Evening in the Stacks is Back! Our 2022 Recap of the Themed Fundraising Event

Each year, the Howard County Library System’s Evening in the Stacks is one of our most anticipated events. Admittedly, this year felt a little extra special as we shifted back to an in-person configuration after a successful virtual edition of the event in 2021. If you are just hearing of Evening in the Stacks for the first time, this annual HCLS event exists to foster a connection with the Howard County community and raise funds for an initiative of the library system’s choosing. This year, the event raised funds to create welcoming and inviting spaces for teens throughout the six branches of HCLS.

An Authentic Journey “Across Africa”

The theme for this year’s Evening in the Stacks was, “Across Africa”. Because our team has never been to Africa, nor studied its rich and diverse economies, histories, and cultures, we knew that preparation for this event would be a challenge. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge we were excited to dive into! Above all, we wanted to give the guests an authentic experience, which took a lot of research and preparation! Here are a few things we did throughout the planning process to create a memorable Evening in the Stacks:

  • Researched the cultures, architecture, fashion, foods, and history throughout the continent.

  • Contacted local chefs at local restaurants (Koshary Corner and Motherland Kitchen) to prepare delicious, culturally appropriate cuisine for the evening.

  • Contacted KanKouran West African Dance Company, who put on an authentic dance performance throughout the cocktail hour.

  • Sourced authentic market baskets which were made in Rwanda. Some of the proceeds from these baskets went back to building schools in Rwanda through Weaving Hope.

  • Sourced authentic flowers. All flowers used for this event were native to Africa!

  • Scrapped the annual silent auction and instead created a marketplace and invited local vendors to sell their products and support the community. Various packaged food goods, authentic jewelry, and clothing were on sale throughout the marketplace.

  • Incorporated a virtual component in which speeches from celebrated authors Tope Folarin and NoViolet Bulawayo were broadcasted live during the week leading up to the event.

  • Leaned into the “Across Africa” theme by dividing the venue space into five regions of Africa.

  • Created three thematic photo ops; A green wall with peacock chairs and a bright neon sign, a selfie station with help from the balloon artist, and a video wall run by the amazing DJ.

Ultimately, attendees were able to celebrate the continent of Africa, from the Mediterranean coast and the Nile in the north, to the cities, grasslands, and deserts in Central Africa, to the rainforests of the south.

We are thrilled with how well the event unfolded from start to finish, and we’d like to thank all the fantastic vendors who made this event so memorable, authentic, and fun!

Event Vendors

 Venue: HCLS East Columbia Branch (@hocolibrary + @friendshcls)

Virtual Author Panel with Elsa M. (Midday Maryland) in conversation with award-winning writers Tope Folarin and NoViolet Bulawayo.

Catering: @cateringbyseasons, @laprimacatering, @kosharycorner, @motherlandkitchen_frederickmd

Flowers: Flowers and Fancies

Baskets: Weaving Hope, (purchased through one of our suppliers, Burton and Burton)

The African Art Museum of Maryland (AAMM) Display: https://africanartmuseum.org/

Planning and Event Design: @innovativeparty

Lighting Draping: @mdpros

Entertainment, Video Wall, DJ: @djbugatti_

Dance Group: @kankourandance

360 Photobooth: @hotpinkphotobooth

Bar: @winebinec, @sobar_usa

Market Vendors: @yaachicstyle, @ivys_jewelry_box, @shimmysista

Linens: @galacloths, @clothconnection, @sveta_aho

Dance Floor and Tables: @partyplustentsandevents

 

Plan Your Fundraising Event with Innovative Party Planners

Innovative Party Planners is your resource for event design, planning and custom décor in the Baltimore Washington Metro area. To learn more about our event planning services and how we can help make your event one of a kind, contact us by clicking here or call (410) 998-9999.

Heidi Hiller