Category: Meet MCPL

Meet Collection Management

Post author By mcplteam
Post date February 27, 2019

The Collection Management Division of MCPL is where the magic happens – selecting, ordering, processing, cataloging and delivering the materials that are available for checkout in all our 21 branches. Need something that is not in our collection? Books, magazines, ebooks, eresources and more are all made available through the hard work of this division.

Dianne Betsey came to MCPL in September 1990 as the Executive Administrative Aide to then Director Agnes Griffin. During the six years Dianne worked in that capacity, she completed her bachelor’s degree in communications from Trinity College in Washington, DC. She continued as Executive Administrative Aide to Director Harriet Henderson after Director Griffin retired in 1996. In 2001, she applied for and was accepted as a Library Associate I in Collection Management’s cataloging section. In 2003, having completed her library associate training, Dianne was promoted to Library Associate II. Her term project was to start an African American book club in Rockville Library. Dianne has been in cataloging for 17 years. The African American Book Discussion Group she started is nearing its 16th anniversary. In addition to book discussions, the group has been creating Black History Month displays for the last 15 years.

Beth Chandler is a Librarian II selector at Collection Management. She buys graphic novels, adult Spanish-language titles, and nearly half the adult nonfiction for MCPL. Following a career in publishing, Beth earned her MLS at Rutgers University. She spent 15 years working in public libraries, five of them with MCPL, doing everything from infant storytimes to online reference to a family sock-puppet-crafting night. Beth loves buying a wide range of titles for MCPL customers and participating in MoComCon, MCPL’s comic convention. You may have heard her speak about MoComCon on a recent episode of the Library Matters podcast. At home, she and her husband have a large collection of books and share a love of science fiction, fantasy, and their brilliant and elegant cat.

Mary Green has worked at MCPL for 23 years. She has been with Collection Management for six months. Her favorite thing about working in cataloging is loading the files and discovering what the system is ordering. She loves that the library offers DVDs and express books and loves to borrow just about anything that catches her eye. There are too many authors Mary likes, but she does enjoy reading historical fiction and nonfiction. She is currently reading Warlight and working on a variety of items.

Stefan Hall has worked at MCPL for three years. His favorite thing about working in the fiscal & delivery unit is taking inventory of all books as they’re unboxed. He loves that the library offers the latest movies from Midwest Tape & Audio Books, too. Stefan’s favorite author is Mary Pope Osborne.

Arlene Means has worked at MCPL for nearly 20 years and at Collection Management for 2-1/2 years. Working in Collection Management has allowed her to experience and appreciate the team effort required to make MCPL’s wide variety of materials available for customers. Her favorite offerings from the library are e-magazines to read on her tablet and online classes from Lynda.com. Arlene likes nonfiction (Malcolm Gladwell), historical fiction (Philippa Gregory), mysteries (Martha Grimes), with a little biography for good measure.

JoEllen Sarff joined MCPL in November 2015 as the children’s non-fiction book selector in Collection Management. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois and moved to Maryland in 1978. Before coming to MCPL, she worked at Prince George’s County Memorial Library System for 34 years. During those years, she worked as a Children’s Librarian, Teen Librarian, Adult Librarian and Branch Manager and also managed a grant project called Wee Care, an outreach service that visited family daycare providers to teach and encourage providers to present storytime programs to the children in their care. JoEllen received her MLS from University of Maryland College Park. The favorite part of her job is choosing just the right children’s non-fiction book to meet the needs of staff and customers. When not working, JoEllen enjoys scrapbooking and making greeting cards to share with family and friends, as well as, to sell at local craft fairs. She also enjoys baking cookies and cakes, playing the ukulele, playing with her three cats and visiting her son.

Karen Simon walked into the Olney Library one spring day in 1996 to find that circulation staff was administering a test for shelvers. She took the test, and her career at MCPL began. After shelving at Olney for nine years, she moved on to Circulation Sub, Library Desk Assistant, then Library Assistant I. Twenty-two years later, she now works in her personal Shangri-La as an Administrative Assistant at Collection Management. She has worked with many wonderful people throughout her career. Karen say, “Time sure does fly and so much of it was fun.”

