Library Matters

MCPL speaks to the MoComCon event chairs and learns what is in store for MoComCon 2020.

MCPL Director Anita Vassallo, talks shop with Julia and Lauren, discusses how she got to where she is today, her interactions with people throughout her career and tells her vision for the future of MCPL. Title: #55 – Meet MCPLs newest Director, Anita Vassallo Summary: MCPL Director Anita Vassallo, talks shop with Julia and Lauren, discusses how she got to where she is today, her interactions with people throughout her career and tells her vision for the future of MCPL. Recording Date: November 5, 2019 Guest: Anita Vassallo, Director, MCPL Hosts: Lauren Martino, Julie Dina What Our Guest is Reading: South of Board – by Pat Conroy The Secret Commonwealth – by Phillip Pullman Human Comedy – by William Saroyan Murder on the OL’Bunions – By S. Dionne Moore

Summary: Librarians Christine Freeman and Amy Alapati talk about MCPL's upcoming Summer Read and Learn program, which starts June 15 and runs through August 31. This program offers children and teens fun incentives to read and learn all summer long. There will be amazing events at MCPL branches throughout the summer as well. Join us for the fun! Recording Date: May 9, 2019 Guests: Olney Branch Manager Christine Freeman and Children's Librarian Amy Alapati Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading: Christine Freeman: Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray and One Good Thing About America by Ruth Freeman Amy Alapati: Trace by Pat Cummings, The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell Books Mentioned During This Episode: Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce The First Men Who Went to the Moon by Rhonda Gowler Greene How Do Space Vehicles Work? by Buffy Silverman Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly Spaced Out by Stuart Gibbs Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk Other Items of Interest: Social Justice Book Club for 4th-6th Grades at Olney Library  Read the transcript

Summary: Vinyl Day organizer and Twinbrook Library manager Eric Carzon offers a sneak peak at the April 27, 2019 event, Just for the Record - A Vinyl Day, taking place at Silver Spring Library He also talks about the appeal of vinyl records and recent developments in the vinyl record industry.  Recording Date: April 11, 2019 Guest: Vinyl Day planning committee member and Twinbrook Library manager Eric Carzon.  Host: David Payne What Our Guest Is Reading: Adventures of an IT Leader by Richard Austin  City on the Line by Andrew Kleine The Daily Ukulele by Liz and Jeff Beloff  Guest's Favorite Vinyl Albums: Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hit Volume 2 Between the Lines Lightfoot! The Story of Star Wars Items of Interest Mentioned During This Episode: Cerphe Colwell - Former WHFS DJ and author of the book Cerphe's Up: A Musical Life with Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, CSNY, and Many More.  Feast Your Ears - A documentary on the history of the DC area radio station WHFS.  Friends of the Library, Montgomery County bookstores Furnace Record Pressing Company Just for the Record - A Vinyl Day - A celebration of the music, culture, art, and sound of vinyl records. Silver Spring Library, Saturday, April 27, 2019, Noon - 4 PM.  Library of Things Music - A collection of musical instruments at Twinbrook Library that are available for eligible customers to check out.  Popular Science article on the first new fully automated record pressing machines in over 30 years.  Read the transcript

Summary: In celebration of Money Smart Week (March 30 - April 6, 2019) and National Financial Literacy Month (April), personal finance enthusiasts Angelica Rengifo and Mark Santoro talk about MCPL's books, online resources, and upcoming events related to personal finance.  Recording Date: March 6, 2019 Guests: Angelica Rengifo is a Library Associate on the MCPL's Outreach team. Mark Santoro is a librarian on the Digital Strategies team.  Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne What Our Hosts Are Reading:  Angelica Rengifo: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Mark Santoro: A People's Future of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams Mentioned During the Episode: Apps Debtor Debt Pay Off Calculator   Mint - A personal finance app for budgeting, investment tracking, and more.  Books & Authors Beating the Paycheck to Paycheck Blues by John Ventura - This book's a bit old, from 1996, which is probably why MCPL doesn't own it anymore.  Every Landlord's Guide to Managing Property by Michael Boyer Dave Ramsey 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask by Ilyce R. Glink Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson The Spender's Guide to Debt-Free Living by Anna Newell Jones MCPL Online Resources Gale Courses  Kiplinger's Personal Finance Lynda.com  Morningstar Investment Research Center  Safari Books Online Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage Value Line Podcasts Decluttering episode of Library Matters  Money for the Rest of Us - Personal finance podcast David Stein   This American Life - A weekly public radio program and podcast Websites Haskell Free Library & Opera House - The library on the US/Canadian border, located in Vermont and Quebec.  Investopia  Read the transcript

Summary: February is Library Lovers Month, a time to celebrate all libraries do. Hosts Julie Dina and David Payne talk about some of the ways MCPL helps bring County residents together and helps them learn and grow. They also talk about their experiences with libraries in their countries of birth, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Recording Date: February 6, 2019 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Hosts Are Reading:  Julie Dina: Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi David Payne: The Fox by Frederick Forsyth MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Combine reading and educational activities to reach 1000 books to a child before kindergarten. Book Discussion Groups: Discuss works of literary fiction, mysteries, African American literature, and more at one of MCPL's many book discussion groups.  Business and Career: MCPL offers many online resources and programs to help you start a business, find a job, or advance your career.  Education and Test Prep: Learn a new skill through Lynda.com or prepare for a test like the SAT or GRE with these free online learning resources.  Go!Kits: A Go!Kit is a backpack loaded with a tablet, books, toys, and recommended all centered around a particular theme, such as geology, machines, or the weather. There are Little Explorer Go!Kits for kids ages 3 to 6 and Young Voyager Go!Kits for kids ages 7-12. Knitting and Crochet Groups: Learn to knit or crochet, or share your skills with others at an MCPL branch near you.   Internet to Go: Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg, Maggie Nightingale, and Marilyn Praisner have laptops with wireless hotspots that can circulate outside the branch. Loanable Laptops: Laptops are available to be be borrowed for in-branch use at all branches except Noyes.  Movies: Enjoy free movies through our streaming services such as AcornTV and Kanopy.  Music: Enjoy free music downloads and streaming through Freegal, American Song, and more.  Outreach: Invite a member of our Outreach team to share the news about MCPL services and resources at your upcoming community or school event.  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: National Library of Nigeria Read the transcript

Summary: Collection Management Library Associate Dianne Betsey and Silver Spring Librarian Christian Wilson talk about the history, development, and current state of African American literature.  Recording Date: January 9, 2019 Guests: Dianne Betsey, a Library Associate in our Collection Management Department and leader of the Rockville Memorial Library African American book discussion group. Christian Wilson, Children's Librarian at Silver Spring Library. Hosts: Lauren Martino What Our Guests Are Reading:  Dianne Betsey: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan Christian Wilson: Animal Farm by George Orwell Books and Other Media Mentioned During the Episode: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren Cane River by Lalita Tademy By Gaslight by Steven Price Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley Darktown by Thomas Mullen Douglass' Women by Jewell Parker Rhodes Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin The Good Lord Bird by James McBride The Help by Kathryn Stockett The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison My Mother as I Recall Her by Rosetta Douglass Sprague Native Son by Richard Wright Passing by Nella Larsen P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain Push by Sapphire, the movie Precious is based on this book Quicksand by Nella Larsen A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Swing Time by Zadie Smith Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan, and its sequel Getting to Happy Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ta-Nehisi Coates Edwidge Danticat Ezra Jack Keats Iceberg Slim Nikki Giovanni Sister Souljah Omar Tyree Alice Walker  Other Items of Interest: Rockville Memorial Library African American Book Discussion Group Other African American books discussion groups at MCPL Read the transcript

Summary: Decluttering enthusiasts and MCPL staff members Fred Akuffo and Angelica Rengifo talk about the decluttering movement and how libraries can help declutter your life in the new year.  Recording Date: January 9, 2019  Guests: Fred Akuffo: Library Assistant Supervisor at Aspen Hill Library Angelica Rengifo: Community Outreach Associate for MCPL Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino What Our Guests Are Reading:  Fred Akuffo: Creature from Jekyll Island by G Edward Griffin and Federal Mafia by Irwin Schiff Angelica Rengifo: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Books and Other Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Don't Forget the Bacon by Pat Hutchins 8 Minute Organizer: Easy Solutions to Simplify Your Life in Your Spare Time by Regina Leeds The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson Getting Things Done by David Allen  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book is the inspiration for the graphic novel The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up and the Netflix show Tidying Up, with Marie Kondo.  The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker The Minimalists: A website advocating simpler lifestyle with less stuff.  Pick Up Limes: A Youtube channel and website by a Canadian foodie advocating a simple life and a plant-based diet.  Read the transcript

Summary: Librarians Dana Alsup and Beth Chandler talk about MCPL's upcoming comic con, MoComCon. MoComcon will take place January 19 at Silver Spring Library. The con will offer events for all ages, including workshops, escape rooms, crafts, cosplay and more, all for free!  Recording Date: December 19, 2018 Guests:  Dana Alsup, librarian at Marilyn Praisner Library and chair of the MoComCon committee.  Beth Chandler, librarian at MCPL's Collection Management office and member of the MoComCon committee. Host: David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading: Dana Alsup: Crazy Love: An Autobiographical Account of Marriage and Madness by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Becoming by Michelle Obama. Beth Chandler: Upgrade Soul: A Graphic Novel by Ezra Claytan Daniels. Books, Authors, and Other Resources Mentioned During the Episode:  Doctor Who Don Sakers: Science fiction writer and reviewer who will be offering a writing workshop at MoComCon 2019.  501st Legion: A prominent Star Wars costuming group. The local Old Line Garrison chapter of the 501st will make an appearance at the con.  Haikyu!! by Haruichi Furudate Hetalia by Hidekaz Himaruya Game of Rooms: An escape room firm that will run one of the two escape rooms at the con.  MoComCon 2018 Pictures MoComCon 2017 Pictures My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki Naruto by Masahi Kishimoto Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki Occulus Rift Virtual Reality Headset One-Punch Man by One Visionary Comics: A local comic studio and publisher. Visionary Comics will offer a session on publishing in the comic industry during MoComCon 2019.   Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra: Enjoy the music of video games played by this local orchestra at the con!   Read the transcript

Summary: MCPL staff member Elizabeth Lang and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) representative Nicole Lucas talk about the resources MCPL and NAMI offer to maintain your mental and physical wellness. The NAMI helpline is 1 800 273-8255. Recording Date: December 5, 2018 Guests: Elizabeth Lang: Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at MCPL  Nicole Lucas, Director of Programs for the Montgomery County chapter of NAMI, Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading:  Elizabeth Lang: Upgrade Soul: A Graphic Novel by Ezra Clayton Daniels Nicole Lucas: If Your Adolescent Has Depression or Bipolar Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents by Dwight L Evans and Linda Wasmer Andrews Books, Authors and Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Bone Builders: An enjoyable, evidenced-based bone building and fall prevention program.  Robynne Chutkan: Author of Gutbliss: A 10-Day Plan to Ban Bloat, Flush Toxins, and Dump Your Digestive Baggage and The Microbiome Solution: A Radical New Way to Heal Your Body from the Inside Out. Deep End of the Pool Workouts by Melisenda Edwards and Katalin Wight Gale Health & Wellness Resource Center: Online articles on health, medicine, and wellness from magazines, journals, and reference books.  Health Care: Online health care resources available through MCPL's website.  I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong Kanopy: A streaming movie service available for free to MCPL card holders.   NAMI Family-to-Family: A free, 12-week course for family caregivers of adults with severe mental illness.  NAMI Montgomery County: A non-profit organization dedicated to providing "support, education, advocacy, and public awareness to promote recovery and so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives."  NAMI Peer-to-Peer: An experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery.  NAMI Recommended Reading List: This is the book list NAMI representative Nicole Lucas mentioned. It lists about two dozen books for individuals and their families related to various mental illnesses.  Prevention: Prevention magazine is available online through RBdigital Magazines.  Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell and Howard Jacobson

