Kids Events

Want to try speed puzzling? Form a team of two or three, and see how fast that team can be!

All teams will go head-to-head to see who can complete a 500 piece puzzle first! All teams will have a copy of the same library supplied puzzle for this competition and prizes will be awarded. Teams are made up of 2-3 people, all of which need to be age 16 or older. Registration is required and only one team member should register for the team. (We'll also have a Puzzlemania! Family Edition competition in the summer for all ages.)
Don't want to compete? We'll also have a puzzle swap in the room, so bring a complete puzzle you're ready to part with and look for a new-to-you one!

Make mathematical magic as we explore patterns in music, motion, nature, shapes, and colors. Create fantastic pattern crafts to take home!

Check for spots in other sessions:

• Fri, March 6, 2:30pm at Charlotte Hall Library
• Fri, April 17, 2:30pm at Lexington Park Library
• Sat, April 18, 10am at Lexington Park Library
• Fri, May 1, 2:30 at Leonardtown Library
• Saturday, May 2, 10am at Leonardtown Library

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.

This book discussion series is tailored for veterans and their families. Service members of all eras, their spouses, and adult children are welcome. Author and retired college professor Wayne Karlin will lead us through conversations about books written in very different styles but connected by themes of war, courage, love, honor, and trauma.

Meetings will be held at Lexington Park library on the first Saturday of the month from 2-4 p.m. Supplies are limited; participants may pick up a copy of the book one month before the meetings.

The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with St. Mary’s County Library. Veterans Book Group is supported this year by St. Mary’s County Library.

BOOK LIST

February 07 - With the Old Breed: at Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge  

Based on notes Sledge secretly kept in a copy of the New Testament, With the Old Breed captures with utter simplicity and searing honesty the experience of a soldier in the fierce Pacific Theater. Here is what saved, threatened, and changed his life. Here, too, is the story of how he learned to hate and kill—and came to love—his fellow man.

“In all the literature on the Second World War, there is not a more honest, realistic or moving memoir than Eugene Sledge’s. This is the real deal, the real war: unvarnished, brutal, without a shred of sentimentality or false patriotism, a profound primer on what it actually was like to be in that war. It is a classic that will outlive all the armchair generals’ safe accounts of—not the ‘good war’—but the worst war ever.”—Ken Burns

March 07 - Seeking Quan Am: A Dual Memoir by Susan R. Dixon and Mark Smith

What happens when a two-tour Vietnam veteran tries to talk to an anti-war activist decades after the war has ended? Will buried memories, simmering resentment, and divisive stereotypes sabotage their effort? Has too much time passed?

Mark M. Smith chose to enlist in the Army after his high school graduation in 1966 and to serve in Vietnam as an infantryman with the First Air Cavalry. He wanted to experience war directly, to feel what it was like to come under fire—and he got his wish. His high school classmate

Susan R. Dixon had seen the physical effects of world wars, the Six Day War in Israel, and even the French Revolution during her travels in Europe and the Middle East. She also witnessed the emotional effects of the Civil War and world wars in generations of her own family. She opposed the war Mark chose to fight in.

When Mark and Susan reconnected in 2012, Mark needed an editor for the writing he had done immediately after the war. Susan had become interested in how the trauma of the Vietnam War had affected not just the veterans, but those who witnessed the war indirectly. Together they journeyed into memory and toward modern Vietnam, with no guarantees where that journey would take them.

April 04 - Street Without Joy: The French Debacle in Indochina by Bernard Fall 

First published in 1961 by Stackpole Books, Street without Joy is a classic of military history.

Journalist and scholar Bernard Fall vividly captured the sights, sounds, and smells of the brutal— and politically complicated—conflict between the French and the Communist-led Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina. The French fought to the bitter end, but even with the lethal advantages of a modern military, they could not stave off the Viet Minh insurgency of hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, booby traps, and nighttime raids. The final French defeat came at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, setting the stage for American involvement and a far bloodier chapter in Vietnam‘s history. Fall combined graphic reporting with deep scholarly knowledge of Vietnam and its colonial history in a book memorable in its descriptions of jungle fighting and insightful in its arguments.

After more than a half a century in print, Street without Joy remains required reading.