Tags Books, Collection Management, Podcast

Long Branch Meet MCPL

Meet Long Branch

Post author By mcplteam
Post date August 1, 2018

Long Branch Library

The Long Branch library is nestled in the corner of Silver Spring just north of Piney Branch Road. It is sometimes referred to as the living room for the community. Many of our customers walk to the branch and spend their days playing in our family learning center, using one of our many public computers, or chatting with friends in our study rooms or at study tables. The library seeks to provide an easy-going atmosphere.

The branch offers free computer help, vibrant conversation clubs for learning English and French, tai-chi, and weekday homework help. It has 3 to 4 storytimes a week in English, Spanish, and French. Long Branch is open seven days a week and offers free programs on most of those days. It has an award-winning Digital Media Lab which has hosted video production classes, computer classes, and coding classes.

Fred Akuffo

Stop in, say hi, ask for book recommendations, check out new releases, or just relax. The Long Branch staff hope to see you soon.

Fred Akuffo is one of the longest-serving Long Branch staff members. His ties to the branch go back further than his ten years of supervising our circulation desk. Long Branch was Fred’s hometown library. His roots are deep here. Fred is a huge movie buff and is seen by many as the go-to person for movie recommendations. Our front DVD display is full of his personal selections, and they do not stay on the shelf long.

Navette Blades-May joined MCPL in April 2005 as a Library Assistant I and has worked at Long Branch and Marilyn Praisner libraries. She has over twenty years of library service experience which began at DC Public Library system. Navette enjoys working at the Long Branch Library which has a highly diverse community and customers. She also enjoys helping them to live and learn via outreach and library programs.

Dina Flores & Navette Blades-May

Dina Flores is currently a Library Assistant I at Long Branch Library. She has nineteen years of library service with Montgomery County Libraries. She has worked at several library branches throughout the years. She provides language skill services to the diverse community at Long Branch Library.

Nathan Chadwick

Nathan Chadwick is the branch manager of Long Branch Library. He began working at Long Branch in 2016 after spending time at our Gaithersburg and Germantown branches. He loves working in the community and sharing book recommendations with customers. He strives to make the library a welcoming place for all and believes in putting the community first.

Becky Chen started at Long Branch in 2016 working as a Library Associate. Becky has been a great asset to the library in the work she does behind the desk and the decoration she has added outside the desk. Her vivid and colorful bulletin boards at the branch add brightness and creativity. She loves working on crafts and has even helped with programs. She makes a mean duct tape wallet.

Andrea Erickson is finishing her first year at Long Branch Library. She joined us from Prince George’s County Memorial Library system as head of our children’s services. She speaks French and has helped expand our story times to include a French language storytime and a baby storytime. She brings an amazing font of knowledge of children’s literature and has even had the honor of helping select the prestigious Newberry Award. She has been a wonderful addition to our staff.

Andrea Erickson

Cassandra Harper joined the staff of Long Branch in 2015 as our Adult Services Librarian. Coming from the DC Public Library system, she has brought to Long Branch a strong focus on adult programming. She coordinates the conversation clubs and facilities the branch’s lively book club discussions. Cassandra has set up Adult Tech Time in our Digital Media Lab, giving one-on-one help for customers to ask questions about device or software issues they have encountered.

Cassandra Harper

Chevy Chase Meet MCPL

Meet Chevy Chase

Post author By mcplteam
Post date June 15, 2018

The Chevy Chase branch of MCPL, located at 8005 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, was

originally opened in 1965. Since that time, the building has undergone remodeling of the restrooms; a mini renovation that included re-carpeting, painting, and new information and circulation desks with sit/stand components for ergonomic staff access; and creation of new teen area with new furniture.

The month of July is filled with exciting programs at Chevy Chase library: Read to A Dog; English Conversation Club; Play Date at the Library (fun with DUPLOs and blocks); Toddler Storytime; Jefferson Café Book Discussion; Foreign Film Showing; Teen Movie; and special summer events such as Groovy Nate, Kaydee Puppets, Science in the Summer, and Eric Energy – Spark Attack.