Summary: Librarians Lisa Navidi and Patrick Fromm share their picks for the best books of 2018, along with a few titles from other years. After all, their book love can't be confined by something so pedestrian as time.  Recording Date: December 5, 2018 Guests: Lisa Navidi, Adult Services Librarian at Davis Library Patrick Fromm, Branch Manager of Rockville Memorial Library  Host: Lauren Martino  What Our Guest Is Reading: Patrick Fromm: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart Lisa Navidi: Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram and Washington Black by Esi Edugyan  Books and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson An American Marriage by Tayari Jones Becoming by Michelle Obama Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey Circe by Madeline Miller  The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick Dark Age by Pierce Brown Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers Educated by Tara Westover Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Failure Is an Option by H. Jon Benjamin Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas Neil Gaiman A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Heavy: an American Memoir by Kiese Laymon Hey Kiddo by Jarnett Krosoczka Holi Colors by Rina Singh I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara Islandborn by Junot Diaz It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas Lunch Lady series by Jarnett Krosoczka A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy Nutshell by Ian McEwan The Power by Naomi Alderman The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfield Red Clocks by Leni Zumas Ricky Ricotta series by Dav Pilkey Small Country by Gaël Faye Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney Square by Mac Barnett The Testaments by Margaret Atwood - Upcoming sequel to The Handmaid's Tale Triangle by Mac Barnett What Happened by Hillary Clinton You're on an Airplane by Parker Posey Other Items of Interest:  Books and Authors - An online tool for discovering what to read next. Includes dozens of literary award and best seller lists. Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature      The Center's Best Books of 2018 Memento (film) NPR's Book Concierge What Do I Check Out Next? - Use this form to tell MCPL staff what you like to read and we'll respond with a list of 3 to 5 books that our readers' advisory experts have chosen for you.  The Wonky Donkey viral video  Read the transcript

Summary: Musician and Twinbrook Branch Manager Eric Carzon talks with host David Payne about the Library of Things Music, the new instrument lending program at Twinbrook Library, as well as MCPL's many other music related resources and programs. Recording Date: November 7, 2018 Guest: Eric Carzon, Branch Manager at Twinbrook Library Host: David Payne What Our Guest Is Reading:  The Daily Ukulele by Liz and Jim Beloff  Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou March by John Lewis MCPL Books and Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode: 101 Hit Songs, Alto Sax  Absolute Beginners, Guitar (DVD) Anatomy of a Song by Marc Myers ArtistWorks Beatles, The White Album Bessie (DVD) Brave New Blues Guitar by Greg Koch Disney Hits for Ukulele Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion by Chalo Eduardo and Frank Kumor Freegal: Download up to 5 MP3 songs for free each week.  Guitar Aerobics by Troy Nelson Hamilton: An American Musical by Lin-Manuel M How to Rap, the Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC by Paul Edwards I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Jazz, Rock & Funk Guitar by Dan Brown The Jazz Singer (DVD) Jersey Boys (DVD) Jimi Hendrix Live at Woodstock (DVD) Learn to Play Keyboards by Emma Danes Legends, Icons, & Rebels: Music that Changed the World by Robbie Robertson Library of Things Music: A collection of musical instruments at Twinbrook Library that customers can check out.  Modern Times (DVD) Music Factory (DVD): Music education videos for children. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell Pitch Perfect (DVD) The Rap Year Book by Shea Serrano Rent (DVD) Singin' in the Rain (DVD) Songwriters' Toolbox: A monthly workshop/song circle that meets monthly at Rockville Memorial Library.  Streaming Music from Alexander Street: Stream popular, classical, world, jazz, historical, and many other genres of music.  Twinbrook "Make More Music" Discussion Group  The Ukulele 3 Chord Songbook You Can Play Electric Bass (DVD) Other Items of Interest:  Hal Leonard: Music publisher The Lion Sleeps Tonight / Mbube Smile: Song based on an instrumental piece used in Charlie Chaplin's movie Modern Times. It is one of Eric Carzon's favorite songs.  Song Writer's Association of Washington Read the transcript

Summary: MCPL Assistant Director Angelisa Hawes and Department of Environmental Protection Program Manager Larissa Johnson discuss local energy efficiency initiatives and resources available throughout Montgomery County.   Recording Date: November 7, 2018 Guests:  Angelisa Hawes, MCPL Assistant Director for Facilities and ADA Larissa Johnson, Residential Energy Program Manager, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading: Angelisa Hawes: Radical Candor: How to Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott Larissa Johnson: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu MCPL Books and Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Energy efficiency books at MCPL Kill a Watt energy meter  Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode: BeSMART Energy Efficiency Loan for Homeowners EmPOWER Maryland Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) DEP Calendar of Events Montgomery County Green Bank My Green Montgomery Quick Home Energy Check-up Residential Property Tax Credit - Energy Conservation Other Items of Interest:  Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) in Montgomery County Read the transcript

Summary: As part of our Literary Explorers series, kids ages 10-14 came to MCPL branches to record video book talks about books they've enjoyed. We've collected the audio from 10 of these recordings to share with our Library Matters listeners. Book talks are brief summaries/reviews designed to convince others to read the book being described. You can see videos of these and other Literary Explorer book talks on our YouTube channel, mcplmd. The Literary Explorer program was made possible by a grant from the NBC Foundation and Washington's NBC 4.  Host: Julie Dina Books Loved in this Episode: (In order of appearance) Masterminds by Gordon Korman   The Truth About Stacey by Ann M. Martin Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Wonder by R.J. Palacio Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova Going Wild by Lisa McMann A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson  Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea Read the transcript

Summary: Genealogy enthusiasts Adrienne Miles Holderbaum and Carol Reddan share their love of researching family history and talk about the resources available at MCPL and elsewhere to help you learn more about your own family's history. Recording Date: October 10, 2018 Guests: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum: Senior Librarian at Germantown Library and co-producer of Library Matters. Adrienne was a guest on the Library Matters' pregnancy episode, #30 - Baby on Board, Resources for New & Expectant Parents.   Carol Reddan: Library Associate at Olney Library. Carol was a guest on Library Matters' August 2018 true crime episode, #38 - Murderous Memories - True Crime Stories.  Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum: The Wife by Alafair Burke, The Modern Organic Home by Natalie Wise, Mad About the House: How to Decorate Your Home with Style by Kate Watson-Smyth, The Nordstrom Way by Robert Spector, and Under New Management: How Leading Organizations Are Upending Business as Usual by David Burkus.   Carol Reddan: Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan  MCPL Books and Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode:  AARP Genealogy Online by Matthew L Helm and April Leigh Helm A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford Finding Your Roots by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  Genealogy for Dummies by Matthew L. Helm and April Leigh Helm Heritage Quest: This database includes US Census and military records, city directories, full-text family and local histories, Freedman's Bank records, and more.  How to Archive Family Keepsakes by Denis May Levenick MCPL Genealogy Guide Other Genealogy Resources Mentioned During This Episode: 23 and Me: Consumer genetic testing service for genealogy and health.   African Americans in the Federal Census, 1790-1930, Using Federal Census Records to Find Information on African American Ancestors Ancestry.com: Popular genealogy database. AncestryDNA: DNA tests for ethnicity and genealogy.  Family Tree DNA: DNA testing for ancestry and genealogy.  Finding Your Roots, PBS series GEDmatch.com: DNA and genealogical analysis tools for amateur and professional researchers and genealogists.  GENi: A popular genealogy tools for sharing family histories.    Other Items of Interest: 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon Montgomery County Historical Society Read the transcript

Summary: Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, Outreach Coordinator at the Montgomery County Board of Elections, joins us to discuss how elections are organized in Montgomery County and the Board's ongoing efforts to empower voters to participate in elections. Guest: Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, AKA Dr. Z, the Outreach Coordinator at the Montgomery County Board of Elections.  Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guest Is Reading:  The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson) by Robert A. Caro. The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).  Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: Early Voting for the 2018 General Election: Thursday, October 25, 2018 through Thursday, November 1, 2018.  Election Day for the 2018 General Election: Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Find your polling place.  The Future Vote: An initiative to increase youth civic participation and promoting civic duty, community involvement, and recognition of the importance of preserving participatory democracy.    League of Women Voters, Montgomery County: A nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed civic engagement.  Maryland State Board of Elections Montgomery County Board of Elections Read the transcript

Summary: Freedom to read enthusiasts and MCPL librarians Alessandro Russo and Danielle Deaver talk about Banned Books Week (September 23-29, 2018), the annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read and warns of ongoing efforts to challenge and ban books.  Recording Date: September 12, 2018 Guests: Danielle Deaver, Children's Librarian at Germantown Library.  Alessandro Russo, Senior Librarian at Olney Library.  Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading:  Danielle Deaver: Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano  Alessandro Russo: Jim Henson: the Biography by Brian Jay Jones Books and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie American Heritage Dictionary The Bible Judy Blume, an American author best known for her children's books, whose books have been frequently challenged or banned.  Bone series by Jeff Smith. The first book in the series is Out from Boneville.  Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Drama by Raina Telgemeier The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank  Fifty Shades triology by E. L. James. Includes Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed.  Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The first book in the series is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: American Library Association Infographic of Recent Banned Book Statistics "Banned Books Are Often Diverse Books. Check the Stats." by Emily Knox Banned Books Week Common Sense Media: Online guide to books, movies, and other media for parents. See also the site's "Why Your Kid Should Read Banned Books" article.  MCPL Collection Policy: The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Collections Policy presents the strategies to develop, expand, diversify, and build 21st century library collections to meet the library needs and expectations of the Montgomery County residents/communities. Overdrive: An online collection of e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazine available for free to MCPL library card holders.  Special Family Storytime: Banned Books: A family storytime held on September 25, at Gaithersburg Library that featured children's books which have been banned or challenged.  Read the transcript

Summary: F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival organizers Dr. Jackson Bryer and Dr. Eleanor Heginbotham, as well as Twinbrook Library Manager Eric Carzon, talk about the upcoming festival, as well as the life, work, and Montgomery County connections of jazz-era author F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Recording Date: August 9, 2018 Guests: Dr. Jackson Bryer, author of several books about F. Scott Fitzgerald and one of the founding organizers of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival. Eric Carzon: Branch Manager of Twinbrook Library and MCPL liaison to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival.  Dr. Eleanor Heginbotham, Professor Emerita of Concordia University Saint Paul and one of the organizers of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival.  Host: Lauren Martino What Our Guests Are Reading: Dr. Jackson Bryer: Benediction by Kent Haruf, Clock Dance by Anne Tyler Eric Carzon: The Poet Slave of Cuba by Margarita Engle Dr. Eleanor Heginbotham: The books of Richard Russo and Robert Olen Butler.  Books, Authors, and Other Media Mentioned During this Episode: "Babylon Revisited" by F. Scott Fitzgerald John Barth Bernice Bobs Her Hair (film): Based on a short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald Jennifer Boylan Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo Robert Olen Butler Susan Coll Malcolm Cowley The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film): Based on a short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald E.L. Doctorow Empire Falls by Richard Russo  Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo F. Scott Fitzgerald  Richard Ford The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This famous book has had numerous film adaptations.  Garrison Keillor  Norman Mailer   Alice McDermott E. Ethelbert Miller Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo Maxwell Perkins Annie Proulx Richard Russo Trajectory by Richard Russo Straight Man by Richard Russo James Salter William Styron Margaret Talbot Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald John Updike The Vegetable, or From President to Postman (play) by F. Scott Fitzgerald "Winter Dreams" by F. Scott Fitzgerald Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:  The Elevator Repair Service Theater Company: Performs original works with an ongoing ensemble.  F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival: This literary festival features writing workshops, panel discussions, the presentation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award to a prominent author (the 2018 recipient is Richard Russo), and much more. The festival honors the works of jazz-era author F. Scott Fitzgerald and as well as the work of current, prominent authors. The festival also supports and encourages aspiring writers and students interested in the literary arts. The festival takes place Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. There is an opening lecture by National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas on Thursday, October 18, as well as a special event Friday evening, October 19,"Readings in Tribute to Richard Russo and Literature Without Borders." MCPL will host several Fitzgerald related programs before the festival begins.  Friends of the Library, Montgomery County: A nonprofit organization that supports MCPL by providing supplemental funding, programs, materials, and equipment.  Kanopy: MCPL's free, online movie streaming service. Includes film festival favorites, award-winning documentaries, indie films and world cinema.  The Writer's Center: A literary organization in Montgomery County, MD hosting writing workshops and literary events to promote the craft of writing for people of all backgrounds.   Read the transcript

