Kent County Public Library’s summer reading program is back!

This year’s theme, A Universe of Stories, creates the opportunity for kids to explore the galaxy through books, special events, and the ever-popular summer reading game.

The excitement kicks off on Monday, June 24th with three performances by David Darwin, One Man Sideshow.  From juggling to fire eating, plate spinning to unicycling, this not to be missed family-friendly performance will take place at all three KCPL locations –North County at 11am, Rock Hall at 2:30pm, and Chestertown at 6pm.

KCPL’s calendar is packed with programs all summer long, including making a spectroscope to explore the science of visible light, creating galactic pendants, several family films, special after-hours storytimes, and making space slime.  This summer’s featured performances include The Insane Science of Fairyland, “The Sky is Not the Limit” with Story Tapestries, “Aliens!” by Sciencetellers, and the legendary Mr. Sam’s Nursery Rhyme Rock Concert.

This year’s A Universe of Stories summer reading game is full of activities and reading adventures designed to keep young brains engaged and curious.  Players complete activities to earn points and redeem them for prizes, including books, art kits, Orioles and Shorebird baseball tickets, gift cards, and more.  At the end of the summer, all players who have redeemed at least 50 points will be entered in the grand prize raffle drawing!  Kids can vote for what the grand prize will be–a telescope or a Chromebook–when they sign up to play the game.  Registration is open at all KCPL locations and points can be redeemed through August 31st.

Kent County Public Library’s summer reading program is made possible in part by the 2019 Library Readers Reach for the Stars grant from the PNC Foundation.

For more information about the summer reading game and the many special events happening at KCPL this summer, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

Reverend Willie Maxwell was a rural preacher accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money in the 1970s. With the help of a savvy lawyer, he escaped justice for years until a relative shot him dead at the funeral of his last victim. Despite hundreds of witnesses, Maxwell’s murderer was acquitted–thanks to the same attorney who had previously defended the Reverend.

Author Harper Lee was fascinated by this true-crime tale unfolding in her native Alabama and spent years working on writing her own version of the case, but that book was never finished.

Now debut author Casey Cep has brought the story to life, from the shocking murders to the courtroom drama to the racial politics of the Deep South. Her newly published book, Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, also offers a deeply moving portrait of one of the country’s most beloved writers and her struggle with fame, success, and the mystery of artistic creativity.

On Saturday, June 1, Casey Cep will speak about the “beautiful, sobering, and sometimes chilling” story at Kent County Public Library’s Chestertown Branch.

The talk will be followed by a catered reception and book signing. A limited number of copies of Ms. Cep’s book, Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, will be available for purchase.

This event is made possible due to the generosity of the Friends of Kent County Public Library. For more information about the Friends, visit friendsofthekcpl.org

Space is limited. To reserve your virtual ticket for this FREE event, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

Strategy! Hilarity! Meeples! That’s right, it’s another board game night at Kent County Public Library.

If Monopoly and Scrabble are what come to mind when you think about board games, this program is an excellent opportunity to experience the landscape of modern board games. Whether you enjoy storytelling, multi-layered strategy, collaborative problem-solving, or fast-paced competition, there’s a game for everyone!

Gamers of all experience levels are welcome to try out the newest games in KCPL’s collection, including Sushi Go!, Topiary, The Fox and the Forest, Azul, and Love Letter, at this casual evening of board games.

Can’t make it to the program? You can use your library card to borrow board games to play at home.

For more information about this and other upcoming programs, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410-778-3636.

Wednesday, March 27 | 6-8pm
Kent County Public Library | Chestertown Branch

Whether you describe yourself as an artist or haven’t attempted art since elementary school, Happiness Hour is an invitation for grown-ups to explore their powers of creativity. No special talents or previous experience is needed for this hour of dabbling in crafting. Join us to try your hand at something new and leave a little happier than you arrived!

Celebrate the start of spring by learning simple techniques for creating two types of multi-colored paper flower. All supplies will be provided for this FREE program. Space is limited and registration is required.

Adults and teens are welcome at Happiness Hour.

For more information or to register, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.648.5380.