May 02 - An Artist's Legacy by Khanh Ha  

Amid the raging Indochina War war blossoms a love story when an artist/reporter meets a singer/performer who travels with an entertainment troupe to the valley of Dien Bien Phu for the climactic confrontation between the Viet Minh and the French Union. The lovers become separated after the victory of Đien Bien Phu when the artist is sent to South Viet Nam to fight the American Viet Nam War. They meet again 40 years later in that valley called Đien Bien Phu. His solitary soul is reunited with his truelove. It is a simple love story that transcends cultural barriers.

An Artist's Legacy is a lush, evocative, epic journey, from a love story amid the horror of war to the muted anguish of death and destruction. It carries the quality of Tree of Smoke in a foreign historical setting and an epic sense of Love in the Time of Cholera.

June 06 - Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause by Ty Seidule

Ty Seidule grew up revering Robert E. Lee. From his southern childhood to his service in the U.S. Army, every part of his life reinforced the Lost Cause myth: that Lee was the greatest man who ever lived, and that the Confederates were underdogs who lost the Civil War with honor. Now, as a retired brigadier general and Professor Emeritus of History at West Point, his view has radically changed. From a soldier, a scholar, and a southerner, Ty Seidule believes that American history demands a reckoning.

In a unique blend of history and reflection, Seidule deconstructs the truth about the Confederacy—that its undisputed primary goal was the subjugation and enslavement of Black Americans—and directly challenges the idea of honoring those who labored to preserve that system and committed treason in their failed attempt to achieve it.

Part history lecture, part meditation on the Civil War and its fallout, and part memoir, Robert E. Lee and Me challenges the deeply-held legends and myths of the Confederacy—and provides a surprising interpretation of essential truths that our country still has a difficult time articulating and accepting.

Photo by Ron Carver

Learn how to make your own 3D items using free software and submit them to the library to be created for free!

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 picture frame decorating and Zingo. 

This event is intended for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities as well as their friends, family, and caregivers.

Registration is required for attendees. Please use the Add More People button to register every person who will be attending.

Calling all teen writers! Participate in a workshop designed to improve your worldbuilding, character creation, and writing skills!

This event is intended for writers aged 13-18. Feel free to bring your tablet, laptop, journal, or wherever you write best!

Registration is recommended for this event. 

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.

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 an opportunity to try something new.

Each session will feature a small art and/or craft project that can be completed in an hour to an hour and a half.
 

Are you new to genealogy or just need a refresher on how to improve your research? This three-part series is aimed at helping you form a good foundation to build upon throughout your journey.

Over the course of these programs you will learn methodology, what is available online and what repositories have information that can help answer your genealogical questions.

Throughout these sessions you will:

1. Understand how to begin collecting and compile family history information.
2. Learn the importance of sources and documentation.
3. Learn which records provide different types of information.
4. Know the difference between online searching and repositories such as courthouses, cemeteries, historical societies, and state and national archives.

Please note: this is part one of a three part series. You must register for each session separately:

Part 1: Charts, Census Records, Software & Websites - Mon., March 2nd, 6-7:30 pm
Part 3: Land Records and Migration Patterns – Mon., March 16th, 6-7:30

About Our Presenter
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. Eve is a Member of the St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society and has served as President, 1st Vice President and Secretary. She has attended numerous seminars to expand her knowledge and research techniques and has taught Genealogy Classes at the College of Southern Maryland. Eve is also a member of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, a volunteer member of the St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Committee and a volunteer at Historic St. Mary’s City. 

Join Kwame Alexander, Emmy-winning producer and #1 NYT bestselling author, for an engaging conversation with Mt. Harmony Elementary School's Dr. Melaney Sánchez at Calvert High School!

Together, they'll explore literacy, self-advocacy, and the power of community. Celebrate the launch of Alexander's new book, The Mighty Macy, and his upcoming TV series, America’s Next Great Author. As we approach America's 250th anniversary, this event honors our shared values of freedom, independence, and the joy of learning. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Please register to attend in person. Doors open at 6 p.m. If you cannot attend in person, this event will be livestreamed on Calvert Library's YouTube channel. Registration is not required to watch the livestream.

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.

Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange.

SMCDAHS will be providing community members information regarding programs and services available to the county's senior residents, as well as other segments of the population in need.

Department representatives will provide information about programs such as Home Delivered Meals, congregate meals, in-home services, ombudsman services, caregiver support, Senior Rides, social and recreational programs, health promotion, community outreach, volunteer opportunities for older adults, and much more! 

For more information about the Department of Aging & Human Services, visit https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/aging/. 

Have questions about growing vegetables, soil conditions, mystery insects, invasive weeds, or heirloom plants? Ask a Master Gardener! Stop by with your plant samples and questions.

Collaborative art, sensory play, fine motor and early learning activities to get kids playing! Dress for a mess!

This event is intended for individuals with toddler and pre-k abilities and interests along with their caregivers. 

Register to reserve your spot--please use the Add More People button when registering to register every child who will be participating at the event. Walk-ins welcome as space allows.

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
44720 Lighthouse Rd., Piney Point, MD 20674

We invite you to bring your current crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, or any other needlework project to share with fellow crafters.

Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or just starting, this event is open to all skill levels. Feel free to mingle, swap patterns, ideas, and tips with like-minded makers. Come share your love for fabric and fiber crafts with the community! 

Basic supplies will be available if needed, and no registration is required.

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

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. 

Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us every second and fourth Thursday. Alternating Art (second week) and STEM activities (fourth week), plus more! No registration required!

Enter a calm, welcoming space where mindfulness meets creativity! Guided by instructor Jinna Lee.

Learn simple, step‑by‑step techniques for drawing intricate spirals and patterns—an easy, meditative practice that reduces stress and sharpens focus. All supplies are provided; just bring an open mind. No artistic experience required—just a desire to unwind and create.

Join Barb Whipkey, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park and LaPlata, as she shares information about the birds who may be nesting in our yards.

Barb will give tips on helping to create successful nesting habitats and feeding tips for these birds. 

Register with an email address to receive a link to join the event online.  Zoom links will be sent out the day before or day of the program.

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.

Have you ever wanted to tell your favorite author just how much you love their books?

Drop by the Lexington Park Library to write a letter to them! Design your own card or postcard and learn how to address an envelope.

Supplies will be provided. Registration is recommended for this event. This event was designed with preschoolers, elementary schoolers, tween, and teens in mind.

We supply the “bricks,” you bring the imagination. Come build something amazing with our LEGO and Duplo pieces!

Learn a traditional bookbinding technique as you sew and customize a reading journal that reflects your personality. Registration required

If you enjoy this event, be on the lookout for our upcoming "DIY: Pockets for Journals" program and the "Advanced Book Arts" workshop to further enhance your bookmaking skills and personalize your journaling experience!

Decorate a journal with pressed flowers and leaves grown in Southern Maryland!

Select from an assortment of pressed flowers and leaves grown in Southern MD and pressed by Holly, our workshop leader. Learn a bit about pressing, choose a journal, lay out your design. Holly will provide a spread of over 35 different types of native plant material (and some non-native pressed flowers too) for you to select from, and guide you on adhesive tips. Finish your journals with clear panels of transparency film to protect, and finish off with washi tape borders and a tassel page marker if you wish. ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED.  

Holly Dilatush lives in Charles County and grows over 400 different plants for her pressed flower art and workshops. She is a proud member of the WorldWide Pressed Flower Guild (WWPFG.com), has shown and sold her work at various local galleries and venues, facilitated several pressed flower workshops, and even won two ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower Show.  

Presented by the Southern Maryland Folklife Center.

A special edition chess day, featuring a chess tournament with a formal ruleset utilizing chess clocks and judging.

Registration is required for competitors, format will be in quads, with a potential winner's group with enough participants.

Prizes will be available for quad winners, as well as small participation prizes.

There will be a 14 and under division and a 15+ division, maximum of 24 participants per division. 

Tournament Rules-

Clock Rules

Matches have a 10 minute clock timer.

You must hit the clock with the same hand you move a piece with.

Black decides which side of the board the clock is on.

No Taking Back Moves

Once you let go of a piece, the move is final.

If you make more than 3 illegal moves in a game, further illegal moves have a 10 second penalty.

