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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