Saturday, March 16 | 11am
Kent County Public Library | North County Branch

From 1962-1964, human rights activist Gloria Richardson was a leader of the Cambridge Movement, a social justice campaign that took place in Dorchester County. The radical political vision and varied tactics Richardson embraced affected the meaning of Black liberation and the understanding of how it could be achieved.

On Saturday, March 2nd, Dr. Joseph R. Fitzgerald will explore Richardson’s leadership and its lasting impact in a talk held at Kent County Public Library’s Chestertown Branch.

Dr. Fitzgerald is an assistant professor of history and political science at Cabrini University, where he also coordinates its Black Studies program. He holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Black Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Fitzgerald specializes in critical race feminism, and the Civil Rights and Black Power Waves of the modern Black Liberation Movement. His biography of Gloria Richardson, The Struggle is Eternal: Gloria Richardson and Black Liberation, was published in December 2018.

Presented in partnership by Kent County Public Library, the League of Women Voters of Kent County, and Sumner Hall, this talk is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

March 2, 2019 | 10am
Kent County Public Library | Chestertown Branch

Come one, come all, and join the fun!
We’ll jump and skip, bounce, sing and run!
Whether it rains, or “weather” it’s sunny,
There will be lots of good fun that is funny!
You should not, would not want to miss,
A celebration quite like this!

Kent County Public Library celebrates reading and early literacy all year long. However, there are some extra special days, including the birthday of Dr. Seuss! It will be a party like no other with cake, stories, balloons, songs, Seuss-ian crafts, goodie bags, and more.

For more information, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

Friday, March 1 | 5:30pm
Kent County Public Library | Chestertown branch
Ages 2-6

The late Ann Wilmer Hoon was known to many in the Kent County community through her dedication and commitment to many local civic groups.  In celebration of her decades of dedication, enthusiasm, and spirited involvement with the League of Women Voters of Kent County, including several years as co-president, the current LWV Board has made a memorial contribution to Kent County Public Library, another local organization Mrs. Hoon strongly supported.

LWV member Sandra Bjork, KCPL Executive Director Jackie Adams, Ann Wilmer Hoon’s son Phillip Hoon, and LWV member Linda Reed.

Working with librarians at Kent County Public Library, the LWV Board identified and selected several titles that exemplify Ann Wilmer Hoon’s support of political literacy, civic engagement, and lifelong learning for all: 

• Becoming a Citizen Activist: Stories, Strategies, and Advice for Changing Our World by Nick Licata

• Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America by Ari Berman

• American Government 101: From the Continental Congress to the Iowa Caucus, Everything You Need to Know About U.S. Politics by Kathleen Sears

These books are now a part of the collection at Kent County Public Library and are available to be checked out.

Kent County Public Library cards are available to all Maryland residents at no cost.  For more information about setting up a library account or to place a hold on any of these books, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

If you’re feeling love is in the air, Kent County Public Library can help you turn that feeling into something tangible, unique, and made by you!

Recycled Valentines & Handmade Envelopes
Happiness Hour: Creative Time for Grown-Ups

Happiness Hour is a time for grown-ups to explore their powers of creativity. Join us to try your hand at something new and leave a little happier than you arrived!

Express your love, affection, and admiration for special people in your life by creating one-of-a-kind valentines that you can mail in unique handmade envelopes. All supplies will be provided for this FREE program. Space is limited and registration is required.

Wednesday, February 6 | 6pm
Kent County Public Library | Chestertown Branch

Paper Towel Roses
February isn’t the best time for picking flowers, but you can create a fantastic bouquet any time of year! We’ll be turning paper towels into delicate blooming roses at this drop-in program for kids and teens of all ages.

Wednesday, February 13 | 3pm

For more information about these programs or to register for Happiness Hour, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

Modern board games run the gamut from collaborative storytelling to clever scheming to remembering (or wildly guessing) historical facts. In short, there’s something for everyone.

Join us for a casual evening of board games and an opportunity to try out the newest games in KCPL’s collection, including Sushi Go!, Topiary, The Fox and the Forest, Azul, and Love Letter. There will be strategy, hilarity, meeples, and more! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome.

For more information about upcoming programs, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410-778-3636.

Wednesday, January 23 | 6-8pm
Kent County Public Library | Chestertown Branch