Local members of Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City, a Sherlock Holmes literary society, will introduce Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's intrepid fictional detective and talk about his world, his adventures and why people around the world continue to read and write about him. Characters from the stories will make an appearance.
The program, to be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the east Columbia library, is to mark the start of a Sherlock Holmes essay contest for seventh-graders.
Contestants will be asked to read The Speckled Band, a Holmes story, and write a five-paragraph analytical essay about it. Contest rules are available at www.hclibrary.org.
Watson's Tin Box has created a booklet for contestants that includes the story, a glossary of British terms, essay questions and a contest entry form. Copies of the booklet will be available at Howard County libraries and on the library's Web site.
Entries are due to Watson's Tin Box by March 5. Winners will be announced in April. The contest is co-sponsored by Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Registration is required.
Information: 410-313-7700.
Adult book club to meet at east Columbia library
The east Columbia library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, will hold its Never Never Land Book Club for Adults at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
The group will discuss Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. The adult book discussion group focuses on juvenile and young adult fiction.
Information: 410-313-7700.