newsletter logo
December 2014
Where the County Reads, Where the County Meets, Where the County Learns 
In This Issue
Quick Links
MCPL Website
Stay Connected

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter
Join Our Mailing List


From the Director   

 

The expanded hours at sixteen MCPL branches could not have happened at a better time. With the cold weather descending on the area, it is great to have a warm, cozy place to go for some free indoor fun. Whether you want to grab a book to read, attend a program, use a meeting room, or just relax and read a magazine --- you now have more hours to do so.


These hours are great for helping your child with that "last minute" assignment; creating memories in a Discovery Room; using the public computers; attending an exciting program; snuggling and reading to your baby; hanging out with friends in our teen spaces; and seeing what's new on our shelves.


No time to linger? No problem! Visit our website, find a book, stop by a branch, check it out, read - or download an e-book. Several branches have themed book bundles and Go! Kits (Little Explorers and Young Voyagers) for children - just select a bundle or a kit and be on your way.


Visit our website to see all we have to offer.


We are excited to have additional hours to serve you!

  

B. Parker Hamilton signature 

  

  

B. Parker Hamilton, Director  

 

Hour of Code 2014
As part of our STEM initiatives and in recognition of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take an interest in computer science, MCPL will be participating in the "Hour of Code" December 8-14. We are surrounded by technology. Any field students choose to go into, their ability to succeed will increasingly center on understanding how technology works.

Several libraries will have "Hour of Code" programs which will give every student an opportunity to try computer science for one hour:
  • Hour of Code for Teens on Tuesday, December 9 at 5pm at Long Branch;
  • Coding Basics for Elementary School Age on Saturday, December 13 at 11 am at Rockville Memorial; and
  • Hour of Code for Elementary School Age on Monday, December 15 at 6:30 pm at Gaithersburg.
Save the Date

MCPL Closed

 

*CORRECTION: All branches of Montgomery County Public Libraries will close at 6 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 31, 2014.

 

All branches and offices of Montgomery County Public Libraries will be closed on Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas.

 

An Evening with David Baldacci

 

The Escape by David Baldacci coverJoin the Gaithersburg Library and the Gaithersburg Book Festival on December 2 at 7 pm, for an evening with #1 bestselling author David Baldacci who will be discussing his new book, The Escape. Mr. Baldacci will also be collecting books for his Feeding Body & Mind charity, gently used book donations will be welcome at the event. Book signing will follow and books will be sold on site by Politics and Prose. 

 

Holiday Concert

 

Come get in the holiday spirit at the Little Falls Library on December 6 at 10:30 am! The Friends of the Library, Little Falls Chapter present their free Annual Holiday Concert featuring pianist Myra Weinberg. Sing-along fun for the entire family, with lyrics, musical instruments, and refreshments provided!

 

NIH Chamber Singers Holiday Concert

 

On December 6 at 3 pm, come to Rockville Memorial Library and meet the NIH Chamber Singers, a group of NIH employees, retirees, and friends who enjoy sharing the holiday spirit with you. They will perform familiar carols and anthems, as well as popular and jazz numbers. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Rockville Memorial Chapter.

 

The NIH Chamber Singers will also be performing favorite seasonal music from around the world and through the ages on December 13 at 3 pm at the Marilyn J. Praisner branch. All ages are invited. 

 

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

 

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually on December 7 to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.


National Human Rights Day

  

Eleanor Roosevelt with UN Declaration of Human RightsHuman Rights Day, observed on December 10, commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights Day promotes awareness of human rights issues around the world, and recognizes the efforts of the UN to improve human rights conditions everywhere.

 

Holiday Storytime


A special holiday storytime for all children at the Gaithersburg branch on December 11 at 10:30 am and again at 11:30 am. Stories and songs for Chanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Limit 50 people in the Program Room, so pick up tickets at the Information Desk up to 30 minutes before Storytime begins.

 

Did You Know . . .

 

...that you can search for articles from Consumer Reports with expert reviews and ratings on products online for free? This is a wonderful resource to help shoppers compare products before making a purchase decision. Consumer Reports is an independent product testing organization. They accept no advertising, pay for all the products they test, and are a not for profit organization. We're happy to help you make informed choices this season and all through the year!
 

Branch Out

Check Out These Exciting Programs at Chevy Chase Library!

 

   
 

STEM Programming for Kids

 

Children ages 2 to 5 are invited to come to the Chevy Chase branch on Thursday mornings from 10:30-11:30 am to extend storytime learning with Duplos, matching games, crafts and other STEM/STEAM activities. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter.


