August 2022

R.A.D. Women & Teens' Self Defense Class

Register

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:

Saturday, August 13th 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 14th  1:00 p.m.- 4:00 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.

About the Instructor:

Darlene Gentry has over thirty years’ experience in instruction and training in martial arts, women’s self-defense, and self-defense education for the public. Darlene teaches self-defense part-time at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has instructed women's self-defense courses in many different venues. Currently she teaches a series of free courses for the public sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church.

Class Includes: 

• 9 hours of instruction and practice, training manual, and snacks.
• Parental consent required for participants ages 13-17.
• Please bring a bag lunch for Saturday.  Microwave, refrigerator, and freezer available for lunchtime use.
• Registration is required due to very limited class size.
• 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 

Because R.A.D. is an international alliance, 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.

Circus Science with Gregory May: Summer Performer

Join the Waitlist

Professional knucklehead and silly scientist Gregory May teaches the scientific principles behind circus skills like juggling, globe walking, lasso spinning, and other incredible tricks.

Laugh and be amazed while exploring Newton’s laws, gyroscopic motion, and the center of gravity. Please register each member of your group (adults & children).

Summer Performing Arts events are supported in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council, and matching funds from the Friends of St. Mary's County Library.

R.A.D. Women & Teens' Self Defense Class

Register

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:

Saturday, August 13th 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 14th  1:00 p.m.- 4:00 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.

About the Instructor:

Darlene Gentry has over thirty years’ experience in instruction and training in martial arts, women’s self-defense, and self-defense education for the public. Darlene teaches self-defense part-time at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has instructed women's self-defense courses in many different venues. Currently she teaches a series of free courses for the public sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church.

Class Includes: 

• 9 hours of instruction and practice, training manual, and snacks.
• Parental consent required for participants ages 13-17.
• Please bring a bag lunch for Saturday.  Microwave, refrigerator, and freezer available for lunchtime use.
• Registration is required due to very limited class size.
• 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 

Because R.A.D. is an international alliance, 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.

Reptile Wonders: Summer Performer

Join the Waitlist

Meet real, live reptiles from Maryland and around the world! From baby tortoises to giant pythons, learn about their habitats, diet, adaptations, & behaviors.

Please register each member of your group (adults & children).

Summer Performing Arts events are supported in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council, and matching funds from the Friends of St. Mary's County Library.

Reptile Wonders: Summer Performer

Join the Waitlist

Meet real, live reptiles from Maryland and around the world! From baby tortoises to giant pythons, learn about their habitats, diet, adaptations, & behaviors.

Please Register each member of your group (adults & children).

Summer Performing Arts events are supported in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council, and matching funds from the Friends of St. Mary's County Library.

Trivia Mondays

Register

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.

Health Department Outreach to Parents: Resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion & other resources

Health Department staff will be in the library lobby providing parents & other community members with a variety of health department resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion and other initiatives.

They will also offer on-site registration and pre-registration for first/second dose vaccinations and boosters for anyone who is interested. They will also provide the community with free COVID-19 test kits, KN95 Masks, Hand Sanitizers, and other fun promotional materials/items for children. They will also be providing information about their tobacco cessation programs, as well as their free colon cancer screenings, colonoscopies, and mammograms programs, health insurance/Medicaid information, as well as information about asthma programs and so much more!

Reptile Wonders: Summer Performer

Register

Meet real, live reptiles from Maryland and around the world! From baby tortoises to giant pythons, learn about their habitats, diet, adaptations, & behaviors.

Please register each member of your group (adults & children).

Summer Performing Arts events are supported in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council, and matching funds from the Friends of St. Mary's County Library.

Reptile Wonders: Summer Performer

Join the Waitlist

Meet real, live reptiles from Maryland and around the world! From baby tortoises to giant pythons, learn about their habitats, diet, adaptations, & behaviors.

This event will be held rain or shine at the pavilion in Fifth District Park, 37880 New Market Turner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, 20659. Weather permitting, the event will be in the grass area beside the pavilion, so don't forget your sunblock, and bring a blanket or chairs for comfort. In case of rain, the program will move under the pavilion. Please register each member of your group (adults & children).

Summer Performing Arts events are supported in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council, and matching funds from the Friends of St. Mary's County Library.

Maryland Workforce Exchange Workshop: Resumes and Cover Letters

Register

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 for resume and cover letter writing help.  Looking for a job, or a better job?  Don't miss this free class.  Registration closes the Monday before the event.

Job search help is available at https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/

By registering for this class, you are agreeing that your contact information will be shared with the Maryland Department of Labor, American Job Center (AJC).  AJC staffer, Jasmine McCain, will contact you with initial materials and explain the MWE registration process.  If you have questions or do not wish to register on MWE, you can contact Ms. McCain directly at jasminet.mccain@maryland.gov to get help on this topic.

