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The past few years have been a very busy time for MCPL - this year, 2014, we are excited to unveil the fruits of that labor.
Be among the first to check out the Gaithersburg Library on Saturday, January 4; the grand reopening ceremony begins at 9:30 AM. Visit our website to keep up with the progress of the Olney Library.
 | | Gaithersburg Library |
 | | Olney Library |
On January 4, the Gaithersburg Library will be reopened. A few short months later in mid-March, the grand reopening of the Olney Library is scheduled. Both of these are newly renovated facilities equipped with 21st century technology.
A few days ago we rolled out Zinio - the world's largest digital newsstand. This is a fantastic way to access magazines - digital magazines that are identical to the print editions. All customers need to get started is an MCPL library account/card.
On January 4, customers will be able to access e-books via the 3M Cloud Library which currently offer titles from all of the "big six" publishers - Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, MacMillan, Penguin Group, Random House and Simon & Schuster.
Customers can read and check-out at home or on the go; they can browse the digital bookshelf from anywhere or use Discovery Terminal download stations in the library. E-books are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPads, Nooks, Androids and 3M e-Readers.
What else is new to check out in 2014? Our ACE (All Children Excel) programs and services. These specialized programs and services developed by MCPL have content for Early Literacy and helping children learn. With the focus on STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics), these programs, technology and materials are designed to help children achieve in these areas.
Also rolling out this year is the Digital Media Lab at Long Branch Library. This lab will engage all residents, especially middle and high-school aged youth, in collaborative learning using digital media tools such as video, photo, audio and music equipment coupled with computers, tripods, disk drives and other equipment that support the creation of digital content. This interactive space will support learning experiences and provide an avenue for all to pursue individual interests and have a forum to discuss issues of importance.
We are planning fixed makerspaces in Rockville Memorial and Davis libraries, as well as some level of makerspace program activity in all other branches.
Before the close of 2014, the new Silver Spring Library building will be opening. Follow the progress of this 21st century facility.
MCPL continues to move strategically forward - to be an open, inviting and vital gateway to the information, ideas and enrichment that strengthens our County.
Montgomery County Public Libraries - Where the County Reads, Where the County Meets, Where the County Learns.
Happy New Year!
B. Parker Hamilton, Director |
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All Montgomery County Public Libraries will be closed on Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
January 6, 6:30 - 7:15 PM is Pajama Storytime at Aspen Hill Library. Stories, rhymes, songs and more for ages three to six with an adult. Don't forget to wear your pajamas!
January 7, 6:30 PM, the Potomac Chinese Language Book Club will discuss "Stop the Car to Ask a Question" by Xiaoyang Zhong. Ask for the book at the Circulation Desk. Free. 2 hours. No registration required.
January 11, 3 - 4 PM, join the Hammers, Mallets and Brass trio at Marilyn Praisner Library for a delightful concert featuring piano, xylophone, and a tuba. The trio plays an assortment of happy tunes, including polkas, marches, and other favorites. Bring the whole family, all ages are invited. For further information please call 240-773-9460
January 11, 12 - 1:30 PM, the Teen Book Club at Chevy Chase Library will discuss "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Discover how Brian's determination and courage in the Canadian wilderness keeps him alive. Open to all readers grades 7 and up. Registration is required, please call 240-773-9590 or stop by the Info Desk to sign up.
January 17, 10:30 AM - 12 PM, Quince Orchard Library will host,"Understanding Your Options with Social Security." If you are approaching retirement age, do you know when is the right time to start taking Social Security? Get answers from speakers Gail Maidenbaum, MBA, LTCP, President of The Financial Strategies Group, Inc. and Shea Newton, CFP®, Director of Investments at The Financial Strategies Group, Inc. Please register on Library website by accessing "Events at MCPL" or call 240-777-0200 to register.
January 18, 2 - 4 PM, join Quince Orchard Library's first makerspace activity. Create art with a sheet of paper! We provide the instructions and paper and you create the art. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Quince Orchard Chapter. Please call 240-777-0200 for more information.
January 31 begins the Chinese New Year. At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. Want to learn more about this important traditional Chinese holiday? Stop by your local MCPL branch and check out materials and events.
For more information on programs at all MCPL programs, check MCPL's Calendar of Events. |
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Did You Know . . .
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...that you can find study and meeting rooms at MCPL? Many branches have free, quiet study rooms for individuals and group study rooms for more than one person. Almost all MCPL branches have meeting rooms that can be rented through Montgomery County's Community Use of Public Facilities office. When Gaithersburg Library reopens on January 4, it will have two meeting rooms; one quiet study room; and seven group study rooms, including one in the children's area, that can be reserved. Looking for a quiet place to study or a place to hold your next meeting? Come to MCPL!
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Gaithersburg Library Reopens Saturday, January 4!
