year inr e v i e w

A+ PartnersEducationIN

2008 — 2009

Established in 2002, A+ Partners in EducationSM provides Howard County students the best possible chances of overall academic success. The initiative continued its path of excellence this year with partnerships between Howard County Library (HCL) and Howard Community College (HCC), and the Library and Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

A major component of Howard County’s strong educational system, Howard County Library delivers equal opportunity in education for everyone. The role of public libraries is best illustrated by three pillars:

self-directed education, 1. research assistance and instruction, and 2. instructive and enlightening experiences. 3.

The year’s highlights, which fall under each of these pillars, are outlined below.

Self-DirecteD eDucation

Live Homework HelpThrough HCL’s web site, students from Kindergarten through college can connect with a live tutor – for free – for assistance with math, science, social studies, and English assignments. Students who create an account can also connect with their favorite tutors and review previous sessions. Tutors are available from 2 pm to midnight seven days a week. Spanish-speaking math and science tutors are also available Sunday through Thursday, from 2 until 10 pm.

Live Homework Help is provided at no cost to students: HCL and HCPSS share the expense. Nearly 12,000 students increased their grades with this service last year. Student comments included:

There is a morning announcement about this every day. I thought about using it then I changed • my mind. Then I heard someone talking about how good it was and decided to give it a try. This is great.

I have nobody at my house that can help me with my homework when I need it, so I log on here • and it really helps me!

I hope this program will be kept. It’s great to help me to keep my brain working and not • forgetting things over the summer!

I really feel more confident about electron configurations now. It has taken me most of the term • to try and figure them out, and with my tutor, it took about 25 minutes for them to explain and help me understand fully how to write out electron configurations. Thank you very much!

Due to this service I am getting better grades. And I am able to ask questions and check my • work to make sure I am doing it correctly.

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I’ve never used this service before. It helped me with my son’s • math because I have a hard time remembering how to do the problems myself. Thank you!

This guy knew what he was doing—helped out a ton. I couldn’t • have done this problem without him. He also helped me by making a joke to lighten up how frustrated I was getting. I’m so glad my library offers this. It’s so much help!

Summer ReadingThis year’s “Be Creative” theme attracted 23,000 children, teens, and adults this year, a ten percent increase over last year. HCL offered a Little Artists game for infants and toddlers, Be Creative game for preschoolers and elementary school students, Express Yourself for middle school students, and Master the Art of Reading for high school students and adults.

To bolster participation, HCL awarded trophies to the schools with the highest percentage of students enrolled in the Summer Reading Club. Fifty-five percent of Northfield Elementary School’s students participated, making them the champion in the Elementary School category. St. John’s Lane Elementary School came in second with 53 percent participation. In the middle school category, Burleigh Manor was the winner, followed by Cradlerock School.

Designed to increase student reading over the summer, summer reading serves as an educational bridge between the end of the school year and the beginning of the next. Sustained reading over the summer continues to build vocabulary and strength-en reading comprehension—critical to not only improved academic success in English, but also in other subject areas, as achievement in all subjects is dependent on students’ ability to read.

Academic Intervention & Title I SchoolsNew this year, HCL extended the Summer Reading Clubs to the 2,100 students enrolled in summer school in grades K through 9. With the goal of

increasing and improving student reading, Library instructors presented Summer Reading Club materi-als to all HCPSS Academic Intervention Summer School Site Coordinators. As part of their school day, students completed reading activities to earn Summer Reading prizes. During the last week of summer school, Teen Specialists visited participating middle and high schools to award book bucks, collect reader reviews, and enter qualified participants in the teen auction. Friends of Howard County Library sponsored this new A+ component.

College FairStudents and parents visited with college representatives from across the country at HCL’s College Fair in April. Sixty colleges, including Johns Hopkins University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Valparaiso University, and University of Maryland College Park met with 250 Howard County stu-dents. Colleges were impressed with the quality and diversity of the students, and students and families

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Children enjoy a juggling performance at the Summer Reading Kickoff.

