Crofton - West County Branch Events...

Crofton Branch
1681 Riedel Road, Crofton, MD 21114
410-222-7915
 
Hours   
Monday - Thursday 9-9
Friday, Saturday 9-5

Babies in Bloom

Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their babies (up to two years) for a fun-filled half-hour of stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays all specifically designed to stimulate early infant development.
Tot’s Line, a lively and informative discussion of issues and concerns related to caring for newborn to five year-olds follows all programs marked with an asterisk (*).
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Saturdays, December 12, January 9, and February 13 at 10 am.

Storytime
Library storytimes are presented for children ages two to five, unless otherwise noted. Parents and caregivers must accompany two and three-year-olds, while children four years and older may attend alone, provided an adult remains in the branch.

Pajama Storytimes
Tuesdays, January 19 and February 16 at 7 pm.

Hooray for the Holidays Storytime
Wednesday, December 16 from 2 to 3 pm.
Get in the holiday spirit with stories, songs and a craft.

Valentine, Be Mine Storytime
Tuesday, February 9 at 7 pm. Repeated Wednesday, February 10 at 10 am.
Stories, songs and fingerplays and making a card to give to a valentine. For ages three to seven

Black History Month Celebration
Monday, February 8, 7pm

Join vocalist Imani as she traces the roots of jazz music through work songs, spirituals, blues, swing and bebop. This fun, fast-paced and interactive program features an introduction to the many sounds of the voice through call and response. Learn songs from various eras, and then join Imani in a real jazz jam! The program is appropriate for all ages.Imani has performed traditional African music for the Smithsonian Institute Folklife Festival and the World Music Institute. She is a Resident Artist with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and a workshop presenter with the Kennedy Center Partners-In-Education National Touring Program. She is also a Roster Artist with the Louisiana Division of the Arts and South Carolina Arts Commission. Imani’s diverse vocal talents have led to collaborations with many notable musicians and ensembles, as well as a variety of film and television projects. Since 1989, she continues to be the first and only American to perform and tour with the genuinely traditional Ghanaian ensemble Yacub Addy, and she most recently performed, toured and recorded with jazz great Wynton Marsalis. Imani’s voice was 
featured on the musical soundtrack of the Emmy nominated film The Jane Goodall Biography, and on many of the National Geographic Television’s Explorer series soundtracks. A native of South Carolina, Imani has lived in the Washington, DC, area for more than 20 years. Her vocal training includes the New England Conservatory, Berklee School of Music and Howard University.

Children's Special Event

Appearing: Flat Sneaks
Tuesday, December 29 at 2 pm.
Maybe you know Flat Stanley; come meet Flat Sneaks. Includes activities, games and crafts inspired by his adventures. Do you have a Flat Stanley journal? Bring it! For children in K through 3rd grade.

Book Clubs for Adults
Meet friends and neighbors at the library for a lively discussion about some popular books!  The discussion will be led by library staff. Registration is encouraged. Maximum of 25 participants per session. Please call the branch to register.

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Wednesday, December 2 at 7 pm. and Thursday, December 10 at 10 am.
Published in 1908, E.M. Forster’s A Room with a View is a delightfully optimistic novel about a young woman’s awakening in Italy. Readers are encouraged to view the Masterpiece Theatre production (available from the library) prior to attending for additional discussion.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Wednesday, February 3 at 7 pm. and Thursday, February 11 at 10 am.
A whimsical tale, told in two unlikely voices, of life in an elegant Parisian residence hotel. Described as “…gently satirical, exceptionally winning and inevitably bittersweet...” by The Washington Post

One-on-One Basic Computer Training
Work individually with a librarian in a scheduled session. Learn how to access your library account; place a hold and renew books; search special electronic databases, and set up a free email account.  Reservations are required. Please call or visit the branch to schedule an appointment.
410-222-7915
Wednesdays, from 9 to 10 am., 2 to 3 pm. and 7 to 8 pm.
Call or visit the branch to schedule an appointment.

Exhibits and Displays
December – Christmas Stamps - courtesy of Marcia DeFalco
January – Guiding Eyes for the Blind service dog program – courtesy of Bay Region
February – Warhammer figures – courtesy of Dave McAlevey.