Build & Learn with Legos

Each Friday, beginning December 5, 3:30-5:30 pm, come build with Legos. Leave your Legos at home and use ours! This program is for elementary age children with an adult. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter. No registration required.


Bilingual Storytime


Come to a very special bilingual Spanish/English storytime on Tuesday, December 16 at 10:30 am with Se�ora Lupe Marks! This storytime is just right for toddlers and preschoolers. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter.


The Great Books Group


On December 10 at 7:30 pm, come to an intellectually stimulating exploration of some of the greatest fiction and non fiction works published through the ages! This month's selection is Epictetus' Enchiridion. Registration is not required. Attendees are responsible for obtaining the material to read in advance of the discussion. This title is part of the public domain, so you can find copies online at The Internet Classics Archive and Project Gutenberg.

The Fiction, Memoir, and Biography book Discussion Group


On Wednesday, December 17 at 2 pm, come discuss The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande. Copies of the book are available at the Information Desk. Registration not required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter.

 

For additional Chevy Chase Library events, including book discussions, storytimes, and more, as well as all Montgomery County Public Library programs, please check our  Calendar of Events.

Library Quote
  
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library image  
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.
-- Jorge Luis G

MCPL - Moving Forward

Collection Summit 2014

  

The day long, in-house Collection Summit was held to determine how MCPL can best provide Montgomery County residents with the library materials and resources they want when they want them.

 

Collection Summit 2014
  
County Happenings

Bauer Holiday Craft Show

 

On Saturday, December 6 from 10 am-4 pm, Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville, will host an array of vendors who will showcase their artistic talents and creativity. Items for purchase include fiber arts, holiday items, jewelry, photography, pottery, woodwork, and more! Admission is free. There is ample parking available. Food and beverage concessions on site.


County Executive Ike Leggett

Live Discussion with County Executive Leggett

 

The Live Discussion with County Executive Isiah Leggett will be held on December 10 from 1-2 pm. This online interactive forum allows Montgomery County residents to send questions directly to County Executive Isiah Leggett. Questions may be submitted anytime, and will be answered during the scheduled discussion time.  

 

 

 

2015 Literary Contest and Visual Arts Show 


In observance of the Montgomery County Maryland's 2015 Celebration of Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee, along with the City of Gaithersburg and The Gazette Newspaper invite all Montgomery County elementary, middle and high school student to participate in the 2015 Literary Contest and Visual Arts Show.  Entry Deadline is Friday, December 12, 2014 at 5 pm.


 

FOL Happenings
 

February is Library Lovers' Month

 

Do you love feathered hair, disco balls, and catchy music for kids? More importantly, do you love libraries? Come show your local branch some love during Library Lovers' Month in February! FOLMC will host a kickoff event at the newly rebuilt Olney branch on Saturday, January 31 at 11 am. Look for the disco-themed decorations in the meeting room near the front entrance to the library. FOLMC will sponsor door prizes and other fun activities that day, including a musical performance by the Diggity Dudes.

 

The Diggity Dudes, a funky children's musical group, will perform in the morning. The Dudes play hip music for hip kids, about topics ranging from science to the Presidential Physical Fitness test. You may have seen the Diggity Dudes this summer in Rockville Town Center or King's Dominion, where they kept kids and their families grooving to their catchy beats.


FOLMC chapters at Little Falls, White Oak, Quince Orchard, and other MCPL branches are also hosting Library Lovers' Month events throughout February. Head over to your local branch for a fun Saturday! While you're there, fill out a postcard or take a photo and tell us why you love libraries. 
I love libraries

Library Board Happenings

  

 

Clockwise from Upper Left: MCPL Director Parker Hamilton; OMB Director Jennifer Hughes; Angelisa Hawes, Chair, Children's Steering Committee with FOLMC President Ellen Berman
On November 5, 2014, the Library Board, Friends of the Library and the Library Advisory Committees, held their annual Joint Meeting.  During the reception, members of these groups had the opportunity to connect with and hear from Councilmembers Floreen and Berliner; Jennifer Hughes, Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and Budget Analyst Deborah Lambert. MCPL's Steering Committees displayed their FY14 accomplishments and current projects.


 

Robyn Watts and Ellen Berman.

The meeting began with a welcome from Ellen Berman, President of the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County Inc., Board of Trustees, and Robyn Watts, Chair of the Montgomery County Library Board. MCPL Director Parker Hamilton presented the State of Montgomery County Public Libraries and answered questions from participants. This was followed by a brainstorming session to plan for the upcoming budget season.  The "orange movement" is in gear for a great year!  


 

Montgomery County Public Libraries | 240-777-0001  [email protected] 

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.