“This is such a great resource! Math has always been hard

for me, but I can’t afford a tutor.”

were pleased to meet with such a variety of schools in one place. HCL partnered with the Columbia Association (CA) to host the College Fair. Through this collaboration, CA significantly expanded partici-pation in this event, and HCL offered an additional and unique educational experience.

reSearch aSSiStance anD inStruction

Kindergarten, Here We Come! Kindergarten, Here We Come! classes lessen anxiety of children who are attending school for the first time by mimicking a typical day in Kindergarten – from leaving parents in the morning to being picked up in the afternoon. With funding from the Friends of Howard County Library and HCPSS, HCL added a school bus experience to all 19 classes, allowing students to practice boarding a bus and waving goodbye to their parents. Parents and students-to-be raved about this orientation.

“Chris and I really enjoyed the Kindergarten, Here We Come! class. His favorite part was going on the bus. The timing was excellent. I highly recommend that all new Kindergartners and their parents participate in this activity.” — mother of Kindergarten student

Kindergarten Field Trips to the LibraryKindergarten field trips to HCL began three years ago, with seven full-day Kindergarten schools. This year, the number of visiting schools rose to 36. Each trip was preceded by instruction about what stu-dents would experience and learn while at HCL, and was followed with classroom discussion. The field trips included reading maps to locate various collections, computers, and study areas. In addition, the students borrowed books and experienced the behind-the-scenes workings of the bookdrop, which stu-dents nicknamed “the dungeon.” Part of the full-day Kindergarten curriculum, the field trips connect all students with HCL at the beginning of their 12 years of required education.

Students had this to say following two such field trips to the Glenwood Branch:

Thank you for letting us come to the Library. We liked looking at the books and toys. It was fun • reading a story in the magic barn. We thought the dungeon was cool! We liked learning about checking out books by scanning them. Thank you for letting us get a library card and letting us borrow a book. We liked the whole trip!

Thank you for letting us check out books. Thank you for reading us books. We liked seeing the • dungeon. We liked your dining room. We liked scanning books. We liked going “behind the scene.” We liked looking at books. The Glenwood Branch is fun!

STEMAs a launching point in the STEM pipeline of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to fill high-tech BRAC-related jobs, HCL delivered an impressive line-up of STEM-related preschool and elementary school age classes. The series, which teaches science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through children’s literature and experiments, includes Spring into Science, Chemistry in the

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Kindergarteners practice leaving the bus.

Library, NASA: Make an Impact, Go Figure, and Everyday Engineering. In Everyday Engineering, stu-dents explore force, tension, and compression as they construct scale model structures from household materials, such as domes out of pipes and towers from toothpicks and jellybeans. The A+ Curriculum Enhancement guides and quarterly issues of source list the STEM classes, which Library instructors offer to the general public at the Library, and to students in HCPSS classrooms.

inStructive anD enlightening experienceS

Howard Community CollegeHCL and HCC staff collaborated on numerous classes and workshops for the community this year. Faculty from the Business Computer Division led the following classes at HCL, which taught adults and children how to explore and discuss the basic concepts of turning a creative idea into a business opportunity.

The Business of Technology Transfer•Targeting Your Market•Starting a Home-Based Business•The ABC’s of Intellectual Property•Financial Wellness•Leadership Coaching•Using PC Technology @ Home•

As an Alliance Partner in the Choose Civility initiative, staff from HCC’s Conflict Resolution Center led discussions on the following topics at HCL:

Why Looking Out for Number One Doesn’t Work •Dealing with “Un-Civil” people•“There Oughta Be a Law”•

Howard County Book ConnectionThis highly visible component of the partnership between HCL and HCC brings people together through the reading and discussion of a selected book. Library instructors and HCC faculty work together to promote this “one book” project and present a schedule of related events. The goal of Book Connection is to connect the community through shared learning experiences that promote productive dialogue, criti-cal thinking, and intellectual enrichment. The FY 09 selection featured Elizabeth Moon’s The Speed of Dark, a Nebula award-winning novel that offers a captivating glimpse into the mind of an intellectually gifted man with autism who lives in a future time, when the medical community discovers a “cure.”

Events and activities included:

Two book discussions jointly facilitated by HCL and HCC instructors.•A video conference in March with author Elizabeth Moon.•Library participation in HCC’s campus-wide Innovations Fair in May.•

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Selection of Book Connection titles for the next two years:•2009-10: • When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka2010-11: • Listening is an Act of Love, edited and with an introduction by Dave Isay.

