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April 2016
Where the County Reads, Where the County Meets, Where the County Learns 
In This Issue
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From Our Collection

TAG teens with authors Veronica Rossi_ Kami Garcia_ and Susan Dennard

Authors Veronica Rossi, Kami Garcia, and Susan Dennard (center, left to right, above) visited the Bethesda branch on February 18 for a conversation and book signing. Rossi and Garcia also sat down for a private conversation with members of MCPL's Teen Advisory Group and answered questions about their favorite books, growing up reading, and becoming writers.

Save the Date

Poolesville Library Celebrates 25th Anniversary

April 10-16

Poolesville Branch 

Join the week-long celebration of Poolesville Library's 25th anniversary culminating on Saturday, April 16, 2 PM, with a ceremony led by County Executive Isiah Leggett.

 

National Poetry Month

Celebrate poetry and increase the appreciation of this form of literature with writing groups and special events.

 

Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Month

A reminder to people of all ages to make reading a priority activity.

 

National Library Week

April 10-16

Celebrate the contributions of our libraries and promote library use.

 

National Library Worker Day

April 10-16

A day to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Stop by your local branch to show appreciation for the staff or give them a shout out on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Children's Day/Book Day (El d�a de los ni�os/El d�a de los libros)

April 30

Celebrate children, families, and reading! This day emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for every child regardless of cultural background.

 

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

Your Monthly Inspiration

Emily Dickinson quote
"There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away" from There is no Frigate like a Book by Emily Dickinson
County Events

Council Holds Public Hearings on FY17 Operating Budget

April 5, 7 PM;
April 6, 1:30 PM and 7 PM;
April 7, 1:30 PM and 7 PM
Third Floor Hearing Room
Council Office Building
1100 Maryland Ave, Rockville

Those interested in testifying can sign up online or by calling 240-777-7803.

 

Primary Election

April 26, 7 AM - 8 PM

Early Voting for the 2016 Primary Election runs Thursday, April 14, through Thursday, April 21, from 10 AM until 8 PM. The primary election will be held April 26. 

 

Levine Music at Silver Spring Library

Levine Music will be opening its fifth campus at the new Silver Spring Library in fall 2016. Learn more about the new campus (PDF). 

 

From the Director
 
On Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 10 AM, County Executive Leggett will hold a ceremony to officially reopen the Kensington Park branch. 
 
Closed on October 10, 2015, Kensington Park is the second MCPL branch to be modernized using an exciting and innovative approach introduced in our FY13-16 Strategic Facilities Plan and implemented by the County Executive's Library Refurbishment Level of Effort Capital Improvement Program.  
 
shelves of books with book carts The work to refresh the Kensington Park branch included: 
  • Installation of a full service elevator; 
  • Two collaboration/conference spaces; 
  • New information and circulation customer service desks; 
  • Updated public restrooms;
  • Enhanced preschool children's space with new shelving; 
  • room lined with bookshelves with benches in the middle Additional furniture; 
  • Painting; 
  • Replacement of carpet; 
  • Additional electrical outlets; 
  • Enhanced Wi-Fi; 
  • Digital display; and 
  • New technology including a 3D Printer, charging station for customers' mobile devices, and in-house use laptops to borrow.  
 
MCPL Refreshed logo Visit our Kensington Park branch - it's refreshing!

 
  B. Parker Hamilton signature
 
 
B. Parker Hamilton, Director  
  
Meet MCPL

Poets and Lyricists at MCPL

Eric Carzon in front of READ poster Eric Carzon has been MCPL's Business Manager for the past 11 years. He has been with the County for 19 years; he was a Senior Budget Analyst and a Project Manager before joining MCPL. A lifelong Marylander, Eric holds a Master's degree in Public Management from the University of Maryland at College Park. He has been writing songs and performing since the eighth grade. Eric was editor of his high school and college literary magazines and lead singer and guitarist in the groups Soul Dissension and Ishmael. He is currently a member of the Song Writer's Association of Washington.

