Book Discussions and Author Visits
Join us for monthly book discussions and special author visits! See the schedule.
If you need special accommodations for any Library event or program, please submit our Accommodations Request form as soon as possible. Summer Reading isn't over yet! Come "Color Our World" the day before National Coloring Day to get yourself in the mood. A variety of coloring pages and materials will be provided (including extra coloring pages that you can take with you). This program is meant for adults, not children. No registration is required. Feel free to show up at any time during the event, hang out, and color for as long as you'd like! Free R.A.D. Self Defense Program for Women & Girls (ages 13-80 yrs. old). Taught by Darlene Gentry. Co-sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church. Meets 2 consecutive days: Friday, August 1st, 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Women and Teens invite your friends to come learn some new skills and proactive strategies to help protect yourself and others! The class is fun, energetic, and interactive. Class includes 9 hours of instruction & practice, a training manual, and light refreshments. About the Instructor: Darlene Gentry has over thirty years’ experience in martial arts, women’s self-defense, and self-defense education for the public. She teaches self-defense part-time at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has instructed women's self-defense courses in many different venues. Darlene also regularly teaches R.A.D. courses for free at Lexington Park Baptist Church. Parental consent required for participants ages 13-17. Registrants e-mail addresses will be shared with the course instructor. She will provide participants with the registration forms and details about the class like: what clothes to wear, how strenuous the activities are, etc. For more information on RAD programs, visit The R.A.D. Systems of Self Defense Any R.A.D. graduate from any class in the U.S. and Canada can attend another instructor’s class for practice free of charge for the rest of her life! St. Mary’s County Library makes every effort to make events and programs accessible and inclusive. More information about how we do this is provided on our website’s Event Accessibility page. Free R.A.D. Self Defense Program for Women & Girls (ages 13-80 yrs. old). Taught by Darlene Gentry. Co-sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church. Meets 2 consecutive days: Friday, August 1st, 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Women and Teens invite your friends to come learn some new skills and proactive strategies to help protect yourself and others! The class is fun, energetic, and interactive. Class includes 9 hours of instruction & practice, a training manual, and light refreshments. About the Instructor: Darlene Gentry has over thirty years’ experience in martial arts, women’s self-defense, and self-defense education for the public. She teaches self-defense part-time at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has instructed women's self-defense courses in many different venues. Darlene also regularly teaches R.A.D. courses for free at Lexington Park Baptist Church. Parental consent required for participants ages 13-17. Registrants e-mail addresses will be shared with the course instructor. She will provide participants with the registration forms and details about the class like: what clothes to wear, how strenuous the activities are, etc. For more information on RAD programs, visit The R.A.D. Systems of Self Defense Any R.A.D. graduate from any class in the U.S. and Canada can attend another instructor’s class for practice free of charge for the rest of her life! St. Mary’s County Library makes every effort to make events and programs accessible and inclusive. More information about how we do this is provided on our website’s Event Accessibility page. 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. Learn how collecting rooftop rainwater can help keep your garden beautiful! University of Maryland Extension's Caroline DiGiovanni will teach you all you need to know to set up your own rainwater collection system at home! Rain barrels have numerous environmental benefits, including reducing flooding, erosion, and peak stream flow. Retaining stormwater runoff from rooftops can also save you money in the garden by reducing your water usage and gently fertilizing your plants! Learn the ins and outs of rain barrel installation and maintenance as well as rainwater use and safety considerations. After the presentation, we will head to the Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Garden for a demonstration of how their rain barrels are put to use. This program is completely free to attend, no purchase required. If interested, rain barrel kits can be pre-ordered from June 2nd - July 28th through the event registration portal. They will be available for pickup at the Community Garden after the event. Questions? Please contact Caroline DiGiovanni on or before July 14, 2025 at cdigiova@umd.edu or 301-226-7776. Join us for a history of Patuxent River Naval Air Station! Chris Bryan, NAS Patuxent River Cultural Resource Program Manager, will discuss the history of Pax River and the influx of Navy personnel that came to St. Mary’s County in the early 1940s to support military aircraft research and development during World War II. Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome. Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. World on the Move: 250,000 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. Do you like anime or manga? Join us for this month’s anime club meeting. We will watch a movie, then have a brief discussion after. Refreshments will be provided. Ages 16+; under 16 permitted with parent or guardian. Want to try out a new hobby but not sure if it's for you? Come to Hobby Trials! This week we will try out embroidery with an embroidery sampler project. Journey through the deep prehistory of St. Mary’s County.
