French & Indian War) provides our starting point. Presentations will include some archaeological findings in Maryland and elsewhere, but most of our discussions will examine specific events and documents, including shots fired at Lexington and Concord, removal of French Canadians from Acadia, paintings of the Anglo-American assault on French Canada, and the Declaration. Parliamentary imposition of taxes were an affront to the freedom of the King’s North American subjects who insisted on taxing themselves. Rejection of Parliament’s authority offended the population of the British Isles. The argument became very intellectual: it also became highly personal. This lecture explores the debates and the struggle that had practical implications for both sides, but which also offended the honor of both sides, obstructing resolution. This presentation will be held live over Zoom. It will also be recorded and uploaded to the St. Mary's County Library YouTube channel. If you would like to attend this event live and/or watch the recording, please register with an email address to receive the Zoom link the day before the event. The YouTube link to the recording will be emailed to everyone who registers for this program. Image caption: Townshend Act of 1767, one of the taxes: Have you heard of Zoom? Want to learn more? Complete this workshop to get a $10 gift card! This in-person workshop is for those who have some experience setting up personal accounts online and are interested in video conferencing. It will support attendees to create an account on the popular video conferencing platform (Zoom) and build confidence when using features of the platform in an online meeting. Gift cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is provided with support from AT&T and the Public Library Association. Improving or establishing credit doesn't have to be confusing! Learn the basics from the experts! Quincy Williams, Mortgage Loan Manager for Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, will cover what makes up a Credit Score, how you can improve or maintain your Credit Score, and what good credit does for you! Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome. A representative of the Maryland Dept. of Labor will be in the lobby to connect veterans and the general public to employment services. Learn about connections to employers, connections to the DVA, health services, veterans resources, assistance for homeless veterans, and more! Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts. Upon request, team members will happily offer recovery information and resources for those who might be recovery-curious or recovery-ready. The St. Mary’s County Circuit Court offers a free Family Law Self Help Legal Clinic to provide legal assistance/advice regarding family law.
Come for a one-on-one session with an attorney to discuss matters such as custody, visitation, divorce, child support, name change, guardianship, and domestic violence. First Come First Serve. No appointments - walk-ins only. Contact Person: Claire Langeluttig, Family Services Coordinator Email: claire.langeluttig@mdcourts.gov NOTE: Dates are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact Claire Langeluttig to confirm dates. We recommend getting to the library by 5:30pm to sign in. Please note that the attorney must leave by 7:30pm Come celebrate Día del Niño/Day of the Child with crafts and activities. One free book per child while supplies last. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. Día del Niño is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Ven a celebrar el Día del Niño con manualidades y actividades. Un libro gratis por niño hasta agotar existencias. El día de los niños/El día de los libros, comúnmente conocido como Día, es una celebración diaria de los niños, las familias y la lectura que culmina anualmente el 30 de abril. El Día del Niño es un evento/iniciativa reconocido a nivel nacional que enfatiza la importancia de la alfabetización para todos los niños de todos los orígenes lingüísticos y culturales.
St. Mary's County Recreation & Parks
Introduction to Android Mobile Devices
Mobile Library Stop at St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
Mobile Library Stop at Lexington Park Senior Apartments
Mobile Library Stop at Patuxent Cove Apartments
Reaching Financial Freedom with a Money Mindset
Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Understanding AI: What It Can and Cannot Do
All About Hummingbirds
The Growing Brain: Childcare Provider Workshop Series
Units 2-6 are online via Zoom on Tuesday nights from 6-9pm. The Zoom Room will open at 5:50pm.
See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yscQM_QbAU6u9Yz9YSCOZwJy4SCaabP2/view?usp=sharing for details of each unit.
Cricut Crafts: Infusible Ink Mug
Lexington Park Chess Day
Veterans Book Group
Family and Consumer Sciences - UMD Extension
Introduction to Email with Gmail
Trivia Mondays
Administración del Seguro Social: Medicare
Social Security Administration: Medicare
POSTPONED Intro to 3D Printing
Mobile Library Stop at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum
44720 Lighthouse Rd., Piney Point, MD 20674Common Thread
If needed, basic supplies available.
