Skip Auld, Anne Arundel County Public Library Chief Executive Officer
LIBRARY INFO
As we prepare for a new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions. Maybe you’d like to get in shape, learn new recipes, find a better job—or simply build a stronger support system. The library can help with it all! In these challenging times of division and isolation, loneliness has become more common Libraries: A Cure for Loneliness and a Path to Well-Being
BOARD of TRUSTEES OFFICERS Damita McDonald, Chair Lonni K. Summers, Vice Chair Accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided for library- sponsored programs upon request to the branch manager at least one week in advance of the program date. LIBRARY CLOSINGS Christmas Week Sunday, December 21 Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 New Year’s Week Sunday, December 28 Early closing (5 PM ): Wed., December 31 Thursday, January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Sunday, January 18 Monday, January 19 LIBRARY BOARD MEETINGS January 15, 2026: Odenton Library EQUITY STATEMENT We advance diversity, inclusion, and belonging for our staff, customers, partners, and the whole community to create an equitable Library and society. We are committed to using our resources and partnerships to improve the lives of people of every race, ethnicity, culture, faith, age, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and gender. ----
than ever. And it’s not just an emotion—it’s a serious public health concern. Research shows that chronic loneliness can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, dementia, heart disease and even premature death. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has called loneliness an epidemic, warning that its impact on health is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Libraries are uniquely positioned to fight this crisis. They are more than shelves of books—they are vibrant community hubs that foster connection, healing, and hope. Many libraries already offer programs and resources that improve mental and physical wellbeing, helping people feel less alone and more supported. At your library, you can take a health or fitness class, connect with nature on a StoryWalk®, celebrate the arts with dance and musical performances, meet with a social worker or get diapers and menstrual products, get one-on-one help with your résumé and acquire new skills or build community through book clubs, parent/caregiver meet-ups. Libraries are places where everyone belongs. They offer opportunities to learn, share and connect—because no one should feel alone. When we come together, our community becomes stronger. Visit your library today and make 2026 the year of community! If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the Anne Arundel County Community Warmline 24/7 at 410-768-5522 .
Inside This Issue BRANCH PAGES
Laura J. Ellis, Secretary Tim Lemke, Treasurer
Broadneck................................ 4 Brooklyn Park .........................16 Busch Annapolis........................5 Crofton ..................................10 Deale........................................6 Discoveries: The Library at the Mall................................7 Eastport-Annapolis Neck ...........8 Edgewater ................................9
Glen Burnie ............................17 Linthicum ...............................18 Maryland City at Russett .........11 Mountain Road .......................19 Odenton .................................14 Riviera Beach .........................20 Severn ...................................15 Severna Park ..........................21
DIRECTORS Gerald P. Starr
MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST News Articles....................7,8,9, 21 Online Programs........................11 Black History Month...............12-13 Foundation Report ..............22-23 Kindergarten Readiness............24
Jeremy York MEMBERS Skip Auld, Ex-Officio Dylan Behler Catherine Belcher Barbie Caulder Abby Chan Noah Comet James R. Estepp Ishani Gandhi Christopher B. Nelson J. Robert Sapp III Simmona E. Simmons JanElaine Smith Faith Steele
Library STEAM Programs Promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Skills STEAM education fosters a love of math, science and art by encouraging learners to engage in inquiry, logical reasoning, collaboration and investigation. In Library Happenings, programs that incorporate STEAM principles are designated with this icon: ⚛
This donor funded icon brings awareness to the many wonderful programs and experiences that are a reality at the library thanks to community donors.
2 R Registration is required and begins two weeks before the program at aacpl.net/events . ⚛ STEAM Program. See page 2 for details.
December 2025, January and February 2026
Bilingual Program
ASL Interpreter Available
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Library Happenings
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