Register to receive a reminder email or text message. Walk-ins welcome! Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. We will uncover the layers of migration and settlement that have shaped this region and come to understand the lasting impacts of these movements on the area’s culture and society. Julia A. King is the George B. and Willma Reeves Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland, where she researches, teaches, and writes about early American and Indigenous history, archaeology, and culture. She has received recognition for her research from the Society for Historical Archaeology, the Society for Ethnohistory, and the William and Mary Quarterly, among others. Migration Journeys with St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a thought-provoking series that will offer valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of people who have traversed our state and nation, continents and oceans. Discover St. Mary's County's rich history through diverse stories of movement, culture, and resilience from Africa, the Caribbean, and Chesapeake through the insights of expert speakers from the St. Mary's College of Maryland's Department of Anthropology on history, music, and more. Next in series World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. 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 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. Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange. Do you have a great book that you cannot stop recommending to everyone? Are you looking for new books to read? This is the place for you! We listen and we don't judge. This program is perfect for extroverted and introverted adult readers of any genre looking to find new books to enjoy and talk about ones they already love. Anyone who would like to share is invited to speak for up to 5 minutes on any book of their choosing to persuade others to give their favorite book a shot. Participants are also free to just listen and jot down new titles for their To-Be-Read list. No one is required to share if they do not want to. Please keep in mind that this program is for adults, not children. A list of books discussed will be emailed out to all registered participants after the program, but walk-ins are welcome. Unlock your crafting potential by learning how to use the Cricut cutting machine and Cricut Mug Press to customize a ceramic mug! This introductory 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. (No-shows: Ten minutes after the class scheduled start time, any registrants who have not arrived will lose their seat and then no-show seats will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Please notify the instructor when you arrive if you are waiting for possible no-show vacancies.) 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; younger customers need an adult present at all times while visiting the Makerspace. Waivers are no longer required. Find great reads at great prices!
The Friends of the St. Mary's County Library's Children's Book Sale offers gently used children's books at amazing prices! Cash, check, credit cards accepted. 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! Do you enjoy doing arts & crafts, playing board games, and making new friends? Connect and Converse might be the event for you! We meet on the second Monday of the month to make a craft, play a game, and listen to music. Our activities for this month are button making and KerPlunk. This event is intended for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities as well as their friends, family, and caregivers. Please register with an email address to receive a reminder email about this event. Walk-ins are welcome. Join us for an exciting story walk and participate in a fun wellness activity! The Healthy St. Mary's Partnership invites you to come visit vendors who will share their mental and physical wellness tips and resources. 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. 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. Maritime Building 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. Have you ever wondered how you can use your phone to take professional-level photos to share online or with your friends & family?
Learn how to use today's technology to capture the world around you! This workshop will include a training on the fundamentals of photography, an overview of how to use the features of your digital camera or smartphone to your advantage, and an outdoor photo walk in the library's Front Yard to practice nature & portrait photography. Participants will also be able to use our "Nature and Biodiversity" Citizen Science Kit during this program. These kits includes a set of clip-on specialty lenses for smartphone nature photography! Please note: Digital cameras and smartphones will not be provided for this program, but you are more than welcome to bring your own! 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. Basic supplies available, if needed. All skill levels welcome. No registration required. 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. 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. St. Mary’s County Museum Director Karen Stone will present the story of Maryland’s first wave of immigrants – the English who came to stay in 1634.
Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. Learn more about their reasons for leaving England, Lord Baltimore’s earlier experiments, their relationship with their neighboring colonies and with the area’s original inhabitants. The story continues with future migrations of the English as they went west, hoping yet again to build a better future. About the Presenter: Karen Stone has been the Museum Division Manager for St. Mary’s County since 2017. She did her undergraduate work at Gettysburg College and obtained her master’s degree at Penn State University. She got her first museum job while still in middle school and has been working in the museum field ever since. Stone has published many articles and has been a frequent lecturer on U.S., Maryland, and local history. She recently wrote her first book: Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln’s Killer. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. 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 Want to get better at using Cricut Design Space? It's the software needed to use Cricut cutting machines. Learn to create your own designs and then visit the Makerspace to complete a custom project. Join us in our COMPUTER LAB to learn the basics of Cricut Design Space, the software used to create endlessly customizable designs with the Cricut Maker. You'll set up your own free Cricut Design Space account (or log in to your existing account) and then be guided through creating your own designs. If time allows, we'll visit the Makerspace to cut your designs. No experience necessary. Some crafting materials will be available but you are welcome to bring your own project materials as well. 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; younger customers need an adult present at all times while visiting the Makerspace. Waivers are no longer required. Delve into the captivating world of ancient migrations and explore the journey of our earliest ancestors.
Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. This presentation will explore the journey of our earliest ancestors, unveiling the movements and milestones that have ultimately shaped who we are today, including the pivotal role of Africa as the source of modern humans. Speaker - Sarah Hlubik, Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Sarah Hlubik is a paleoarchaeologist specializing in the origins of human behavior, culture, and fire use. Her research focuses on the Koobi Fora region in Kenya, a rich fossil and archaeological area. By examining evidence of fire use and its impact on human evolution, she aims to understand its effect on the broader fire ecology and natural landscapes in the Pleistocene. Migration Journeys with St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a thought-provoking series that will offer valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of people who have traversed our state and nation, continents and oceans. Discover St. Mary's County's rich history through diverse stories of movement, culture, and resilience from Africa, the Caribbean, and Chesapeake through the insights of expert speakers from the St. Mary's College of Maryland's Department of Anthropology on history, music, and more. Next in the series World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. Each month we will discuss a different fantasy or science fiction novel. August's book is Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Find the book in our catalog For years, people have been painting rocks to place in their gardens, on their desks, at tourist attractions, and other places around their community. Come paint your own rock to place during your adventures this summer and help "Color Our World!" You can even add one to our very own "rock snake," Rocky Bal-boa, on the Library's back patio! This program is for all ages and artists of all levels. Participants will be supplied with a rock, paint, and examples of designs they could potentially utilize. Registration is required. Turn your boring baths into a luxury home spa treatment! Learn how to make your very own bath bombs in the Leonardtown Library's Makerspace. When added to a bath, these creations will react with the water and fizz—releasing exfoliating salts and wonderful smelling oils! All materials will be provided. Learn how to create colorful, multi-layered, textural collage prints using Gelli plates, paint, book and magazine pages and scrapbook paper!
Gelli printing is a type of mono printing that uses a flexible gelatin plate to create prints with textures and layers of color. Learn from Mario Harley of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe about migrations away from their historical homelands throughout the Colonial period and beyond. Mr. Harley will bring a display of traditional and modern Piscataway art for participants to enjoy. Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome. Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. World on the Move: 250,000 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. Learn more about the library's Cricut Maker and practice cutting matboard to create a picture frame for precious memories! This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker and the knife blade to cut thicker materials like matboard! 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 matboard to create a picture frame for precious memories! This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker and the knife blade to cut thicker materials like matboard! 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. Join us for a history talk and Q&A with Historian Paul Rose on the topic of mass migration in the modern world. Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. Paul Rose is a researcher at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum but is not acting a representative of the institution in this presentation. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. SMCHD will be providing community members with a variety of health department resources for programs. They will provide information about tobacco cessation programs, free colon cancer screenings, colonoscopies, and mammograms programs, health insurance/Medicaid information, information about asthma programs, and so much more. Stop by and say hello - you'll get a chance to spin their trivia question wheel to learn more about how to stay healthy, and will be able to enter a raffle to win a free item! Enjoy learning more about how to take charge of you and your loved ones' health and wellness! Want to try out a new hobby but not sure if it's for you? Come to Hobby Trials! This week we will try out loom knitting with a simple dishcloth project. 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. 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 Learn about migration histories of cultures around the world.