Want a book club, but without the pressure of discussion? Love to read, but are super shy around new people? Join us for a Silent Book Club!

Bring your own book or check out something you've been eying and then come hang out with others and just read quietly. After the first hour, people can share about what they are reading with other attendees or dig in to get through just a little bit more.

Celebrate Pi Day with the Mobile Library and the Town of Leonardtown! Special highlights include a pie eating contest at 2:30 p.m., hula hoop fun at 3:00 p.m., and a festive Pi-rade at 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy activity stations throughout the event offering creative and engaging ways to connect with the spirit of 3.14.

Register to reserve your spot. Please use the Add more people button when registering to register every person who will be attending the event.  If you want to participate in the pie eating contest, visit the Mobile Library upon your arrival to sign up. First come, first served. Limited spaces available.

Please be aware that any available food items may contain common allergens, and anyone with food allergies or dietary sensitivities should exercise caution.

As the event will take place outdoors at the Port of Leonardtown Park, it is weather dependent! Bring your friends and your love of circles for this community celebration!

23190 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Learn more about the library's Cricut Maker and practice cutting and applying heat transfer vinyl!

This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker to create a fabric wall hanging using simple tea towels and iron on material, also called heat transfer vinyl or HTV. 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 and applying heat transfer vinyl!

This introductory, hands-on class will cover how to use an electronic die-cutting machine called the Cricut Maker to create a fabric wall hanging using simple tea towels and iron on material, also called heat transfer vinyl or HTV. 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.

Are you new to genealogy or just need a refresher on how to improve your research? This three-part series is aimed at helping you form a good foundation to build upon throughout your journey.

Over the course of these programs you will learn methodology, what is available online and what repositories have information that can help answer your genealogical questions.

Throughout these sessions you will:

1. Understand how to begin collecting and compile family history information.
2. Learn the importance of sources and documentation.
3. Learn which records provide different types of information.
4. Know the difference between online searching and repositories such as courthouses, cemeteries, historical societies, and state and national archives.

Please note: this is part one of a three part series. You must register for each session separately:

Part 1: Charts, Census Records, Software & Websites - Mon., March 2nd, 6-7:30 pm
Part 2: Birth, Marriage, Death and Probate – Mon., March 9th, 6-7:30

About Our Presenter
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. Eve is a Member of the St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society and has served as President, 1st Vice President and Secretary. She has attended numerous seminars to expand her knowledge and research techniques and has taught Genealogy Classes at the College of Southern Maryland. Eve is also a member of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, a volunteer member of the St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Committee and a volunteer at Historic St. Mary’s City. 

Join Community Mediation of St. Mary's County for a community conversation about AI.

We know that people have different comfort levels about the use of AI.  How can we as a community talk together about the benefits and risks of using AI? How do we navigate this new tool while remaining true to our values?  We'll talk together about how each of us can shape the narrative about using AI in school, the workplace, and at home.

SMCDAHS will be providing community members information regarding programs and services available to the county's senior residents, as well as other segments of the population in need.

Department representatives will provide information about programs such as Home Delivered Meals, congregate meals, in-home services, ombudsman services, caregiver support, Senior Rides, social and recreational programs, health promotion, community outreach, volunteer opportunities for older adults, and much more! 

For more information about the Department of Aging & Human Services, visit https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/aging/. 

Representatives from the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative will be here to provide information on their Residential Program and free Energy Efficiency Kits

Are you interested in researching the lives of your ancestors? Do you watch "Finding Your Roots" and wonder how they find all that information?

Members of the St. Mary's County Genealogical Society will be available to give beginners guidance on how to get started.  Or if you've already begun they can assist on planning the next step to expand your research.

Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation.

Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required. 

No experience needed! Characters will be provided for ease of adventure. We'll have a D&D 5e Game every time, while we may have new games to teach as well.

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.

The Parents’ Place of Maryland (PPMD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports families of children with disabilities, special healthcare needs, and behavioral health challenges.

PPMD offers free one‑on‑one guidance, special education and healthcare navigation support, family advocacy training, and access to a wide range of educational resources. A representative from PPMD will be visiting to provide information about these free services.

