From the Director   

What's free and offers infinite opportunities for entertainment, recreation, information and education?  Your library card!

 

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month.  See what your neighbors, friends, and colleagues already know - Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has something for everyone.

  

Your library card is never out of style! Here are 25 great services you can have free access to with your library card.

1. Download e-magazines from Zinio.
2. Take high quality, online classes from Gale Courses.
3. Use the Digital Media Lab to learn, explore, and create digital media.
4. Download music from Freegal.
5. Check out a science-themed Go! Kit, which also contains a mini iPad, for you and your child.
6. Put a book on hold online.
7. Download e-books.
8. Use Microsoft Office to build skills.
9. Use public PCs to create online documents.
10. Renew your materials online.
11. Download audiobooks.
12. Learn a language online.
13. Sign up for email notification.
14. Stream classical, folk or world music.
15. Stream classic theatre productions.
16. Prepare for the SAT, ASVAB, and more.
17. Get online auto repair information.
18. Check Consumer Reports from home.
19. Use self-service checkout machines.
20. Pick up a good read.
21. Borrow materials from libraries around the country.
22. Find magazine and newspaper articles online.
23. Search your family history with HeritageQuest Online.
24. Borrow a Kill-A-Watt kit.
25. Learn to read online with BookFlix. 

Getting a library card is easy.  For information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any branch of MCPL or apply online.

 

Already have a library card?  Be in the picture!  Submit a photo or video telling us what great services you use your library card for!  On Twitter, tweet your picture with #librarycard and @MCPL_Libraries.  On Facebook, send us your picture in a direct message.

 

I use my library card to download audiobooks to listen to.

   

Tell a friend!  Friends help friends get library cards.  And parents, remember - a library card is the most important school supply of all!

 

Come check out the possibilities!

New Hours for MCPL Branches

Join us on Tuesday, September 9, 11:30 AM as the County Executive and County Council announce the new public service
hours for Montgomery County Public Libraries.  The press conference will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library, First
Floor Meeting Room. Light refreshments. 

Upcoming Library Programs

It's a Mystery!

Join a book discussion of The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin at the Bethesda Library, September 3, 1 PM. This thrilling mystery brilliantly brings nineteenth-century Russia to life.

Storytime STEM Extenders  

Come to the Chevy Chase Library on Thursday mornings beginning September 4, 2014 from 10:30 to 11:30 to extend storytime learning with Duplos®, matching games, crafts and other STEM/STEAM activities appropriate for ages 2 to 5. No registration required.  This program is funded by the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter.

Cued Speech for Beginners 

Cued Speech is a visual communication system that makes spoken language visible.  First created for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, it is now used with different populations to facilitate speech and language development.  This class, held at Rockville Memorial Library, is appropriate for parents, professionals, family members, caregivers and students 14 years of age and older.  Classes are Saturdays, September 13, 20 and 27, 1 - 4 PM.  Register online now; registration ends September 12.

PAWS to Read

Pets on Wheels stops by Aspen Hill Library on September 20, 11 AM, to help promote children reading and to relieve anxiety when learning to read. Natty, Reco, and Kirby will be on hand to listen to kids read to them.  No registration required.

Librarian's Choice Book Discussion 

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead will be discussed at the Quince Orchard Library, September 25, 7 PM.  Copies will be available at the Information Desk. Call Quince Orchard Library at 240-777-0200 for more information.

Family Game Time

Try your hand at Scrabble™, Life™ or Uno™ at Gaithersburg Library, September 26, 4:30 - 5:30 PM.  Enjoy board games and other games for families.  Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or care provider over 13 years old. 

Montgomery County to Hold Voter Registration Drives at Public Libraries

Volunteers from the Multicultural Outreach Committee and Future Vote Program of the Montgomery County Board of Elections will conduct voter registration drives on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM to 3 PM during September at local public libraries.  See the voter registration schedule.

11th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival

Silver Spring Jazz Festival

24th Annual Burtonsville Day Celebration

Montgomery County's Board of Elections is seeking registered voters to manage polling places and provide customer service as an Election Judge on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Apply online and find information, or call 240-777-VOTE.

Seasoned Spellers Senior Spelling Bee

Friends of the Library, Montgomery County is seeking participants for its 5th Seasoned Spellers Senior Spelling Bee on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Olney Library.  The deadline to register is November 3.  Registration is open to Montgomery County residents age 55 years and over.  Friends and family are encouraged to attend and support their Seasoned Spellers.  The Bee will begin at 11 AM and be followed by light refreshments.  There is a $25 registration fee per competitor.  For more information or to register, call 240-777-0020, email staff@folmc.org, or visit the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County site.

Library Advisory Committee Achievement Awards

Library Advisory Committee Achievement Awards

The Montgomery County Library Board will present its Library Advisory Committee (LAC) Achievement Awards during its September 10, 2014 meeting.  The Eleanor Ablard Award is presented to the LAC with the most effective program linking the LAC, the Library and its community of users.  The David Chiles Member of the Year Award is presented to the outstanding member of an LAC for his/her outstanding work during the year.

Congratulations to the Gaithersburg LAC (Ablard Award) and to Steve Schmal, Chevy Chase LAC (David Chiles Member of the Year Award).