Anne Arundel County Public Library Newsletter Winter 2024-25

ODENTON LIBRARY

SEVERN LIBRARY

ß SCAN THIS CODE FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AT THIS BRANCH

SCAN THIS CODE FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AT THIS BRANCH à

ALL 20th Anniversary Exhibition Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 pm

KIDS Rad Readers Book Club

ADULTS Friend Speed Dating! Monday, December 9 at 6 pm

Kindergarten Readiness (Not held December 23 - 31) Babies in Bloom Tuesdays at 10:30 am Toddler Time Thursdays at 10:30 am Preschool Storytime Wednesdays at 10:30 am Yoga Family Storytime! Monday, January 6 at 6 pm We will read books as we practice stretching and breathing techniques. PRESCHOOL Young Child at Play Fridays at 10:30 am Young children will enjoy books, music and developmentally appropriate toys and activities during an hour of unstructured social time. ⚛ Sensory Playtime Saturdays, December 14, January 4 and February 15 at 10:30 am Sensory play stimulates children’s senses–touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. Explore various stations together as caregivers guide children in investigating new sensations!

Each month, we will hold a book discussion and enjoy crafts and activities related to the story! For third to fifth graders D & D Dungeon Academy: No humans allowed! by Madeleine Roux Thursday, December 5 at 4 pm

We will be connecting through quick chats and fun icebreakers in a fast and fun evening of meeting potential BFFs! Deaf Social and Game Day Saturdays, December 14, January 25 and February 15 at 2 pm Enjoy a silent afternoon of games, ASL practice and socializing! Try your hand at scrapbook journaling and learn to create pages with beautiful calligraphy that are full of visual imagery and inspiration. KIDS Early Reader Book Clubs Thursday, December 12, Wednesday, January 22 and Monday, February 17 at 6 pm Learn Scrapbook Journaling Monday, February 10 at 6 pm Children in kindergarten through second grade can practice their reading skills through group reading, activities and games based on popular beginner reader books.

Show and Tell! Monday, December 23 at 2 pm

Join us for a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Odenton Library! Enjoy light refreshments and stroll down memory lane with staff and friends. Season’s Greetings Potluck & Open Mic Monday, December 16 at 4:30 pm Enjoy a night of food, entertainment and shared traditions! Bring a cultural dish or enjoy the show. ADULTS The Queer Agenda Book Club Join our monthly book club to read queer books in a queer- and trans-affirming space. All identities welcome!

Elementary schoolers can showcase their interests and share topics they’re passionate about with others. We provide a welcoming space for them to connect with kids and families! ⚛ STEM Adventures: Winter Edition Tuesday, January 21 at 2 pm Enjoy wintery themed STEM activities on your semester break. We will have stations for you to learn new STEM concepts while having fun! ⚛ Science of Color Thursday, February 6 at 6 pm Explore the science of the colors we see every day. There will be many fun activities and experiments to try! Browser Game Museum Monday, February 17 at 3 pm Learn about and interact with a variety of different games available in internet browsers that explore crafting, creativity and more!

Doodleville by Chad Sell Thursday, January 2 at 4 pm

COMMUNITY QUILT EXHIBIT Submit your quilted creation to be displayed at the Odenton Library during our 2nd Annual Community Quilt Exhibit by bringing it to the Information Desk on the second floor and completing an entry form. Quilt submissions will be accepted from January 21 to February 10. Spend a cozy afternoon sipping hot cocoa and viewing the beautiful, quilted creations shared by artisans in our community. Quilts will continue to be on display from February 15 to March 30. Call the Odenton Library to find out more about our gallery hours or to schedule your own viewing appointment: 410-222-6277. Exhibit Opening Reception Saturday, February 15 from 2 to 4 pm

Cog by Greg Van Eekhout Thursday, February 6 at 4 pm

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 pm The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30 pm

PRESCHOOL ⚛ Career Fair Tuesday, February 4 at 2 and 5:30 pm

Enjoy early learning and creative play at career-themed activity stations. Dress up for your dream job, explore a sensory bin and more!

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle Tuesday, February 18 at 6:30 pm

The Healing Library: Death of a Loved One

Kindergarten Readiness (Not held December 23 - 31) Babies in Bloom Wednesdays at 10:15 am Toddler Time Tuesdays at 10:15 and 11:15 am Preschool Storytime Thursdays at 10:15 and 11:15 am , except January 2 at 11:15 am Family Storytime Saturdays, December 14, January 11 and February 8 at 10:15 am Wednesday, February 12 at 6 pm : Stuffed Animal Sleepover

This toolkit was originally developed by children’s librarians Megan Emery and David Moorhead at the Chattanooga and Lewiston public libraries in collaboration with licensed social worker, Bonnie Thomas, and children’s literature advocate, Kirsten Cappy of Curious City. After learning about The Healing Library during a webinar training, AACPL Librarian Laura Efrom reached out to the developers about replicating it and ultimately advocated for the kit to be added to AACPL’s collection. Modified for Anne Arundel County residents, the kit was made possible with funding from the county’s Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. AACPL released The Healing Library: Death of a Loved One kits in the summer of 2020 during a

time when many families were struggling with unexpected losses from COVID. “A family can check it (the kit) out without expending the additional labor of finding appropriate books, vetting them and wondering how to weave their own narrative into the story they are reading,” Efrom said. “While there is no kit in existence that can “solve” grief, we hope that this can start families on a path of understanding and processing their own situation.” Suitable for children ages 2-10 years old, the kits can be requested through the library catalog for pick up at any of AACPL’s 16 branches and can be checked out for three weeks.

A Self-Love Journaling Workshop for Caregivers Saturday, February 8 at 2 pm Enjoy a transformative workshop on self-love and resilience for caregivers. Prioritize your well-being through reflective journaling this valentine season. TEENS Craft for a Cause: Valentines for the Homebound Monday, January 27 at 5:30 pm Get creative while serving your community by making homemade valentine’s cards for AACPL’s homebound Library by Mail customers. Students can earn service-learning hours!

Quilters may check out our online calendar to find a variety of quilting programs leading up to the event!

A nne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) is here to support families dealing with trauma and grief by offering The Healing Library: Death of a Loved One – a specialized kit designed to guide children through the difficult process of loss. This unique resource is part of AACPL’s Library of Things and is a collection of books, activities and resources that provide an age-appropriate framework for young children to explore their emotions and find healthy ways to cope.

14 ⚛ STEM Program. See page 2 for details.

December 2024, January and February 2025 

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Library Happenings

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