Register to receive a reminder email, walk-ins welcome! Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. The St. Mary’s County Library has been selected to host World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration, a national exhibition that aims to help people appreciate migration histories — their own and those of others — by drawing on a wealth of case studies from across human history and the breadth of cultures. The tour includes an overview of the World on the Move exhibit, themed programs, and more! The exhibit will open at Lexington Park Library on July 21st, 2025, and close on August 22nd, 2025. Guests may visit the exhibit during regular library hours. Tours will be given twice a day on July 26th, July 31st, and August 20th. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. Learn about migration histories of cultures around the world.
Register to receive a reminder email, walk-ins welcome! Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. The St. Mary’s County Library has been selected to host World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration, a national exhibition that aims to help people appreciate migration histories — their own and those of others — by drawing on a wealth of case studies from across human history and the breadth of cultures. The tour includes an overview of the World on the Move exhibit, themed programs, and more! The exhibit will open at Lexington Park Library on July 21st, 2025, and close on August 22nd, 2025. Guests may visit the exhibit during regular library hours. Tours will be given twice a day on July 26th, July 31st, and August 20th. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. 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. Foodies and mystery-aficionados alike should enjoy Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (2023), the start of her new An American in Paris series. Tabitha Knight has recently arrived in Paris to stay with her French grandfather. Thanks to her neighbor, Julia Child, she has been learning the art of French cooking and enjoy Paris to the fullest. That is, until the pair return to Julia's building one day and learn that a body has been found in the cellar. The victim? A friend of Julia's sister whom they met at a party the night before. The weapon? A knife from Julia's own kitchen. With the inspector focusing on Julia, it's up to Tabitha to navigate the city in order to find the real killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison... or worse. Find a copy in the Library's catalog or download a digital version on our Libby or Palace Project apps. Did you know that nearly 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of a coastline? Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. Coastal communities are facing growing challenges due to changing shorelines, stronger storms, land loss, and shifting ecosystems. These changes affect homes, livelihoods, local traditions, and long-term planning for the future. In this talk, Dr. Parisa Rinaldi will explore how people in different parts of the world—from the Chesapeake to the Pacific Islands—are responding to these challenges. We’ll look at the difficult choices communities face around rebuilding, relocating, and preserving what matters most. Through real-world stories, we’ll ask: What does it mean to stay, to move, or to adapt when the land and water around us are in flux? Register to receive a reminder email; walk-ins welcome. Parisa Rinaldi is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland, working at the intersection of sustainability transitions and community resilience. She holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Development Studies from Universidad de los Andes. Her research has explored expertise, participation and water justice in Colombia’s extractive frontiers. She is currently collaborating on projects related to fishing livelihoods in Colombian port cities, affective dimensions of environmental activism, as well as action research and arts based pedagogies. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. This year’s Day of Unity and Healing is extra special because Historic Sotterley will be hosting it on the UNESCO Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. Visit Historic Sotterley's website to register for this exciting event! Join us for our annual Day of Unity and Healing. This descendant-led event centers on shared history, healing, and education by bringing together descendants and interfaith and community leaders to recognize the interconnectedness of our lives and to honestly confront Sotterley’s past and build unity. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am and will include a bell ringing ceremony to honor the lives and sacrifices of those who came before us. After the ceremony, there will be wagon tours, open house tours, music by Casual Groove Band, a documentary quilt exhibit, archaeology updates from our community partners, and holistic health screenings. More information and an exact schedule are coming soon. If you know you’ll be joining us, please consider registering so we have an idea of attendance. Thank you! World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. 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. 21078 Three Notch 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. Intersection of McCool Dr. and Clark St., California, MD 20619 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 Smith St. and Scobee St., California, MD 20619 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. Art doesn't have to be intimidating, or time consuming. Instead, it can be a chance to explore creativity, the ability to make mistakes, and even an opportunity to engage in meditation. Each session will feature a small watercolor or paper craft projects that can be completed in an hour to an hour and a half. Our speakers will explore the local tradition of stuffed ham and the migration of families from Southern Maryland to Kentucky.
