Read Woke
St. Mary’s County Library invites community members of all ages to join the Read Woke Challenge! See more information and get started!
Book Discussions and Author Visits
Join us for monthly virtual book discussions and special author visits! See the schedule.
Quaranzine: One Year Later
We’re inviting the community to submit art, poetry, short stories, other creative works, or simply memories or lessons learned that document this past year for a special One Year Later issue of Quaranzine.
Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the following rules apply:
Mask Required for entry
Only one job seeker at a time in the vehicle
6 ft Social Distancing will be enforced.
Viva Latino: Own Voices Writers in Conversation
In early 2020, the Hispanic literary community led an important national dialogue on the importance of “own voices” literature and inequities in the publishing industry.
Leading and award-winning contemporary Latin American writers gather to discuss their perspectives on the importance of own voices narratives in providing representation for readers.
This program offers Latino/a/x and non-Latin Marylanders with an opportunity to learn about the diversity of the Latin American community, as represented in literature and poetry. ASL interpretation and live captions provided.
Featured Speakers:
Julia Alvarez, National Medal of Arts Winner Angie Cruz, Inaugural GMA Book Club Author
Reyna Grande, American Book Award Winner
Juan Felipe Herrera, U.S. Poet Laureate (2015-2017)
Lupita Aquino, moderator, @Lupita.Reads
Presented by the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Frederick County Public Libraries, and Charles County Public Library as part of Maryland Libraries Together. This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Maryland State Library. Maryland Libraries Together is a collaboration of Maryland libraries to engage communities in enriching educational experiences that advance an understanding of the issues of our time.
Purchase the authors' books from Loyalty Bookstores or Curious Iguana.
Veteran's Book Group
A book discussion series for veterans led by Vietnam veteran & author Wayne Karlin. For more information contact Kimberlé Fields at 301-863-8188 or kfields@stmalib.org.
A reading and book discussion series for military veterans that is led by Vietnam veteran, author, and College of Southern Maryland professor Wayne Karlin. Service members of all eras, their spouses, and adult children are welcome.
Participants should plan to attend all sessions. Books and other materials provided.
The Veterans' Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and presented locally in partnership with St. Mary's County Library. The program was created by the Maine Humanities Council to promote understanding of the military experience and to support returning veterans.
May: Grant by Ron Chernow
The #1 New York Times bestseller. • New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of 2017
Adapted it into a three-part TV miniseries in May 2020 by the History Channel
Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Chernow returns with a sweeping and dramatic portrait of one of our most compelling generals and presidents, Ulysses S. Grant.
Named one of the best books of the year by Goodreads • Amazon • The New York Times • Newsday • BookPage • Barnes and Noble • Wall Street Journal
Ron Chernow’s “Grant” was published in 2017 to almost immediate acclaim and was named a Top 10 Book of the Year by The New York Times. Chernow is bestselling the author of “Alexander Hamilton,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Washington: A Life” and award-winning biographies of John D. Rockefeller and the J.P. Morgan and Warburg dynasties.
With a narrative spanning 959 pages (not counting the extensive bibliography or 4,500 end notes), this biography of Ulysses S. Grant is by far the longest of the eight books on the 18th president I’ve read – and it might well be the most engrossing. Fans of Chernow will not be surprised to find the narrative so captivating it often dazzles like a work of fiction. “Grant” provides its audience with a nearly ideal balance between the public and private sides of Grant’s life. Readers will quickly discover that Chernow is no unreliable fan of Grant; his support is full-throated and enthusiastic. In contrast to the man portrayed in McFeely’s 1981 biography, Chernow’s subject frequently receives the benefit of the doubt and occasionally seems super-human.
The biography does a nice job capturing Grant’s early years, but the chapters describing his service in the Civil War are even better. For anyone interested in fully embracing the famously reticent Grant it is a must read.
Review by bestpresidentialbios.com
June: A Wolf by the Ears by Wayne Karlin
Trivia Mondays
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.
All About Hummingbirds
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.
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Master Gardeners Virtual Plant Clinic
Have questions about growing vegetables, soil conditions, mystery insects, invasive weeds, or heirloom plants? Ask a Master Gardener!
Logon with your plant samples and questions to get answers!
Please note, this is not a formal presentation. Come with your questions!
Art with Jamie Naluai: Welcome Spring
Paint a spring scene in acrylic on wood with local artist Jamie Naluai!