Unlock your crafting potential by learning how to use the Cricut cutting machine to make your own custom tote bag!

This introductory, in-person class will cover how to use the Cricut Maker 3, an electronic die-cutting machine, to make clean and precise cuts on Iron-on Vinyl (also known as Heat Transfer Vinyl, or HTV) as well as the Cricut Heat Press to apply the vinyl onto fabric. 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; younger customers need an adult present at all times while visiting the Makerspace. 

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
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110

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

Rip it up! Scribble all over it! Make your very own Junk Journal to take home and fill with art, words, or mess!

Have you ever wanted to customize your very own journal? The Makerspace is here for your needs! We'll be using the comb binder to fasten your journal together. Decorate it using the manual die cutter or the Cricut. Leave the pages blank, or use laminate sheets to collect your stickers on so you can reuse them whenever you find their permanent homes!

We'll provide the materials and equipment! You provide the creativity and a home for the junk journal you make. Dress for mess!

This program does require registration and is for ages 13-18.

Each month we will discuss a different romance novel.

March's title is Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.

Find Heated Rivalry in our catalog

Representatives will be here to educate and assist those who are seeking low-cost or free health insurance options through Maryland Health Connection.

Seedco enrollment counselors will be available to educate and assist with Maryland Health Connection accounts.

If you need assistance, don't forget to bring these items:

1. Birth dates for each household member applying for coverage
2. Social Security numbers or document numbers for each household member applying for coverage
3. Employer and income information for everyone in your household (including pay stubs or tax forms)
4. Citizenship or immigration information for anyone applying for coverage
5. Information about any job-related health insurance available to your household

Call Seedco at 1-855-339-3007 for more information.

https://seedco.org/marylandhealth/  

https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/ 

Do you have a preschool-aged child? Come learn about the St. Mary's County Head Start Center-Based Program, which focuses on preparing children for kindergarten.

Representatives from Head Start will be available to talk about their services, enrollment, and answer any questions you may have.

Want to showcase your love for your fandom? This series will show you how to make your own fan merch for whatever it is you love! This session will be about designing and making pinback buttons.

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.

As we do every 3 months, this meeting will be BYOB - Bring Your Own Book!

Come ready to talk about a cozy mystery that you have been reading recently, a go-to favorite/recommendation, or one that you’re excited to read this year! It can be any cozy book, series, or author that you enjoy. Just come prepared to share and get some good recommendations from your peers. Something you suggest may even be selected for a future book club meeting! A list of all the books that we discuss will be sent out after the meeting.

Looking for possible books to read and bring to discuss? Try searching for "cozy mysteries" in our catalog or look for digital downloads on our Libby and the Palace Project apps!

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.

13820 Point Lookout Rd, Ridge, MD 20680

Get a FREE headshot photo taken at our Library!

Want to give your personal branding a boost? Here's your chance to get a free, polished digital headshot to use your way: LinkedIn, Teams, work email, personal and business marketing, announcements, and social media. Grab an appointment time while they last!  Recommended attire includes neutral colors and to avoid clothing with logos.

Registration will open on March 6.

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.

Enjoy a cozy afternoon movie, relax, and chat! After the show, there will be a brief discussion to share thoughts and connect.

There will be something new and fresh to explore each month. Check out movies you've never seen, or share some love for one of your favorites! Popcorn will be provided.

Registration encouraged, walk-ins welcome as space allows.

All movies will be rated PG-13 and under.

We will be making blackout poetry by using existing text to create new pieces! All materials will be provided. Writers of all experience are invited to attend.

Registration will give you a reminder email but is not required to attend, walk-ins are welcome!

Eager to start your spring planting?

Master Gardeners will teach you the proper methods for transplanting seedlings into the garden or containers, whether you winter sow them yourself in milk jugs, grow them indoors or buy from nurseries. A colorful presentation will be followed by a hands-on chance to transplant seedlings into pots you can take home.

This program is made possible with support from the Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Garden and the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs. This workshop may qualify for continuing education hours for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists.

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.

Need a quiet place to do your homework or study help? Learn how to find and use library resources to support your learning from a librarian during this dedicated time for practice and inquiry.