Be one of the first to see the newly renovated Gaithersburg Library! Festivities begin at 9:30 AM where County Executive Isiah Leggett; Director of Montgomery County Public Libraries Parker Hamilton and other officials will welcome all visitors to the reopening celebration. Following the welcome, the ribbon cutting ceremony will take place and the doors to the newly renovated Gaithersburg Library will open to the public at 10:00 AM. "Staff is working extremely hard to get the library ready for opening," said Kay Bowman, Gaithersburg Library Manager, "There is a great sense of anticipation in these final weeks of preparation. Everyone is looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming the community."
Enjoy music provided by the Gaithersburg High School Pep Band under the direction of Daniel S. Grande; light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library, Gaithersburg Chapter and many exciting programs and events including:
- Face Painting - Victoria Squires of 'Big Grins' will paint children's faces from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
- Storytime - Well-known storyteller Arianna Ross will entrance children and families with Giggly Wiggly Bookworm from 11 AM - 11:45 AM.
- Live Jazz - Enjoy the musical stylings of the Muneer Nassar Jazz Trio, 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM.
- It's Magic - Mike Rose presents: The Magic of a Book, 1 PM - 1:45 PM and 2 PM - 2:45 PM.
- Classical Piano - The piano music of Immanuela Greunberg, 2 PM - 2:45 PM.
- Meet the Author - Newbery Award-winning author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor will read from her new book "Now I'll Tell You Everything" and sign books from 3 PM - 4 PM. Copies of several of her many works will be available for sale.
- Arts/Crafts - From 3 PM to 5 PM, StoryMakers with the Arts Barn presents a hands-on collage-making event inspired by the works of Eric Carle.
The newly renovated Gaithersburg Library will be a fully-equipped 21st century library with features including a 3M e-book Discovery Station; 3M e-readers which will be available for lending to the public; an informational kiosk; ACE (All Children Excel) Little Explorer GO! Kits and Young Voyager GO! Kits for kids (funded by the Friends of the Library Montgomery County, Inc., these kits include iPad minis and science, technology engineering and math books); Video Relay System for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired; three AWE Work Stations, two for preschoolers and one for elementary age children; and more.
Make learning fun for you and your child! In addition to the ACE GO! Kits for kids (which will be available for the public to check out), Gaithersburg Library will have a Children's Discovery Room where toys and games designed to foster learning through play are available. Parents and caretakers can make reservations for this room via an online reservation system. We will have storytimes and more children's programming starting in February!
For more information on Gaithersburg Library programs, and all MCPL programs, check MCPL's Calendar of Events or call Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490. |
| County Council
Congratulations to Craig Rice and George Leventhal, the new President and Vice President (respectively) for the County Council.
Best wishes to Valerie Ervin, who after nearly a decade as an elected official in Montgomery County, will tender her letter of resignation on January 3, 2014. Ms. Ervin will continue her work on policy issues impacting working people by becoming executive director of the Center for Working Families.
Public Forums
County Executive Isiah Leggett is sponsoring five budget forums throughout the County during the month of January to seek input from residents about Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget priorities. The County Executive encourages residents to attend the forums and provide input that is crucial in helping determine the County's budget priorities.
All of the forums are scheduled to begin at 7 PM, on the following dates:
- Monday, January 6, BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown.
- Monday, January 13, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.
- Thursday, January 16, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring.
- Monday, January 27, Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring.
- Wednesday, January 29, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.
Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, please call 240-777-6507, TTY 240-777-6505 or email a request to karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The County Executive announces his Recommended Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget on March 17. The County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.
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| Library Lovers Month
The Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC) and MCPL will be kicking off Library Lovers Month on February 1, 2014 at the newly opened Gaithersburg Library.
The featured performer this year will be the nationally renowned bilingual Mister G, whose genre hopping music was awarded a Parents' Choice Gold Award and has been nominated for a 2013 Latin Grammy for Best Children's Recording. This event is free and open to the public. For ticketing information or venue questions please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.
Spring Literary Luncheon Series
It's not too early to reserve space for the next round of the Literary Luncheon Series at the Strathmore Mansion. The spring session begins on Thursday, March 20, 2014 with author and BBC correspondent Kim Ghattas who will discuss her latest book, The Secretary: a Journey with Hillary Clinton from Beirut to the Heart of American Power, and her experiences as an international journalist. Ms. Ghattas will be followed with Marvin Kalb on Thursday, April 17, 2014. Journalist Marvin Kalb will discuss his new book, Road to War: Presidential Commitments Honored and Betrayed, an analysis of how easy it is for an American President to go to war and just how hard it is to end one.
To reserve your space, please visit www.folmc.org and click on the Literary Luncheon Series.
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The Library Board and FOLMC will host the second joint Board/LAC/Friends meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the Wheaton Library from 7 PM - 8:30 PM. This open meeting is in preparation for the upcoming public forums and legislative activities. |
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