Lisa Navidi holding book by Jane Austen Lisa Navidi is the Head of Adult Services at the Davis branch. She has been with MCPL for 30 years in various branches including the former Bookmobile. Lisa is an avid reader and loves to recommend books to anyone who will listen. She is an enthusiastic, if not proficient, bowler and a lyricist along with her co-writer Heather Wright. They have written parody lyrics to music for many friends and co-workers.

Heather Wright holding book bundle and sign Heather Wright is currently the Librarian II, Children's Services, at the Olney branch.  Heather has been with MCPL since 1990, and has previously worked at Potomac, Quince Orchard, and Rockville Memorial branches.  
Originally from Wisconsin, she worked in the field of marketing and marketing research before she decided to pursue a career in library science. She enjoys reading and crossword puzzles and only very occasional light exercise. Along with her co-writer Lisa Navidi, she is the lyricist of several parody songs for friends and co-workers.

Visit our Shout Out Blog on April 13 for more on our staff lyricists, including examples of their work! 
MCPL Moving Forward

The closing of Wheaton Library marks a new beginning! 
County Executive Leggett and a boy count down to gate closing
Find out more about the Wheaton Closing Ceremony and interim space for the Wheaton branch and Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. bookstore.

New ramp at Noyes Library for Children offers access for all!
new ramp at noyes library decorated with balloons
Learn more about the new ramp and other efforts in the Make MORE Noyes! campaign from the Noyes Library Foundation. 

Ask us about... email notification
...that you can get library alerts by e-mail? Get your holds notification faster! Save money by avoiding late fees! Sign up for email notification from MCPL. Email notification is the fastest way to be informed when the items you requested are ready for pickup, when the items you've borrowed are due to be returned, and when your library card needs to be renewed. Save time... Save money! Sign up for email notification or update your email address today!
FOL Happenings

Nadia Hashimi

An Evening with the Author

Monday, May 9 at 6:30 PM

The Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda

 

A special evening event presenting international bestselling author Nadia Hashimi whose debut novel, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, depicts the life of a young Afghan girl whose family decides to dress her as a boy until she is of marriageable age. Hashimi's second novel, When The Moon Is Low, chronicles the perilous journey of an Afghan family as they flee Taliban-controlled Kabul and fall into the dark world of Europe's undocumented.

 

Hashimi was born in the United States to Afghan parents who left Afghanistan in the 1970s before the Soviet invasion. Afghan culture and its people are the centerpieces to her novels. She has two more books releasing in 2016, A House Without Windows and her first young adult novel, One Half From The East.

 

The evening will feature an intimate hors d'oeuvre and wine reception catered by Ridgewells while guests tour the beautiful art exhibitions in the historic Strathmore Mansion. Guests will have an opportunity to meet the author and have their books personally signed. Copies of the books will be available to purchase on-site. Reserve your space for An Evening with the Author on the FOLMC website.

 

Celebrate the Magic of Libraries April 9
 
Last chance to attend the Library After Dark Gala on April 9. Purchase your tickets online. 
Library Board Happenings

Libraries Matter

Is the Library Advisory Committee for You? 

 

The mission of a Library Advisory Committee (LAC) is to advise the Montgomery County Library Board (MCLB) and the branch manager on issues of local interest and concern for the benefit of the community and Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). These issues may include, but are not limited to, policy matters, collections, services, and facilities. The LACs are the voice of the community operating on a grassroots level for each library branch or services section. A single LAC is designated to represent the needs of each local library or special services section of MCPL.

 

The local LACs are the eyes and ears of the MCPL system. It is through the observations and suggestions of LACs that MCLB can advise the MCPL director and other senior managers of the department about what local library branches are doing well, and what needs improvement.

 

Interested in getting more involved? Become an LAC member. Download an application or visit your local branch to apply. Libraries Matter!

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