Signature Initiativesat the elementary level

BumbleBeeA companion initiative to the Spelling Bee begun three years ago, the BumbleBee inspires students in grades one through three to improve their spelling and vocabularies. This past year, 33 school champions, the BumbleBees, representing 17 schools (13 public and four private) received trophies at a BumbleBee Awards Ceremony, and again on stage at the Spelling Bee. The BumbleBee was sponsored by the Howard County Rotary Clubs and Teri and Wilson Harrison.

Spelling BeeNow in its fifth year, 61 students competed in the Howard County Library Spelling Bee before an audi-ence of more than 1,000 people. Contestants represented 52 public schools, seven private schools, and one homeschool association. John Nolan, fifth grader from Deep Run Elementary School, won the Howard County Library Spelling Bee by correctly spelling “fortuitous.” John won a $1,000 college scholarship, and advanced to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. Caroline Lawrence, a seventh grade student at Resurrection-St. Paul School, was the second place finalist, winning a $750 scholarship.

Officials for the Bee included Frank Aquino, Ellen Flynn Giles and Janet Siddiqui from the Howard County Board of Education; Economic Development Authority CEO Richard Story; Kevin Doyle and Charles McLaughlin from the Howard County Library Board of Trustees; and Cindy Ardinger from the Friends of Howard County Library. County Executive Ken Ulman and BB&T Senior Vice President Bob Smith welcomed the crowd. Title Sponsor BB&T made the event possible.

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BumbleBee winners with Howard County Rotary Clubs President Nancy Szlasa

Spelling Bee contestants and judges

Battle of the BooksLaunched last year as a pilot, Battle of the Books is a fifth-grade-level competition designed to increase reading comprehension and build vocabularies. This year’s event attracted an audience of more than 1,000 parents, siblings, and community members who flocked to Long Reach High School to watch 60 teams from 25 schools compete for the gold medal. A total of 344 students dressed in theme-related costumes filed into the gym as Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent President and emcee Dave Bittner announced them.

Guided by a coach, each team prepared by reading and studying 16 assigned books that covered a range of interests, including adventure, folk tale, memoir, poetry, biography, science, and civics. The “Battle” began when Board of Education member and moderator Ellen Flynn Giles read one of 50 questions, then hit a bell. The student teams had 30 seconds to work on their answers. A second bell signaled “Stop!” Arms shot up with the group’s answer. Runners in each aisle (volunteers from Future Educators of America) collected the answer sheets and gave them to judges for scoring.

The Little Einsteins team from Centennial Lane Elementary School won first place, followed by the Super Ultra Awesome Reading Battle Squad from Veterans Elementary School and the Book Dolphins from Dayton Oaks Elementary School.

Maryland State Senator James Robey bestowed Best Costume award on the Five Fairy Tales team from Pointers Run Elementary School, and Howard County Council Member Calvin Ball chose Red Hot Page Flippers from Hammond Elementary School for Best Team Spirit Award. Friends of Howard County Library board member Joseph Murray awarded Best Civility to the ironically named Book Crooks from Clemens Crossing Elementary School, and HCPSS’ Terry Alban presented Best Team Name Award to Genies of Every Genre from Bushy Park Elementary School.

Thanks to the Friends of Howard County Library, the Frank and Yolanda Bruno Fund, HCPSS, and the Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent for sponsoring this event.

I would never have chosen to read a poetry book until the Battle of the •Books competition, but I got interested in John Grandit’s book called

Technically, It’s Not My Fault. I’ve actually found a poetry book that I like! The Battle of the Books was such a memorable experience that I included it on my Life Road Map at the beginning of this school year. It was a life-shaping event for sure.

Not only did the Battle of the Books pep me up to more reading, •but it got me into art! When I went to the National Gallery of Art, I

saw the very painting that Blue Balliett’s book, Chasing Vermeer, is based upon.

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The Little Einsteins from Centennial Elementary School with Battle of the Books judges and officials

“I enjoyed the Battle of the Books so much

that it was the topic of my personal narrative for sixth

grade English class!”