Attend a program; reserve a meeting room; browse the collection, which includes some children’s books in Spanish; check out a Go! Kit; use a public computer; see what the Early Literacy Bilingual Stations are all about; access Wi-Fi; or just relax with a magazine, newspaper or book. Chevy Chase Library has something for everyone!

Rachel Rappaport joined MCPL in 2012 after working at another local library system, a library software company, and The World Bank Library and Archives. Due to working as a floating librarian for the system, Rachel has had the opportunity to work in over 12 branches. Her favorite experience at MCPL thus far has been closing the old Silver Spring Library and opening the new one. She is currently a Librarian II, Head of Adult Services, at Chevy Chase. Aside from her life as a librarian, Rachel enjoys hanging out with her husband, son and dog; spending time with her dad; visiting her beach house in Rehoboth Beach; and traveling the world… all while devouring audiobooks.

Meet MCPL Olney

Info about Info!

Post author By mcplteam
Post date May 21, 2018

Library customers occasionally ask us, “Where’s the Children’s Area Information Desk? Do you still have Children’s Librarians?” They recall the earlier incarnation of Olney Library, where we had separate Information Desks for Adult and Children’s services.

With re-opening of the new Olney branch in 2014 (how time flies!), MCPL made the decision to create one centralized Information Desk. This way, both children and adults would be able to come to one place to have their questions answered. And, because we often have two Information staff working side by side, multiple customers’ questions can be answered more efficiently.

But you may still be wondering, “How about Olney’s Children’s Librarians?” Yes, never fear, we still have (and expect always to have) Children’s Librarians! You’ll see them around the branch leading storytimes, craft programs, and other children’s activities. These staff members are specially trained in understanding children’s literacy needs and conducting children’s programs. Plus, they have a special interest in children’s books and literature.

We’d like to introduce you to our Information Desk staff, starting with our Children’s library staff. All Information Staff members are trained to answer questions about library resources for ALL ages. And we’re always ready to assist customers—in the hunt for a favorite book, tracking down an online article, learning about a new author or library program—or whatever inquiry you may have. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Heather
Heather is Olney Library’s Head of Children’s Services. She’s worked for MCPL for the past 27 years, with stints at Potomac, Quince Orchard, and Rockville Memorial, before coming to Olney when it re-opened in 2014. Prior to working for the County, Heather earned an MBA in Marketing and worked for corporations such as Marriott and AC Nielsen doing market research. But her heart wasn’t in the work, and she switched to becoming a children’s librarian, as she’s always enjoyed children’s books. In fact, she’s even written a few herself! Heather comes from a creative family. Her late father was a journalist/writer and her sister has published children’s picture books. She enjoys working at MCPL because she “learns something every day” and loves creating picture book ‘bundles.’ Heather adds, “Olney has a lot of readers in the community who need help finding good books,” which is another role she relishes.

Favorite children’s book/authors: Bark George by Jules Feiffer; CS Lewis; Madeleine L’Engle; Edward Eager
Favorite children’s program: “Act It Out,” where she leads children in performing roles in children’s books
Favorite genres/types of books: Suspense; time travel like Replay by Ken Grimwood
Favorite authors: Diana Gabaldon, Jodi Picoult, Mary Roach
Hobbies and interests: Heather is a librettist, writing lyrics for song parodies for birthdays, retirements, and special occasions. She also enjoys the challenge of the New York Times’ Sunday crossword puzzles.

Meredith
Meredith is Olney Library’s longest-serving librarian, spending her entire professional career at MCPL. She started as a substitute in 1978, started working part time in 1982, and finally became a full-time Children’s Librarian I in 1987. She’s also worked at Rockville Memorial and temporarily at Twinbrook. Growing up in Olney, Meredith decided to become a librarian at age sixteen, because she liked reading and coming to the local library. She enjoys working with children because, “Every day is different… I like the community and the variety of ages we have here.” When asked what has changed about the local Olney community, she says, “It’s grown larger… though for children’s programming the number of children varies from year to year.” Olney Library values Meredith for her long-term experience, and institutional and community knowledge.

