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Registration now closed

Veterans Book Group

2024-02-03 14:00:00 2024-02-03 16:45:00 America/New_York Veterans Book Group 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. Lexington Park Library - Longfellow Room

Saturday, February 03
2:00pm - 4:45pm

Lexington Park Library

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 book discussion series is tailored for veterans and their families. Service members of all eras, their spouses, and adult children are welcome. We will read and discuss three books written in very different styles but connected by themes of war, courage, honor, and trauma. Meetings will be held the first Saturday of the month 2-4 p.m. at Lexington Park library. Participants should plan to attend all sessions. Materials provided. Book descriptions are from Barnes & Nobles unless otherwise noted.
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with St. Mary’s County Library. It is supported in part by Lockheed Martin, David Bruce Smith, and the Wawa Foundation.

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

Reading List
March 02:The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • A “heart-stopping account of the events leading up to 9/11” (The New York Times Book Review), this definitive history explains in gripping detail the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence failures that culminated in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Packed with new information and a deep historical perspective, The Looming Tower is a sweeping, unprecedented history of the long road to September 11.

Len Deighton — one of the masters of twentieth-century espionage fiction — combines his expertise as both historian and novelist in Bomber, the classic World War II novel that relates, in devastating detail, the twenty-four-hour story of an allied bombing raid. Told through the eyes of protag­onists on all sides and astonishingly precise in its depictions of planes, weapons, and behind-the-scenes war strategy, this is Len Deighton at his best. An unforgettable portrait of war, both in the air and on the ground.

and
The moving story of how a small group of people—including two Vietnam veterans—forced the U.S. government to take responsibility for the ongoing horrors—agent orange and unexploded munitions—inflicted on the Vietnamese. George Black recounts the inspirational story of the small cast of characters—veterans, scientists, and Quaker-inspired pacifists, and their Vietnamese partners—who used their moral authority, scientific and political ingenuity, and sheer persistence to attempt to heal the horrors that were left in the wake of the military engagement in Southeast Asia. Their intersecting story is one of reconciliation and personal redemption, embedded in a vivid portrait of Vietnam today, with all its startling collisions between past and present, in which one-time mortal enemies, in the endless shape-shifting of geopolitics, have been transformed into close allies and partners. 

The Long Reckoning is being published on the fiftieth anniversary of the day the last American combat soldier left Vietnam.

AGE GROUP: | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | Books & Reading |

TAGS: | |

Lexington Park Library

Phone: 301-863-8188

Hours
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Mon, Sep 21 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Sep 22 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Sep 23 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Sep 24 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Sep 25 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Sep 26 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Sep 27 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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Cancelled
Wed, Sep 23, 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, Sep 23, 10:00am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Designed for preschoolers who are ready to step up to longer stories and more complex activities. 

Wed, Sep 23, 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, Sep 23, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Learn a traditional bookbinding technique as you sew and customize a journal that reflects your personality. Registration required.
This event is full

Thu, Sep 24, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Thu, Sep 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Thu, Sep 24, 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, Sep 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B
Meet new friends, create and build new things, or just chill out and snack as we enjoy the month's activities. Second Thursdays are Arts themed while Fourth Thursdays are STEM based.

Fri, Sep 25, 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.

Mon, Sep 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Everyone needs a bit of time to relax and create. Drop in and paint with your fellow library users. Chat and make friends, or paint on your own - however you feel that day.

Tue, Sep 29, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Tue, Sep 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Tue, Sep 29, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lobby
Here to provide homeless and at-risk services including immediate resources, shelter waitlist placement, and referrals for social services.

Wed, Sep 30, 10:00am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Designed for preschoolers who are ready to step up to longer stories and more complex activities. 

Wed, Sep 30, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Meeting Room B
Designed for neurodiverse children and families who may find traditional storytimes overwhelming.

Wed, Sep 30, 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, Sep 30, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Take your crafting to the next level by assembling and binding a mini book from scratch. Registration is required.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 01, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Thu, Oct 01, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A
Experts from Southern Maryland Job Source are here to help you on your job search journey!