Summary: True crime enthusiast Carol Reddan shares her love of true crime books and recounts some of the better known national and local true crime stories.  Recording Date: August 9, 2018 Guest: Carol Reddan, Library Associate at Olney Library.  Host: Lauren Martino What Our Guest is Reading: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidyng Up by Marie Kondo. There's a graphic novel based on this book called The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story.  Books and Other Media Mentioned During this Episode:  The Anatomy of Motive by John E. Douglas The Big Short by Michael Lewis The Borden Murders: Lizze Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller  Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara  The Keepers: Who Killed Sister Cathy? (film)  The Legend of Lizzie Borden (film) Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (film) Making a Murderer (documentary) The Mystery of the Moss Covered Mansion by Carolyn Keene Serial (podcast)  Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood by William J. Mann A Very Private Woman: The Life and Unsolved Murder of Presidential Mistress Mary Meyer by Nina Burleigh Other Items of Interested Mentioned During this Episode:  MCPL's Privacy Policy Reader's Cafe, a Virtual Place for Books and Readers Read the transcript

Summary: MCPL's English Conversations Clubs offer those wishing to practice speaking English a friendly, welcoming environment in which to do so. In this episode, Quince Orchard Librarian Nancy Chiu-Sillcox and Quince Orchard English Conversation Club volunteer coordinator Annie Etches describe the program and share stories from MCPL's English Conversation Club at Quince Orchard Library.  Recording Date: July 25, 2018 Guests: Nancy Chiu-Sillcox is the Head of Adult Services at Quince Orchard Library. Annie Etches is a volunteer at Quince Orchard Library who coordinates the English Conversation Club meetings at the branch.  Host: Julie Dina What Our Guests Are Reading:  Nancy Chiu-Sillcox: Vertigo 42 by Martha Grimes Annie Etches: The flash fiction short story "Unforgettable" by David Wiseman, who recently won the Themed Flash Competition.  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During the Episode: Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center: The Gilchrist Center offers a variety of programs, including English classes, citizenship preparation, free legal clinics, technological literacy classes, and more.  Easy Does It! American Idioms: An advanced level drop-in English language class focused on American idioms. Offered at Gaithersburg Library.  English Conversation Clubs: Regularly scheduled volunteer-led gatherings at MCPL branches throughout the county that offer people the opportunity to practice speaking and listening to English in an informal, friendly, and welcoming environment. English for Arabic (Chinese, Farsi, etc.) Speakers: A series of English language learning resources designed for beginners with instructions in the beginner's first language.  English Language Learners Guide: Links to and descriptions of local resources for English language learners.  Friends of the Library, Montgomery County: A nonprofit that supports MCPL through supplemental funding, programs, and materials.  French Conversation Clubs: Those wishing to practice speaking and listening to French can do so at the French Conversations Clubs at Germantown and Long Branch libraries.  Literacy Council of Montgomery County: A local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the English language proficiency and literacy skills of adults in our community. The Literacy Council offers a variety of English language and literacy tutoring services and classes.  Montgomery College English as a Second Language (ESL): Montgomery College offers ESL classes for beginners and advanced English language learners. Some classes are offered for college credit, others are non-credit courses.  Montgomery County Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL): A comprehensive listing of free and fee-based English language and literacy classes provided by a variety of organizations in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Library Board: The Library Board makes recommendations to the County Executive on matters affecting the public library system, such as the location of new facilities, the adequacy of book collections, services to outlying districts, and the personnel needs of MCPL.  Spanish Conversation Clubs: Numerous MCPL branches offer opportunities to practice speaking and listening to Spanish.   Read the transcript

Summary: Acting MCPL Director Anita Vassallo and Outreach Associate Sarah Mecklenburg share their love of historical fiction and recommended books they've enjoyed. Recording Date: July 11, 2018 Guests: Anita Vassallo is the Acting Director of MCPL. Sarah Mecklenburg is a member of MCPL's Outreach team. Both are enthusiastic readers of historical fiction. Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne What Our Guests Are Reading:  Anita Vassallo: A Column of Fire by Ken Follett, third book in the Kingsbridge series. The first book in the series is Pillars of the Earth, the second is World Without End. Circe by Madeline Miller. Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford.  Sarah Mecklenburg: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher, third book in the Dresden File series. The first book is Storm Front, the second is Fool Moon. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.  Books, Movies, and Authors Mentioned During This Episode: Airborn by Kenneth Oppel  Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters  American Girls series by various authors Aubrey- Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian Blackout by Connie Willis Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters Boundless by Kenneth Oppel Dear America series by various authors R.F. Delderfield Doomsday by Connie Willis The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove Philippa Gregory Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows I, Claudius by Robert Graves Jalna series by Mazo De La Roche Killer Angels by Michael Sharra Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder  Maisie Dobbs mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear Margaret Laurence March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Laurie R. King Medicus mysteries by Ruth Downie Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. Basis for the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries television series.  Ann Rinaldi Rick Riordan The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller Steven Saylor To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Kate Waters The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks Other Items of Interest: The Dreamer by Laura Innes. A webcomic about a 17 year old high school student who has intense, realistic dreams about a Revolutionary War soldier.  "Game of Thrones Fandom Fun". An episode of the Library Matters podcast in which Game of Thrones fans Anita Vassallo Angelica Rengifo, and Susan Moritz share their love of the books and television series.   Lackadaisy Cats by Tracy J. Butler. A webcomic about anthropomorphic cats set in St. Louis during Prohibition.  Little House controversy. A division of the American Library Association voted to remove Laura Ingalls Wilder's name from a major children's literature award.  Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction Read the transcript. 

Summary: In the last few months, kids ages 10-14 from throughout the county have come to MCPL branches to record video book talks about books they've enjoyed. We've collected the audio from 10 of these recordings to share with our Library Matters listeners.  Book talks are brief summaries/reviews designed to convince others to read the book being described. You can see the videos of these and other Literary Explorer book talks on our YouTube channel, mcplmd. The Literary Explorer program was made possible by a grant from the NBC Universal Foundation and Washington's NBC 4.  Check our Calendar of Events for upcoming opportunities for your 10-14 year old child to be a literary explorer.  Host: Julie Dina Books Loved in this Episode: (In order of appearance.)  Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick  A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle The End of Olympus by Kate O'Hearn Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard Gone by Michael Grant Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling  A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park From the Notebook of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry Read the transcript. 

Summary: Digital Strategies Manager Lennea Bower and Library Assistant Supervisor Candace Hixon discuss the history of the MCPL Reading Challenge; how the 2018 challenge is going; and what they get out of reading challenges with host Julie Dina.  Recording Date: June 6, 2018 Guests: Lennea Bower is the Digital Strategies Manager for Montgomery County Public Libraries. Her unit runs the Reading Challenge. Candace Hixon is the Library Assistant Supervisor at the Kensington Park branch. She is an enthusiastic Reading Challenge participant.  Hosts: Julie Dina, Outreach Associate.  Featured MCPL Resource: Librarians! We encourage customers to approach our trained information professionals at any MCPL branch with requests for reading recommendations, assistance with library resources, or other questions. Find your nearest branch. What Our Guests Are Reading:  Lennea Bower: The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin, #2 in the Broken Earth trilogy; Not that Bad edited by Roxane Gay; Beneath a Ruthless Sun by Gilbert King. Candace Hixon: Go Ask Alice by Anonymous.  Books, Movies, and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: #NotYourPrincess edited by Mary Beth Leatherdale and Lisa Charleyboy Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell Octavia Butler The Dry by Jane Harper Grant by Ron Chernow The Incredibles, animated movie Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Naked by David Sedaris Prairie Fires by Carolyn Frasier Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir, book #3 of the Ember in the Ashes series Nora Roberts Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh, sequel to Flame in the Mist Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce, first in a new series of prequels to her Immortals series Turtles All the Way Down by John Green MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Beanstack, online resource that provides book recommendations and is also the online home for some MCPL programs. 2018 Summer Read and Learn, Libraries Rock! One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten Readers’ Café What Do I Check Out Next? online readers’ advisory service Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: Book Riot 2018 Read Harder Challenge The Ripped Bodice, LA romance bookstore with an online reading challenge Romance Novel Tropes Read the transcript. 

Summary: Retiring MCPL Assistant Director Rita Gale and Visit Montgomery Marketing Director Cory Van Horn talk about travel and tourism. Rita shares her enthusiasm for America's National Parks and highlights MCPL's travel resources. Cory discusses the incredibly diverse array things to do and see right here in Montgomery County, from the vibrant energy and restaurants of urban centers like Silver Spring and Bethesda Row, to the history and beauty of the C & O Canal. Looking for a brewery on a horse farm? Yeah, we've got one of those. You'll find years worth of local and national travel ideas in this episode.  Recording Date: June 6, 2018 Guests: Rita Gale is MCPL's Assistant Director for Facilities and ADA. She has been with MCPL for over 30 years and will soon be retiring. Cory Van Horn is the Director of Marketing for Visit Montgomery, the official Conference and Visitors bureau of Montgomery County, MD.  Hosts: Lauren Martino, the Head of Children's Services at Silver Spring Library and David Payne, Branch Manager of Aspen Hill Library and Acting Branch Manager of Potomac Library.  Featured MCPL Resource: E-books. Customer can download popular fiction and non-fiction titles from two e-book collections, cloudLibrary and Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium (Overdrive). Our Gale Virtual Reference Library includes DK Eyewitness Travel and Pocket Rough Guides that you can read in your browser. See our E-Library Page for a complete list of MCPL e-book collections.  What Our Guests Are Reading (or Will Be Once Their Retire!):  Rita Gale: The Once and Future King by T.H. White. The Wicked series, based on the Wizard of Oz, by Gregory Maguire. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Cory Van Horn: Calypso by David Sedaris. Cory also loves the book Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. He can often be found among the magazines reading Afar, Bethesda, Conde Nast Traveler (available through the RBDigital e-magazine collection), and Saveur.  MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Fodor's Travel Guides Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West by Shelley Arenas, et al.  Frommers Travel Guides Guide to the National Parks of the United States (various editions) Language Learning Resources of MCPL: Mango Languages, Muzzy Online, Rosetta Stone, plus the Annenberg Foundation's language learning videos.  Lonely Planet Guides MCPL Branches and Hours MCPL Building Projects Moon Handbooks RBDigital: Travel magazines available through this online e-magazine collection include Backpacker, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet Traveler, and National Geographic Traveler.  Destinations Near and Far Mentioned During This Episode: (Destinations in or near Montgomery County are marked local) Arches National Park Bethesda Row (local) Butler's Orchard (local) Bryce Canyon National Park C & O Canal (local) Canal Quarters (local) - Spend a night in a C & O Canal lockhouse.  Canyonlands National Park Capital Crescent Trail (local) Capital Reef National Park Clarksburg Premium Outlets (local) Clydes at Tower Oaks Lodge (local) Epcot Center / Walt Disney World Resort Everglades National Park Fort Sumter National Monument Grand Canyon Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center (local) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Currently closed due to the eruption of Kilauea Metrorail, AKA the Metro (local) Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve (local) Montgomery County Farm Tour (local): Saturday, 7/28 - 7/29 Monument Valley Tribal Park: Home of The Mittens, two prominent buttes.  Mount Rushmore National Park Service National Trolley Museum (local) Pike and Rose (local) Smithsonian Museums, Galleries, and Zoo (local) Taste of Wheaton (local) Visit Montgomery Calendar of Events (local) Waredaca Brewing Company (local) Zion National Park Other Items of Interest: Bill Bryson: Well regarded humorous travel writer.  Chatham University, Falk School of Sustainability & Environment, Master of Arts in Food Studies Read the transcript. 

