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A rocking chair and headshots of two women, one white woman with glasses and curly blond hair, one Black woman with glasses and braids

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Front Porch Stories

Ethnographic Oral Histories

2026-04-11 10:00:00 2026-04-11 12:30:00 America/New_York Front Porch Stories An interactive training program rooted in the tradition of gathering stories in informal, welcoming spaces. Lexington Park Library - Meeting Room B

Saturday, April 11
10:00am - 12:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-04-11 10:00:00 2026-04-11 12:30:00 America/New_York Front Porch Stories An interactive training program rooted in the tradition of gathering stories in informal, welcoming spaces. Lexington Park Library - Meeting Room B

Lexington Park Library

Meeting Room B

An interactive training program rooted in the tradition of gathering stories in informal, welcoming spaces.

Front Porch Stories invites you to learn the fundamentals of ethnographic research and oral history methods including developing a research focus and interview guides, interviewing and recording techniques, analyzing themes, creating safe and inviting spaces, and more!

Dr. Linda J. Mann, PhD is the co-founder and Director of AARN. She is a leading executive director and researcher on racial redress initiatives at the intersection of U.S. history and international human rights. Dr. Mann is the recipient of the 2024-2025 Fulbright EU Schuman award. Currently, she serves as Executive Director at OUDC and is also an Adjunct Senior Researcher at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Previously she served as the Executive Director for the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project at Northeastern University’s School of Law and VP of Research for the Georgetown Memory Project. Dr. Mann has written widely about local and state reparative justice, descendant engagement, and maximizing justice potentials.


Kayla Edwards-Scott is a former high school history teacher and third-year law student at Howard University. As a student, she has served as a student attorney in the Movement Lawyering Clinic and policy intern with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She is committed to using the law as a tool to support the movement for reparations and justice.

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Please feel free to bring in an object of great significance to you for an activity we have planned!

Registration is not required to attend--register to receive an email reminder, all walk-ins are welcome.

AGE GROUP: | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | History & Genealogy |

TAGS: | |

Lexington Park Library

Phone: 301-863-8188

Hours
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Mon, May 18 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 19 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 20 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 21 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 22 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 23 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 24 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

If you need special accommodations for any Library event or program, please submit our Accommodations Request form as soon as possible.

Upcoming events

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Tue, May 19, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, bounces, songs, and playtime for children birth-2 years with their adult caregivers.

Tue, May 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Tue, May 19, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation.

Tue, May 19, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
No experience needed! Characters will be provided for ease of adventure. We'll have a D&D 5e Game every time, while we may have new games to teach as well.
Registration is now closed

Wed, May 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Wed, May 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Longfellow Room
The St. Mary’s County Circuit Court offers a free Family Law Self Help Legal Clinic to provide legal assistance/advice regarding family law.

Thu, May 21, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Longfellow Room
Representatives will be here to educate and assist those who are seeking low-cost or free health insurance options through Maryland Health Connection.

Thu, May 21, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, bounces, songs, and playtime for children birth-2 years with their adult caregivers.

Thu, May 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Thu, May 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at our Library!
Register

Fri, May 22, 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Children's Area
It's a beautiful day in our children's book neighborhood. Stop by, pick a book off the shelf, and be read to by our librarian of the day.

Sat, May 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room B
Expand your literary palate in a fun, interactive “fine‑dining” style experience! Registration is required to attend this program.

Tue, May 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Longfellow Room
Thinking about buying a house? Come have a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amy Scott, Owner of OE Realty, and her team about buying a home in Maryland.

Wed, May 27, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help,search for jobs, and get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange.

Wed, May 27, 10:00am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
It doesn't matter if you are starting, finishing, or somewhere in the middle. Celebrate our goal of reading 500 books by age 5! A special storytime, picture book themed activities, and literacy joy!

Wed, May 27, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Meeting Room B
Designed for neurodiverse library users, their caregivers, siblings, companions, & friends. Picture books, songs, and activities offered with lower lights, lower volume, and in a no-judgement zone.

Wed, May 27, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Longfellow Room
The St. Mary’s County Circuit Court offers a free Family Law Self Help Legal Clinic to provide legal assistance/advice regarding family law.

Thu, May 28, 9:30am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Come for a social happy hour of tummy time with your baby! We will have mats for comfort and toys for play. Chat with other care givers as your littlest ones explore!

Thu, May 28, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Meeting Room B
Everyone needs a bit of time to relax and create. Come and paint with your fellow library users. Chat and make friends, or paint on your own - however you feel that day.

Thu, May 28, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Longfellow Room
Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us every second and fourth Thursday. Alternating Art (second week) and STEM activities (fourth week), plus more! No registration required!

Tue, Jun 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Rooms A&B
Collaborative art, sensory play, fine motor and early learning activities to get kids playing! Dress for a mess!

Tue, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Join us for a Nature Walk led by Master Gardner and Master Naturalist Molly Moore!

