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

...that with MCPL you have free access to authoritative and informative history resources? Our history databases have articles, primary source materials, maps, and more. Our Biography in Context and Washington Post Historical resources provide specialized materials. For African American and African history check out the Oxford African American Studies Center or the Lincoln Park History Project, which focuses on one of Rockville's oldest African American communities. Want more? Online genealogy resources and streaming music give you a different perspective on the past. Explore history at MCPL!
From the Collection
Do you know the Penderwicks? Written by Jeanne Birdsall, the series, about the adventures of four sisters, has been compared to the books of Louisa May Alcott and E. Nesbit. These books can be enjoyed by both children and adults!  
Save the Date

Library Closed

 

All MCPL locations will be closed Sunday and Monday, September 6 and 7, in observance of Labor Day.

 

All MCPL locations will be closed Monday, October 12, for Staff Development and Training.

 

Hero Dogs

August 5, 1:30-2:15 PM
Damascus Library

 

See a real service dog in action showing off all their skills, learn about animal behavior from trainer Maureen McCabe, and find out how service dogs are raised and trained by local volunteers to be placed free-of-charge with our nation's Veterans to improve their quality of life and restore independence. Sponsored by Hero-Dogs.org. Call 240-773-9444 for more information. Free tickets required.

 

Integral Tai Chi

August, Thursdays, 7-8 PM
Gaithersburg Library

 

Integral Tai Chi is a series of exercises and relaxation techniques that combine yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong, and meditation into a self-healing system that integrates body, mind, and spirit. Space is limited. Registration is required for each class.

 

How to Write the Resume that Gets the Interview

August 18, 10-11 AM
Rockville Memorial Library

 

Learn the process and components required to write a polished resume and discover the key ingredients to a well-written cover letter. Find out what it takes to make your resume stand out. Sponsored by Montgomery Works.

 

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

Your Monthly Inspiration

We read to know we are not alone.
-C.S. Lewis    
County Events

Senior Fit 

August, Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:15 AM & 2:15 PM

Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source

This 45-minute, multi-component exercise program is for people age 55+. Ongoing classes are offered at 23 locations in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. Call 301-754-8800 to request a physician's consent form to register and to locate a nearby class.

 

 

Silver Spring Summer Concert Series: Rock & Roll Relics

Thursday, August 6, 7-9 PM

Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
One of the premier oldies musical acts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Call 240-777-0311 for more information.

 

 

Celebrate and Educate

August 14-22

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg

The 67th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Check the website for the Fair schedule, Fair information, and all discount information!

From the Director

 

By now you should have received the save the date for County Executive Isiah Leggett's second summit on the Library of the Future.

 

Recognizing the strength of having unique and diverse voices at the table, Mr. Leggett will be inviting over 1,000 individuals to come together to engage in conversations that will help shape MCPL's strategic priorities and support the County Executive's policy initiatives which include: Responsive Service Delivery; Preparing Children to Learn and Live; and Ensuring Vital Living for All of Our Residents.

 

The Summit will provide an opportunity for thought-provoking conversations with County and State officials, stakeholders, and neighbors; and an occasion to celebrate ideas and visions for new and different perspectives about the big picture and big questions as we plan and work together to ensure Montgomery County Public Libraries maintains its place in the forefront of library systems nationwide.

 

This day-long Summit will be an opportunity for Mr. Leggett and key Library staff to learn what MCPL customers and County residents want from the public library, and to hear from an expert in the field, Susan Benton, President and CEO, Urban Libraries Council. Participants, representing the many residential, ethnic, business, and educational communities of Montgomery County, will have the opportunity to engage in group discussions in person at the Silver Spring Civic Building (the hub for the Summit); join virtually from Gaithersburg Library; or connect through social media using #MCPLFuture.

 

During the month of September leading up to the Summit, MCPL will focus on gathering input from other residents through "man on the street" interviews; as well as discussion sessions at Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Gilchrist Center. There will also be an opportunity for customers to provide feedback while visiting the branches; and, on September 22, residents can ask questions and share ideas through "Live Discussion with the County Executive."

 

I hope you will be able to join this important conversation and help us create the Library of the Future.