Children’s Discovery Fair The culmination of Howard County’s Month of the Young Child, the Children’s Discovery Fair is an annual event featuring activities by area preschools, parent organizations, HCPSS, Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland Family Magazine, and HCC’s Early Childhood Development Program.

This year’s theme, Science is a Blast!, attracted more than 500 preschool children, parents, and grandpar-ents to the East Columbia Branch in April. Children were intrigued by hands-on activities, as well as a real school bus, where they sang “Wheels on the Bus” with Head Start staff. In addition, scientists from the American Association of University Women wore lab coats and name tags labeled, “I’m a Scientist – Ask me a question!” They engaged preschoolers and parents in conversations about activities and sci-ence-related books. Each family received a bag with information about school readiness, Howard County resources, and how to promote science with preschoolers.

DEAR (Dogs Educating and Assisting Readers)One of most rewarding A+ partnership components, DEAR elevates student reading skills effectively and consistently—thanks to an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance by a “best friend.” This year, 56 struggling third graders from Bollman Bridge, Bryant Woods, Bushy Park, Cradlerock, Dayton Oaks, Guilford, Jeffers Hill, Rockburn, and Triadelphia Ridge elementary schools were paired with therapy dogs and handlers from Fidos for Freedom at the East Columbia, Glenwood, and Savage branches. Library instructors selected books for the children to read. What are the consistent results? Upon completion of the nine-week session, students read at or above the third grade reading level.

The students were celebrated with a graduation ceremony in March at the East Columbia Branch. More than 160 people attended, including students, parents, instructors, dog handlers, supporters, and dignitaries—as well as the dogs. Special thanks to the Friends of Howard County Library for sponsoring this initiative and to the 20 Fidos for Freedom handlers and their dogs.

at the middle school level

Howard County Library Teen IdolHoward County middle and high school students sang their way to stardom during the sixth annual Howard County Library Teen Idol, a competition that develops musical talents, builds self-confidence, boosts self-esteem, and teaches performance and communication skills. In preparation for this year’s event, competitors attended a vocal workshop presented by Mike’s Music. Forty middle and high school students auditioned at Howard County Library’s Miller Branch on June 23 and 24. Ten finalists were chosen to perform at the finals on June 25 at the Howard County Center for the Arts. Arielle Armstrong, a high school student from Columbia, won with her rendition of “My Man.” Julie Johnson, singing “Only Hope,” and Marissa Zechinato, singing “To Make You Feel My Love,” were the runners up. Armstrong won $100, the opportunity to sing the national anthem at a Bowie Baysox game, and a month

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DEAR student and “his” dog

of music lessons from Mike’s Music. Johnson and Zechinato won $75. All three young ladies were invit-ed to reprise their performances at an Office on Aging event and at the Howard County Library Open Mic Night in November.

Special thanks to the judges: Carmen Albuerne (HCL), Janelle Broderick (HCC), Justin Custer (Squaaks), Mike Gordon (Mike’s Music), Amy Stephens (HCL), Susan Stonesifer (HCL), and Beth Tribe (HCL). Howard County Library Teen Idol is sponsored by the Friends of Howard County Library.

Teen Read WeekDuring Teen Read Week in October, Library instructors enticed 100 teens to read for the fun of it – and raise money for a good cause – by organizing a read-a-thon. Teens registered, read, and recorded their reading time, earning donations to Room to Read, an organization that builds libraries for young people in underdeveloped nations. For each hour spent reading, Ascend One and several anonymous donors made a donation to Room to Read. The Read-a-thon inspired young readers in Howard County and around the globe, while building the following Developmental Assets:

Youth as Resources•Service to Others •Reading for Pleasure•Caring•Equality and Social Justice•Sense of Purpose•

WordUp! The response to this year’s Word Up! poetry contest was staggering. Judges faced the daunting task of narrowing 660 entries (triple the number of 2008 entries) down to 18 winners. A new resource brochure for educators – filled with writing exercises, research tools, and information about the contest – was distributed to every secondary school English teacher in Howard County, contributing to the impressive increase.

Eighteen winners celebrated by reading their poems at the Word Up! Winners’ Circle event at HCC’s Monteabaro Recital Hall in April. Guest poet Laura Shovan welcomed the young poets to the literary community and advised them on continuing down the poet’s path. Mayfield Woods seventh grader, Gillian Engelbrecht, has already made the next step on her journey. She was invited to read her winning poem, Today, at the annual HCPSS faculty awards ceremony in May.