Recommended materials:
Acrylic paint, craft paint is okay. You can find individual tubes or packs at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
Recommended colors for this session - red, yellow, blue, burnt sienna, white, purple, green
Brushes - a round brush and a flat brush
A piece of wood to paint on - any relatively smooth piece of wood will work, but you can also find wood specifically for art at Walmart, Michaels, etc. You can use any size piece of wood - you can adjust the painting to fit the proportions of your piece of wood.
Other materials you might need:
Pencil
Eraser
Tape
Piece of white chalk (if you have it)
Ruler
Palette- can use paper plate, parchment paper, plastic lid
Cup of water to rinse brushes
Paper towel
Jamie Naluai is a local artist based in Southern Maryland who creates murals, faux finishes, and trompe l'oeil of all sizes in Maryland and the greater Washington D.C. area.
Virtual Mystery Book Club
Join us each month as we discuss a different mystery novel. This month's book is The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman.
The Mystery Book Club meets via Zoom on the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:00pm (unless otherwise noted). Register with an email address to receive the link.
Find the book in our catalog here.
Trivia Mondays
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.
Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center
Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help, search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the following rules apply:
Mask Required for entry
Only one job seeker at a time in the vehicle
6 ft Social Distancing will be enforced.
Common Thread Online
Join fellow crafters who love all things fiber - virtually! Registration is required (with an email address). You'll receive an email with a link to join the Zoom meeting before the program.
Open to knitters, crocheters, quilters, embroiderers, cross-stitchers, and any other kind of needleworkers. Work on your current project and chat with like-minded makers. All skill levels welcome.
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Trivia Mondays
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.
Inter-Generational Book Discussion
From Generation Z to the Silent Generation, come discuss the book "The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon.
This book discussion will encourage teens & adults to come together and share their different points of views about the selected Young Adult book. Come with an open mind and let's connect with each other!
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Maryland Workforce Exchange Workshop: Resumes and Cover Letters
St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles Counties are collaborating on a joint partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor. Join us for monthly virtual classes relating to employment and training.
Offered by the Maryland Department of Labor, American Job Center, this is an interactive workshop with information on how to navigate the MWE website and set up an account, as well as basic resume and cover letter writing help. Looking for a job, or a better job? Don't miss this free class. There will be an opportunity for one-on-one help as well. Registration closes one day before the event.
Job search help is available on https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx
Creating an account on Maryland Workforce Exchange before the workshop is recommended, but not required.
For more information email: tanya.wallace@maryland.gov
Maryland Workforce Exchange Workshop: Boomers and Beyond!
St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles Counties are collaborating on a joint partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor. Join us for monthly virtual classes relating to employment and training.
This workshop, offered by Maryland Department of Labor, American Job Center, is for the experienced, seasoned jobseeker who wants to step into a new role! We will cover going after the dream, making your skillset fit into a new career path and most importantly working around those subtle and not-so-subtle age and over-experience barriers. Registration closes one day prior to the event.
More job-seeker help is available on https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx
Having an account on Maryland Workforce Exchange before attending the workshop is recommended, but not required.
For more information email tanya.wallace@maryland.gov
Virtual Romance Book Club
Each month we will discuss a different romance novel. All books will be available in both eBook and audiobook format on Hoopla. April's title is Reckless by Selena Montgomery
Autism Acceptance Month Film Screening: A St. Mary's College of Maryland Event
In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, St. Mary's College of Maryland's IDE(A)2 and the Hilda C. Landers Library, Archives & Media Center present a screening of "Autism Goes to College."
5:00 pm – 6:10 pm: Virtual Group Viewing
6:10 pm – 7:30 pm: Virtual Group Discussion
Zoom Link: https://smcm.zoom.us/j/97971039386
Meeting ID: 979 7103 9386
Passcode: 631420
About the Film:
Every fall, more and more students on the spectrum go off to college. Getting in is often easy enough, but navigating college on the spectrum can be challenging in many ways. So students are figuring it out by doing it.
Meet Guillermo, Jasmine, Caroline, Jonathan, and Aniella – five students on the spectrum take us on campus and into their lives to see how they’re doing in college.
From deciding which school will be the best fit, to interactions with professors and peers, facing roommate situations, handling money, homesickness, finding work, overcoming setbacks, staying on track to graduate– these students come up against aspects of college life students typically encounter.
Autism Goes to College is a first-of-its-kind film, packed with honest insights for students, parents, and educators offering an eye-opening look at what a growing number of neurodiverse students are bringing to campus.