West County Area Library
1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton 21113
410-222-6277
 
Hours 
Monday - Thursday 9-9
Friday, Saturday 9-5
Sundays from 1-5
 
Babies In Bloom
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their babies (up to two years) for a fun-filled half-hour of stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays all specifically designed to stimulate early infant development.
Tot’s Line, a lively and informative discussion of issues and concerns related to caring for newborn to five year-olds follows all programs marked with an asterisk (*).
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Wednesdays, December 9, January 13, and February 10, at 9:30 am. Repeated at 10:30 am.

Storytimes
Library storytimes are presented for children ages two to five, unless otherwise noted. Parents and caregivers must accompany two and three-year-olds, while children four years and older may attend alone, provided an adult remains in the branch.
Tuesdays, February 2 through 23 at 9:30 am. for two year-olds.
Thursdays, February 4 through 25 at 9:30 am. for three to five year-olds.

Chess Club for all ages
Saturdays, November 21, December 19, January 16 and February 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Children’s Area. Play chess and learn from other players.

Winter Wonderland
Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm.
Wintery stories, songs and crafts! For ages four to seven.

Crafternoons
Saturdays, December 12, January 9 and February 13 from 1 to 4 pm.
Make and take crafts in the Children’s Area. For children of all ages.

Game Night
Thursday, December 3 at 7 pm.
Compete in Wii Sports and Carnival Games or enjoy a board game with family and friends. For all ages.

Family Game Day
Saturdays, December 5, January 2 and February 6 from 1 to 4 pm.
Fun for everyone, bring your favorite games or use those provided. For all ages.

Black History Month Celebration (see description above)
Monday, February 1, 7pm

For Adults

How to Buy a Personal Computer
Thursday, December 3 from 6 to 8 pm.
Holidays are approaching and many families will purchase a new PC. Learn what to look for and questions to ask when purchasing a Windows-based home computer. Contact the branch at 410-222-6277 to register beginning November 9.

Introduction to Genealogy
Saturday, February 20 from 1 to 3 pm.
Are you curious about your ancestors? Join experienced genealogists as they share their knowledge of basic genealogical research and online resources including Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest.
Registration begins January 25.
Outside partner: Pam Rumney, Anne Arundel Genealogical Society and Margaret McMahon, Ph.D.

Learn the ins and outs of better investing using Morningstar® Investment Research Center
Wednesday January 27 from 7 – 8 pm
Registration starts January 13. Call 410-222-6277 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

One-on-One Computer Sessions
Call to schedule an appointment for assistance one-on-one in any of these topics:  Microsoft Word, Intro to Windows, Internet, Email, Mousing, Library Catalog, Library Databases, Homework Resources, Excel for Beginners, PowerPoint for Beginners, and Job Search Assistance,

Introduction to Windows
Learn Windows basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting with a hands-on practice. Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work.
Wednesday, January 6 from 2 to 4 pm.  Registration begins December 14.
Tuesday, February 2 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 11.

Microsoft Excel
Learn the basics of Excel, including how to set up a spreadsheet and use formulas.  Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work.
Saturday, January 30 from 2 to 4 pm. Registration begins January 4.

Microsoft Word I
Learn Microsoft Word basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting and hands-on practice.   Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. 
Tuesday, January 12 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins December 14.
Saturday, February 13 from 2 to 4 pm.  Registration begins January 18.

Microsoft Word II Beyond the Basics
Go beyond the basics of Word. Includes letters and mailings, headers and footers, inserting text and pictures and some advance formatting features of Microsoft Word 2003. Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. Prerequisite:  Word I or One-on-One computer training.
Tuesday, January 19 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration Begins December 14.
Saturday, February 27 from 2 to 4 pm. Registration Begins February 1.

PowerPoint
Learn PowerPoint basics with a computer lab assistant in a group setting and with hands-on practice.  Bring a diskette or USB drive to save your work. 
Thursday, February 18 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 25.

Job Search
Learn and practice with special resources available through the library web site and on the web to help you in your job search.
Monday, February 8 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins January 18.

Job Applications Workshop (In partnership with Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation)
Wednesday, January 13 from 6 to 8 pm.  Registration begins December 14.  Alison Kelly of Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation will help demystify the online job application process. Prerequisite: An email address or an Email One-on-One session.

Displays
February – Children’s Area Art Display celebrating Black History Month – courtesy of the Arundel Bay Area Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc