December is a time when many in our community celebrate traditions and gather, whether at home, in a religious community or at another gathering place like the library. In Anne Arundel County, the faith community and the library are committed to having a positive impact on the quality of life of our residents. At a recent presentation of the Community Foundation’s Poverty Amidst Plenty Needs Assessment, study author Dr. Pamela Brown stated that we “couldn’t do the work we are doing without our faith community.”
One of the ways AACPL supports Anne Arundel's faith community is by serving on the Inter-Faith Advisory Council, a group of leaders that advises the County Executive on issues, resources and best practices that impact their congregations. It is made up of 19 representatives from a variety of churches, temples, mosques and other faith communities. Cathy Hollerbach, the Chief Operating Officer of AACPL, serves as an Ex-Officio representative on the Council. She attends the meetings to learn about the work that the faith leaders are doing and the challenges they share while offering information and support from the library.
Reverend Gay Green-Carden, Pastor of the Asbury Jessup United Methodist Church and Chair of the Interfaith Advisory Council, recently shared the following: “The mission of the Anne Arundel County Inter-Faith Advisory Council is to build a beloved community amongst ourselves, county officials and employees and the citizens of Anne Arundel County by learning, strengthening and growing our relationships with one another; and by sharing the needs and desires from the many constituents we serve inside and outside our faith communities. The diversity in our spiritual walk enables this community to mirror the diverse communities we serve.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inter-Faith Advisory Council made this video encouraging community members to get vaccinated. They knew that hearing from trusted faith leaders would help those who may have been reluctant to take this important step. When a local church was targeted with racist graffiti, the members rallied to provide support and encouragement.
AACPL is committed to being a safe place for community members of all religions and beliefs, or those who practice no religion at all. Seasonal and holiday decorations will start appearing at library branches, reflecting a diversity of religious perspectives and practices. Holiday storytimes are always popular and include books, songs and crafts from many faith traditions and winter favorites about snow, polar bears, mittens, ice skating and more. Attend a winter holiday program to learn about other cultures and their practices, celebrate with others or just enjoy a craft or watch a movie. We will be hosting programs for all ages including gift wrapping sessions, cookie exchanges and decorating parties, a Winter Solstice celebration, Nutcracker Storytime, an ornament workshop, a Kwanzaa program, and more.
Our extensive collections of books and electronic resources provide an abundance of information about religious holidays and the history and practice of those holidays throughout the world.
The holidays are a time of gathering and celebration, but they can also cause stress and financial strain. The Community Pantry at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall provides diapers, wipes, menstrual products and more, and is open the first Tuesday of the month from 6 – 7 PM and the first Saturday of the month from 10 – 12. Social workers are available at 5 libraries on specified days and times. Library staff at all branches can provide customers with information about where to go for other services.
Join us at the library and celebrate the warmth and traditions of the season where all are welcome. Happy holidays!