Word Up! judges included poet Karen Arnold, Susan Thornton Hobby from HoCoPoLitSo, and HCC faculty member Patricia Van Amburg. Friends of Howard County Library’s financial support made this contest possible.

Teen TimeA popular after-school program for middle school students, Teen Time focuses on academic achieve-ment, and the developmental assets of responsibility, respect, and kindness. Monthly themes included arts and culture, career development, family and friends, making a difference in the community, nutri-tion, health, sports, and fitness.

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Highlights included a classical music concert, presentations from area business experts, holiday cooking demonstrations, art projects, and academic debates. The year culminated in the Teen Time Showcase, which drew nearly 100 people, including school faculty, community partners, students, and their fami-lies.

A+ Partnership Expanded

Mosaic ProjectDedicated in September, a new and beautiful mosa-ic adds cultural significance and a splash of color to the Elkridge Branch’s Route 1 façade, thanks to a partnership with Elkridge Landing Middle School students, artist Mary Dean Opasik, the Howard County Arts Council, HCL, and Howard County Government. Students worked with pieces of ceramics, plates, pottery, glass, china, and colorful hard plastics to create a bottom-of-the-ocean scene, complete with a crab, fish, octopus, treasure chest, and anchor. Dolphins and jellyfish complete the three-dimensional work of art, which has received immense praise since its installation.

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A+ interactions between Library staff

and students, teachers or parents:

91,287

A+ Partnership library cards generated:

3,982 (32,262 since the partnership’s

inception in 2002)

A+ Educator Cards generated: 547

(2,960 since card first offered in FY 06)

Materials borrowed with A+ Educator

Cards: 63,731

PARTNERSHIP

STATISTICS FY 2009

County Executive Ken Ulman, County Council Chair Mary Kay Sigaty, County Council Member Courtney Watson, Library Trustee Leonora Hoenes, Library CEO Valerie Gross, Mary Dean Opasik, community leaders, school officials, and students dedicate the mosaic.

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LEADERSHIPValerie J. Gross, Executive Director & CEO, Howard County Library (HCL)Dr. Sydney L. Cousin, Superintendent, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS)Dr. Katherine Hetherington, President, Howard Community College (HCC)

HCL and HCPSS A+ Advisory Committee for Fiscal Year 2009Carol Fritts, Coordinator of Media and Educational Technology, HCPSS (Co-Chair)Cari Gast, Head of Children’s and Teen Curriculum, HCLAnn Gilligan, Deputy Executive Director, HCLLaura Hook, Elementary ESOL Resource Teacher, HCPSSCindy Jones, Materials Management Coordinator, HCLMolly Kelley, Library Media Instructional Facilitator, HCPSSChristie Lassen, Director of Public Relations, HCLCourtnay Moore, Library Media Specialist, Glenwood Middle School, HCPSSMary Schiller, Partnerships Office and Educational Foundation Manager, HCPSSKelli Shimabukuro, Community Education and Partnership Coordinator, HCL (Co-Chair)Rita Snyder, A+ Partnership Liaison, HCLSharon Stein, Secondary Reading Facilitator, HCPSS

HCL and HCC A+ Advisory Committee for Fiscal Year 2009Lisa Bankman, Events and Seminars Manager, HCLLucy Gardner, Director of Teaching and Learning Services, HCCAnn Gilligan, Deputy Executive Director, HCLDr. Tara Hart, Division Chair of English & World Languages, HCCPatricia Keeton, Executive Director of Workforce Development, HCCChristie Lassen, Director of Public Relations, HCLBecky Lessey, Director of Basic Skills & Special Populations Programs, HCCTracie Palm, Coordinator of Co-Curricular Programs, HCCRebecca Price, Director, ESL & ELI, HCCJean Salkeld, Adult Curriculum Specialist, HCLKelli Shimabukuro, Community Education and Partnership Coordinator, HCL

Howard County LibraryAdministrative Offices6600 Cradlerock WayColumbia, MD 21045410.313.7750hclibrary.org