Summary: Audiobook enthusiasts and MCPL staff members Vincent Mui, Maranda Schoppert, and Barbara Shansby share their love for audiobooks; talk about the advantages, disadvantages, and hazards of audiobooks; and recommend titles that will be music to your ears.   Recording Date: May 9, 2018 Host: Lauren Martino Guests: Vincent Mui is MCPL's graphic designer. Maranda Schoppert is a librarian at Germantown Library. Barbara Shansby is a Library Associate at Marilyn Praisner.  Featured MCPL Resource: Award-winning author and MacArthur Foundation Fellow Dinaw Mengestu will speak about the inspiration for his book The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears and his experiences as an Ethiopian immigrant. Silver Spring Library, Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Registration required.  What Our Guests Are Reading: Vincent Mui: The Divergent trilogy: Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant, by Veronica Roth. Miranda Schoppert: Iron Gold, the fourth book in the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. The first three books are Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star.  Books Mentioned During this Episode: #1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Narrated by Lisette Lecat. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin. Narrated by Steve Martin.  A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Narrated by Michael Jackson.  Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Narrated by Neil Gaiman. Crazy Is My Superpower by A.J. Mendez. Narrated by A.J. Mendez. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon. Narrated by Jeff Woodman. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Narrated by Ramon De Ocampo. Dresden Files (series) by Jim Butcher. Narrated by Jame Marsters (Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin. Narrated by Gretchen Rubin.  Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Narrated by Guy Lockard. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Narrated by Neil Gaiman. I Must Say by Martin Short. Narrated by Martin Short.  The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Narrated by Rob Inglis. Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Narrators vary.  My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Narrated by an ensemble cast.  Origin by Dan Brown. Narrated by Paul Michael. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan. Narrated by Jesse Bernstein. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. Narrators vary.  Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean. Narrated by Tim Curry.  Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Narrated by Will Wheaton. Redshirts by John Scalzi. Narrated by Will Wheaton. Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick. Narrated by Anna Kendrick. Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak. Narrated by Jilly Bond. Thrawn by Timothy Zahn. Narrated by Marc Thompson. Uprooted by Naomi Novak. Narrated by Julia Emelin.  You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day. Narrated by Felicia Day.    Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Popular American supernatural television series which featured noted audiobook narrator James Marsters as Spike.  Brendan Fraser: Actor and narrator of the books Inkspell and Dragon Rider, both by Cornelia Funke.  The Great Courses by The Teaching Company: A popular series of academic lectures in audio or video format covering a vast array of topics, from Victorian Britain to  Cybersecurity.  Edward Herrmann: Actor and well regarded audiobook narrator. He portrayed Richard Gilmore in the original Gilmore Girls television series.  Law & Order: Popular American police procedural that anecdotally has featured many people who have also narrated audiobooks. Project Gutenberg: A vast collection of free ebooks and audiobooks. The audiobooks are mostly out-of-copyright titles read by volunteers.  Reading Rainbow: A PBS educational television series that ran from 1983 to 2006. Each episode focused on a topic from a book or children's literature and included reading recommendations. Tumblebooks: An online collection of animated, talking picture books. Includes story books, chapter books, nonfiction, videos, and more.  Read the transcript. 

Summary: Librarians Christine Freeman and Lauren Martino talk about MCPL's upcoming Summer Read and Learn program, which starts June 9 and runs through September 9. This program offers children and teens fun incentives to read and learn all summer long. There will be amazing events at MCPL branches throughout the summer as well. Join us for the fun!  Recording Date: May 9, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Guests: Christine Freeman is MCPL's Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager, as well as Branch Manager for the Noyes Library for Young Children. Lauren Martino is a Children's Librarian at our Silver Spring branch. She is also one of the hosts of the Library Matters podcast.  Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL offers reading lists by grade and age, including a list for adults. Find something new to read today!  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Christine Freeman Travel guides to England  We Were Here by Matt de la Peña Lauren Martino The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby Books Mentioned During this Episode: Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:  1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities. Beanstack: A fun site for logging books and more. MCPL uses Beanstack for many programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our Reading Challenge, and our Summer Read and Learn programs. Customers can also opt to receive weekly emails with suggested books for their readers. Collaborative Summer Library Program: A consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, and adults at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries. Eric Energy: An energetic scientist who will amaze children during his hands-on, interactive science show.  Jacks Are Wild: Don't miss Mario and Bella, a pair of spirited Jack Russell terriers who perform amazing tricks that will delight children of all ages.  Libraries Rock! Dance Party: Put on your best pop star outfit or wear your craziest hair and come join us to dance! dance! dance! We will have photo props, a bubble machine and a music playlist to keep you moving.   Milkshake: Join us at Damascus Library for an interactive show filled with fun, silliness, and dancing led by the Grammy-nominated duo Milkshake.  Nature on Wheels - Raptors!: Learn about raptors. like bald eagles and hawks, while surrounded by your favorite books!  Reptile Rangers: Join us at Maggie Nightingale Library and meet a live king snake, a corn snake, a terrapin, and more! Presented by a park ranger from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  Summer Read and Learn Kickoff Events: Several MCPL branches are celebrating the start of our Summer Read and Learn program June 9.  Video Games at the Symphony: The Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra will present family-friendly events at Silver Spring Library on 6/23 and Rockville Memorial Library on 8/11.   Zoomobile: Discover some of the amazing adaptations animals have for life in the wild and try some challenging activities to compare those adaptations to our own abilities.   Read the transcript. 

Summary: Senior Librarian Adrienne Miles Holderbaum and Children's Librarian Maranda Schoppert discuss their experiences as expectant and new mothers, as well as the pregnancy and new baby resources MCPL offers.  Recording Date: April 11, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino Guests: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum, co-producer of Library Matters and Senior Librarian at Germantown Library. Adrienne has a 3-year-old daughter and is pregnant with her second daughter. Maranda Schoppert is a Children's Librarian at Germantown Library and has a 5-month-old daughter.  Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL's online health resources include: Health & Wellness Resource Center, which offers magazine and journal articles on health, medicine, and wellness.  Washington Consumers' Checkbook (In Library Access Only), which rates local doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and more.  Gale Virtual Reference Library: Includes searchable, browsable health e-books.  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Adrienne Miles Holderbaum: Madeleine by Ludwig Bemelmans The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: a Scandanavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids by Linda Akeson McGurk Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS by Joby Warrick The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright Maranda Schoppert: Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron Books and Movies Mentioned During this Episode:  The Birth Partner: a Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman Bumpology: the Myth-Busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-to-Be by Linda Geddes The Business of Being Born (DVD) Call the Midwife (BBC TV series) The Expectant Father: the Ultimate Guide for Dads to Be by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown The Happiest Baby on the Block: the New Way to Calm Crying Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp  Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt Impatient Women's Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean M Twenge Mayo Clinic Guide to a Health Pregnancy ed. by Roger Harms and Myra Wick What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Muroff and Sharon Mazel What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding (mentioned, but not recommended) by Thomas Hill Other Items of Interest: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities.   Discovery Rooms: Available at Gaithersburg, Germantown, Praisner, and Quince Orchard, Discovery Rooms are designed for children from newborns to 8 years old and their caregivers to encourage learning through play.  The Farm Midwifery Center: A center in Tennessee focused on providing women supportive, empowering, safe, and fulfilling prenatal, birth, and postnatal experiences.  Freegal: Legally download 5 songs each week for free.  Glow: A pregnancy app offering information on fetal development, maternal health logging, appointment scheduling, and more.  Parents: Website of Parents magazines which offers information on many aspects of parenting, including pregnancy and infant care.  Storytimes at MCPL: Storytimes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and families are available at MCPL branches throughout the County. Read the transcript 

Episode Summary: Gardening enthusiast Beth Chandler, a librarian in our Collection Management department, shares her joy of and experience with gardening while suggesting books that help novice and expert gardeners grow their knowledge.  Recording Date: April 11, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Guests: Beth Chandler, who was also a guest on our December 2017 science fiction episode.  Featured MCPL Resource: Master Gardener Plant Clinics. Bring your ailing plants or other gardening, lawn care, or landscaping questions to the experienced gardeners of the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension. This free walk-in service is available Saturdays, April through September, at MCPL branches throughout the county.  What Our Guest Is Reading:  The Minimalist Gardener by Patrick Whitefield Crafting for Cat Ladies: 35 Purr-fect Feline Projects by Kat Roberts  Plants Mentioned During this Episode: Black-Eyed Susans catnip chives  coreopsis cucumbers geraniums lilacs marigolds mint morning glories oregano pansies pink climbing roses parsley salad greens zinnias  Books Mentioned During this Episode:  Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for Your Shady Garden by Jenny Rose Carey Growing Perfect Vegetables The Mid-Atlantic Getting Started Garden Guide by Andre Viette, Mark Viette, and Jacqueline Heriteau The New Small Garden by Peter Loewer What Wrong with My Plant (and How Do I Fix It?) by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth Other Items of Interest: Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, May 5 & 6, 2018: Celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven. Master Gardener Program of the University of Maryland Extension: Master Gardeners are volunteers who combine their love of plants, people, and the environment to help residents in their communities solve problems and make environmentally-sound decisions.   Montgomery County GreenFest, May 5, 2018:  GreenFest is the largest, annual environmental festival in Montgomery County, MD. A free event, GreenFest is a chance for residents, businesses, nonprofits and neighbors, to come together, share ideas and learn. Pinterest for Gardening Ideas  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: Reading to dogs, Python coding, yoga? While MCPL still provides many much-beloved storytimes, our programming has become a lot more diverse. Assistant Director Mary Ellen Icaza and Library Associate Laura Sarantis talk about the innovative events happening at an MCPL branch near you. And don't forget, all MCPL programs are free of charge! Recording Date: March 7, 2018 Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne Guests: Mary Ellen Icaza and Laura Sarantis Featured MCPL Resource: Yoga, Tai Chi, career workshops, computer use help, and more. MCPL offers an incredible variety of programs for our customers.  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Mary Ellen Icaza: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee   Laura Sarantis: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough Library Programs Mentioned During this Episode: The Big Read: MCPL and its partners will host a series of events: book discussions, author talks, exhibits, and cultural events centered around the immigrant experience in the DC area and Dinaw Mengestu's book The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears. Computer and Technology Classes, and One-On-One Instruction: MCPL's technology programs include downloading e-books, computer basics, and using tablets like the iPad.   Contemporary Conversations: Join MCPL for discussions about cultural and current issues with journalists, authors, and other speakers. Our next speaker is Dinaw Mengestu, author of the book The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears.   Conversation Clubs: Practice speaking English in a friendly, informal environment. Available at branches throughout the County.  Girlhub: Python Programming: Teens, learn more about computer programming through fun lessons about Python, HTML, and MIT Scratch. Register up to June 30, 2018. Hosted by high school robotics team 5421 RM'd and Dangerous. Girls in Engineering: Work with other students to build bridges, create robots, and more.  Girls Just Want to Compute: Learn how to code, create, and work with other students interested in coding.   Job and Career Programs and Resources: From resume writing and interviewing skills to career exploration, MCPL has programs and resources to help you get a job or advance your career.  Knitting and Crocheting Clubs: Beginners and experienced knitters come together at branches throughout MCPL to learn about and share their love for the craft.  Makerspace Programs: Amateur radio, blimps, origami - there are programs for all kinds of makers at MCPL.  MoComCon: MCPL's comic convention. The second annual MoComCon took place this past January. See pictures from this event.  Read to a Dog: School-aged children, especially beginner readers, can boost confidence in their reading skills by reading aloud to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Available at branches throughout the County.  STEM Programs: From Archimedes to architecture, MCPL has many programs to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  Tai Chi and Yoga: Practice tai chi or yoga at a MCPL branch near you. Most of these programs are designed with the beginner in mind, so no experience is necessary.   Other Items of Interest:  Program Suggestion Form: Interested in doing a program for MCPL? Please complete this form with details of your suggested program. Read the transcript 