Thu, Oct 01, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Thu, Oct 01, 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, Oct 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Longfellow Room
Experts from Southern Maryland Job Source are here to help you on your job search journey!
Register

Fri, Oct 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
A hands-on rock painting workshop in our new Makerspace, where participants can explore painting techniques and vibrant colors with smooth river or garden stones.
This event is full

Fri, Oct 02, 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, Oct 03, 11:00am - 4:30pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Free radKIDS Personal Empowerment Safety Education: Kids 8 -12 years of age (siblings 7 & 13 years permitted). Taught by Darlene Gentry. Co-sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church.
Register

Sun, Oct 04, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Free radKIDS Personal Empowerment Safety Education: Kids 8 -12 years of age (siblings 7 & 13 years permitted). Taught by Darlene Gentry. Co-sponsored by Lexington Park Baptist Church.
Register

Mon, Oct 05, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Meet and greet general election candidates in the lobby of the library from 4:30-5:30 and then join us to ask questions during the forum starting at 5:40.

Tue, Oct 06, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Tue, Oct 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Wed, Oct 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Designed for preschoolers who are ready to step up to longer stories and more complex activities. 

Wed, Oct 07, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Meet and greet general election candidates in the lobby of the library from 4:30-5:30 and then join us to ask questions during the forum starting at 5:40.

Thu, Oct 08, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Thu, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Thu, Oct 08, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Drop in to make your own friendship bracelet with our beads and embroidery thread!

Thu, Oct 08, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B
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, Oct 08, 5:15pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Meet and greet general election candidates in the lobby of the library from 4:30-5:30 and then join us to ask questions during the forum starting at 5:40.

Fri, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room B
Stories and activities designed to get kids ready for life and self-care activities such as dressing, potty training, brushing teeth, eating lunch at school and more!
Registration opens Friday, September 25 2026 at 10:30am

Fri, Oct 09, 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, Oct 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Get creative with diamond art. Make a diamond art bookmark without a pattern just for fun. It doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be sparkly!

Sun, Oct 11, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Turn sound into color! An all ages event to explore how different styles of music can inspire unique works of art.

Tue, Oct 13, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Tue, Oct 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Tue, Oct 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
You are invited to a cozy, open-hearted gathering to share goals reached, what you’re still working toward, and what’s inspired you along the way. Register for notifications. Walk-ins welcome.

Tue, Oct 13, 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
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, Oct 14, 10:00am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Designed for preschoolers who are ready to step up to longer stories and more complex activities. 

Wed, Oct 14, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Creating something 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.

Thu, Oct 15, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Lobby
Representatives will be here to educate and assist those who are seeking low-cost or free health insurance options through Maryland Health Connection.

Thu, Oct 15, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Thu, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Thu, Oct 15, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
A discussion group for the 2026 One Maryland One Book pick!

Fri, Oct 16, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Have your little one make a clay pot to take home!

Fri, Oct 16, 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, Oct 17, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Use our chomp saw to make your Halloween costumes!

Sat, Oct 17, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Lexington Park Makerspace
Learn how to preserve your harvest bounty and make shelf-stable foods.
Registration opens Saturday, October 3 2026 at 1:00pm

Sun, Oct 18, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Meeting Room A,Meeting Room B
We’ll be hosting a special “Sidewalk Astronomy” open house, presented by SMAS!

Mon, Oct 19, 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.

Mon, Oct 19, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting Rooms A&B
Pack bags for survivors of domestic violence and stay for a discussion on healthy relationships and resources for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.
Register

Tue, Oct 20, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Tue, Oct 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Tue, Oct 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Longfellow Room
No experience needed! Characters will be provided for ease of adventure. We'll have a Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Game every time, while we may have new games to teach as well.
Registration opens Tuesday, October 6 2026 at 5:30pm

Wed, Oct 21, 10:00am - 10:30am
Meeting Room B
Designed for preschoolers who are ready to step up to longer stories and more complex activities. 

Wed, Oct 21, 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, Oct 22, 9:30am - 10:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for infants to sit with their grownups reading lap-sit stories & rhymes, followed by playtime with baby-safe toys.

Thu, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B
Designed for curious toddlers who are learning to walk, talk, and are eager to explore with their grownups. 

Thu, Oct 22, 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, Oct 22, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B
Meet new friends, create and build new things, or just chill out and snack as we enjoy the month's activities. Second Thursdays are Arts themed while Fourth Thursdays are STEM based.

Thu, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room B
Play three spine-chilling rounds of trivia for the chance to win prizes! Receive extra points for dressing up in your most frightening finery!
Registration opens Thursday, October 8 2026 at 6:00pm

Fri, Oct 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Meeting Room B,Meeting Rooms A&B
Construct ramps, engineer marble runs, and conduct experiments to find out what rolls, what slides, and how to make things roll faster and further.

Fri, Oct 23, 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.