Varsity Force

Makerspace

Glenwood Makerspace, where teens designed objects for 3D printing

Glenwood Makerspace, featuring a laser cutter/engraver for beginner projects

East Columbia Makerspace, where students use a Glowforge laser cutter and engraver to create printable keepsakes

At: Glenwood

Ages: Glenwood Makerspace, where teens designed objects for 3D printing

3D printing

3D printers are available at the Glenwood Makerspace for printing objects designed by participants

Students learn TinkerCAD, 3D modeling, and 3D printing in grades 6–12

At: Glenwood

Ages: Students learn TinkerCAD, 3D modeling, and 3D printing in grades 6–12

Laser, CNC and vinyl cutting

Glenwood Makerspace has a laser cutter/engraver; a beginner program creates custom wood or acrylic keychains

East Columbia Makerspace uses a Glowforge laser cutter and engraver

Participants ages 11+ use a Cricut machine to cut vinyl sticker designs for customized journals

At: Glenwood

Ages: Participants ages 11+ use a Cricut machine to cut vinyl sticker designs for customized journals

Sewing and textiles

Sewing machines are available to borrow through the DIY collection, though only a small number are available

Ages 14–18 in grades 9–12 can learn sewing-machine basics in a five-session class with sewing machines, tools, and fabric provided

An adult sewing-machine basics program is available for ages 21+ and teaches participants to use their own or a borrowed machine

Ages: Ages 14–18 in grades 9–12 can learn sewing-machine basics in a five-session class with sewing machines, tools, and fabric provided | An adult sewing-machine basics program is available for ages 21+ and teaches participants to use their own or a borrowed machine

Recording studio

The Savage Branch A/V Studio offers teens in grades 6–12 drop-in equipment use to record and mix music, with help from a HiTech Instructor; registration is required

HCLS HoCoCast is a teen podcast from Howard County Library System

At: Savage

Ages: The Savage Branch A/V Studio offers teens in grades 6–12 drop-in equipment use to record and mix music, with help from a HiTech Instructor | HCLS HoCoCast is a teen podcast from Howard County Library System

Video production

The Savage Branch A/V Studio lets teens use equipment to create and edit movies, with help from a HiTech Instructor; registration is required

At: Savage

Ages: The Savage Branch A/V Studio lets teens use equipment to create and edit movies, with help from a HiTech Instructor

Creative software

Linux computers with LibreOffice Suite, including word-processing software, are available at Elkridge Branch

Linux computers with LibreOffice Suite are available at Glenwood Branch

TinkerCAD is used for 3D modeling and 3D printing instruction

Sketchbook Pro is used for illustration activities

At: Elkridge, Glenwood

Ages: Adobe Express is used in a teen workshop to create a scrolling web page | LinkedIn Learning for Library offers more than 16,000 on-demand video classes and is available only to people ages 16 and up

Kids' STEM

HCLS Robotics Club is an FTC program involving coding, design, building, and programming a robot; sessions were held at Miller Branch for middle- and high-school students

Beginning Modular Robotics for ages 11–13 uses Cubelets in group challenges and is designed for beginners

The HCLS Robotics Team participates in FTC, with students building and programming a robot and marketing the team

AI and Machine Language for grades 6–12 uses an interactive programmable AI robot and explores generative AI, programming, and robotics

At: Miller

Ages: Beginning Modular Robotics for ages 11–13 uses Cubelets in group challenges and is designed for beginners | AI and Machine Language for grades 6–12 uses an interactive programmable AI robot and explores generative AI, programming, and robotics | Students in grades 6–12 can program a squadron of drones using block coding | Ages 6–12 can participate in a hydroponics program about growing food withou

Homework help

HCLS supplements homework and research assistance by working closely with students’ school media centers; Instructor & Research Specialists are available to work with students

Brainfuse SkillSurfer provides lessons, videos, and skills development for grades 6–12 in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies

Khan Academy provides free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard for all grades

Cost: Khan Academy provides free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard for all grades

Ages: Brainfuse SkillSurfer provides lessons, videos, and skills development for grades 6–12 in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies | Khan Academy provides free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard for all grades

Career resources

Cisco Networking Academy supports preparation for technology careers and digital literacy

Gale Courses offers more than 300 six-week online classes on topics ranging from business to hobbies

LinkedIn Learning for Library offers more than 16,000 classes covering technical skills, creative techniques, and business strategies; it is available to ages 16+

Peterson’s Test and Career Prep includes scholarship and college-search tools plus preparation for SAT, ACT, GED, and major job tests

Ages: it is available to ages 16+

Nature and farm programmes

The DIY collection includes gardening tools

The Howard County Seed Library provides free seeds so people can build gardens or greenspaces

A hydroponics program teaches grades 6–12 about plant structure and growing food without soil

Cost: The Howard County Seed Library provides free seeds so people can build gardens or greenspaces

Ages: A hydroponics program teaches grades 6–12 about plant structure and growing food without soil

Library of Things

HCLS offers free, easy-to-borrow tech, toys, tools, and more

Elkridge’s DIY collection includes household-repair tools, gardening tools, and bike-maintenance tools

Sewing machines are available to borrow from the DIY collection, with only a small number available

At: Elkridge

Cost: HCLS offers free, easy-to-borrow tech, toys, tools, and more

Proctoring and testing

LearningExpress Library provides practice tests for AP, GED, SAT, graduate-school entrance exams, and various jobs

Peterson’s Test and Career Prep provides SAT, ACT, GED, and major job-test preparation, including practice tests and question banks

SAT preparation includes math-skills improvement, practice tests, test-anxiety support, and test-day guidance

Teen space

A new teen zone offers activities and events for teens

Teen Live! at Glenwood included a teen branch takeover with remote-control car racing and other activities

The Teen Scene Magazine Committee lets ages 11–18 join a teen-led magazine and write for it

HCLS HoCoCast is a teen podcast

At: Savage, Glenwood

Ages: A new teen zone offers activities and events for teens | Teen Live! at Glenwood included a teen branch takeover with remote-control car racing and other activities | The Teen Scene Magazine Committee lets ages 11–18 join a teen-led magazine and write for it | HCLS HoCoCast is a teen podcast

Gaming, esports and VR

A family Video Game Night is listed by HCLS

Game Fest at Central is listed by HCLS

A Pokémon Go Party is listed by HCLS