Tag: branches

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Did You Know Library Branches

Montgomery County Public Libraries to Add Branch Service Hours in January

MCPL will offer additional hours of branch service to the community, effective Jan. 2, 2022. 

“Our libraries are critical gathering epicenters throughout our communities where many residents rely on, not just access to books, but to the internet as well,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I appreciate the work of our employees and I thank our residents and patrons of the library for their patience as we worked to ensure that our libraries are COVID safe and accessible for both visitors and employees.”

The hours of operation at all MCPL branches, except Maggie Nightingale (Poolesville) and Noyes Library for Young Children, will be: 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Friday and Saturday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The hours and schedule for Maggie Nightingale (currently closed for refresh) and Noyes libraries will remain as they currently stand.

“One of my highest priorities is to work towards providing equity of service to our community members,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “By equalizing and restoring hours at all of our branches, we are taking a huge step in continuing this mission.  I thank everyone who was involved in this process, as well as our customers for their patience.” 

For more information on MCPL services, please visit https://montgomerycountymd.gov/library/.

Categories
Events & Programs

Maryland Stem Festival 2021 Celebrates Health & Wellness at MCPL

The 2021 Maryland Science Festival (MdSTEMFest), presented by the Biogen Foundation, is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that takes place every fall. In 2021, Maryland STEM Festival brings hundreds of events focused on fun, interactive science learning opportunities. Students, families, friends, STEM professionals, teachers, volunteers will all enjoy events taking place throughout Maryland.

MCPL MdSTEMFest Events

We’re proud to host many Maryland STEM Festival events at MCPL this year. Ours are among hundreds of community events this October and November showcasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for people of all ages across Maryland.Check out the direct link to all events on our calendar and join us!

The Maryland Science Festival, founded in 2015, is one of the first statewide science or STEM festivals in
the United States. Celebrating its 7th anniversary in 2021, the Festival continues to showcase the
economic, educational, and cultural impact of science in Maryland. MdSTEMFest 2021’s theme is
“Health and Wellness”—a nod to the state’s large community of scientists; and to the ingenuity of
citizens who have been addressing the Pandemic throughout the last year.

“The MdSTEMFest is an event whose time as certainly arrived, “says Phil Rogofsky, the Festival’s
Director. “There can never be enough events to show the importance of and connect Marylanders with
the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Our future depends on how we use
STEM.”

Enter the Maryland STEM Festival Art Contest

Students in elementary, middle and high school can enter the Maryland Stem Festival 2021 Art Contest by October 31, 2021. Find more details and the entry form here.

Check out all of MCPL’s MdSTEMFest events here.

Categories
Events & Programs Germantown Library Branches

Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Germantown Branch to Reopen

County Executive Marc Elrich invites residents to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the grand reopening of the newly refreshed Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) Germantown Branch located at 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown. 

“I am pleased that the Germantown Library will reopen its doors to the community with innovative upgrades that will improve the visitor experience for Germantown residents,” said County Executive Elrich. “Libraries are precious spaces throughout our County; these are the places where kids can first learn to read, where favorite books or authors are discovered and where the community gathers. Whether you are frequent user or have never stepped through the door, I encourage all residents to ‘check out’ the local library in your community.”

“We are so excited to reopen Germantown Library to its community members, who we know have been anxiously anticipating this day,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo.  “I hope they will be as pleased as we are about all the new refurbishments.” 

The refresh for the library includes new ergonomic sit-stand circulation and information desks; renovation of the public restrooms; new paint, carpet and other floor finishes; new furniture throughout most of the library; upgraded lighting with improved energy efficient and brighter LED lamps; drinking fountain with bottle filling station; new shelving in teen area; new interior signage and exterior building name sign; sound attenuation acoustic panels in the rotunda; new VOIP phone system; and ADA accessibility upgrades throughout. 

Categories
Did You Know

Montgomery County Public Libraries to Launch New Catalog Monday

On Monday, Oct. 4, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will transition to Aspen Discovery, a brand-new library catalog providing customers with a new suite of features and a better online experience.

As part of this transition, from the evening of Friday, Oct. 1, until the morning of Monday, Oct. 4: 

  • The catalog search functionality will be limited or unavailable;
  • Online library card applications will be unavailable;
  • Online resources, including databases and e-books, will experience disruptions; and
  • Customers will be unable to place holds or renew items checked out to their accounts. 

