Friends & Foundation Helps Howard County Library System ... Howard County Library System Helps the Community.

Friends,

​This year’s enforced social isolation has been a challenge for many. People naturally seek connections, and the library has always been a place to make them – whether at a children’s early literacy class or an adult author event. When Howard County Library System (HCLS) closed its doors in mid-March due to the pandemic, it saw an opportunity to expand community engagement and focus on improving local wellbeing through a series of “Pandemic Pivots.”
 
Here are five important ways Friends & Foundation of HCLS has supported HCLS through this challenging year, so the Library can better support YOU:

• Safety: Special funding for PPE allowed staff to execute contactless pickup of materials. This keeps Library staff and the community safe while providing books and other materials. Returns came pouring back into the branches when HCLS re-opened in late June, and customers reserved more than 70,000 items in the first month of contactless pickup. HCLS missed you, too!

 

• Access for All: Public computers with free online access and free wifi for personal devices are among the many reasons libraries continue to be valued so highly in communities around the country. The need is even greater with local public-school education happening virtually for now and many people looking for a job or reliable health information. 

 

• Economic Success for Immigrants: Project Literacy helps adults pursue English language literacy and employment goals, and COVID-19 has particularly affected low income families and immigrants who do not speak English fluently. In April, tutors made the transition to virtual learning and introduced a new class: English Conversation for Parents. This new class helps parents assist their children navigate virtual learning from home. This long-standing HCLS program received a $100,000 planning grant from IMLS (Institute for Museum and Library Services) to expand classes to skilled immigrants.

 

• Student Success and School Readiness: Through HiTech, HCLS provided extra math classes and fun STEM activities during the summer to help mitigate “summer slide,” a time in which students may lose crucial skills when schools are closed. Additionally, HiTech turned its summer carnival into a Carnival in a Bag this fall, giving student hands-on activities to complete at home while interacting with instructors and other kids virtually.

 

• Equity: HCLS started a Libraries Stand Against Racism online directory of resources about anti-racism and racial equity, and increased programming and collaboration in this space. In August, HCLS removed late fines from most materials and cleared all accounts of past due amounts. Our community is stronger and healthier when everyone has access to the materials they need to pursue their educational, career, family, and life goals. Going fine free is aligned with HCLS’ commitment to equity and positions the Library to more fully live its mission of providing high quality public education for all Howard County residents.

 
The success of the Library’s “Pandemic Pivot” this year is directly connected to the support from the Friends & Foundation of HCLS. Please consider a donation to the Friends & Foundation of HCLS to help our continued support of these expanded and added services.

​You can donate through our new website: friendshcls.org.
 
Thank you!
 
Mickey Gomez, Chair
Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System

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