Finksburg branch

Carroll 250: Preserving and Sharing Home Movies

Home movies and amateur motion pictures are important records of our cultural heritage, both for the families who were documented, their local communities, our nation, and our world. Join us for this talk that discusses the cultural importance of home movies, resources to care for your home movies, and a screening of some select home movies from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. 

Siobhan Cernugelj Hagan is the Founder, President, and CEO of MARMIA, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive, a nonprofit based in Baltimore. Their mission is to preserve and provide access to moving images that document the arts, history, and culture of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region—including many home movies and amateur movies. Siobhan holds an M.A. in Moving Image Archiving and Preservation from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and has worked in a variety of organizations throughout her 15-year career, including the UCLA Library, the DC Public Library, and the Smithsonian Institution. 

This program is in partnership with the Carroll County Genealogical Society.

This program is part of the Carroll 250 Speaker Series celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250^th anniversary of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence.
 

Read and Play

Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.

Twos and Threes Together

This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Homeschooler Hangout: Painter's Palette

Prepare to paint a festive fall scene in this special Painter's Palette program for homeschoolers.

Pajama Party Storytime

Wear your pajamas, bring your favorite stuffed animal, and listen to stories before bed. This storytime introduces stories through books, songs, and activities appropriate for young children.

Family Storytime

We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.

Ready, Set, School!

This special storytime for preschoolers promotes pre-reading and school readiness skills. Get ready for kindergarten through books, songs, activities, and lots of fun! 

Finksburg Book Club: Heartwood

This month's selection is Heartwood by Amity Gaige.

Twos and Threes Together

This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Read and Play

Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.

Crochet for a Cause: Beanie Making Class

Q&A with the Small Business Administration

Pause for Paws: Therapy Animals for Adults & Seniors

Pause for a minute or two with a furry friend! A special quiet hour for adults and seniors to come to de-stress and relax with a therapy animal. Bring a book, bring pictures, and share good memories. Registration is optional; walk-ins are welcome!

Open Mah Jongg

Join us for a friendly game of American Mah Jongg. We welcome experienced players and newer players for casual, non-competitive play. Please bring a current National Mah Jongg League card. If you don’t have a card, one will be provided.

The American Mafia: Evolution of a Criminal Enterprise

Join guest speaker Paul Ruehs, a local history adjunct instructor, as he takes us through this fascinating history of the American mob from its beginnings to the present day. The Mafia conjures images of violence, secrecy, and strict codes of honor—but how did it all begin, and what’s happened to it now? This presentation will look at the origins and development in the context of Italian and American culture and society from the nineteenth century until the present day.  We will explore the mafia's rise from the 1880s to the post-World War II era. We will also discuss the true Godfather’s (Lucky Luciano) vision for a criminal organization based on a corporate business model and the creation of the famed “five families” that ruled this criminal enterprise and their defining characteristics. Lastly, is the Mafia still as strong as it once was, or is it a mere shadow of its former self? 

About the Presenter

Paul Ruehs is a seasoned security professional with over 45 years of experience in national security, law enforcement, and counterintelligence. He has served in both military and civilian roles, including 25 years in the USAF Security Police and leadership positions within the Department of Energy and Defense Intelligence Agency. He is a certified trainer with over 10,000 hours of classroom instruction, teaching at institutions like Carroll Community College and McDaniel College, and is a recognized expert in Operations Security (OPSEC), contributing to interagency panels and national symposiums. Holding a B.S. in History & Political Science and an M.A. in National Security Studies, Paul is also a published co-author and remains actively engaged in academic and security communities.

Spooky Storytime

It's Halloween time! Dress up in a costume and come hear spooky stories, sing spooky songs, and make a witch's brew!