This event is intended for elementary through high school-aged students and on a first-come, first-served basis; this is not meant for tutoring services but study guidance and support.

Growing up is a process!

This program is designed to help you understand what to expect when puberty starts and how your body will change. Expert Nurse Practitioners from St. Mary's County Health Department will talk strategies for managing your health through these changes and address common concerns.

While you're learning, keep your hands busy by crafting an easy-to-make period supply carrying case to take home.

With easy-to-follow advice and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll be ready for your first steps into adulthood!

Interested in learning about how our American federal government was created? Speaker Dr. Jim Gibb will discuss Article III of the Constitution, which explains the judicial system.

Article III concerns the federal judiciary, including the creation of the Supreme Court and such “inferior” courts as Congress deemed necessary. How many justices? “Inferior” courts? The Constitution is remarkably vague, the delegates leaving it to Congress to fill in the details. This presentation explores the federal judicial system and, unlike other presentations, reaches beyond the Convention to later developments including the landmark Marbury v. Madison case establishing judicial review.

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.

Have questions about growing vegetables, soil conditions, mystery insects, invasive weeds, or heirloom plants? Ask a Master Gardener! Stop by with your plant samples and questions.

Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation.

Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required. 

Learn about how early settlers shaped the foundations of Maryland!

Although we teach about the Big 3 colonies in early America – Jamestown, Virginia, Plimoth, Massachusetts, and St. Mary’s City, Maryland –as three distinct places, the reality was that they had a lot of interaction. That is to be expected of Virginia and Maryland – they can see each other after all, but there was some with Plymouth as well. This presentation will take a look at who knew who, and how they knew each other, in the early days of Maryland.

This history seminar is presented by Karen Stone, of the St. Mary's County Museums Department. This event is part of the Southern Maryland 250th Semiquincentennial, Maryland 250th, and America 250th celebration, commemorating Southern Maryland's contributions to our nation's founding.

Community Development Institute Head Start would like to connect with local families!

Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. Hear about what Head Start can do for you - including free childcare!

Receive information on the program, ask questions, and submit an application!

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.

47550 Mill Field Dr., St. Mary's City, MD 20686

Drop in for crafting fun. Try one of our sample crafts, or create your own design! All materials provided.

Designed for neurodiverse library users, their caregivers, siblings, companions, & friends. Picture books, songs, and activities offered with lower lights, lower volume, and in a no-judgement zone.

If other storytimes are sometimes too overwhelming to anyone in your group, come to this sensory friendly storytime on the 4th Wednesday of every month.

Registration is required as space is limited to keep this storytime true to it's goals. Please register each person who will be in the room. 

Learn to use Google Docs, the free word processing software included with your Gmail account!

Join us for this introductory class to learn how to use Google Docs. We'll get you started with Docs and cover the basics of creating documents.

This class does not result in a certification.

Computer Skills needed for this class: Mouse and keyboard

Register to reserve your spot and receive a reminder email. Please use the Add More People button to register every person who will be attending. Walk-ins welcome as space allows.

Please have your Gmail address, password, and cellphone with you to facilitate log in. Don’t have a Gmail account? No problem!  We’ll help you set one up in class but you will need to bring a cellphone with you.

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
Phone: 301-475-4200 ext 4110

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

Everyone needs a bit of time to relax and create. Come and paint with your fellow library users. Chat and make friends, or paint on your own - however you feel that day.

Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us every second and fourth Thursday. Alternating Art (second week) and STEM activities (fourth week), plus more! No registration required!

Enter a calm, welcoming space where mindfulness meets creativity! Guided by instructor Jinna Lee.

Learn simple, step‑by‑step techniques for drawing intricate spirals and patterns—an easy, meditative practice that reduces stress and sharpens focus. All supplies are provided; just bring an open mind. No artistic experience required—just a desire to unwind and create.

It's a beautiful day in our children's book neighborhood. Stop by, pick a book off the shelf, and be read to by our librarian of the day.

An informal chance to read and spend time with the youth librarians of the Lexington Park Library. Look for our red accordion stool to know its time. All picture book lovers welcome. Books will be read in the order they are offered to our librarian.