Episode Summary: Retro tech enthusiasts Bill Carey and Eric Carzon talk about the renewed interest in vinyl records and other older technology, the April 21 Vinyl Day at Silver Spring Library, and why the VCR will not be making a comeback.  Our guests brought along some retro tech to show the hosts during the episode.  Recording Date: March 7, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Guests: Information Technology Specialist Bill Carey and Twinbrook Branch Manager Eric Carzon. Featured MCPL Resource: With ArtistWorks, you can enjoy unlimited access to beginning through advanced video lessons for many musical instruments and styles, including piano, bluegrass, guitar, and hip-hop. Also includes voice lessons.  What Our Guests Are Reading:  Bill Carey: The Roosevelts: an Intimate History by Geoffrey Ward and Cars, Cars, Cars, Cars by S.C.H. Davis Eric Carzon: Vinyl: the Art of Making Records by Mike Evans and Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium by John Corbett. Albums and Artists Mentioned During this Episode: Check Freegal for downloadable songs from these albums and artists.  Tony Bennett George Benson Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd Jesus Christ Superstar (album) - MPCL owns the movie version.  Lady Gaga Gordon Lightfoot Pitch Perfect  Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles Frank Sinatra What's Going On by Marvin Gaye - MPCL has this album on CD. Woodstock (DVD) Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: National Record Store Day (April 21): Inaugurated in 2007 by indepdendent record store owners and employees, this commemorative day is meant to celebrate the culture surrounding independent record stores.  Vinyl Day: Just for the Record: Join John Corbett, author of Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium, at this retro event celebrating vinyl records. Corbett will be one of several speakers discussing political and historical aspects of the vinyl record industry. Silver Spring Library, 4/21, 11a-4p. This event is hosted in partnership with MCPL, Open Sky Jazz, Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter, and Levine Music.  Voyager Space Probe: Both the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes carry a 12 inch gold-plated copper record containing sounds and images representing life and culture on Earth.  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: Children's librarians Olivia Darrell and Christine Freeman talk about MCPL's upcoming 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. It's a fun way to help prepare your child for kindergarten and beyond, all while fostering a love of reading. Registration for this program begins Saturday, March 24, 2018.  Recording Date: February 7, 2018 Hosts: Julia Dina and Lauren Martino Guests: Olivia Darrell and Christine Freeman. Olivia Darrell is a librarian in our Collection Management department who selects the children's fiction for MCPL. Christine Freeman is our Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager. She also manages the Noyes Library for Young Children.  Featured MCPL Resource: Bookflix, read along with classic video storybooks on this learn-to-read site, which also includes related nonfiction e-books.  What Our Guests Are Reading Or Listening to: Olivia Darrell: This American Life, an NPR show featuring spoken essays, memoirs, and other non-fiction narratives organized around a theme. No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts, and The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell by, well, W. Kamau Bell.  Christine Freeman: The Selection series by Kiera Cass and Sucktown, Alaska by Craig Dirkes. Books and Other Media Mentioned During this Episode:  Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty Bark George by Jules Feiffer Families, Families, Families by Suzanne Lang First Snow by Bomi Park Get a Hit Mo by David A. Adler A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards Horn Book: A magazine filled with book reviews and articles of interest to children's librarians. It is used by librarians to select books and other material.  I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison In Plain Sight by Richard Jackson Jarabi Jumps by Gaia Cornwall Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez Malika's Costume by Nadia L Horn Marta Big & Small by Jen Arena My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller Star Wars Little Golden Book Collection  School Library Journal: A magazine filled with book reviews and articles of interest to school librarians and children's librarians. It is used by librarians to select books and other material, as well as keep up with developments in the field of children's librarianship.  Thunder Boy Jr by Sherman Alexie We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Beanstack: A fun site for logging books and more. MCPL uses Beanstack for many programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our Reading Challenge, and our summer read and learn programs.  BookFlix: Read along with classic video storybooks on this learn-to-read site, which also includes related nonfiction e-books. MCPL's 3rd Annual Reading Challenge Picture books that include braille TumbleBooks: An online collection of animated, talking picture books. Includes story books, chapter books, nonfiction, videos, and more. Includes books in French and Spanish.  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: MCPL film fans Fred Akuffo, circulation manager at Long Branch library, and David Watts, circulation manager at Silver Spring library, look at this year's Academy Award contenders, consider past award winners, and share their love for very different kinds of movies.  Recording Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Featured MCPL Resource: Enjoy movie night at home with one (or more) of MCPL's thousands of feature film DVDs. From Batman to Bollywood, we've got movies for every film fan. Check out our latest movies and television series today!   What Our Guests Are Reading / Watching: Fred Akuffo: Insecure, an HBO series starring Issa Rae. Newsroom, a behind the scenes look at a fictional cable news program. Deadwood, a Western tv series set in 1870s South Dakota. Fences, in which an African American former baseball player watches others break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.   David Watts: All the King's Men, a 1940s film about a corrupt populist politician. David has also recently read Midnight Line, the latest Jack Reacher thriller by Lee Child and Origin, the new Dan Brown novel.  Movies Mentioned During this Episode:  American Beauty The Artist Awakenings Brian's Song The Color Purple - The movie is based on a book by Alice Walker. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Darkest Hour  Django Unchained The Godfather The Hurricane Indochine Justice League La La Land The Last Jedi Malcolm X Manchester by the Sea Moonlight On the Waterfront Phantom Thread The Piano Pulp Fiction  Rogue One The Shape of Water Solo: a Star Wars Story Star Wars: a New Hope Suicide Squad  To Kill a Mockingbird Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Training Day John Wick Actors and Actresses Mentioned During this Episode:  Casey Affleck Humphrey Bogart Marlon Brando Broderick Crawford Robert De Niro Bruce Lee Spike Lee Daniel Day-Lewis Frances McDormand Gary Oldman Sidney Poitier Margot Robbie Michael Shannon Kevin Spacey Quentin Tarantino Denzel Washington Robin Williams Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:  2018 Oscar Nominees The Academy Awards (Oscars)  Academy Awards for Best Picture winners AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD B-Movies - A favorite movie genre of guest Fred Akuffo  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: Romance enthusiasts Carly Beveridge and Michelle Halber share their love for the characters, stories, and increasing diversity of romance books, movies, and TV series.   Recording Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne Guests: Carly Beveridge, children’s librarian at Silver Spring library, and Michelle Halber, also a children's librarian at Silver Spring library.  Featured MCPL Resource: Celebrate Black History Month with MCPL's many inspiring and informative events, books, and other resources.  What Our Guests Are Reading: Carley Beveridge: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth and Alex & Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz.  Michelle Halber: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera and Endurance by Scott Kelly.  Authors Mentioned During this Episode:  Kristen Ashley Jane Austen - Books and movies  Beverly Jenkins Susanna Kearsley Sherrilyn Kenyon Lisa Kleypas Courtney Milan Julia Quinn Lynsay Sands Kerrelyn Sparks  J.R. Ward Books, Movies, and TV Shows Mentioned During this Episode: The Best Man by Kristan Higgins Bridget Jones Diary - The book by Helen Fielding, was made into a movie.  Downton Abbey An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole The Outlander - First book in a series by Diana Gabaldon. The book series has been made into a TV series.  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - The book, by Steve Hockensmith, was made into a movie.   Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - The book is the first of a series. Two movies were made based on the book series.  Stardust - The book, by Neil Gaiman, was made into a movie.   Waiting to Exhale - The book, by Terry McMillan, was made into a movie. Warm Bodies - The novel, by Isaac Marion, was, yep, made into a movie.  Other Items of Interest:  cloudLibrary - Collection of fiction and non-fiction ebooks available for MCPL customers to borrow.  The Harry Potter Rule - If a series has more than 7 books in it, guest Michelle Halber is not interested. Fabio - Ubiquitous model for romance novel covers during the 1980s and 1990s.  Overdrive - Collection of fiction and non-fiction e-books, as well as online audiobooks, available for MCPL customers to borrow.  Passionflix - Online collection of movies based on popular romance novels. Alas, not an MCPL resource.  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: Hosts Julie Dina, Lauren Martino, and David Payne talk about New Years resolutions. Are they helpful? What are some strategies for keeping them? How can MCPL help you make a change? Recording Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Hosts: Julie Dina, Lauren Martino, and David Payne Featured MCPL Resource: February is Library Lovers Month. The Library Lovers Month Kickoff event will take place at Aspen Hill Library, February 3, 2018 at 11 AM. It will feature an interactive STEM show and a hands-on booth “Bubbling Potions and Explosions” by the Science Guys of Baltimore. Here are some other fun events to help you express your love for libraries.  What Our Hosts Are Reading: Julie Dina: Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi Lauren Martino: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia, whose other well known books include Gone Crazy in Alabama and One Crazy Summer.  David Payne: A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré, who also wrote The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Books and other MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Artist Works: Unlimited access to beginning through advanced, self-paced video lessons for instruments, voice and physical art. NOTE: Our subscription to Artist Works does not currently include quizzes.  Broke Millenial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, who also wrote Being Mortal Gale Courses: High-quality, free courses and career training programs offered entirely online.  Getting Things Done by David Allen Learning Express: Offers online tutorials, practice tests, and e-books to improve job search and workplace skills; reading, writing, math, and basic science comprehension; and career certification, licensure and education testing skills.  Lynda.com: Learn new skills online! Lynda.com offers over 6,000 courses in business, technology, and creative endeavors taught by industry experts.  The 21 Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom by Michelle Singletary Other Items of Interest: Habitica: App mentioned by host Lauren Martino that turns adopting good habits and avoiding bad ones into a game.  Read the transcript

