Harford County Public Library celebrates National Library Week April 6-12 by inviting members to stop by their favorite location to show how they are “Drawn to the Library!”

Whether it’s graphic novels, sketching, storytelling or discovering new reads, Harford County Public Library is the place for creativity and connection, according to HCPL.

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country every April, according to HCPL. This year’s theme is “Drawn to the Library!”

“This year’s National Library Week theme demonstrates how customers are ‘Drawn to the Library.’ We are a hub for the community and truly offer something for everyone, from young families to those searching for their next hobby or career opportunity to folks planning for retirement and beyond. Great books are our foundation, but the Library also provides many additional services that allow customers to explore new ideas and opportunities,” Mary Hastler, CEO of Harford County Public Library said in a release.

Activities are taking place during National Library Week including a performance by the Hoppin’ Hawks, a precision jump rope team at the Darlington Library on April 9; 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration at the Fallston Library on April 11; and Wordsmith Poetry at the Joppa Library on April 11.

Information about these programs and many others may be found at hcplonline.org.

12th annual Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk

The 12th Annual Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk, which raises funds for Cancer LifeNet will takes place at The John Carroll School at 703 E. Churchville Road in Bel Air, May 10 at 8 a.m.

Organized by UM Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation and its Chesapeake Cancer Alliance volunteers, the walk is held to celebrate, honor and remember those who have received a cancer diagnosis and recognize care providers, according to UM UCH. This year’s goal is to raise $125,000 to support Cancer LifeNet, located at the Kaufman Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air.

UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center is a University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health hospital; UM UCH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, according to UM UCH.

Cancer LifeNet’s annual operating budget of $1 million is funded solely through philanthropic support and is designed to help patients and their loved ones find the resources needed to balance work, family and cancer treatment, according to UM UCH. These free-of-charge, supportive care programs are offered to residents of Harford and Cecil counties, regardless of where they receive their cancer treatment. Since the walk’s founding in 2014, more than $1.4 million has been raised for Cancer LifeNet.

The Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk is a one mile walk around the John Carroll turf field and those who may not be up to walking are welcome to attend to witness and experience the feeling of community that participants remark on every year, according to UM UCH. The walk brings together many friends and neighbors who walk in teams or as individuals to support their friends and neighbors utilizing Cancer LifeNet.

Community members are invited to walk, donate and/or sponsor. Registration for adults is $25 and ages 12 and younger are free of charge. Participants who register and fundraise $50 or more will receive a commemorative giveaway item.

To sign up and learn more, visit givetoday.uchfoundation.org/AHCCW2025.

For questions, call the UM Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation at 443-643-3460 or email uchfoundation@umm.edu.