Library branches will be open for in-person service on Saturday, Oct. 2, but service will be limited to the checking out of materials. Any items returned to library branches after Friday evening, will not be checked in until Monday. This means they will continue to show up on customer accounts, but they will be back dated when cleared.  

 “I thank our customers for their patience as we launch Aspen Discovery,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “We know they will be pleased with our new catalog once this transition is complete.”  

With Aspen Discovery, customers will be able to:

  • Access the public catalog via any mobile device
  • Search the E-book and print collection simultaneously 
  • Browse all formats (print, e-book, audio book etc.) of a title within one search result  
  • Receive suggestions for other related titles to check out while waiting for a hold to be filled 
  • Review current checkouts, renew materials, and place holds online for physical and electronic materials  
  • Manage their own privacy settings for reading and search history 
  • View and pay fees online
  • Save search alerts for arrival of new materials
  • Select and change notification preferences (text, email)
  • Add star ratings to titles 
  • Make purchase suggestions online 
  • Create, manage and share lists of favorite books 
  • Seamless integration of news, events and other communication 
  • And much more! 

All customers’ current account information (checkouts, holds, fines, address and phone, etc.) will be available on the new system. Individuals’ library barcodes and personal identification numbers will remain the same.  

While we transition to our new public library catalog:

  • You may checkout materials but returns will not be processed until Monday, October 4
  • Catalog search functionality will be limited or unavailable
  • Online library card applications will be unavailable
  • Online resources, including databases and e-books, will experience disruptions
  • You will be unable to place holds or renew items checked out to your account

For more about Aspen and our new catalog visit MCPL’s website.

Categories
Did You Know

October is Energy Action Month


Montgomery Energy Connection is celebrating Energy Action Month in October, 2021, by focusing on energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, lighting consumes 10 percent of the total electricity used in homes. Energy Action Month is an opportunity to for residents to take proactive steps to lower their energy usage and their utility bills.

Swapping out your old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs for LEDs @ MCPL is a great way to make your home more energy efficient. There is a limit of three bulbs per family at each event.

Energy Action Month – Lighten Up Events

Montgomery Energy Connection will be at these branches throughout October. Bring your bulbs and receive LEDs!

Aspen Hill, Friday-October 1, 11am-1pm
Chevy Chase, Saturday-October 9, 11am-1pm
Connie Morella, Tuesday-October 12, 1pm-3pm
Damascus, Wednesday-October 13, 11am-1pm
Davis, Thursday-October 14, 11am-1pm
Gaithersburg, Friday-October 15, 11am-1pm
Kensington Park, Saturday-October 16, 11am-1pm
Little Falls, Monday-October18th, 11am-1pm
Long Branch, Tuesday-October19th, 1pm-3pm
Marilyn Praisner, Wednesday-October20, 11am-1pm
Noyes Library for Young Children, Thursday-October 21, 11am-1pm
Olney, Friday-October 22, 11am-1pm
Potomac, Saturday-October 23, 11am-1pm
Quince Orchard, Monday-October 25, 11am-1pm
Rockville Memorial, Tuesday-October26, 1pm-3pm
Silver Spring, Wednesday-October 27, 11am-1pm
Twinbrook, Thursday-October 28, 1pm-3pm
Wheaton, Friday-October 29, 11am-1pm
White Oak, Saturday-October 30, 11am-1pm

Bring us your bulbs in October, and find out other ways to be more energy efficient in your homes. Balloons soar–your utility bills shouldn’t. For more information on lowering utility costs and keeping money in your pocket, visit www.MontgomeryEnergyConnection.org.

Categories
Did You Know Events & Programs

MCPL and Montgomery County Board of Elections to Celebrate National Voter Registration Day on September 28, 2021

The Montgomery County Board of Elections (BOE) will provide information tables at select branches of Montgomery County Public Libraries on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in celebration of National Voter Registration Day. The BOE seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach voters who may not register otherwise and to ensure everyone can vote during next year’s Primary Gubernatorial elections on June 28, 2022.

BOE information tables will be located at the following branches on September 28:

12 p.m. –2 p.m.

Marilyn J. Praisner Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, MD 20832
Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850

5 p.m.–7 p.m.