Episode Summary: Librarians Amy Alapati and Dana Alsup discuss MCPL's upcoming comic convention, MoComCon. The event will include a variety of panels, workshops, programs, displays, exhibits, and cosplay, all free of charge. MoComCon will take place at Silver Spring Library on Saturday, January 27, 2018 (weather date is February 10) from 11 AM - 4 PM. Parking, which is free on Saturdays, is available in the Wayne Avenue Garage at 921 Wayne Avenue.  Recording Date: December 13, 2017 Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne Guests: Amy Alapati, a children's librarian at Damascus Library is a member of the committee organizing MoComCon. Dana Alsup, a librarian at Marilyn Praisner Library, is the chair of this year's MoComCon Committee.   Featured MCPL Resource: Free WiFi is available in all MCPL branches, no special encryption settings, user names, or passwords are required.  What Our Guests Are Reading: Amy Alapati: The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce Dana Alsup: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, a follow on novel of Fangirl, and Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani Books Mentioned During this Episode: Adventures of Polo by Regi Faller American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang Boys of Steel by Marc Tyler Nobleman Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman Dog Man by Dav Pilkey March trilogy by John Lewis  Maus by Art Spiegelman Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Saints by Gene Luen Yang Shaun Tan - Author of children's graphic novels including The Arrival and Tales from Outer Suburbia. Raina Telgemeier - Children's book author known for her novels Drama and Smile.  Other Items of Interested Mentioned During this Episode:  Cosplay - Costumed roleplaying that involves wearing costumes and accessories to represent a specific character.  Don Sakers - Baltimore/Washington area author and sci fi convention speaker. Futuremakers - Organization focused on providing training, tools, and materials for makers.  MoComCon - MCPL's comic convention. MoComCon will include a variety of panels, workshops, programs, displays, exhibits, and cosplay, all free of charge.  Amy Pond - Character in the Doctor Who series. She was the first companion to the Doctor in his 11th incarnation.  San Diego Comic Con - The premiere comic convention in the United States.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: December 13, 2017 Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne Episode Summary: Guests JoEllen Sarff and Dianne Whitaker, who both have experience selecting books for MCPL, discuss their picks for the best books of 2017, along with a few titles from other years, because, well, we're librarians. Our book love can't be confined by something so pedestrian as time.    Guests: Librarian JoEllen Sarff, from our Collection Management department, and Wheaton Interim Branch Manager Dianne Whitaker, former head of Collection Management.  Featured MCPL Resource: An MCPL library card is your ticket to new worlds, a new life, a new career, and more. MCPL offers fantastic fiction to fuel your imagination, exercise and nutrition books and DVDs to enhance your health. online training to catapult your career, and so much more. Get your MCPL library card today.  What Our Guests Are Currently Reading:  JoEllen Sarff: The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille and Wonder by R J. Palacio.  Dianne Whitaker: The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy.  Books Mentioned During this Episode:  Adult Fiction: American War (2017) by Omar El Akkad Borne (2017) by Jeff VanderMeer Column of Fire (2017) by Ken Follett. The previous 2 novels set in the fictional city of Kingsbridge are Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.  The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis Lincoln in the Bardo (2017) by George Saunders, winner of the 2017 Man Booker Prize 1984 by George Orwell The Stone Sky (2017) by N.K. Jemisin. This is the third book in the Broken Earth trilogy. The first book is The Fifth Season. The second book is The Obelisk Gate.  Adult Non-Fiction The Future Is History (2017) by Masha Gessen Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlenben Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance Leonardo da Vinci (2017) by Walter Isaacson Radium Girls: the Dark Story of America's Shining Women (2017) by Kate Moore Children's Fiction After the Fall (2017) by Dan Santat Amina's Voice (2017) by Hena Khan Beyond the Bright Sea (2017) by Lauren Wolk Clayton Byrd Goes Underground (2017) by Rita Williams-Garcia Dance (2017) by Matthew Van Fleet The First Rule of Punk (2017) by Celia C Perez Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson Pachinko (2017) by Min Jin Lee The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine (2017) by Mark Twain. How can a book written by Mark Twain have a publication year of 2017? Well, it's complicated.  Red and Lulu (2017) by Matt Tavares The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet (2017) by Carmen Agra Deedy Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh (2017) by Uma Krishnaswami Wishtree (2017) by Katherine Applegate Wolf in the Snow (2017) by Matthew Cordell Children's Non-Fiction Harry Potter: a Journey Through the History of Magic (2017) The British Library Teen Fiction Long Way Down (2017) by Jason Reynolds Tool of War (2017) by Paolo Bacigalupi. Tool of War is book three in the Ship Breaker trilogy. The first book is Ship Breaker. The second book is The Drowned Cities.  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: Beanstack: An online service where users can log their reading, write reviews, and get reading recommendations.  Books & Authors: A book discovery tool with read-alikes and suggestions, awards lists, reviews, and reader ratings.  New in Media: Check the left column of our catalog for links to the latest film and television DVD's, as well as adult and children's books on CD, that MCPL has received.  NoveList Plus: Find fiction by series, plot, setting, and read-alikes. Also offers book discussion guides, booktalks, and articles.  On Order Titles: Check the left column of our catalog for links to new books that MCPL has ordered, but have not yet arrived. You can place holds on these incoming books.  Top 4 Checkouts: See the top 4 checkouts for adult fiction and non-fiction, children's fiction and non-fiction, and teen fiction during the last several months.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: November 29, 2017 Hosts: Julie Dina Episode Summary: Julie Dina discusses the work of the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC) with FOLMC Executive Director Ari Brooks and Business Manager Lance Salins.  Guests: FOLMC Executive Director Ari Brooks and FOLMC Business Manager Lance Salins Featured MCPL Resource: Flipster is an online collection of current and back issues of your favorite magazines such as Cooking Light, Ebony, and Sports Illustrated. A different selection of popular magazines is available through our other online magazine service, RBdigital Magazines.  What Our Guests Are Currently Reading: Ari Brooks: The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu for herself and The Mystery of the Missing Lion by Alexander McCall Smith with her daughter.   Lance Salins: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath for himself and The Warriors series by Erin Hunter with his niece.  Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: FOLMC Bookstores: The FOLMC operates 2 used bookstores. 1 in Rockville and 1 in Silver Spring. The revenues from these bookstores support FOLMC's mission. Here is a description of the items they accept for donations.   "Friends of the Library Sells Rare Copy of Hemingway's Farewell to Arms for $6,000": MyMCMedia news article about the discovery and sale of a copy of Farewell to Arms signed by Ernest Hemingway.  Friends of the Library, Chapters: 17 of MCPL's 21 branches have individual Friends of the Library chapters. The Deaf Culture Digital Library also has a Friends chapter.  Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC): An independent nonprofit that provides supplemental funding, programs, materials, and equipment to MCPL.   Library After Dark: An annual gala at which library staff, volunteers, donors, and community leaders are recognized for their contributions to making MCPL a nationally recognized library system.  Montgomery County Library Board: The Library Board makes recommendations to the County Executive on matters affecting the public library system. 23 subcommittees of the Library Board, called Library Advisory Committees (LACs) represent each library branch, the correctional facility, and the accessibility community.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: November 8, 2017 Hosts: Julia Dina and David Payne Episode Summary: Science fiction fans Beth Chandler, a librarian in our Collection Management division, and Richard McElroy, a Library Desk Assistant at our Silver Spring branch, talk about science fiction: what it is, how it has changed, and what it means. Guests: Librarian Beth Chandler and Library Desk Assistant Richard McElroy Featured MCPL Resource: Readers' Café, a virtual meeting place for books and reader. Visit Readers Cafe to find book reviews, recommended reading, book clubs, and more.  What Our Guests Are Currently Reading: Beth Chandler: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman Richard McElroy: American Pastoral by Philip Roth  Authors, Books, Movies, Television Shows, and Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: 2001: a Space Odyssey: A film based on Arthur C. Clarke's short story "The Sentinel" about the crew of a spaceship bound for Jupiter along with a self aware computer, HAL, who begins to malfunction.  Lois McMaster Bujold: Science fiction writer known for her Vorkosigan Saga, Chalion, and Sharing Knife series.  Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick Doctor Who: The time and space traveling adventures of a long lived Timelord and his Terran companions.  Firefly: A science fiction television series about the adventures of the crew of Serenity, who make their living on the fringe of society.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Nalo Hopkinson: Author of numerous science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism books, including Sister Mine, The Chaos, and The New Moon's Arms.  I, Robot by Isaac Asimov "The Last Question" (short story) by Isaac Asimov Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Nnedi Okorafor: Author of Binti, Lagoon, Akata Warrior, and other science fiction and fantasy books.  Ada Palmer: A historian at the University of Chicago and author of the science fiction novels Too Like the Lightning and Seven Surrenders.  Don Sakers: A Maryland science fiction writer and book reviewer for Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. He is a frequent guest speaker at science fiction conventions. He will be a workshop presenter at MoComCon.  Star Trek: A long standing science fiction world that has spawned numerous television shows, movies, and countless books.  Star Trek: the Animated Series: A cartoon version of the original Star Trek television series, produced for 2 episodes during the 1970s.  Star Wars: Science fiction fantasy tale from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  Twilight Zone: A genre mixing science fiction, horror, thriller television show begun in 1959 that often concluded with an unexpected twist.   Jules Verne: 19th century author of several science fiction stories including Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.   Kurt Vonnegut: Writer best known for his dark, satirical novel Slaughterhouse-Five. His other books featuring science fiction elements include The Sirens of Titan and Timequake. The [Widget], the [Wadget], and Boff: A novella by Theodore Sturgeon written from the perspective of alien scientists studying a group of humans.  Other Items of Interest: MoComCon: MCPL's comic convention, taking place at Silver Spring Library on January 27, 2018.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: November 7, 2017 Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne Episode Summary: Cooking enthusiasts Dana Alsup, a librarian at Marilyn Praisner Library, and Nalani Devendra, a library associate at Silver Spring Library, discuss the joys and challenges of cooking and how MCPL can make your next meal a delicious one.  Guests: Librarian Dana Alsup and Library Associate Nalani Devendra Featured MCPL Service: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) resources and events. Our Go! Kits contain books, science tools, a tablet, and more selected to encourage parents/caregivers and children to actively explore the world around them. We have Little Explorer Go! Kits for children ages 3-6 and Young Voyager Go! Kits for children ages 7-12.  What Our Guests Are Currently Reading:  Dana Alsup: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz. Horowitz has also written for the television series Foyles War and Midsomer Murders. Dana also recently read Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. Nalani Devendra: Future Crimes by Marc Goodman Books, Magazines, Cooking Shows, and Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode: 641.5: The call number for cookbooks at MCPL.  America's Test Kitchen: A  cooking show on WETA. The show has an extensive website that includes an archive of old shows. MCPL has a large collection of America's Test Kitchen cookbooks.  Barefoot Contessa: An American cooking show on the Food Network featuring celebrity chef Ina Garten, who has authored several cookbooks and has an extensive cooking website.   Bon Appetit: This food magazine is available in print at several MCPL branches. It is available online through our RBdigital Magazines service.  The Can't Cook Book: 100+ Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified by Jessica Seinfeld. Giada De Laurentis: Chef, writer, and television personality. Host of the Food Network's Giada at Home. MCPL owns many of her cookbooks.  Paula Deen: Celebrity chef, restaurant owner, and author. MCPL owns a number of her cookbooks.   First Bite by Bee Wilson: A look at how individual's food habits are formed.  The Forest Feast blog: Erin Gleeson's blog features mostly vegetarian recipes and entertaining ideas.   The Forest Feast: Simple Vegetarian Recipes from My Cabin in the Woods by Erin Gleeson The Forest Feast Gatherings: Simple Vegetarian Menus for Hosting Friends & Family by Erin Gleeson The Forest Feast for Kids: Colorful Vegetarian Recipes that Are Simple to Make by Erin Gleeson The Food Network: Cable and satellite television channel focused on food.  How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman Other Items of Interest: Flipster: An online collection of full color magazines that includes the magazines Food & Wine and Cooking Light.  RBdigital Magazines: This online collection of full color magazines includes several cooking magazines such as Bon Appetit, Eating Well, Food Network Magazine, and more.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: October 11, 2017 Hosts:Julie Dina and David Payne  Episode Summary: Children's Library Associate Barbara Shansby talks about why some children, and adults, are reluctant to read and how to foster an appreciation for reading among reluctant readers.  Guest: Children's Library Associate Barbara Shansby Featured MCPL Service: What Do I Check Out Next? Tell us what you like to read through our What Do I Check Out Next? form. Our librarians will e-mail you 3 -5 personalized book suggestions.  What Our Guest is Currently Reading: Survivors Club: the True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz by Michael Bornstein. The incredible story of Michael Bornstein, who at 4 years old, was one of the youngest people to be liberated from Auschwitz.   Books and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz: In this thrilling series, 14 year old Alex Rider is coerced into working for British intelligence after his uncle is killed on a mission.  Babymouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm: An imaginative mouse learns life lessons in this graphic novel series.  Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce: Chronicles the life of Nate Wright as he resists the confinements of middle school.  Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey: The humorous books recount the adventures of an unlikely super hero.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney: This series, formatted as a journal, recounts the life of middle schooler Greg and his best friend Rowley.  Dork Diaries by Rachel Russell: Humorous book series written as a diary with lots of drawings and doodles. It chronicles the life of middle schooler Nikki Maxwell.  Flip a Word by Harriet Ziefert: A series of humorously illustrated books, including Quack Shack and Crab Cab, that introduce rhyming word families.  Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold: Funny book series about a fly and his best friend, a boy named Buzz.  Geronimo Stilton: This series features the adventures of Geronimo Stilton, the scaredy mouse editor of The Rodent's Gazette, who is constantly being dragged into adventures by his pushy, boisterous family.  Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter's fantastic adventure in this 7 book series starts with 4 simple words, "You're a wizard Harry."  Hatchet by Gary Paulsen: Brian Robeson is the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness.   Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: In this popular dystopia, teens from twelve oppressed districts are forced to fight to the death in a futuristic arena.   Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo: In this series, a buttered toast loving pet pig named Mercy Watson has all sorts of adventures in her neighborhood.  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: A traumatic event near the end of summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.  Twilight by Stephanie Meyers: This series chronicles the romance between a teen girl and a vampire amidst growing conflict within the secret world of vampires.  Other MCPL Resources and Services Mentioned During this Episode:  Audio books: MCPL offers audio books on CD, on Playaways, and online.    Book discussion groups are available for kids, teens, and adults. Early literacy storytimes prepare our county's babies, toddlers, and preschoolers for a lifetime of reading and learning.  Grandreaders: Children can practice reading aloud to our specially trained older members of the community. List of recommended books by Grade and Age Library Matters recorded an episode about MCPL's Summer Read and Learn program in May, 2017.  Read to a Dog: Children can build confidence in their reading skills by reading aloud to one of our trained therapy dogs.     Short story collections: MCPL has a wide varied of short story collections for children, teens, and adults.  Small type can be a barrier for some readers, including kids. Check out MCPL's large type books for children.  Read the full transcript

