Library news

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

This week, schools, campuses and communities across the country celebrate National Library Week, a time to remind the public about the contribution libraries, librarians and library workers make to their communities every day.

Library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a decade-long trend, and it’s easy to see why. Libraries are places where everyone can go to discover the world.

People of all ages visit the library for entertainment, self-help or to find their place in the community. With free resources like books, magazines, DVDs and computer and Wi-Fi access, libraries help people find new jobs, do better in school, tackle projects and learn new ways to improve their health.

What makes the library unique is access to trained professionals — librarians — to help people find and interpret the information they need to make a difference in their lives. The libraries also help keep all of us connected, providing a space for people of all ages, classes and races to come together while keeping us connected to events and people around the world. It’s where people can keep up with world events or research where to volunteer locally.

What can you discover? National Library Week is the perfect time to find out. Join family, friends and the community in the circle of knowledge at the library.

Spring book bazaaris here

The spring book bazaar will be held through April 19 on the lower level of the La Plata library.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

To become a member on members only day, show up, sign up and stock up.

There is a charge for membership.

Library board to meet

The next library board of trustees meeting will be held at 9:15 a.m. April 17 at the La Plata library.

Items for sale

The library is selling mouse pads at all branch locations for $4 each. Lanyards are $4 and headsets are $2.

Kids can beginlearning early

Preschool story times for children 2-5 will be at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday story times are held at the Potomac branch, Wednesday story times are held at the P.D. Brown branch and Thursday story times are held at the La Plata branch.

The spring session will be through the week of May 27.

The themes for the spring session are:

* ‘‘Crocodile Style” the week of April 22.

* ‘‘How’s the Weather?” the week of April 29.

* ‘‘Baby, Baby” the week of May 6.

* ‘‘Monster Hug” the week of May 13.

* ‘‘Zoo Hoo” the week of May 20.

* ‘‘Final Frontier” the week of May 27.

Teach kids howto reach home

An ‘‘I Know My Home Phone” button is available from the children’s librarian at each branch for children who can recite their home phone number without help from an adult.

Sing alongwith children

Been to a library story time and after leaving wished you could remember the words to a song? Looking for music for the classroom or home? Just want to have fun with the kids? Visit the county library’s Web page, linked to the library’s home page, and check out its archive of songs for children. All lyrics are printer-friendly. Go to www.ccplonline.org.

Meeting the needsof babies

Join the infants and toddlers program for children with special needs from 2-3 p.m. Thursdays at P.D. Brown library. To R.S.V.P., call Kimberly Joseph, special educator, at 301-753-1745 or e-mail kjoseph@ccboe.

Dial-A-Story

Dial-A-Story is available at 301-934-3552 (24⁄7). There is a TDD at the P.D. Brown branch with the public pay phone.

Fun-filled Saturdays

Saturday Specials are held the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Potomac branch, 1 p.m. at the P.D. Brown branch and at 3 p.m. at the La Plata branch. The next Saturday Special is May 3. Events include stories, crafts, songs and more family events. All ages welcome.

Check out P.D. Brown’s Spanish collection

Library card application forms are now available in Spanish.

Read and discusswith adults

The Waldorf book club meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m. the first Saturday of every month. The next book discussion will be May 3, when the club will discuss ‘‘Airframe” by Michael Crichton. On June 7 ‘‘The Color of Water” by James McBride, July 5 ‘‘Fried Green Tomatoes” by Fannie Flagg and Aug. 2 ‘‘The Good Earth” by Pearl Buck will be discussed.

Those interested in joining the Waldorf book discussion, call 301-645-2864 or e-mail pdbrownref@ccplonline.org with your library card number to reserve a copy of the book.

La Plata meets from 7-8 p.m. the second Thursday of every month. The next book discussion will be May 8, when the club will discuss ‘‘The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

On June 12 ‘‘My Antonia” by Willa Cather, July 10 ‘‘The Zookeeper’s Wife” by Diane Ackerman and Aug. 14 ‘‘A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson will be discussed.

Call 301-934-9001 for more information about the La Plata book discussions.

For those interested in a discussion group at the Potomac branch, call 301-375-7375.

Book discussions are also available at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center and the Indian Head Senior Center.

Jane Austenfans welcome

Check out the Jane Austen Book Club at Waldorf. For further details, e-mail cthornley@somd.lib.md.us.

Supporting the library

Support the local library system. Consider making a memorial gift to honor a loved one or to mark a holiday, special birthday, anniversary or graduation. E-mail eferren@somd.lib.md.us or call 301-934-9001, Ext. 20.

The writer is the director of the Charles County Public Library.