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

Start off the new year by exploring a new hobby. Drop in to try a variety of arts and craft mediums provided by the library. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The following mediums will be available to try:

• Acrylic Paint
• Watercolor Paint
• Drawing mediums
• Pearler Beads
• Diamond Art

Aprons will be available for use, but please wear clothing that can get messy. 

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

Take your tastebuds to the next level with the ultimate cookies and cream challenge!

Calling all snack judges to sample a range of store-brand cookies-and-cream sandwich cookies alongside the iconic Oreo in a blind taste test. Does the name brand truly reign supreme or can your tongue be tricked? Evaluate flavor, texture, and crunch before recording your observations to compare with the rest of group. We might even learn a little bit about survey science along the way!

Register to reserve your spot--walk ins welcome as space allows.

Discover the colorful world of medieval heraldry and the banners and pennants that once decorated castles, marketplaces, and battlefields.

This program introduces participants to real historical examples and explores how these vibrant symbols helped people identify families, communities, and military groups in the Middle Ages.

No artistic experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore a bit of history.
Walk- in's Welcome!!! Register for text/email reminders. 

We’ll look at how banners were made in the past and discuss simple, modern ways to create them today. Participants will also be invited to experiment with designing their own personal heraldry, using the same principles that guided medieval artists and storytellers.

Presenter: Leesa Marie Orton aka Mary Isabel of Heatherstone, Minister of Arts & Sciences

Orton is an experienced educator and operational professional with a strong background in historical studies, leadership, and community engagement. She holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and currently works as an Electrical Maintenance Scheduler at Constellation Energy, where she specializes in coordination and complex problem‑solving. Her academic focus on medieval culture is complemented by more than fifteen years of teaching, program development, and service across military, academic, and nonprofit settings. Leesa also brings hands‑on experience from her leadership roles in the Society for Creative Anachronism, enriching her classes with both scholarly insight and practical medieval knowledge

Kick off the week with a celebration of pollinators! Learn how pollination works, discover how bees see the world, practice the famous waggle dance, and plant pollinator-friendly seeds to take home.

Children will meet a local author and beekeeper for a reading of Bugzee and the Bees, a story that introduces young readers to the important role pollinators play in our environment. After the story, students will rotate through hands-on learning stations. Join the Mobile Library, local author and educator Nocola Williams, and educator Dorothy Birch for a fun-filled morning of exploration and hands-on learning opportunities. This program will be held outside at Historic Sotterley and families should plan to dress for the weather and for walking. 

44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636

Do you like reading? Do you like talking about what books you're reading with people who love reading as much as you do? Do you like crafts and book related activities?

Join us for our kids book club!

Participants can bring in and discuss whatever they're reading, whether it's novels, graphic novels, nonfiction books, audiobooks, etc., participate in a craft, and enjoy refreshments with peers.

A little bit of mess = a lot of fun! Enjoy sensory play by finger painting on real river rocks, or practice fine motor skills with brushes.

Take your art home with you or donate your creation to help decorate the library's outside space! All supplies will be provided, but feel free to find and bring your own rocks!

Painted rocks are great for brightening up anywhere outdoors or given as a sweet, one of a kind gift.

Registration of each child attending is encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.

A little bit of mess = a lot of fun! Enjoy painting on real river rocks. Explore basic painting techniques to create landscapes, simple characters, and abstract masterpieces!

Take your art home with you or donate your creation to help decorate the library's outside space! All supplies will be provided, but feel free to find and bring your own rocks!

Painted rocks are great for brightening up anywhere outdoors or given as a sweet, one of a kind gift.

Registration of each child attending is encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.

Make art, hang with artists, and just go crazy with assorted Library craft supplies. There's no limit on the creativity, expect paint, crafts, and more!

A hands-on rock painting workshop where a little bit of mess = a lot of fun! Explore painting techniques, splash vibrant colors onto smooth river or garden stones, and take home what you create.

No art experience is required! Instruction, inspiration, and all supplies will be provided - but feel free to find and bring your own rocks! Painted rocks are great for brightening up any outdoor space, used as desk decor/paperweights, or given as a remarkably one of a kind gift.

Registration of each teen/tween is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome!

Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation.

Activities are designed with preschoolers in mind and vary week to week. No registration required.