Favorite children’s authors: Keiko Kasza; Karma Wilson; Tamora Pierce
Favorite children’s books genre: Fantasy; mystery; all types of nonfiction
Favorite library program: 2-5 year old preschool storytimes
Favorite genres/authors: Mysteries by Janet Evanovich and Donna Andrews
Hobbies and interests: 4-H, especially their Maryland summer camp (which Meredith has directed for 17 years); candy making; supporting the local fire department

Lori

You may have seen Lori dashing around the branch, leading a storytime or fun crafting event, or helping with creating a book display (and she loves shelving books!) Lori started working at MCPL in 2013 as a Circulation Substitute, during which time she had the opportunity to work at almost all of MCPL’s branches. In 2014, she became an Olney Library circulation staff member, and about 2 years ago was promoted to a Children’s Library Associate. Before working at MCPL, Lori spent her career in sales for companies of all sizes. When asked why she chose libraries, Lori said, “I’ve always loved libraries, and this is a dream job for me.” As to why she enjoys working at Olney, she replied, “I like my teammates and I like the community.”

Favorite children’s book/authors: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll; The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Favorite children’s program: Craft programs
Favorite genres: Fantasy; mystery; all types of nonfiction
Favorite book: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (she also liked the DVD adaptation). And Lori is a big Game of Thrones fan.
Hobbies and interests: “I like to garden, make up recipes, and hang out with my family. My hidden talent is organizing things. And I love animals and have 2 dogs and 2 cats.”

Valarie

Valarie is Olney’s highly capable and experienced Adult Librarian I. She’s been working in libraries for the past 16 years, with her longest tenure at Loudoun County’s Public Library system (VA). There she worked for 11 years at 3 branches, ranging from a small, urban neighborhood branch to large regional branches. During that time, she also managed a small branch for a few years. Other library experience includes the Government Documents department at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins’ Medical Library. Prior to working in libraries, Valarie worked as an editor of trade journals and magazines. She’s passionate about being a librarian at Olney and says, “I like libraries with a neighborhood feel, like Olney. Our customers are so enthusiastic about books and learning.”

Favorite genres/authors: Literary fiction, historical fiction, graphic novels and nonfiction; authors include Jhumpa Lahiri, Dinaw Mengestu and Madeleine Thien.
Favorite graphic novels: Graphic novels about history, such as March by John Lewis & Nate Powell and I Remember Beirut by Zeina Abirached
Favorite MCPL resource: Mango Languages and Gale Courses
Favorite MCPL program: “I like the history and current event programs that MCPL does, such as Contemporary Conversations.”
Hobbies and interests: Valarie likes art, history, music, movies and nature. She’s just gotten into bird watching and said, “I successfully managed to ‘squirrel proof’ our bird feeder after many failed attempts!” Some more unusual birds she’s seen recently are the house finch, white breasted nuthatch, and Carolina chickadee.

Peggy

Peggy is the newest member of Olney’s Information staff, having just started 9 months ago. As an MCPL Public Administration Associate, Peggy is an invaluable member of the team, especially during our busy Sunday hours! Before coming to MCPL, Peggy worked with the US Department of Veteran Affairs for over 30 years, and developed her expertise in health policy issues. Peggy elected to work at MCPL because, “I wanted to get out with people after retirement and this was perfect.” And she adds, “The customers and staff are terrific.”

Favorite book series: “Currently a huge fan of Louise Penny’s Gamache series, but I have too many favorites to name…. and I’m looking forward to November 2018 for the next Louise Penny.”
Favorite genres: History and mystery books
Favorite MCPL resource: Online education resources, such as newspaper databases and Gale Educator’s Reference Complete
Currently reading: Robert Kennedy: His Life by Evan Thomas
Hobbies and interests: “I have gardened for over 50 years and I also love to read and cook. My dogs are also a passion for me. I currently have 4 at home and they keep me very busy!”

Olney Library’s Information staff also includes Marilyn, Head of Adult Services; Carol, Teen/Young Adult Library Associate; and Caroline, Adult Library Associate.