Connie Morella Library (Bethesda), 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Silver Spring Library, 900 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910

Categories
Library Branches Maggie Nightingale

Maggie Nightingale Library to Close Aug. 2 for Refresh Project

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is announcing that the Maggie Nightingale Library, 19633 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville, will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2 to undergo interior improvements under the County’s award-winning Library Refurbishment initiative.

The project will include replacement of carpeting/flooring, some new shelving, a new service desk, painting, replacement of doors and installation of the Open Plus automated system. Work will also be performed to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The library will be closed for six to eight months.

“Physical construction for the refresh project at Maggie Nightingale will begin in September; we are closing ahead of the construction start date to complete the internal reorganization of collections and shelving,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “We look forward to resuming operations at the branch in spring of 2022, and hope customers will access services at nearby branches and our 24/7 website while the facility is undergoing the refresh process.”

Please check www.montgomerycountymd.gov/libraryfor information regarding the closing, including the last date for book returns in the branch book drop and the last date for placement of holds for the Maggie Nightingale Library location.

For additional information, contact Angelisa Hawes by telephone at 240-777-0022 or email at angelisa.hawes@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Categories
Did You Know Library Branches Wheaton

Reopening Date for Wheaton Library Moved to June 14

Orange and brick exterior of the Wheaton Maryland Library.

The Wheaton Library will now reopen to the public on June 14. The service hours for the branch will be:

  • Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

Wheaton Library, along with the seven additional branches reopening on June 14 and the six branches reopened to the public on June 1, will follow newly adjusted opening procedures which include no appointments, no capacity limits, and no social distance requirements. 

Holds to Go service will be discontinued prior to the reopening of the branch, but customers can pick up any remaining holds on-site on or after June 14.

Visit our website for additional information.

Categories
Did You Know Library Branches

Montgomery County Public Libraries Set to Reopen Seven More Branches on June 14

A composite photo of seven reopening library branch buildings with blue text that reads "six more MCPL branches to reopen June 14"

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is announcing the reopening of seven additional branches to the public on June 14. The branches are:

Aspen Hill Library; 4407 Aspen Hill Road, Rockville
Damascus Library; 9701 Main Street, Damascus
Davis Library; 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda
Little Falls Library; 5501 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda
Long Branch Library; 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring
Potomac Library; 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac
Quince Orchard Library; 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg

These seven branches join six branches that will reopen to the public on June 1:

Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda  
Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave.  
Marilyn J. Praisner Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville  
Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road  
Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave. 
Silver Spring Library, 900 Wayne Ave.  

“All of us at Montgomery County Public Libraries are pleased to take this step towards safely resuming in-branch services to our community members,” said Montgomery County Public Library Director Anita Vassallo. “Although the digital resources, virtual programs and “Holds To Go” service provided by our dedicated staff were incredibly popular over the past year, we know how much the residents of the County value being able to visit their public libraries, and we are looking forward to welcoming people back to our buildings.” 

All branches will follow newly adjusted opening procedures which include no appointments, no capacity limits, and no social distance requirements. Holds to Go service will be discontinued prior to the reopening of the branches.

The remaining branches will reopen on July 6, with the exception of Germantown Library, which is closed for a refresh project, and Noyes Library for Young Children.

For additional information visit MCPL’s website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

Categories
Germantown Library Branches

Montgomery County Public Libraries Announces the Closing Date for Germantown Library Refresh Project

MCPL Refreshed in black text spread across the top of a blue arrow pointing right

The Germantown Library will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 to undergo interior improvements under the County’s award-winning Library Refurbishment initiative.

 The project will include new flooring throughout public areas, new water fountains/bottle filling stations, new upper and lower-level service desks, sound dampening in the rotunda, painting of the stairway handrails, new shelving on the mezzanine, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) remediation throughout the building, including all restrooms. The library will be closed for approximately four months. 

“Physical construction for the refresh project at Germantown will begin in May; we are closing ahead of the construction start date to complete the internal reorganization of collections and shelving,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “We look forward to resuming operations at the branch in late summer/early fall, and hope customers will access services at nearby branches, Damascus, Quince Orchard and Gaithersburg, and our 24/7 website while the facility is undergoing the refresh process.”

Please check www.montgomerycountymd.gov/libraryfor information regarding the closing, including the last date for Holds to Go pick-up and the last date for placement of holds for the Germantown Library location.