Here are the splendid FALL FREE Offerings at our local STE(A)M HiTech Center at the Savage Branch Library!
Here are the related links since the graphics above aren’t clickable!
Registration & More Information
Got Questions? Ask our friendly neighborhood Teen Librarian:
Sarah Cooke
Teens’ Instructor
Howard County Library System — Savage Branch
410-313-0760 main
410-313-0752 office
Hey Kiddos! Try the FREE Escape from Detention Game App!
Register online or by calling 410-313-0760.
 By popular demand, and to coincide with Baltimore’s gigantic outdoor light celebration Light City, Laser Rock shows return to the dome of the planetarium. Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and all the classic rock favorites provide the soundtrack for a spectacular laser light show and special effects in 360 degree surround sound.
Laser Beatles will play daily at 1:30pm and is included with admission. Evening laser shows will run Sunday-Thursday at 6:45pm and 7:45pm, and Pricing for evening shows is $8.00, add a second show for only $4.00. Show schedule changes daily. |
We are so lucky to have a marvelous local public library close to our Middle School! The Howard County Public Library Savage Branch has been a fixture in our community for decades…but it needed a facelift, it needed expanding, it needed a HITech makeover. And it got it!
From their website: “The newly renovated and greatly expanded HCLS Savage Branch & STEM Education Center further positions HCLS as a 21st century educational institution, delivering 21st century public education for all. A launching point for the STEM career pipeline, the contemporary branch centers on science and technology, tripling classroom space for the delivery of the enhanced HCLS STEM curriculum for children and teens.”
One of my best resources and friends there at the Savage Branch is Teens’ Instructor and Specialist, Ms. Sarah Cooke!
She has such amazing programs for our teens – and now with this new renovation those teens have a super cool new hangout in the library! The Teen Hangout & Cafe! (Ok, I just named it that!) 
Teens can meet here for the STEM Lab & HiTech classes! 
Here’s Sarah Cooke showing off the cool USB bracelets that kiddos made recently!
Wonderful bright spaces to read, work, and contemplate. Like a slick airport – with books! Many different areas to plug in laptops or tablets – a multitude of desktop computers ready for you! Comfy furniture, abundant books & materials, friendly librarians, and a slick futuristic design make this a significant contribution to the heart of our community!
Branch Location
9525 Durness Lane
Laurel, MD 20723
(410) 313-0760
Branch Hours
| Mon. – Thurs. | 10 am – 9 pm |
| Fri. – Sat. | 10 am – 6 pm |
| Sun. | 1 pm – 5 pm |
Here are the latest Winter offerings for our students at the Savage Branch!
HCLS Savage Branch Winter Classes!
BOOK REVIEW BLOG
Ages 11-17
Read any interesting books lately? Or any terrible ones? Join us in creating and maintaining a teen book review blog where you can share those you loved, those you hated, and why with other readers, as well as learn the basics of making your own blog.
Dec 1 Mon 6:30-7:30
HANDS ONLY CPR & AED
Ages 11-17, registration required for each class.
You could save a life! Learn about cardiac arrest, how to recognize it’s happening, and the three simple steps of Hands-only CPR for victims over 8 years old. Receive a basic overview of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Sat Jan 17 3-4pm
BE A BOOK ARTIST
Ages 11-17
Ever wondered why young adult books rarely have pictures? You can change that! Create illustrations for your favorite book, then share with group for friendly book/art discussion and possible library display.
Mondays; 6:30 – 8 pm Dec 22, Jan 26, Feb 23
VALENTINE LOVE BUGS
Ages 11-17
Who knew insects could be so cute? Using colorful crafting clay you can create adorable little “love bugs” to give as Valentine gifts to show how much you care…and how creative you are!
Feb 10 Tues 6:30-7:30
TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
Ages 11-17
Join the Teen Advisory Board at your branch to recommend books, music, and movies; develop and plan events for teens; and work with HCLS instructors on projects you create. Service learning hours available.
Thursdays; 4-5 pm Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 19
LET IT SNOW!
Ages 9-13; 1.5 hours; drop-in.
Celebrate the season with a cup of hot cocoa and snow inspired crafts. Drop in and learn how to make giant snowflakes, pompom snowmen and other crafts that will make you feel warm even when it’s cold outside.
Saturday Dec 13 3-4:30 pm
RECYCLED RACE CARS
Ages 9-13; 1 hour; registration required.
On your marks, get set, GO! Let’s zoom into the the year 2015 by creating cool race cars out of recycled materials and rubber bands, and then exploring the laws of motion by racing them in the library.
Saturday Jan 10 3-4pm
DUCT TAPE VALENTINE ROSES
Ages 9-13; 1 hour; registration required.
Join us in our latest duct tape adventure — making roses out of colorful duct tape and pencils for that special someone to show how much you care…and how crafty you are!
Saturday Feb 7 3-4pm
FOURTH FRIDAY FAMILY FRIENDLY FLICKS
All ages, drop-in.