All skill levels welcome.
Walk-in’s welcome!
Registration recommended for news and updates.
Mobile Library Stop at St. Mary's Adult Medical Daycare
Mobile Library Stop at Wildewood Village Event Center
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
Behind the Scenes!: St. Mary's County Library 75th Anniversary Kickoff
Tours include a visit to the back rooms to see how we get your books to you, where all the awesome librarians work, and where that book drop leads!St. Mary's County Health Department
Mobile Library Stop at Loffler Senior Center
Maryland Food Bank Mobile Market
Three Oaks Center Outreach: Lobby Visit
Mobile Library Stop at Victory Woods
African American Genealogy: An Introduction
Virtual Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club - A Dirty Job: by Christopher Moore
Introduction to Internet Basics
Free Movie Screening of "Free for All: The Public Library"
Adult Lit Kit
RESCHEDULED: Bike Rodeo: Safety Stampede: at Lexington Park Elementary
Resilience of the Piscataway People
Mobile Library Stop at Suburban Estates
Mobile Library Stop at Patuxent Crossing Apartments
Colonial Culture Clashes In Eastern North America: 8 Coates, 7 Shirts, 15 Fathom wampum: Early Settlements
Mobile Library Stop at Westbury HOA Clubhouse
Introduction to Android Mobile Devices: Android
AccessHealth at St. Mary's County Hospital: Lobby Visit
Birds, Bees, Butterflies, and You
Perfect for nature lovers, future scientists, and families—don’t miss out on this exciting, hands-on adventure! Please register once per family group and remember to bring hats and sunscreen. Connect and Converse
Green Burial Basics: Planning for Death While Living Your Values
Community Health Advocates - MedStar St. Mary's
CareFirst Community Health Plan MD Medicaid: Lobby Visit
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
Shopping & Cooking on a Budget: Part Two
Cybersecurity Basics: Online Security and Privacy
Cozy Mystery Book Club
Behind the Scenes!: St. Mary's County Library 75th Anniversary Kickoff
Tours include a visit to the back rooms to see how we get your books to you, where all the awesome librarians work, and where that book drop leads! Tours will start at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30. Space will be limited for each tour.Introduction to Apple (iOS) Mobile Device Basics
Library Closed
Family and Consumer Sciences - UMD Extension
Thanks! It Has Pockets!: An Introductory Sewing Class
Trivia Mondays
Paws to Read
Selling Your Home: What You Need To Know
Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Mobile Library Stop at First Saints Community Food Pantry
Mobile Library Stop at St. Mary's College of Maryland
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
Mobile Library Stop at Dollar General (Ridge, MD)
St. Mary's County Court Help Clinic
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110Introduction to Computer Basics - Windows
Three Oaks Center Outreach: Lobby Visit
Virtual Romance Book Club: The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot
Make Your Own Relief Sculpted Tile : Tile Art with Parran Collery
Comic Book Bonanza: Swap, Sketch, and Socialize
Don’t forget to bring bags or boxes to bring home your favorite freebies!Behind the Scenes! : St. Mary's County Library 75th Anniversary Kickoff
Tours will include a visit to the back rooms to see how we get your books to you, where all the awesome librarians work, and where that book drop leads!Creature Feature: Live Turtles, Frogs, Snakes, & More!: Sustainability Fair
Found Object Art Workshop: Sustainability Fair
Environmental Meet & Greet: Sustainability Fair
Cricut Crafts: Paper Flower Art - AFTERNOON SESSION
Cricut Crafts: Paper Flower Art - EVENING SESSION
Parliament and Taxes: On the Eve of the American Revolution - A Series
"For every hundred weight avoirdupois of crown, plate, flint, and white glass, four shillings and eight pence."
Introduction to Videoconferencing Basics on Zoom
Credit 101: Healthy Finances Workshop
Veterans' Services: Lobby Visit
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
St. Mary's County Court Help Clinic
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110Día del Niño: Day of the Child
Please note that library staff may be taking photos of any or all events to use for future library publications. Event participants’ photos may be used without notification or compensation. If you do not feel comfortable having your photo taken, please inform library staff when you arrive to an event.