Coming up in future blog posts—meet Olney’s Circulation and Management staff.

Tags Books

Meet MCPL White Oak

Meet White Oak

Post author By mcplteam
Post date May 1, 2018

The White Oak branch of MCPL was recently refreshed, reopening to the community on April 2. The branch, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is located at 11701 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. The features in the refreshed library include ergonomic sit-stand circulation, information, and self-checkout desks; renovated public restrooms; new painting and flooring; two new collaboration spaces; upgraded lighting with improved energy efficient and brighter LED lamps; new furniture; new staircase railing to the lower level area; dual drinking fountain with bottle filling station; and motorized window shades. Outside enhancements include book drops, bike racks, and sidewalk and parking lot improvements.

Laurie Crunk

Laurie Crunk’s route to MCPL began after living overseas and reading enough of the Beat writers to want to see more of America before attending college. A job after high school as a traveling archaeological aide provided enough money to buy a tent and a car to go “on the road.” She settled in the San Francisco Bay area and studied Landscape Architecture and Art History before getting her Master of Library Science in 2008. A chance encounter in Seattle brought her outside of DC, where she worked at the Library of Congress and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), before happily serving the public at MCPL. She is currently the Adult Librarian I at White Oak, having served at Twinbrook, Long Branch, Davis, and Silver Spring. Laurie enjoys live music, creating mixed media artwork, designing landscapes in her head, and walking in the woods with her dog, Lola.

Judy Ehrenstein has proudly been a Children’s Librarian in MCPL since November 1995. She has worked at Aspen Hill, Wheaton, Noyes, Silver Spring (the old and new buildings), and White Oak. Before moving to Maryland, she worked in Urbana, IL and Boston, MA. Outside of work, Judy helps with the Blair High School Robotics Team (go 449!), the Blair Drama & Choir Boosters, and the Washington Revels. She enjoys baking, bicycling, reading, knitting, and watching British mysteries on TV. Judy lives in Silver Spring with her husband and two children, one of whom is in college in Ohio.

Angelisa Hawes

Angelisa Hawes is the manager of the White Oak branch and the previous manager of Aspen Hill. She came to MCPL in 2014 after having worked in public libraries in DC, Virginia, and Michigan. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, she came to the DMV area to attend college. She holds a Bachelor’s in English from Howard University, a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, and attended George Washington University for Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts. In her spare time, Angelisa enjoys traveling, antique and thrift store shopping, crafting, and great food! She collects African and Asian art and antique silver “high tea” items. She enjoys reading and listening to children’s and adult literature and is currently obsessed with the My Little Pony series that her daughter and her enjoy taking turns reading to one another.

Carolyn Maddox (left)
and Judy Ehrenstein

Carolyn Maddox is the Head of Children’s Services at White Oak branch. In 1982, she began her career as a part-time Children’s Librarian I at Long Branch Library. From there, she went to Olney for several years. She was then promoted to the Librarian II at Noyes Library for Young Children where she helped to celebrate their 100 year anniversary. After that, she went to Marilyn Praisner (then Fairland) and then White Oak. There was never any question for her that her career would be in children’s services. She has an undergraduate degree in biology from Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia and received her Master of Library Science from Indiana University. Carolyn has enjoyed working with many amazing staff and customers in her years with MCPL.

Germantown Meet MCPL

Meet Germantown

Post author By mcplteam
Post date March 1, 2018

The Germantown branch of MCPL is located at 19840 Century Boulevard. Besides its great collection, which includes materials in Chinese and Spanish, the branch also offers computers for public use, Wi-Fi, Go! Kits for children ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 12, collaboration spaces, Discovery Rooms, meeting rooms, Early Literacy and Afterschool Edge workstations, quiet study rooms, exciting programs, and so much more. Stop in and check it out!

At Germantown Library, the team of 14 Library Pages make up the “well-oiled machine” that is the backbone of the branch. These unsung heroes make books and other materials easily available by keeping everything shelved and in good order. The energetic team of Children’s Room Pages pictured here (l-r) are: Ana Turcu, Astrid Widjaja and Hafsa Karim. With their upbeat attitudes, they always add a breath of fresh air!