 

 

  B. Parker Hamilton signature

 

 

B. Parker Hamilton, Director  

  

Meet MCPL

Carmen Francis

Carmen Francis enjoys working in MCPL's Business Office where her duties include: processing payments for internal and external customers; ordering requested supplies for all branches; reconciling credit card statements; answering telephones; archiving all invoices and records; opening and distributing mail; and processing daily receipt reports from the branches. Outside of work, Carmen enjoys traveling to places such as Miami; Orlando; Las Vegas; Atlanta; Tortola; St. Martin; Barbados; Antigua; St. Kitts; Dominica; Jamaica; Bahamas; Haiti; and St. Lucia. Carmen also loves helping others, visiting the elderly at nursing homes and hospitals, and going to church.

  

Bryan Le Liem (Bryan) Le, Information Technology Technician III, has worked at MCPL for over fourteen and a half years. He supports over 1,000 staff and public computers, including installing, upgrading, and supporting software, as well as working with vendors. His favorite thing about working for MCPL is having the opportunity to assist customers and staff to resolve technical issues and give them access to the programs and resources they need. When he is not at work, he enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, jogging, biking, and participating in sports.

  

Chris Lundy has been with MCPL since 1985! She started as a Sunday librarian and substitute before accepting a part-time librarian position. She has worked as a full-time librarian since 2005. Chris has worked at Gaithersburg and Damascus libraries and is currently the Librarian II for Twinbrook. She will be working at Rockville Memorial Library while Twinbrook Library is closed. She loves reading; swimming; dining with friends; and spending time with animals, especially cats. As the child of a Naval officer, she lived all over the world, as well as in several states. She loves traveling and is on a quest to visit every Presidential birthplace and library; so far, she has been to about half.

TAG You're It!

Current TAG Board

MCPL's Teen Advisory Group (TAG) is accepting applications through Sunday, August 9. TAG is a diverse cross-section of County teens interested in supporting and promoting library services and events for other teens. Teens must be 14 years of age or older and entering 9th through 12th grade this fall in order to apply. Interviews will be held August 11-12 at Rockville Memorial Library.

 

MCPL Moving Forward

MCPL Earns National Innovation Award

 

MCPL's "Service Beyond Our Walls" outreach concept has been recognized with an Honorable Mention Award in the "Positioning the Library" category from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). Director Hamilton accepted the award at ULC's 2015 Annual Forum in San Jose, California.

 

The award is part of ULC's Innovations Initiative that showcases leading "best" and "next" practices that demonstrate the value and impact of public library service in the 21st century. The practices embody ideas, approaches and insights that other libraries can adapt.

 

twinbrookTwinbrook Library Closes for Building Project

 

The Twinbrook Library closed at 6pm on Saturday, July 25, so the facility can be refreshed. The closure is expected to last approximately four and a half months. Under the project, two small conference rooms will be created; some interior public spaces, including the circulation and information service desks, will be rearranged; the children's picture book area will be repainted and partially re-carpeted; and the public restrooms will be modernized, among other improvements. Partial funding for the project was provided by the County Library Capital Grant Program, Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services.

 

FOL Happenings

If you haven't visited FOLMC's two used bookstores, in Rockville and Wheaton, you're missing out on a world of hidden treasures! Both of the stores have thousands of books, CDs, vinyl records, video games, and magazines for sale at affordable prices, and they are open seven days a week. They also accept donations of gently used books, music, and games at both locations during normal business hours, so if you are trying to reduce clutter, they are happy to accept items that are in good condition. FOLMC staff will issue a tax receipt at the time of drop off, and the donor is responsible for placing a valuation on the items.

 

If a child in your family completes MCPL's Summer Reading program this year, he or she will receive a coupon good through September 30 for one free book at one of the FOLMC bookstores. Now is the perfect opportunity to check out their extensive children's, mystery, literary fiction, fantasy, romance, science fiction, and nonfiction sections. They have something for everyone! More information, including bookstore addresses and hours, is available online.

Library Board Happenings

To develop a long-term reliable source of support and advocacy for people with disabilities, the Library Board has restructured the Disability Resource Center Library Advisory Committee. The new committee, the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) of the Montgomery County Library Board, has membership from County disability organizations and the community.  

 

The mission of the AAC is to advise the MCPL Director and Library Board on how to increase the value of library services and programming for people with disabilities. This includes providing advice, proposals, and practical insights about:

  • Opportunities and practical means to encourage people with disabilities to know about and to use existing library services and programs;
  • Opportunities to improve library services and programming for people with disabilities, including identifying unmet needs;
  • Opportunities for partnerships;
  • Identification of program presenters; and
  • Construction/Refresh of new and existing facilities.
Montgomery County Public Libraries | 240-777-0001 [email protected]