Recording Date: October 11, 2017  Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino  Episode Summary: We talk with horror fiction fans Tom Palmer and Heather Wright about horror books and movies. Why do people find such fiction appealing? What’s the scariest book they’ve read? Have they ever had to stop reading a book because it was just too scary or horrifying? Join us in our exploration of this gruesome genre, if you dare!   Guests: Tom Palmer and Heather Wright  Featured MCPL Service: Librarian's Choice, reviews of recent books our librarians have enjoyed.  What Our Guests Are Currently Reading:   Tom Palmer: American Gods by Neil Gaiman. The old gods of ancient mythology weaken as belief in them declines while the power of new gods, manifestations of modern technology, grows.    Heather Wright: The Motion of Puppets by Keith Donahue and Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. In The Motion of Puppets, a circus acrobat becomes trap in a toy store when she’s transformed into a puppet. Splendor and Glooms is a childrens’ book about a girl who is kidnapped by puppeteers who perform at her 12th birthday party.   Books, Movies and Authors Mentioned During this Episode:   American Horror Story: A television series about a family that the moves into a Los Angeles area house that is haunted by demonic forces.   Black Mirror: A BBC series of standalone dramas billed as the modern Twilight Zone. The stories explore people’s collective unease with the modern world.   Carrie by Stephen King: A teen girl discovers a frightening power within her, much to the misfortune of her abusive mother and the classmates that bully her. A movie was made based on the book.   Coraline by Neil Gaiman: A girl discovers a parallel world that at first seems better than her own, but she soon discovers disturbing differences. See the movie version as well.   Dracula by Bram Stoker: The famous vampire of Transylvania travels to England seeking new blood. Here are a few of the many movies inspired by Stoker’s book.   The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty: A girl is possessed and the family seeks the help of a priest to exorcize the demon. The book was made into a well known film.   Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Dr. Frankenstein uses electricity to animate a hideous monster. MCPL has the movie Young Frankenstein.    I Am Legend by Richard Matheson: The story of the last man alive, who is attempting to survive amidst hordes of the undead. This classic sci fi/horror book has inspired several films, including one starring Will Smith.   It by Stephen King: A shapeshifting evil feeds off the fear and death of children in a small town.  Stephen King: American author of horror, fantasy, and suspense. Dean Koontz: American author of thrillers with frequent horror elements.  My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf: A high school friend of the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer explores Dahmer’s complex formative years.   Never Let Me Go by Kauzo Ishiguro: Three childhood friends reunite, but soon the dark secret of their old school forces them to confront a horrible truth.   Penny Dreadful: A psychological thriller series set in Victorian London featuring classic literary characters such as Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray.   Edgar Allan Poe: A 19th century American writer, best known for his mysteries and horror stories.    Revival by Stephen King: A disillusioned preacher discovers a horrific world of torture and fear awaiting those who die.   Stranger Things: A sci fi/horror television series about the disappearance of a young boy and the supernatural events that occur in his small town.   Peter Straub: American horror novelist. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer: Teen series about vampires and werewolves. The Walking Dead: Television series about survivors of a worldwide catastrophe who must survive in a world filled with flesh eating zombies. Several seasons of this show have been filmed outside Senoia, Georgia, which is near host Lauren Martino’s hometown.   X-Files: FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigate paranormal phenomena.   MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Readers' Café What Do I Check Out Next?  

Recording Date: September 29, 2017 Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino Episode Summary: We talk with MCPL's Workforce and Business Development Program Specialist Adrienne Van Lare about how MCPL can help you find a job or advance your career. MCPL's Workforce Development program just won an Honorable Mention Award from the Urban Libraries Council Innovations Initiative.  Guest: Adrienne Van Lare Featured MCPL Resource: Your MCPL library card is the key to borrowing books, accessing e-books, downloading music, and much more. Register for a card today!  Books Mentioned During this Episode: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A young woman immigrates from Nigeria to America, but finds her new life is not what she expected.    Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain: How society's bias toward extroversion undervalues and masks the value of those who prefer listening to speaking and reading to partying.  MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode:  Career Events at MCPL: An up to date list of upcoming career event at MCPL branches. Career Online High School: Online program for earning an accredited high school diploma and career certificate.  Gale Courses: Free online courses and career training. Covers a variety of topics including accounting, computers applications, healthcare, legal, personal development, teaching, and writing.  MCPL's Jobs / Careers Guide: MCPL's jobs & careers website includes links to job search sites, training databases, online college and professional test prep material, career events at MCPL branches, resume and cover letter writing aids, and more.  Other Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Maryland Workforce Exchange: The state of Maryland's website for residents looking for jobs, employers looking for workers, and students and researchers looking for state labor market information. Upwardly Global: A nonprofit organization that helps immigrants rebuild their careers and find jobs in their professional fields.  USA Jobs: The US Federal Government's official job search site.   Worksource Montgomery: A Montgomery County nonprofit whose mission is to meet the needs of strategic industries to attract workers and the needs of the underemployed and unemployed to find career paths with sustainable wages.  Read the transcript.

Spoilers Are Coming! This episode has more Game of Throne book and television series spoilers than you can shake a sword at.  Recording Date: September 20, 2017 Episode Summary: Winter is coming. At least that's what the Game of Thrones fans among our staff say. We invited a few such fans onto the podcast to share their enthusiasm for the immensely popular Game of Thrones books and television series.   Note: Library Matters has new hosts! You'll hear 2 of our new hosts, Davis Library Branch Manager David Payne and Silver Spring Librarian Lauren Martino during the main part of the episode. Our third host, Outreach Associate Julie Dina, introduces this episode and returns at the end to talk with our Acting Director, Anita Vassallo, who couldn't make the main recording session, but is a big Game of Thrones fan and didn't want to miss out on the fun.   Guests: Susan Moritz, Digital Strategies Program Manager Angelica Rengifo, Outreach Associate Anita Vassallo, Acting Director, MCPL Featured MCPL Service: Tell us what you like to read by filling out our What Do I Check Out Next? form and receive 3-5 personalized book suggestions from your MCPL librarians.  Notable Quotes: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." Henry IV, Part II, William Shakespeare "Uneasy lies the bum that sits on the (Iron) Throne." Susan Moritz "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." Game of Thrones, Season 1, Episode 7, Cersei Lannister  Game of Thrones Books and Media Mentioned During This Episode: Game of Thrones (television series): A dramatic, often violent cable television saga of the conflicts, alliances, and intrigue among noble families vying for control of or independence from the high kingship that rules over the 7 kingdoms.  George R.R. Martin: Have you finished the Song of Ice and Fire book series, but still want more? Try some of the other novels and short story collections George R.R. Martin has written or edited.  A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: The epic fantasy book series upon which the Game of Thrones television series is based. The series currently consists of the following books -  A Game of Thrones A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast for Crows A Dance with Dragons Martin's fan eagerly, impatiently, await the next planned books in the series, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.     Other Books and Media Mentioned During this Episode: The Borgias (television series): A chronicle of the 16th century Borgia family's rise to power in the Roman Catholic Church.  Henry IV by William Shakespeare: A history play about King Henry IV of England and his struggles against internal unrest and Scottish invaders.  Henry V by William Shakespeare: A history play about King Henry V of England and his role in the Battle of Agincourt in France.  Philippa Gregory: The author of British historical fiction novels, many of which are set in the 16th century Tudor period.   Richard III by William Shakespeare: This history play depicts Richard III's rise to power and his short lived reign as king of England.    Supernatural (television series): A pair of brothers make their way through the world as monster hunters.  The Tudors (television series): The early years of King Henry VII's 16th century reign over England.  Read the transcript.

Recording Date: August 8, 2017  Episode Summary: Guest Elizabeth Lang discusses MCPL resources and services for people with disabilities, as well as MCPL's efforts to incorporate accessibility into all aspects of its operations. Guest: Elizabeth Lang, Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager  MCPL Resources and Services Mentioned During this Episode: MCPL's Accessibility Centers are located in our Rockville Memorial and Silver Spring branches Accessibility Advisory Committee Assistive Technology Workstations MCPL Services for People with Disabilities Rockville Memorial Library Talking Book Club  Other Resources and Services Mentioned During this Episode: DC Center for Accessibility Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Montgomery County ADA Compliance Team National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Wolfner Talking Books & Braille Library in Jefferson City, Missouri Books Mentioned During this Episode: Kinsey Milhone mystery series (A Is for Alibi, etc.) by Sue Grafton Other Items of Interest: Pew Research fact sheet on Americans with disabilities Universal design Full transcript of this episode.

Recording Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2017  Episode Summary: Two MCPL dads discuss books for both new and experienced fathers.  Guests: Fred Akuffo, Library Assistant Supervisor at Long Branch, and Tom Palmer, Library Associate at Silver Spring. Notable Quote:  “I’m not sure I have a [parenting] style, honestly. I’m on the lookout for one.” Books, Movies, Television Shows, and Audio Mentioned During this Episode: Adventures in Odyssey online Christian audio drama The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin The Bible Aesop’s Fables by Aesop Dad’s Playbook by Tom Limbert Be Prepared by Gary Greenberg Betters Dads, Stronger Sons by Rick Johnson Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker Boy Scout Handbook from Boy Scouts of America Black on White by Tana Hoban Foundation by Isaac Asimov Reading Rainbow Television show The Truth About Money by Ric Edelman Books and other resources not owned by MCPL may be available through our Marina & interlibrary loan services.  Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:  Choose your own story type books Read the full transcript

Recording Date: July 11, 2017 Episode Summary: Today's teen books are more than broken hearts and vampires. Two of our librarians discuss what teen books have to offer readers of all ages.  Guests: Tina Rawhouser, Manager of our Potomac branch, and Annie Seiler, librarian at Marilyn Praisner.  MCPL Resources and Services Mentioned During this Episode: Teen Reading Lists: MCPL offers suggested readings lists by topic/genre for teens. Includes action/adventure, humor, mystery, and more. MCPL also offers reading lists by age, for middle schoolers and high schoolers.  Teensite: This portion of our website just for teens offers reading suggestions, library events for teens, college admissions info, and more.  What Do I Check Out Next?: Use our online form to tell us what you like to read. We'll e-mail you a list of 3-5 books that our readers' advisory experts have chosen for you.  Books and Authors Mentioned During this Episode: Leigh Bardugo: One of Annie's favorite authors. Bardugo's teen fantasy books include the Grisha triology, about a teenage orphan who harnesses an unexpected power. The first book in the series is Shadow and Bone.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: It's 1941, and 15 year old Lithuanian girl Lina and her family are sent to Siberia, where she secretly documents their struggle to survive. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Liesel, a young German girl, boosts the spirits of her neighbors and the Jewish man her family is hiding from the Nazis with her storytelling and recitation of books she's stolen. This book was made into a film. Orson Scott Card: Bestselling author of Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and many other science fiction and fantasy books.  Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman: One of Tina Rawhouser's favorite books, Challenger Deep is the story of Caden Bosch, whose descent into schizophrenia splits his world into one of a high school student and the other of a sea captain on his way to Challenger Deep, the ocean's deepest trench.    The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Starr Carter lives in two worlds, her poor neighborhood and the fancy prep school she attends. Those worlds collide when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her best friend at the hands of a police officer. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: The classic fantasy tale of a small, reluctant traveler who is pressured to join a group of dwarfs on a quest to retrieve their treasure from a dragon.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Recounts the joys and sorrows of the 4 March sisters as they grow up in the latter half of the 19th century.  The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: The epic trilogy recounting the quest of Frodo Baggins and his companions to destroy the One Ring before its creator retrieves it and conquers Middle Earth. The books in this series are The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.  Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: 14 year old Susie Salmon watches from heaven as her family adjusts to the tragedy of her disappearance and death.  The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: One of Tina Rawhouser's favorites, the Lunar Chronicles is a sci fi series reinterpreting Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and other fairy tales. The story is set in a future of moon colonies, androids, and cyborgs.  Sarah J. Maas: Author of the Throne of Glass series, a retelling of Cinderella, and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Librarian Annie Seiler likes these books for their strong female characters. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson: A favorite of Librarian Annie Seiler, this graphic novel recounts the adventures of Nimona, the sidekick to supervillain Lord Blackheart, who's attempting to unmask the evil deeds of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Living in a bleak near future, Wade Watts dreams of finding the 3 keys supposedly hidden in the virtual reality world OASIS. Rumor has it that whoever finds all 3 will inherit a fortune.  Sabaa Tahir: Teen fiction writer best known for the novel An Ember in the Ashes.   Salt to the Sea: A historical fiction novel about a group refugees in East Prussia seeking to flee the final ravages of World War II.  The Selection by Kiera Cass: First book in a series about a competition to win the prince's hand and become a princess.  Sweet Valley High: Book series about the lives of identical twins, Jessica and Elizabeth, and their experiences at Sweet Valley High School.  This Is Our Story: Five boys go hunting, only four return. The boys say it was an accident, but suspicions mount.  Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. A young witch joins a group of 6 inch tall blue men to rescue her baby brother and save Fairyland. 

