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January 2015
Where the County Reads, Where the County Meets, Where the County Learns 
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From the Director

  

We are excited about the new year! Our resolution for 2015 is to refocus on MCPL's mission, vision and values.

 

Our mission

Montgomery County Public Libraries offers free and equal access to services and resources that connect the people of Montgomery County to ideas and information which sustain and enrich their lives.


Our vision

Our diverse community of lifelong learners finds Montgomery County Public Libraries to be an open, inviting and vital gateway to the information, ideas and enrichment that strengthens our County. A diverse, highly qualified staff continually assesses community needs and interests to support, encourage and inspire our customers.


Our values

Montgomery County Public Libraries believes in the right of all to learn and to grow. We value intellectual freedom, accountability, quality service, diversity, fairness, professional ethics, integrity of information and respect for our customers, our community, and ourselves. We are a learning organization that functions openly by exploring new ideas and using the collective talent, knowledge, and creativity of employees at all levels.


 

Already on our list for 2015:

  • Implementing decisions which were made based on information from our first Collection Summit. These implementations will help get materials to the branches more quickly and efficiently; they will also better market MCPL's services and materials.
  • The planning for the 2015 County Executive's Library Summit is underway. The ideas and feedback from this summit will help us in developing MCPL's new strategic plan.
  • The first refresh projects under the County Executive's Library Refurbishment Level of Effort will be completed by June 30th of this year.
  • Maintain our high circulation of Children's materials - preparing them to "live and learn."
  • Continue to use demographics to get to know our residents and utilize various means to determine what our customers want.

Keep checking us out - - - see how we are working for YOU!

Happy New Year!


 

B. Parker Hamilton signature 

  

  

B. Parker Hamilton, Director  


 

Save the Date

Save the Date

 

All MCPL branches and offices will be closed on Sunday, January 18, 2015 and Monday, January 19, 2015 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

 

valentine

Valentines for Veterans

 

Stop by Davis Library anytime from 10 AM - 5 PM on January 31 and craft a Valentine for our Veterans. We'll have the supplies --- you bring your creativity and appreciation. The Valentines will be delivered to the Department of Veterans Affairs in time for the holiday.

Snapshot Day 2015 - We Want You in the Picture!

 

February 18, 2015, is Library Snapshot Day: One Day in the Life of Montgomerysnapshot day 2015 County Public Libraries. Snapshot Day provides MCPL an opportunity to collect statistics, pictures and stories that show how people love and use their libraries. Join us for a variety of activities which will take place throughout the day at all MCPL branches.

Did You Know . . .

....that we have storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers at all our branches? Storytimes are fun, and they help develop children's pre-reading, math, and science skills. For parents, storytimes model activities that can be used at home to guide children along the road to reading, writing, and how to incorporate math and science activities into daily life. 


 

For children, storytimes and other library programs promote a love of reading, science, math, and the arts, and they help develop pre-reading skills. Come and enjoy storytime with your little one at a branch near you!

Branch Out

Check Out These Exciting Programs at Bethesda!

 

 

 

Acclaimed Storyteller Diane Macklin CaptivatesDiane Macklin 


Diane Macklin dazzles young and old with her dancing hands, lyrical voice and high energy at Bethesda Library on Saturday, January 24 from 2 - 3 PM. Free tickets will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the program. Space is limited. Funded by the Friends of the Library, Bethesda Chapter.


Mini Maker Space

 

On Tuesday, January 20, 2 - 4 PM, come celebrate winter at Bethesda Library's mini maker space featuring crafts and books with a winter theme. Children of all ages are sure to enjoy this fun activity. Montgomery County Public Schools will be closed for professional day, but we're open!

 

Wireless Wednesdays and Weekends

 

Every Wednesday at 1 PM and every Saturday at 2 PM, learn how to make the most of your e-reader by downloading free e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines from the library! You can also learn more about using MCPL's mobile apps. Come in for an informative 1/2 hour one-on-one learning session with a library staff member or volunteer.

French Book Discussion

On Monday, January 5, 2 PM and Wednesday, January 28, 7 PM, Join Madeleine Hage for a discussion of books written in French and discussed in French. This month the group is reading Les Adieux a la Reine by Chantal Thomas.
 

Classics in Context

Join Michael Bevel for a lively discussion of the Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys on Tuesday, January 20, 7 PM. Pepys was a 17th Century English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who kept a detailed diary of his experiences. This book discussion is part of the Classics in Context series, brought to you by the Friends of the Library, Bethesda Chapter.

For more Bethesda Library events, including entertaining storytimes and book discussions as well as all MCPL programs, please check our Calendar of Events.
 

Library Quote
poem by Elian, fifth grade
Poem by Elian, Fifth Grade, about the Wheaton Library

County Happenings

FY2016 Budget Forums

 

County Executive Isiah Leggett invites you to Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Forums. Five budget forums are scheduled. All meeting times are from 7 - 8:30 PM. Free and open to all.

 

MLK Day of Service 2015

 

Montgomery County will be hosting its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (MLK Day of Service) on January 19, 2015. Service Projects and Volunteer Fair is scheduled from 1- 3 PM at the Marriott Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda. Volunteers click here to sign up for the Marriott site. For additional information please contact Kimberly Hodges.

 

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration


On Monday, January 19, 2015, Montgomery County, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Takoma Park and the Town of Garrett Park will hold the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at Strathmore Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland from 3 - 6 PM. The theme for program is "Honoring the Legacy: Celebrate, Serve, Remember."

FOL Happenings
 

February is Library Lovers Month

 

Library Lovers Month Kick Off

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. 

Library Board Happenings

 

Join the Orange Movement!

 

Libraries Matter

The Library Board, along with the Library Advisory Committees and Freinds of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc., will hold its second Joint Meeting on January 7, 6:30 PM at the Kensington Park Library. Come hear budget updates and follow-up State of the Library information from MCPL Director Parker Hamilton. Learn about new initiatives proposed by the Joint Advocacy Committee.
Montgomery County Public Libraries | 240-777-0001 [email protected]