Walk-ins are welcome! Register to receive email/text reminders.
Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming. This event celebrates the culinary heritage and the bonds between communities brought together by the journey of families who carried their traditions across regions. Enjoy samples of stuffed ham from local restaurants and delve into the stories, recipes, and genealogical connections that have been passed down through generations. Speakers: Eve Love - "Marylanders to Kentucky" Amy Schisler - "Preserving the Tradition of Stuffed Ham" World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. 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. Art doesn't have to be intimidating, or time consuming. Instead, it can be a chance to explore creativity, the ability to make mistakes, and even an opportunity to engage in meditation. Each session will feature a small watercolor or paper craft project that can be completed in an hour to an hour and a half. 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 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. Experience how Caribbean music preserves and expresses the stories of the African Diaspora.
Register to receive a reminder email or text message. Walk-ins welcome! Explore the power of music as a vessel for memory, connection, and cultural exchange. Dr. Garrey Dennie specializes in African History and African Diaspora Studies. With a background as a speechwriter for Nelson Mandela, he lectures on liberation rhetoric in South Africa and teaches courses on African and Caribbean history, as well as American slave systems. His expertise includes writing Caribbean histories for the general public, and he has published articles on significant historical moments in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, his home country. Migration Journeys with St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a thought-provoking series that will offer valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of people who have traversed our state and nation, continents and oceans. Discover St. Mary's County's rich history through diverse stories of movement, culture, and resilience from Africa, the Caribbean, and Chesapeake through the insights of expert speakers from the St. Mary's College of Maryland's Department of Anthropology on history, music, and more. World on the Move: 250,00 years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. Join Barb Whipkey, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park and LaPlata, to find out how to maximize your yard's bird feeding potential! Find out what the 12 elements are to having a thoughtful and successful bird sanctuary for you to enjoy in your own backyard. The presentation will be followed by question and answers so you can have your specific questions answered! Register with an email address to receive a link to join the online event. You'll receive the Zoom link a day or two before the program. Each month we will discuss a different romance novel. August's title is The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott Play life-sized versions of your favorite board games, including Jenga, Sorry, checkers, and more! Feel free to drop in and out of the meeting room during the program time; no registration required. This event is for all ages.
