Civic Engagement

Join us in the magic of making an enchanted forest, as our community window art theme "Into the Woods" continues throughout 2026 at the Point of Rocks library. First, we made trees. Now we’re adding miniature woodland creatures and habitats for them.  Ideal for ages 8 and up. Younger ages will require adult supervision. No special skills necessary. Super fun for friends and families, groups or singles. Newcomers welcome! Participants can come and go anytime during the 2-hour program.

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Maryland authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie will talk about their new book, A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams. Copies of the books will be available to purchase through Curious Iguana.   

A map can tell you much more than how to get from point A to point B, they can show you firsthand how mapmakers over hundreds of years charted a changing landscape and a changing society. Get hands-on with maps from the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s historic collection, presented by Benjamin Egerman, and see how they can show us about everything from colonization and the Revolutionary War to industrialization and westward expansion, the Black experience, the World Wars and beyond!

Celebrate Citizen & Community Science Month this April with the Brunswick Green Team. This program introduces the City Nature Challenge, a global event where communities document the wild plants and animals around them to support biodiversity research. Learn more about local wildlife and discover how your observations can contribute to real scientific projects. Participants will receive a guided introduction to iNaturalist, the free app used by community scientists to identify species and record findings. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or brand new to the science community, this program will show you how simple it is to get involved.

In light of America’s 250th birthday this year, Curious Iguana is eager to welcome historian and author David O. Stewart  on Tuesday, June 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm. David will discuss his latest book, The Democracy We Must Keep with Holly Smith, editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books. Following their discussion, David will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Democracy We Must Keep will be available for purchase at the event.  This event is free and open to the public, hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. About the book: "A great scholar of the American past, David O. Stewart has brilliantly mined what has come before to guide us in our own, all-too-urgent American present. An important and timely volume." ~ Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The American Struggle What did America's founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America? Two hundred fifty years ago, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies, but on ideas where the people ruled. In The Democracy We Must Keep, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry's thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution. Through the words of seven visionary founders—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape. These men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy. That power must be limited. That leaders must answer to the people. That individual rights must be protected by law. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them. About the author: A trial and appellate lawyer for many years, David O. Stewart now writes history and historical novels. His five narrative histories have won seven awards from literary organizations, and his five historical novels include best-sellers. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books, of which he is the founding president. About the moderator: Holly Smith is editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books, as well as a college lecturer, longtime freelance writer, and proud “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist. Prior to joining the Independent, she was managing editor of Maryland Life magazine. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, CNBC.com , Salon, and elsewhere. She also co-authored the travel guide Seafood Lover’s Chesapeake Bay, which is ironic since she doesn’t eat fish. Find her on Bluesky at @‌HSmithWrites.

Join us for an inspiring 45-minute video presentation from Professor Doug Tallamy of Homegrown National Park. Learn how biodiversity is declining and what you can do to help, including simple, effective ways to create habitat and support wildlife.

Experience the ways that lines drawn on maps impact our representation and governance. Manipulate this power first-hand and see the consequences of your actions. For teens in grades 8-12.

July 1, 2026 is the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The bloodiest day in the British Army's history. The Somme offensive, however, was a diversion meant to relieve pressure on the French city of Verdun. There, the Germans had begun an offensive in Feb 1916 to bleed the French Army white. 1916 was a turning point in WWI. Belligerents on the Western Front began long, horrific battles of attrition. While much has been written about the impact of this bloody year on the fighting men, the consequences of "total war" on the civilian populations have been less studied. Historian Scott Hileman will give an overview of Verdun and the Somme before we see footage of the fighting in "Apocalypse WWI Part 03: Hell" (2016). Microbiologist Mark Chee will discuss how the incredible strains of the Great War exacerbated the eventual impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Back by popular demand! Have fun, make cards, listen to music, hang out! Come with friends or meet new ones. Cards will be donated to community-based health care and senior centers. Service hours available. Participants can come and go anytime during the 2-hour program as convenient. Plan to spend about an hour to make a card. Geared for ages 9 - 18.

Join us for a morning learning about fire safety. Meet some of our community firefighters, explore fire safety equipment, and learn about best practices to prevent and stay safe around fire. This is an adaptive program designed for adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Explore the ways that your values and civics influence each other. Work together to create a mural that reflects and integrates you and your values with the broad diversity of our community. No experience necessary! For teens and tweens in grades 4-12. Activities while supplies last. 

Don't Be Fooled! Scam Proof yourself and your loved ones. Join Long Term Care Ombudsman Jayme Duva to learn about the top 10 scams targeting older adults.  Learn how to protect yourself and family members about detecting and preventing fraud.  You will also find out who to contact if a scam has occurred and leave with resources to keep on hand or share.  

FCPL was recently selected as one of 50 libraries across the country to participate in TED Democracy. As a satellite location, FCPL will livestream the day-long TED event at New Spire Arts Stages in downtown Frederick. Attendees will be able to hear speakers as they discuss thought-provoking and educational experiences respecting individual views and honoring the spirit of dialogue established nearly 250 years ago. After the event, a panel discussion of local Frederick historians and thought leaders will engage the audience in a meaningful dialogue.

Help support a great cause by cutting yarn for The Magic Yarn Project! Participants will earn volunteer hours while preparing materials that will be used to create yarn wigs for children with medical hair loss.

Learn how to make plantable seed paper to share with the Walkersville community. Participants will earn service hours as they create seed paper that will be shared with visitors to the library.

Join a voting and democracy expert from the League of Women Voters as they explain the process and importance of voting and the democratic process. Ages 13+ 

Join Middletown Branch Librarians at the Middletown 50+ Community Center for trivia inspired by the 250th anniversary of our nation. 

Join Middletown Branch Librarians at the Middletown 50+ Community Center for trivia inspired by the 250th anniversary of our nation.  Middletown 50+ Community Center is located at: 101 Prospect Street Middletown, MD 21769

Through games, discussion, and interactive activities, tweens will learn positive ways to use their voices to advocate for themselves and their friends. The session highlights Heartly House, teen advocacy, and ways young people can stand up for respect and safety, including Project H.E.A.R.T.S. (for grades 4-8).

Teens, Families, Adults and Seniors: visit our Volunteer Fair to learn about amazing volunteer opportunities available in Frederick County including: Friends of Walkersville Library Glade Valley Community Services Sleep in Heavenly Peace Stream Link Education United Way Walk to End Alzheimer's and more!