Wed, Jun 03, 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Meet and greet primary election candidates in the lobby of the library from 4:30-5:30 and then join us to ask questions of the Democratic Party candidates starting at 5:50.

Thu, Jun 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Lobby
Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center team members will be on site to exchange positivity and engage on everyday wellness fun facts.

Thu, Jun 04, 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Meet and greet primary election candidates in the lobby of the library from 4:30-5:30 and then join us to ask questions of the Republican Party candidates starting at 5:50.

Thu, Jun 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Lobby
Have questions about growing vegetables, soil conditions, mystery insects, invasive weeds, or heirloom plants? Ask a Master Gardener!

Fri, Jun 05, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children's Area
It's a beautiful day in our children's book neighborhood. Stop by, pick a book off the shelf, and be read to by our librarian of the day.

Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A
An all-ages chess social hang-out! Drop in and out to play as needed, no experience required. Staff will be available to assist those who haven't played before.

Sat, Jun 06, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Longfellow Room
A book discussion series for veterans led by Vietnam Veteran Wayne Karlin. Registration required; space is limited. For more information contact Kimberlé Fields at 301-863-8188 or kfields@stmalib.org.
This event is full

Mon, Jun 08, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Longfellow Room
Calling all teen writers! Participate in a workshop with Tracy Gatton from the Maryland Writer's Association designed to improve your worldbuilding, character creation, and writing skills!

Mon, Jun 08, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
Art doesn't have to be intimidating, or time consuming. Instead, it can be a chance to explore creativity, the ability to make mistakes, and an opportunity to try something new.
Registration opens Monday, May 25 2026 at 5:30pm

Tue, Jun 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A
Experts from the Maryland Department of Labor are here to help you on your job search journey!

Tue, Jun 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lobby
Community health advocates will be in the lobby to talk about health and wellness services through the hospital.

Tue, Jun 09, 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Meeting Room B
Whether you have been stitching for years, or you just want to learn, join fellow crafters who love all things fabric and fiber. Register to receive email/text reminders. Walk-in's welcome!

Wed, Jun 10, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room A
Real questions. Real help. Drop in on the second Wednesday of the summer months! No Registration required

Thu, Jun 11, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Longfellow Room
Teens and tweens are invited to come vibe with us every second and fourth Thursday. Alternating Art (second week) and STEM activities (fourth week), plus more! No registration required!

Thu, Jun 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
Enter a calm, welcoming space where creativity can bloom!
Registration opens Thursday, May 28 2026 at 6:00pm

Fri, Jun 12, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children's Area
It's a beautiful day in our children's book neighborhood. Stop by, pick a book off the shelf, and be read to by our librarian of the day.

Sun, Jun 14, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Join musician Mr. Jon and his puppet friend George the Monkey for a low-stress family concert designed especially for kids with sensory sensitivities, during the quiet hour before the Library opens.

Sun, Jun 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Join musician Mr. Jon and his puppet friend George the Monkey for a high-energy family concert, and come ready to DANCE!

Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Lobby
A representative of the Maryland Dept. of Labor will be in the lobby to connect veterans and the general public to employment services.

Tue, Jun 16, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, bounces, songs, and playtime for children birth-2 years with their adult caregivers.

Tue, Jun 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Tue, Jun 16, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Join us for learning-based crafts, games, and activities as we play our way to developing valuable school readiness skills such as fine motor control, following directions, and group participation.

Tue, Jun 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
No experience needed! Characters will be provided for ease of adventure. We'll have a D&D 5e Game every time, while we may have new games to teach as well.
Registration opens Tuesday, June 2 2026 at 5:30pm

Wed, Jun 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Wed, Jun 17, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room B
Add a pop of color to our sidewalks and patio! Use our sidewalk chalk to decorate our entrance at this family-friendly event. Dress for a mess!

Wed, Jun 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A
We supply the “bricks,” you bring the imagination! Come and build something amazing with our thousands of LEGO and Duplo pieces. This is a drop-in style program with no registration required.

Wed, Jun 17, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Longfellow Room
The St. Mary’s County Circuit Court offers a free Family Law Self Help Legal Clinic to provide legal assistance/advice regarding family law.

Wed, Jun 17, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
Join us for a special event on Women's Health! This session will be bilingual. ¡Únase a nosotros en un evento especial sobre la salud de la mujer! Esta sesión será bilingüe. 

Thu, Jun 18, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Longfellow Room
Representatives will be here to educate and assist those who are seeking low-cost or free health insurance options through Maryland Health Connection.

Thu, Jun 18, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, bounces, songs, and playtime for children birth-2 years with their adult caregivers.

Thu, Jun 18, 10:00am - 12:00pm
It’s hip. It’s happening. It’s a tie-dye block party. Join us and make your very own groovy garment. Ages 8 to 18.
Register

Thu, Jun 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Stories, rhymes, songs, and activities planned with ages 1-5 in mind; all children welcome with their adult caregivers.

Thu, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room B
Learn to use the Cricut die-cutter machine and leave with your own keychain or cup!
Registration opens Thursday, June 4 2026 at 5:00pm