Susan Cohen is the Librarian II, Head of Adult Services, for the

Germantown Library, and Project Coordinator for the Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library, a new one stop statewide resource on deaf culture and deaf related resources funded by Maryland State Library. In 1984, she found her calling as a librarian when she was given the opportunity to lead library programs and services for the deaf and hard of hearing community and people with disabilities for MCPL. For Susan, the best part about working in the library is making a difference in the lives of customers and finding treasure troves of information. She has two Master’s degrees, the first in Deaf Education from McDaniel College and the second, in Library and Information Science, from Drexel University iSchool. She enjoys reading, playing Word Chums, traveling, and spending time with her husband and family.

Damascus Meet MCPL

Meet Damascus

Post author By mcplteam
Post date December 1, 2017

Damascus Library is located in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, an initiative created in 1980 to preserve farmland and rural communities. The branch started as a bookmobile stop (1952-1973), then moved to a storefront in the Damascus Centre shopping plaza (1973-1990). Its current location at 9701 Main Street is in a building designed to invoke a farm barn. We share our building with the Damascus Senior Center, and on our grounds are a daycare center and the Damascus Heritage Society Museum.

Damascus is known for its close-knit community and small-town feel. In fact, it was listed as #31 in Money magazine’s September 2015 article “America’sTop 50 Best Places to Live.”

Train Day at Damascus Library

Library staff at the Celebrate Damascus Parade

Meet MCPL Rockville

Meet Rockville Memorial

Post author By mcplteam
Post date April 1, 2017

The Rockville Memorial branch, located at 21 Maryland Avenue in Rockville, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016. The branch was located at 99 Maryland Avenue for many years.

The original name was Rockville Library. On November 10, 2009, County Executive Leggett signed a proclamation declaring that the name of the library be changed to honor “those who have given their lives defending the principles of freedom during every major military conflict and will be deserving of the highest gratitude and honor by the people of Montgomery County.” It was ceremoniously renamed Rockville Memorial Library on May 28, 2010.

Dana Alsup joined MCPL in 2013 and is currently a Librarian II at Rockville Memorial Library. She has enjoyed working on MCPL projects like MoComCon, 3D printing, and the new Studio i makerspace at Rockville Memorial, where she leads the program Happy Crafting. When not at Rockville Memorial, she loves reading nonfiction and mysteries, baking, playing with her dog, and working on her old house.

Jeff Corber joined MCPL in 2014 as a part-time librarian. It was a welcome change from his previous commute to Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. Jeff earned his degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University while living in New Orleans. In June 2016, his passion for the outdoors and animals led him to travel to a remote part of the Peruvian jungle, where he spent time hiking, watching wildlife, swimming, and rafting down a tributary of the Amazon River. He’s been a full-time Librarian I at Rockville Memorial for about two and a half years, where he enjoys teaching computer classes and helping people find what they need.

Theresia Ingberg is currently a Library Assistant I at Rockville Memorial Library. She was born a very long time ago (MORE than a half century) at Suburban Hospital. She attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Montgomery County. Theresia has worked for Montgomery County Public Libraries since 1985, when she started as a page at Davis Library. Since then, she has worked in various roles at Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Rockville Memorial. She reads a lot. She loves science fiction, fantasy, and children’s literature. Her favorite authors include Maryland native Catherine Asaro, Isaac Asimov, Kage Baker, Beverly Cleary, Patrice Kindl, Sharon Shinn, and many more.

Kathie Meizner, Manager at Rockville Memorial Library, has been with Montgomery County Public Libraries since the dawn of time. She became a librarian because she fell in love with a book from the bookmobile that visited her small Colorado community when she was in 2nd grade. It took her 25 years, a Master’s degree in Library Science, and a career in children’s books and librarianship, before she found the book again in the stacks of the Library of Congress. What was the book? The Land of Forgotten Beasts by Barbara Wersba. Kathie has coordinated programs, supervised collection development, and managed bookmobile services and three library branches at MCPL. If she had bumper stickers on her car, one would say, I’d Rather Be Reading and the other would say, I’d Rather Be Sailing.