Adult Coloring Hangout
R.A.D. Women & Teens' Self Defense Class
Saturday, August 2nd, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
R.A.D. Women & Teens' Self Defense Class
Saturday, August 2nd, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Lexington Park Chess Day
Rain Barrel Workshop
The Navy Moves to St. Mary's County: A History of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station
Anime Club: The Last One
This month's show:Hobby Trials: Embroidery
The Foundings of St. Mary's County: Migration Journeys with St. Mary's College of Maryland
Speaker - Julia A. King, Department Chair of Sociology and Anthropology
Ancient Migrations: Our Shared Origins
Thursday, August 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Mobile Library Stop at St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen
Mobile Library Stop at Lexington Park Senior Apartments
Mobile Library Stop at Patuxent Cove Apartments
46472 Admiral Lane, Lexington Park, MD 20653Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Hear Me Out....: Book Show & Tell
Cricut Crafts: Mugs with Infusible Ink
Friends of St. Mary's County Library Children's Book Sale
AccessHealth at St. Mary's County Hospital: Lobby Visit
Connect and Converse
Mind & Motion: Healthy St. Mary's Partnership
Trivia Mondays
Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Mobile Library Stop at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum
44720 Lighthouse Rd., Piney Point, MD 20674Administración del Seguro Social: Medicare
Nature Photography Workshop
Common Thread
Social Security Administration: Medicare
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
Maryland’s First European Immigrants: the arrival of the first permanent English settlers
Mobile Library Stop at Loffler Senior Center
Maryland Food Bank Mobile Market
Three Oaks Center Outreach: Lobby Visit
Mobile Library Stop at Victory Woods
Cricut Design Space
RESCHEDULED: Ancient Migrations: Our Shared Origins: Migration Journeys with St. Mary's College of Maryland
Music and Memory in the African Diaspora
Thursday, August 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club - Burn for Me: by Ilona Andrews
This Rocks!: Rock Painting for All
DIY Bath Bombs
Collage and Gelli Printing Class
Migration of the Piscataway
Cricut Crafts: Matboard Picture Frames - AFTERNOON SESSION
Cricut Crafts: Matboard Picture Frames - EVENING SESSION
"Exodus and Exile" A History of Modern Mass Migration
St. Mary's County Health Department: Lobby Visit
Hobby Trials: Loom Knitting
MedStar St. Mary's Community Health Advocates
CareFirst Community Health Plan MD Medicaid: Lobby Visit
Beacon of Hope Pop Up: Lobby Visit
St. Mary's County Court Help Clinic
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110World on the Move Exhibit Tour
World on the Move Exhibit Tour
Cozy Mystery Book Club
Staying, Leaving, & Adapting: Life Along Changing Coastlines
Historic Sotterley: Day of Unity and Healing
Mobile Library Stop at Home Grown Farm Market
Mobile Library Stop at Columbia Colony
Mobile Library Stop at Challenger Estates
Trivia Mondays
Petite Process Art
From Southern MD to Kentucky: A Stuffed Ham Journey
Stuffed Ham Samples from WJ Dent & Sons
Eve Love, a native of St. Mary’s County, is an ardent student of history and genealogy. Her interest in family history began as a young adult listening to family stories. She has been conducting personal genealogy research for approximately forty years, building on the work of her grandmother and mother. Love is currently the President of the St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society and has served as 1st Vice President, and Secretary. To hone her skills, she has attended numerous seminars/webinars to expand her knowledge and research techniques. In addition, Eve has taught Genealogy Classes at the College of Southern Maryland. Love is also a member of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society. She volunteers with the St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Committee and Historic St. Mary’s City. And Eve, along with her husband John P. Cook, completed a book Before the Base: Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center Condemnation Appraisals 1942 which documents the government’s appraisal system used to purchase property to build the Patuxent River Naval Air Base at the onset of World War II.
Amy Schisler is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author, spiritual writer, blogger, speaker, reader,
and avid traveler. Whether she’s writing novels of faith and inspiration, books for children, or her weekly blog,
she loves connecting with readers. Her novels have won numerous literary awards. Amy lives on the Eastern
Shore. When she’s not writing, Amy can be found on a boat in the Chesapeake or hiking in the Rocky
Mountains. For more information visit amyschislerauthor.com 
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
Petite Process Art
St. Mary's County Court Help Clinic
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110Three Oaks Center Outreach: Lobby Visit
Music and Memory in the African Diaspora: Migration Journeys with St. Mary's College of Maryland
Speaker - Garrey Dennie, Associate Professor of History at St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Visit the World on the Move page on our website to learn more about the World on the Move exhibit and additional Library programming.
12 Elements of a Successful Bird Feeding Station
Virtual Romance Book Club The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck
Life-Sized Board Games
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.