Recording Date: June 13, 2017 Episode Summary: Learn more about the hosts of Library Matters, Alessandro Russo and David Watts. Alessandro and David talk about how they established their careers with MCPL and what it's like to work in a public library.  Guests: Alessandro Russo and David Watts Guest Hosts: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum and Mark Santoro, co-producers of Library Matters.  MCPL Resources and Services Mentioned During this Episode: 3D Printing - Create a variety of objects both fun and functional with MCPL's 3D printers.  MCPL offers a wide variety of e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines for children, teens, and adults.  Books and Podcasts Mentioned During this Episode: Baudolino by Umberto Eco. A lighthearted tale of an upwardly mobile peasant, Baudolino, who, in the early 1200s, rises through medieval society and sets out to meet the legendary Prester John Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Dumas' classic tale of a falsely imprisoned man who seeks vengeance against those who betrayed him. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell reveals the unexpected relationships and balance between the weak and the strong.  The Nerdist. Host Chris Hardwick and his two nerdy friends Jonah Ray and Matt Mira talk about stuff, "usually with someone more famous" than they are.  Paranormal. Jim Harold interviews experts on the supernatural.  Two Pods a Day. A campaign to introduce listeners to 2 independent podcasts each day, from May 15 - June 13, 2017. Other Items of Interest:  Guidelines Governing the Use of Public Libraries - These library use guidelines, based on the principles of mutual respect and courtesy, are meant to foster a welcoming environment in all MCPL branches.  Applying for a job with MCPL - Once at the jobs search page, type the word library into the Keywords field to bring up jobs available in MCPL. For specific instructions on becoming a library page, please visit the Library Page Positions site.  Read the full transcript.

Recording Date: July 11, 2017 Episode Summary: Alessandro Russo and guest host Lennea Bower* interview retiring MCPL Director Parker Hamilton about her career in librarianship, her 37 years with Montgomery County government, and her work as director of MCPL. *Lennea Bower is the manager of Digital Strategies, the MCPL division responsible for the Library Matters podcast.   Guest: MCPL Director Parker Hamilton. Director Hamilton has led MCPL since 2005. She is retiring July 31, 2017.  Notable Quote: Director Hamilton on why she because a librarian “because it was an opportunity to connect with learning and knowledge.” MCPL Resources and Services Mentioned During This Episode Apps: MCPL offers a variety of apps that connect customers to library resource, including Bookmyne, a mobile version of our catalog, Freegal, a free music app, several e-book apps, and more. Career Online High School (COHS): COHS is an accredited, online high school diploma and career certificate program for adults 19 and older.  Digital Media Labs: Our Long Branch and Silver Spring libraries offer computer labs where teens can learn and practice digital photography, video production, graphic design, computer programming, and more.  Fake News: This library program offers strategies for evaluating news stories and other information sources.  Go! Kits: Little Explorer and Young Voyager Go! Kits are backpacks that contain a Playaway Launchpad or Android tablet as well as STEM related books, tools, and apps. Their purpose is to get children excited about science and math.  MCPL's social media channels: Blogger, Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.  Books, and Podcasts Shows Mentioned During This Episode Car Talk: Humorous NPR talk show that ran from 1977 - 2012 featuring two brothers from Boston who helped, or tried to help, members of the audience who called in with their car troubles.  Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Collection of meditations on the changes women experience in relationships, marriage, and life as they move through life's stages. Kurt Vonneguys: Podcast of two guys discussing Kurt Vonnegut's books. National Public Radio (NPR) Podcasts: NPR offers a large variety of podcasts, some of which serve as online archives of NPR radio shows, including Fresh Air, Car Talk, and StoryCorps.  Ways of Grace: Stories of Activism, Adversity, and How Sports Can Bring Us Together by James Blake: A collection of stories about acts of kindness in the world of sports that bridged cultural and racial divides. The author was interviewed on NPR about this book.   Other Items of Interest Bobby Seale: Political activist and co-founder of the Black Panther Party. He spoke at the Douglas Center Library in Illinois while Parker Hamilton worked there.  FY17 MCPL Budget Read the full transcript

Recording Date: June 13, 2017 Episode Summary: MCPL children's librarians Jane Dorfman and Lauren Martino continue their discussion on reading aloud to children. In this portion, part 2 of 2, Jane and Lauren read sample stories, explain why these stories are good read-alouds, and note some of the techniques they used to bring these stories to life. Our guests also answer questions that they have heard from parents over the years about reading aloud to children. NOTE; This recording is part 2 of 2 of the Reading Aloud to a Child epsiode. We had such an interesting discussion that our recording for this episode was over 45 minutes. We've split the discussion up into 2 parts to make it easier for our listeners to absorb.  Guests: Jane Dorfman, MCPL Children's Librarian, and Lauren Martino, MCPL Children's Librarian Books read during this episode: Bark George by Jules Feiffer. Read by Jane Dorfman. A mother dog is concerned because her puppy doesn't bark.  The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone. Read by Lauren Martino. Grover becomes concerned when he learns there's monster waiting at the end of his book.  MCPL resources and services mentioned during this episode: Wordless books: These are books, often picture books, that have only pictures and no words.  World Languages Collection: Numerous MCPL branches offer adult and children's books (and some periodicals) in Amharic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  Authors mentioned during this episode: Sandra Boynton. Author of many colorful, humorous picture books featuring cheerful, often musical, animals. Her books include such favorites as Are You a Cow?, Tickle Time!, and Barnyard Dance!. Books mentioned during this episode: B Is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood. Betsy is nervous about going to first grade, but learns it's a great place where she has lots of fun.  Big Dog Little Dog series by Dav Pilkey. Big Dog and Little Dog are best friends who can be a bit mischievous and silly.  Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban. Frances declares she will only eat bread and jam. To her surprise, her parents agree.  The Great Brain series by John Fitzgerald. The Great Brain is a boy growing up in the early 1900s with a silver tongue and a knack for making a profit.  *Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett. A magician's assistant travels to Nebraska in search of her late magician's secret past.  *Redshirts by John Scalzi. An ensign on the flagship of the interstellar navy learns that life on a starship is a lot more complicated, and deadly, than he realized. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. The children of a black family living in Depression era Mississippi do not understand the prejudice and discrimination they face. *A Wrinkle in Time by Madelein L'Engle. A brother, sister, and their friends search for the sibling's father, who has disappeared after working on a secret project for the government.  *Mentioned by our guests as their favorite books. Other items of interest: International Children's Digital Library.  A digital library of full-text books from around the world.   Read the full transcript

Recording Date: June 13, 2017 Episode Summary: Our guests this episode are Jane Dorfman and Lauren Martino. Both are children's librarians in MCPL branches who have conducted many storytimes for children of different ages. In part 1 of this episode, they discuss the benefits of reading aloud to children, how to choose the best books, and how to keep a child engaged with the book or story.   NOTE: We had such a lively, interactive discussion that our recording was over 45 minutes. We've split the discussion up into 2 parts to make it easier for our listeners to absorb. This recording is part 1 of 2. Guests: Jane Dorfman, Children's Librarian, and Lauren Martino, Children's Librarian MCPL resources and services mentioned during this episode: Booklists by Grade & Age MCPL 2017 Reading Challenge: Expand your reading horizons. Over the course of 2017, read one book from each of 12 categories. NoveList K-8 Plus: This kid-friendly database has recommended reading lists, read alikes, award winners, and other tools for find children's fiction and non-fiction books.     Storytimes at MCPL: MCPL offers storytime programs for children of different ages, as well as special themed and bilingual storytimes. Summer Read and Learn: This program offers exciting activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage reading and learning all summer long. What Do I Check Out Next?: Tell us what you like to read and we'll e-mail you a personalized list of 3 to 5 books that our readers' advisory experts have chosen for just you.  TumbleBooks (described in the episode as books that read to a child): An online collection of animated, talking picture books. Includes story books, chapter books, nonfiction, videos, and more. Also includes e-books in French and Spanish. Authors mentioned during this episode:  Susan Middleton Elya. This picture book author is known for her rhyming stories written in a mix of English and Spanish.  Komako Sakai. Author mentioned by Lauren Martino as a writer of more quiet books for children.  Jan Thomas. Picture books with big, clean, lines. Mo Willems. Author of beloved picture book series including Elephant & Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon.  Karma Wilson. Picture book author known Bear Snores On, Hilda Must Be Dancing, and many other fine children's books.  Books, and other media mentioned during this episode: Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr. Readers see a variety of animals, each one a different color.  Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. Mischievous monkeys steal all of a peddler's caps.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. What happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree?  Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell. Tales of Clifford, the giant red dog, and his owner, Emily Elizabeth.  Little Red Hen. No animals want to help the hen bake, but they all want some of the fruits of her labor.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Classic tale about goats that trick a troll living under a bridge. The Three Little Pigs. The classic tale of 3 little pigs and the wolf who tries to make each pig his next meal.  Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha. Mr. Gillie, the trash man, rides through town, picking up the trash. Our guest Lauren Martino noted this book as one of her go to favorites for storytime reading.  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. A naughty boy sent to bed without supper sails off to an island inhabited by fantastic beasts and becomes their king.   Read the full transcript

Recording Date: May 3, 2017 Guests: Christine Freeman, Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager, and Susan Moritz, Program Manager, Virtual Services.   Episode Summary: Our guests discuss MCPL's upcoming Summer Read and Learn program. MCPL's Summer Read and Learn program promotes reading and learning all summer long through a variety of reading and activity based learning tracks.  MCPL resources and services mentioned during this episode: Summer Read and Learn: This program runs from June 10 through September 10, 2017. There will be activities for children, teens, and adults.  Four Doorways to Reading: Legendary librarian Nancy Pearl identified 4 reasons people fall in love with books. They are plot, people, place, and prose. Sign up through Beanstack for reading recommendations based on your preferences among these 4 doorways to literature. Freegal: Download up to 5 song each week for free. Choose from over 3,000,000 recordings.  Library Link: A partnership between MCPL and Montgomery County Public Schools to ensure every child enrolled in a county public school receives a library card.  MCPL 2017 Reading Challenge: Over the course of 2017, read one book from each of twelve different categories. The categories include items such as a book set in your home state or country, a book with a viewpoint different from your own, and a book with a cover that is green.   MCPL's Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) programs.  MCPL Strategic Plan: To provide access to services, resources, and programs so that everyone can participate in making a more Literate Montgomery, Connected Montgomery, Strong and Vibrant Montgomery, and Delighted Montgomery.  MCPL Storytimes Suggested Titles by Grade and Interest Level What Do I Check Out Next?: Tell us what you like to read and we'll e-mail you a personalized list of 3 to 5 books that our readers' advisory experts have chosen for you.  Books and other media mentioned during this episode:  Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: Laia goes undercover at the empire's military academy in order to save her brother from execution.  Little Brother by Cory Doctorow: Marcus uses his hacking skills to resist an out of control Department of Homeland Security. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen: Princess Kelsea returns home to ascend the throne amidst political intrigue and personal peril.  The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: A commoner with rare power, Mare risks everything to help a growing rebellion.  Shanghai Girls by Lisa See: Two sisters leave Shanghai to begin new lives in 1930s Los Angeles.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: A journalist suspects the murder of a passenger no else believes was ever on board their cruise ship. Rick Riordan: Bestselling author of children's book series such as The Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and The Kane Chronicles.  Read the full transcript