Cricut – Decorate your Space: Paper Crafts in Floating Picture Frames

Join the Waitlist

Learn to use the Cricut cutting machine by creating designs to use in floating picture frames.

Have you heard of the Cricut craze and you want to find out what it’s all about? Join us for this introductory, in-person class in the Leonardtown Maker Space where you’ll learn the basics of how the Cricut cutter works as well the use of Cricut Design Space. You’ll choose your own paper design to place in a floating picture frame to take with you!

Health Department Outreach to Parents: Resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion & other resources

Health Department staff will be in the library lobby providing parents & other community members with a variety of health department resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion and other initiatives.

They will also offer on-site registration and pre-registration for first/second dose vaccinations and boosters for anyone who is interested. They will also provide the community with free COVID-19 test kits, KN95 Masks, Hand Sanitizers, and other fun promotional materials/items for children. They will also be providing information about their tobacco cessation programs, as well as their free colon cancer screenings, colonoscopies, and mammograms programs, health insurance/Medicaid information, as well as information about asthma programs and so much more!

Maryland Workforce Exchange Workshop : Boomers and Beyond!

Register

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.

Job search help is available on https://mwejobs.maryland.gov/

By registering for this class, you are agreeing that your contact information will be shared with Maryland Department of Labor, American Job Center (AJC). AJC staffer, Jasmine McCain, will contact you with initial materials and explain the MWE registration process.  If you have questions or do not wish to register on MWE, you can contact Ms. McCain directly at jasminet.mccain@maryland.gov to get help on this topic.

Virtual Romance Book Club: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Register

Each month we will discuss a different romance novel. All books will be available in both eBook and audiobook format on Hoopla. August's Title is Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Listen to the audiobook on Hoopla

Read the eBook on Hoopla

Tween-Teen Thursdays

Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us for weekly-themed hangouts! Games, art, music and more in store.

No registration required! Stay a little or awhile. Snacks, activities, and good vibes provided. 

Tween session (Ages 8-12): 3-4 PM

Teen session (Ages 13-18): 4-5 PM 

Teen Writing Club

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Writing can be a lonely hobby, why not attend the writing club to connect with other writers your age? Join us for our bi-monthly writing club, intended for teens!

During the club meetings, you'll be able to share your writing, meet new writers, learn about new genres, and have your writing critiqued by your peers! The club will be held virtually every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Save the Song Birds!

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Join Barb Whipkey, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park and LaPlata, as she shares the stark statistics on the cumulative decline of our bird populations and what we can do to help.

A study published in the October 4, 2019 issue of Science, titled Decline of the North American Avifauna, found that the population of breeding birds in the U.S. and Canada has dropped by nearly 30% (roughly 3 billion birds) since 1970.  While this is very glum news, there are a lot of things we can do to address the threat to our songbirds. Barb will explore ways that we can work together to help make a difference.  #SaveTheSongBirds

Outdoor Mini Monet: Sand and Sea

Join the Waitlist

Join us for an exciting outdoor art adventure! Prepare to make a “mess-terpiece” through engaging and messy art play for babies and toddlers!

Throw on some clothes you don't mind getting messy in and get ready for fun! Register with your email address to secure your spot in an active and artful hour of play with your baby or toddler on Charlotte Hall Library's front lawn!

St. Mary's County Health Department

Employees from the St. Mary's County Health Department will be available in the lobby to answer your questions about Narcan and Opioid overdose. No appointment necessary.

Honeybees: Biology, Basic Beekeeping, & Planting for Pollinators

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What goes on inside a honeybee hive? How can you become a beekeeper? What plants invite bees and other pollinators to your yard? Our honeybee program can answer these questions for you!

Susan Polsky, from the Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers , will teach us about honeybee biology, provide a brief introduction to beekeeping, and will explain how to plant a garden for honeybees and other pollinators. 

Teen Crafternoon

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Calling all creative and artsy teens, come join us in our new Makerspace!

Our first ever Crafternoon in the new Makerspace will feature small crafts and projects that teens can create! Come and make a tote bag with us, or create new buttons with our button maker! We will supply all the materials, you just have to provide the creativity!

Preschool Book Club: Favorite Ocean Friends!

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Mondays are for making waves! Bring your favorite picture book about the ocean themed book of the week and share your favorite parts!! New book themes bimonthly!

Register your preschooler for one meeting or register for all! See the book club schedule below for the weekly theme!

Book Club Weekly Themes: 

Week 1| June 13th: Going to the Beach!

Bring a picture book about a beachy day and beachy play!

Week 2| June 27th: Fishes and Wishes!

Bring a tale about a fish tail or a mermaid tail!

Week 3| July 11th: Ships and Boats!

Bring a picture book about boats, sailing, and other water vessels!

Week 4: July 25th: Sharks and Dolphins!

