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May 2015
Where the County Reads, Where the County Meets, Where the County Learns 
In This Issue
Quick Links
MCPL Website
Resources for You

...that MCPL can help you prepare for tests, advance your career, and increase your knowledge?

You can access these resources with a library card whether you are in a branch or your favorite study spot.  We're committed to your life-long learning at MCPL!  

From the Collection
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert was the 2015 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. According to the prize committee description, it is "an exploration of nature that forces readers to consider the threat posed by human behavior to a world of astonishing diversity."
Your Monthly Quote

"Libraries are the mainstays of democracy. So keep them, fund them, embrace and cherish them." 
-David Baldacci 
Save the Date

Library Closed

All MCPL locations will be closed May 24 and 25 in observance of Memorial Day.


Getting your garden started? Bring your gardening questions and get expert advice from a Master Gardener. Master Gardener events are scheduled throughout the month at multiple locations.
   
May 16, 10 AM - 6 PM
Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds


Now in its sixth year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. The Festival is free to attend, offers free parking and is open to everyone.

Find more events happening around the County on our Calendar of Events.
County Events

Thursday evenings, May 14 - July 16

6 - 8 PM
Veterans Park, Bethesda, MD
(Corner of Norfolk & Woodmont Aves)

Live music that rocks! 

 

Understanding Diversity Through the Arts

May 15 - August 29

A display of student art work from Understanding Diversity Through the Arts will be on display at Rockville Memorial Library. This partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools, the Montgomery County Executive's Office and MCPL aims to help students learn to respect multiple points of view.

 

From the Director

 

The new Silver Spring Library, located at 900 Wayne Avenue, will open on Saturday, June 20 at 11 AM! I am extremely delighted about the opening of this 21st Century library that will blend books, programs, services, and technology.

 

The library, housed on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the five-story building, can be accessed from both the Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street entrances via the third floor, which is the entry floor to the library portion of the building. This building is the first in our system to contain escalators and to share its site with a housing complex. It is also the first to provide 24/7 pick-up for items on hold via book lockers on the first floor. Kefa Caf�, a Silver Spring-based coffee house/eatery serving gourmet, organic, fair trade coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, will also be located on the first floor.

 

Technological firsts include:
  • a tech bar featuring new technologies that customers can try out in the branch;
  • use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners that will check out multiple items at once; and
  • conveyor belts in the book drop room and staff workroom that will automatically check in items with both RFID tags and barcodes.

Some familiar pieces of memorabilia from tpreparing shelveshe old library will make the move to the new structure, including the lion statue that will be on the fifth floor green roof and the historic post office mural to be located on the third floor.

 

Silver Spring staff members have moved to the new building to begin the final preparation required to open the branch. Over the weeks ahead, they will:

  • transfer materials from the old branch and add new books and materials;
  • organize and shelve materials;
  • organize staff work areas and furnishings in public areas;
  • become familiar with the facility; and
  • train on new equipment.  

 

The ceremony is being planned for the public to celebrate the grand opening of this urban library which will definitely add a new vibe to Downtown Silver Spring.

 

  B. Parker Hamilton signature

 

 

 

B. Parker Hamilton, Director  

  

Meet MCPL

On January 11, 2015, MCPL welcomed back James Donaldson in his new role of branch manager of Long Branch Library. James formerly worked with MCPL as a circulation assistant. If you're attending one of the many programs offered at Long Branch or using the digital media lab, Studio i, or browsing the shelves for a book, take some time and introduce yourself to James and welcome him to the community.

  

Patricia Martinez, the outreach associate at our Wheaton branch, has served the Montgomery County area for over 15 years and earned a Master's degree in Distance Education and e-Learning from UMUC. Patricia speaks Spanish fluently and enjoys working with the growing population of Latinos in our area. She strives to connect our diverse community to resources by building strong bridges that encourage communication, education, and unification.

 

Sarah Mecklenburg started at MCPL's Germantown branch as an outreach associate this past December after two and a half years at the National Geographic Museum. She's been a researcher, a historic battlefield volunteer, and a museum visitor services representative before coming to MCPL. A Montgomery County native, Sarah loves to work in and serve her home community by telling everyone about what MCPL has to offer.

 

Uzoma "Uzo" Onyemaechi started as branch manager of the Chevy Chase branch on March 22. He previously worked at Silver Spring and Rockville Memorial libraries. Prior to coming to MCPL, he worked at the Detroit Public Library for over 15 years. He plans to learn the composition of the Chevy Chase community and engage them in branch activities, while at the same time increasing foot traffic and circulation.

MCPL Moving Forward

MCPL (MD) STEM Stations!
MCPL (MD) STEM Stations!
 
Young children have a natural curiosity about the world around them, and MCPL has the resources and information to encourage these young interests. These STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) stations originated in the Damascus Library as part of the 2014 Summer Reading Program and are now available in every MCPL branch. Developed for children between the ages of 2 and 12, these hands-on science activities are available during all open hours at the library. Check our website for more ACE (All Children Excel) learning activities for children.
FOL Happenings

Library After Dark: A Great First Year!   

 

Library After Dark Event Photos Thanks to everyone who attended and supported Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc.'s first annual Library After Dark fundraiser in April.

 

Amy Alapati, librarian at Damascus, received our first Library Professional of the Year award for her creative and dedicated work creating innovative children's programs. Our Silver Spring chapter won the Charles W. Gilchrist volunteer award for their tireless efforts raising funds for the new Silver Spring Library, including a new Early Literacy Center and Mac/PC lab for the library.

 

Attendees enjoyed a wine tasting by Dawson's Market, hors d'oeuvres and dessert bar, and performances by Adventure Theatre MTC and Mariposa Poetry. FOLMC also highlighted the many programs and projects that we fund for MCPL, including Go! Kits, AWE Stations, and the annual summer reading program. Join us next year as we continue to celebrate and support public libraries in our community.

 
Coming up on June 6th, FOLMC will host our second annual live book auction at our Wheaton bookstore located in the lower level of the Wheaton library. Join us for friendly bidding on rare and antique books. Free registration available online. Call 240-777-0020 with questions.
Library Board Happenings

In the past month, Library Board representatives, with members of the Friends of the Library, have met individually with Montgomery County Council members (or their staff) to respectfully urge the Council to approve County Executive Leggett's FY 2016 budget recommendations for public libraries for these reasons:

  • MCPL's Hours of Operation can be expanded
  • MCPL would be able to broaden its book and media collection

Council members were asked to give due consideration to the following priorities for MCPL in their deliberations on the FY 2016 budget and, of course, in the future.  

  • Funding for Capital development
  • Funding for IT upgrades
  • Funding for Maintenance/Upkeep

Thank you to the Council members for their time and consideration.

 

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