Enjoy a popular G or PG rated movie on the big screen with your family and friends.
3:30-5:30pm
Dec 26 Frozen
Jan 23 The Lego Movie
Feb 27 Despicable Me 2
Interested? For more information contact:
Sarah Cooke
Teens’ Instructor
Howard County Library System — Savage Branch
410-313-0760 main/410-313-0752 office
(To hear audio click the top left corner & unmute the Vine X)
Sign up for a FREE HiTech Symposium for students, parents, and educators
(This blog post generated from an invitation)
Join us for a dynamic HiTech Symposium, featuring STEM industry thought leaders and hands-on classes.
Available FREE for iPads, iPhones, and Android systems.
Have you noticed our local HCL Library branch is closed?
Don’t panic! We have an express solution!
From the HCL website:
The Savage Branch is closed through September 2014 for a long awaited renovation. A temporary Savage Branch Express is open in the shopping center located at the intersection of Route 1 and Gorman Road right in front of the Weiss grocery store. The express branch offers a small selection of popular titles, selected HiTech classes, and a limited schedule of children’s classes.
Customers may also pick up reserves and return items at this location.
What does this mean?
You can call ahead, request book titles, and they will order them for you and have them waiting for you to be picked up (like a carry out pizza!) for no extra charge!
Just use the HCL Catalog Search for your desired items, make a list, and call up to request to have them sent to the Savage Express!
When it re-opens in July 2014 (projected date), the renovated Savage Branch will include an open floor plan, enhanced lighting, additional exterior windows, and two outdoor classrooms – for an additional 9,000 sq. ft., a 50 percent overall increase. Details.
HiTech Offerings –FREE Fun & Learning for our students!
For more information contact:
Sarah Cooke
Teens’ Instructor
Howard County Library System
Savage Branch/East Columbia Branch
410-880-5975/410-313-7716
The summer reading list is here & jam packed with great recommendations!
Download the PDF below & check out the Middle School List: “Groundbreaking Reads!”
2013 MS Summer Reading List Final_with graphics
Here’s the Grownup Summer Reading List for Parents & Teachers!
2013 Adult Summer Reading ListFINAL
Sadly, the HCL Savage Branch is closing this Summer! But don’t worry, it’s not for good but for an AWESOME Renovation!! More about that later…
From our friend, the HCL Teen Specialist, Sarah Cooke:
The Savage branch’s official last day will be Saturday, July 6.
We are shooting for a re-opening in the fall of 2014, which would be great in terms of the school year, but we’ll all have to wait and see…
I will of course keep you all updated with an official re-opening date! Have a great rest of the school year!
Sarah Cooke
Teen Specialist
Howard County Library System
Savage Branch
410-880-5980
So yeah, like Taylor Swift said above…..don’t be “That Guy” and have overdue library books — please bring back your books and read AWESOME ones this summer!I know I’m gonna read the Divergent series again, and Showboat, and finish listening to the Harry Potter series (5th time) audio books read by Jim Dale. ….ok, and a few shlocky beach books but hey! Summer reading is the BEST!
from our A+Partners at the Howard County Library:
Read and win prizes when you join an HCLS summer reading club:
Sign up for summer reading and participate in a day of fun including children’s stories, face painting, crafts, and activities for children, teens, and adults. Don’t miss the Reptile Wonders exhibit and Pee Wee Pirates Show!
Great Reads for Vacay & Staycay
Summer Reading Lock-in for TeensIf you need a library this summer, why not check out the Elkridge, Columbia Branch, or the super cool NEWLY Renovated Miller Branch?
| Central Branch 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: (410) 313-7800 TTY: (410) 313-7883 Details |
| East Columbia Branch 6600 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD 21045 Phone: (410) 313-7700 TTY: (410) 313-7740 Details |
| Elkridge Branch 6540 Washington Blvd Elkridge, MD 21075 Phone: (410) 313-5077 TTY: (410) 313-5090 Details |
| Glenwood Branch 2350 State Route 97 Cooksville, MD 21723 Phone: (410) 313-5577 TTY: (410) 313-5597 Details |
| Miller Branch 9421 Frederick Rd Ellicott City, MD 21042 Phone: (410) 313-1950 TTY: (410) 313-1957 Details |
Create (or Edit) an iBook
Register today to collaborate with your friends to create a Choose Civility iBook! A community-wide initiative, Choose Civility aims to enhance respect, empathy, consideration, and tolerance.
All you need to do is write a brief summary, poem or letter (no longer than 1 page) on one of the following topics:
• importance of being respectful,
• a kind or thoughtful message for those going through a tough time, or
• how to make the world a better place.
Please make sure your document is on a thumb drive. You may also bring original pictures and photos that best depict your written document or create it during the iBook session.
HiTech is funded by a Federal STEM grant from IMLS and the MacArthur Foundation.
for more information contact our good friend:
Sarah Moore
Teen Specialist
Howard County Library System
Savage Branch
410-880-5980