Bring a picture book about a spectacular shark or a daring dolphin!

Week 5| August 8th: Seahorses and Sea Turtles!

Bring a picture book about a stunning seahorse or a silly sea turtle!

Week 6| August 29th: Favorite Ocean Friends!

Bring your favorite picture book about YOUR favorite ocean friend!

Trivia Mondays

Register

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.

Travel The World: Ecuador

Register

Learn all about Ecuador from an Ecuadorian and find out on what city the Equator line is located and the phenomenon behind it!

Would you like to stand on the Equator line having one foot on the Northern Hemisphere and the other on the Southern Hemisphere? Ecuador is the place to visit to do that. It has the closest major city to the Equator line on the planet! 

Interesting Fact: Ecuador’s highest peak, Chimborazo Volcano, is closer to the sun than Mt. Everest, thanks to the Equatorial bulge.

Our presenter will discuss tourist attractions, language, customs, cuisine, clothing and even The Galápagos Islands! You'll even learn some common expressions in Spanish used there! Experience the world from the comfort of your own home in our ongoing series. This presentation is sure to delight, entertain, educate and inspire. This program includes a Q & A session!

Register to receive the link to the Zoom meeting.

Health Department Outreach to Parents: Resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion & other resources

Health Department staff will be in the library lobby providing parents & other community members with a variety of health department resources for COVID-19 vaccine promotion and other initiatives.

They will also offer on-site registration and pre-registration for first/second dose vaccinations and boosters for anyone who is interested. They will also provide the community with free COVID-19 test kits, KN95 Masks, Hand Sanitizers, and other fun promotional materials/items for children. They will also be providing information about their tobacco cessation programs, as well as their free colon cancer screenings, colonoscopies, and mammograms programs, health insurance/Medicaid information, as well as information about asthma programs and so much more!

Master Gardeners Plant Clinic

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.

Common Thread: In Person!

Join fellow crafters who love all things 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. 

All skill levels welcome. No registration required.

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.

Common Thread: Online

Register

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.

Connecting Families to Health Care

Seedco Navigators will be on site to educate and assist those who are uninsured as well as those currently insured through Maryland Health Connection.

Navigators will be providing information on new lower premiums, access to financial assistance for those who qualify, as well as scheduling appointments for application and enrollment in health coverage.
Seedco is a non-profit organization under a grant funded contract with the state of Maryland, through the Maryland Health Exchange. We work to educate and assist Maryland residents, free of charge, in understanding their health coverage options, potential for financial assistance, and how to select the best plan within the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange marketplace that suits their needs. Additionally, we work to provide resources and other options for those who do not qualify or are unable to get the coverage they need.

Social distancing and safe COVID protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of Seedco staff, Library staff, and the general public.

For more information please contact :
Christie Taylor
Seedco Navigator
chtaylor@seedco.org

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.

St. Mary's County Health Department

Employees from the St. Mary's County Health Department will be available in the lobby to answer your questions about Narcan and Opioid overdose. No appointment necessary.

Bad Art Expo

Register

You may be good at art, but have you ever tried being bad? Join us for our Bad Art Expo, we’ve got the supplies you need to create your own Disaster-piece!

This program is intended for tweens and teens. Registration is required for this event. Wear clothes you won’t mind getting messy in and bring your wildest imagination. The winner will receive a trophy for their bad art piece. May the worst art win!

Nonfiction Book Club: Atlas of the Heart

Register

Come to the Nonfiction Book Club to learn about interesting information and true stories! We will meet via Zoom on the last Thursday of every month.

Whether you are very familiar with nonfiction or only read it occasionally, this book club will have something for you, as we will cover a variety of topics, from biographies to science to self-help.

This month's pick is Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown. A description of the book provided by the publisher reads, "In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through 85 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and lays out an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances - a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection ... Brown shares, 'I want this to be an atlas for all of us, because I believe that, with an adventurous heart and the right maps, we can travel anywhere and never fear losing ourselves. Even when we have no idea where we are.'"

Find Atlas of the Heart in the catalog!

Seedco Navigators: Connecting Families to Health Care

Seedco Navigators will be on site to educate and assist those who are uninsured as well as those currently insured through Maryland Health Connection.

Trivia Mondays

Register

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.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover!

Registration will open on August 15, 2022

Preschool through Lower Elementary are invited to a special evening of stories and slumber party shenanigans featuring their favorite bedtime buddies!

Bring your plush friend with you to storytime and let them meet other friends for their very own sleepover in the library! Come back the next evening and see what your friend got up to over night! Special permission slips will be provided at the event to describe your friend so we know who's who! We the Children's Librarians promise to take the best care of your stuffed animal and make sure your friend comes back to you safely! 

Register your little ones individually with your email address to RSVP to the sleepover and receive updates about picking up your stuffed animal!