Friends of the Library Montgomery County Maryland

Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Maryland, Inc. (folmc) supports Montgomery County public libraries (mcpl) and promotes lifelong learning in Montgomery County, md by providing supplemental funding, programs, and materials and equipment to mcpl to augment public funding. Folmc's primary source of funding comes from the sale of donated books. Major projects that folmc has supported include, but are not limited to, the following: contemporary conversations: this series began in fy17 and is a collaboration between mcpl and folmc led by the office of the County executive. the goal is to bring notable speakers to the County's libraries for timely conversations about issues the community, County, and country face. This series has been adapted for a hybrid environment. Workshops/classes: folmc funds the advancement and training for the entire mcpl staff at an annual staff development day workshop. Staff skills are strengthened through team-building and networking activities and as well as customer service and technology training to better serve the Montgomery County community. Mosaic: celebrating diversity through creative writing: this annual program targets County middle school students and provides a constructive outlet for creative expression highlighting the diverse and cultural backgrounds of the students. Students are encouraged to write about personal experiences, family traditions, or cultural perspectives through the form of poems, essays, or short stories.winning and honorable mention entries are published into an anthology and distributed to the schools and cataloged in each Library branch. Winning and honorable mention students are invited to a reception in may to present for one minute their work, experience a keynote address from a successful author, and interact with other students with similar interests. Partners are mcpl and Montgomery County public schools. In 2020 this program was expanded to include three writing workshops and was approved for mcps for community service opportunities. Library lovers month: every february activities take place in all mcpl branches to celebrate the importance of libraries in our County. A kickoff is held with family entertainment and activities for children. All month long patrons at every branch are encouraged to complete postcards describing why they love their Library. Membership, chapter, and Library supporter events: a variety of events are held throughout the year to connect the chapters, folmc membership, and other community members which focus on supporting and championing the Library community. Attendees engage in networking, brainstorming, and general planning for future Library initiatives and goals. Other mcpl programs and events (sponsored by folmc and our chapters): folmc exclusively funds the summer reading program for children. Other events include english conversation clubs (for patrons looking to practice english speaking skills), book discussion groups, children's storytimes, science, technology, engineering, and math (stem) programs, community celebrations, and more. We also fund grants to mcpl which support a variety of initiatives including: early literacy centers, computer stations, and discovery rooms for children; go! Kits - take-home technology packs which include books, science kits, and ipads pre-loaded with educational apps; stem stations and various other piloted technologies and software. Bookstores (rockville and wheaton) and outreach activities: folmc operates two award-winning used bookstores that provide quality, gently-used materials at affordable prices to customers across the County. the bookstore revenue supports folmc program expenses and funds other mcpl programs and initiatives. Our bookstores serve as community staples and are highly regarded for having a variety of quality materials and knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Both bookstores temporarily closed due to covid-19. Rockville bookstore re-opened in june 2020. Wheaton bookstore re-opened at the end of june 2021.