If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact Sarah Cannavo (slcannavo@smcm.edu) or Kat Ryner (khryner@smcm.edu).
Travel The World From Your Home: Cameroon
Learn all about Cameroon from a Cameroonian!
Our Cameroonian presenter will take you on a trip to Cameroon, discussing tourist attractions, languages, customs, cuisine, and clothing. And you'll even learn a bit of the languages spoken there! Experience the world from the comfort of your own home in our new series!
Spring Piano Concert: With Georgia Harvey's Piano Students
Pianists, ranging in age from age 6 to 18, will present a diverse concert of traditional songs, movie and show tunes, and original repertoire of Back, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.
We invite you to enjoy an afternoon of Spring music! Grab a cup of tea and sit back and relax, as you listen to beautiful piano compositions!
Register with an email address to receive a link to join the online event.
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Master Gardeners Virtual Plant Clinic
Have questions about growing vegetables, soil conditions, mystery insects, invasive weeds, or heirloom plants? Ask a Master Gardener!
Logon with your plant samples and questions to get answers!
Please note, this is not a formal presentation. Come with your questions!
Building Trust in Our Health Care Systems: A Follow Up to the Big Conversation: Many Wounds to Heal
Join Steven Ragsdale as he explores issues in the health care system, such as how these systems were built and why they no longer work.
A Follow Up to Many Wounds to Heal: Health Care (In)Equity - How Does It Affect Me? This is the first of three sessions in a series that continues the exploration of issues identified at the September 13, 2020 Big Conversation on health care inequities.
This forum is brought to you by The Big Conversation Partners in Dismantling Racism and Privilege in Southern Maryland.
Steven K. Ragsdale has more than 25 years of experience in developing health care innovations and advancing pathways to better, safer, and more equitable care. His work with local hospitals, healthcare and other organizations in diversity, equity, and inclusion is guided by his steep understanding and desire to appreciate concepts that drive difference in society. He has enabled research, policy, and community efforts that expand services to underrepresented and vulnerable populations since 1997. Mr. Ragsdale is an associate faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Note
You will receive registration confirmation immediately. The Zoom information will be emailed to you 2 hours before the event on April 25.
Access Note
Due to Covid-19 regulations, The Big Conversation Partners must present this forum online. We are aware that this limits access for some. Please consider including others, if comfort and social distancing allows.
Trivia Mondays
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.
Archaeology of New York State Cheese Factories (1860s-1890s)
The archaeology of cheese (as funny as that may sound) is a novel way in which to explore an industry that spread like wildfire across the northern tier of states, especially New York, in the 1860s.
Archaeologist Jim Gibb, using period illustrations and the results of excavation of the Columbus Center Cheese Factory in Chenango County, New York, will join us to describe the rise of the industry in the early 1860s and its eventual concentration in just a few locations. Jim will discuss the effects the reorganization of the industry had on thousands of dairy farms. He will also identify the culprit responsible for the demise of small factories and the abandonment of many of New York State's dairy farms in the 1890s. As this will be a virtual presentation, Jim encourages participants to supply their own cheese and beverages of choice.
Register with an email address to receive a link to join the online event.
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Common Thread Online
Join fellow crafters who love all things fiber - virtually! Registration is required (with an email address). You'll receive an email with a link to join the Zoom meeting before the program.
Open to knitters, crocheters, quilters, embroiderers, cross-stitchers, and any other kind of needleworkers. Work on your current project and chat with like-minded makers. All skill levels welcome.
If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this event, please contact us at virtualservices@stmalib.org with as much notice as possible, but no later than five business days before the event date.
Abstract Paint Pouring
Participants will learn how to use acrylic paint to create a fluid abstract painting. Paint pouring is a technique that uses a fluid medium to allow paint to flow around the canvas.
No prior art or painting experience is necessary, great session for beginner artists and families. Participants are encouraged to prepare their space for a mess and allow 24-hours for dry time!
Art kits will be provided to registrants on a first come, first served basis. You will be able to pick up the kit for Abstract Paint Pouring starting one week before the event at any of our locations. We will send an email out prior to the date of the event to all registrants asking where you'd like to pick up your kit.
Instructor Kim Burgess is an artist and teacher located in Laurel, Maryland. Her art practice is wide ranging, encompassing ceramics, watercolors, acrylics, charcoal, textiles, and mixed media. She has a decade of teaching experience, including elementary, middle, high school, and adult education.
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.
