Public Libraries Offer "Fake News: How to Spot It"

Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering a program, “Fake News: How to Spot It.” The program will help you determine the kind of fake news that exists and provide tools to evaluate news for reliability and truth.

The topic of fake news is as old as the news industry itself—misinformation, hoaxes, propaganda and satire have long been in existence. Lately, there has been a lot of discussion and misinformation about what is considered real and fake news.

Presented by the Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland's State Library Resource Center, the free program, suitable for teens and adults, is scheduled for:

February 24, 4 p.m. – Silver Spring, 900 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring
February 27, 6 p.m. – Bethesda, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda
February 28, 6 p.m. – Germantown, Century Boulevard, Germantown

For more information, contact Mary Ellen Icaza at 240-777-0006.

Telework at the Library for Metro Surge

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is a resource for telecommuters who are impacted by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Surge 10. MCPL has multiple options for telecommuters who are looking for alternative work sites or resources during the surge. The WMATA Surge 10 will affect the Red Line October 29 through November 22. This surge is expected to cause delays on the entire Red Line -- the Metrorail system’s busiest line.

MCPL library card holders have access for the following telecommuting resources available in branches:

• Wireless internet access and public computers
• Collaboration rooms and quiet study rooms 
• Large meeting rooms, rented from Community Use of Public Facilities, 240 777-0311 
• Printers and photocopiers 
• Free, secure charging stations for your phone or tablet 
• Laptops for use at the Kensington Park, Long Branch, Silver Spring, and Twinbrook branches 

The following resources are available online to MCPL card holders -

• Business information, industry research, and access to articles from business magazines and journals through our website and apps 
• E-books, audiobooks, and magazine downloads 
• Music downloads

For more information about MCPL services call Regina Holyfield-Jewett at 240-777-0106.

Send Your Fan Mail to Local Olympians

Show your support for the four County athletes who are going for the gold at the Summer Olympics. Every library branch has established a station where you can deliver fan mail or messages to the athletes.

Montgomery County is home to four of the 11 athletes representing Maryland on the 2016 U.S. Olympic roster. More than 10,500 athletes from 204 nations are expected to participate in 28 sports, including the highly anticipated reinstatement of golf and rugby.

• Jack Conger from Rockville will be competing in the 4x200m freestyle swimming event. Conger graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 2013.
• Katie Ledecky, former gold medalist from the 2012 Olympics will compete in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle. Ledecky, from Bethesda, graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in 2015.
• Ashley Nee from Bethesda will compete in the canoe slalom. Nee graduated from Northwestern High School.
• Helen Maroulis, a former Col. Zadok Magruder High School student, is a wrestler who will be competing in the freestyle 53 kg.

You can stop by any of the library branches to drop-off your letters or cards. The fan mail stations will be available during regularly scheduled hours through August 21. The letters will be delivered to the athletes after the Olympics.

County Libraries to Expand Hours

Good news. Beginning Monday, October 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries will be open longer, with added service hours totaling 106 hours, 9.4 percent more than in fiscal year 2014. Sixteen branches will have expanded hours, joining the five branches whose hours were increased in FY13. The expanded hours at the Silver Spring branch will go into effect when the new library opens later in this fiscal year. In addition, four more branches (Aspen Hill, Damascus, Quince Orchard, and White Oak) will be open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. bringing the total number with Sunday hours to 13. Find branches and new hours on the interactive map.

Reading at Snapshot Day

I had a great time reading to Beall Elementary School kindergarten students today at the Rockville Library as a part of Snapshot Day. The event is designed to demonstrate--through words and photos--how local residents love and use their libraries and underscore the value and importance of libraries in communities. We joined libraries across the state in the initiative.

Groundbreaking for Silver Spring Library

Join me for the groundbreaking for the new Silver Spring Library. This library will be a real gem right in the heart of Silver Spring, and I'm pleased that community members have been an integral part of the planning process since day one. The new library is designed to meet the unique needs of a diverse and growing community and to be a cornerstone of a very bustling area. It will be there not just to serve the community but to be an integral part of the community, and I think that’s pretty exciting. I hope to see you there.

Appearing at the Literary Luncheon Series

When I got married 35 years ago, I never imagined that my husband, David Stewart, and I would appear together to discuss our lives as an author, an elected official and a couple. But that’s just what we're going to do at the Friends of the Library's Literary Luncheon Series on November 19 at the Mansion at Strathmore.

David, a constitutional lawyer turned author, has published two books and is working on a third. The Summer of 1787 traces the struggle at the Philadelphia Convention to create the world's first constitutional democracy, while Impeached explores the fiery story of the first presidential impeachment in 1868. What's he working on now? Come to the lecture to find out.

David says of our life together, “It probably helps that we fell in love long before she became a politician and I started writing books.” Maybe he's right, but I like to think our demanding careers give us some really interesting things to talk about at the dinner table. To register for the lecture, luncheon and book signing, visit the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Non-profit Used Bookstore Comes to Gaithersburg

I’m looking forward to visiting the Friends of the Library’s third used bookstore. The new store, at the intersection of Quince Orchard Road and Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, will offer not only used books but videos, educational games and other reading materials. The store also will accept tax-deductible donations of books. Proceeds are used to fund library enhancements such as children’s educational programs, cultural celebrations and new library technology.

The store opens on April 15 and will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, May 2, 10:00-2:00. Festivities will include live entertainment, giveaways and children’s arts and crafts.

As we all struggle with a sagging economy, it’s nice to know we have low-cost options, especially for entertaining and educating our kids. If this store isn’t convenient for you, visit the non-profit organization’s other stores in Wheaton and Rockville.