Meet MCPL Potomac

Meet Potomac

Post author By mcplteam
Post date February 1, 2017

The Potomac branch of MCPL is located at 10101 Glenolden Drive in Potomac. Prior to the branch opening at its current location in 1985, it had been run from a rented retail basement space since 1974.

The Potomac branch, like all MCPL branches, has something for everyone! This month at the Potomac Library check out Potomac Toddlers Storytime, Potomac Legomasters: Build the Prettiest Heart!, Teen Writers Club, and Coffee, Conversation, & Coloring! See the Calendar of Events for more programs.

Tina Rawhouser

Tina Rawhouser has enjoyed getting to know the staff and the community of Potomac Library since becoming the branch manager in July 2016. She was a teacher and retail store manager before a suggestion from a stranger led her to librarianship. Coincidentally, Tina got to thank that stranger in person because the stranger worked in the first library to offer Tina a job after graduation! She enjoys curling up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book in cold weather, riding her motorcycle in warmer weather, and getting outdoors for a long walk with her dog in any weather.

Anne Gerlach

Anne Gerlach has always enjoyed working with children. Before coming to MCPL, she helped in a daycare center and taught creative writing in an afterschool group of eager elementary students.
Before entering graduate school, but already busy at MCPL, her other adventures included writing lyrics and being the lead singer in a folk rock band, illustrating cards for a science fiction card game, and participating in theater. Her current hobbies include script-writing and directing her church theater group and “puttering around” in her studio, as well as avidly watching shows from “across the pond.” She also looks forward to broadening her experiences through travel with her travel buddies, and taking LOADS of pictures.

Amy Chen

Amy Chen has been grateful and enthusiastic about working at MCPL since 2001, and has enjoyed being the Library Assistant Supervisor at Potomac Library since October 2013. Before moving to America, she was an assistant manager at a major insurance company in Taiwan for 7 years. Upon settling in Maryland, she taught at Chinese schools for 15 years before becoming a full-time employee at MCPL. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, doing art projects, and writing Chinese calligraphy. She especially enjoys sharing Chinese culture with young students. She hosts Chinese New Year programs, and shows kids how to do traditional crafts, such as paper cutting, paper folding, and flour dough kneading. When the weather’s nice, she enjoys going out for walks and playing some tennis and golf.

Meet MCPL Noyes Library for Young Children

Get to Know… Noyes Library!

Post author By mcplteam
Post date November 3, 2016

Noyes Library for Young Children, located at 10237 Carroll Place in Kensington, offers books and programs specifically for early childhood, along with a comfortable space for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to read and play together with their special adults. The Noyes Library has been listed as one of the remarkable libraries across America in a feature by the LA Times.

Yuliya Doychinova (L) was born and raised in Bulgaria, but 12 years ago an opportunity to work at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, DC presented itself and now the US is home. She joined MCPL in 2012 and currently is a part-time Library Assistant I at the Noyes Library for Young Children. She enjoys working at this charming one-room library which offers excellent programs for young children. When she is not at work, you will find her at home with her family and tending to her beautiful flower garden.

Cissie Williams (C) joined MCPL in 2003 as an Information Substitute, where she most enjoyed teen and adult queries and generally feared and avoided questions at the Children’s Desk. Despite her anxiety, she began subbing regularly at Noyes Library for Young Children in 2010, where she discovered that not only was she entirely capable of answering children’s questions, she was actually good at it and loved it! She’s been the part-time Librarian I at Noyes since the position was created in 2014 and can be found there presenting storytimes, playing ukulele, and self-educating about early literacy. Inside and outside Noyes, she enjoys dancing (all kinds), music (all kinds), teaching the world how to play uke one person at a time, eating cake, and hiking (outside).

Christine Felix (R) is currently the Librarian II at the Noyes Library for Young Children. She enjoys all things glitter, anything by Mo Willems and a good dance beat. She loves being a children’s librarian because it allows her to read, dance, play and make a mess while teaching children and parents the importance of early literacy. She hopes to travel more up and down the East Coast and to visit someplace warm next December.