Category Archives: News

Category for general news items.

Tour with Architect!

Please join us for a tour of the Library grounds this Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m., prior to the City Council meeting at 7:30.

Members of the Council will meet outdoors to explore various Library expansion possibilities with the architect, Greg Lukmire.   This is your opportunity to see how the outdoor and indoor space might be impacted by the forthcoming renovation, and to address any questions you may have.  All are invited!

New Season of Author Visits Kicks Off April 6

Photo of author & humorist Dave Barry
Dave Barry will talk about his new kids’ book “The Worst Night Ever,” a sequel to his best-selling book “The Worst Class Trip Ever” on May 6 at 7:30 PM at the library!

We’ve got a stellar line-up of kids’ authors and illustrators coming to the Library this spring, courtesy of our partnership with Politics & Prose Bookstore. From picture book creators to graphic novelists, we’ve got a program for every kid and kids’ book lover — 13 programs in all from April through June! Origami Yoda author Tom Angleberger launches the season on Wednesday, April 6, at 7:30 PM  when he spotlights the first book in a new Rocket & Groot series, Stranded on Planet Strip Mall. Critically-acclaimed local author Lulu Delacre will offer a bilingual program on her new book, Olinguito From A to Z on Sunday, April 24, at 3 PM. Nationally-known humorist Dave Barry showcases his new humorous novel for kids, The Worst Night Ever, on Friday, May 6 at 7:30 PM. And 2016 Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall and kids’ author John Bemelmans Marciano talk about their new series, The Witches of Benevento on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 PM. And these are just some highlights! Mark your calendars to meet some of the best authors and illustrators working in children’s literature today. Politics & Prose will be selling books at each program, but the events are free and no purchase is required to attend.

Check out the full line-up!

Upcoming Takoma Park Maryland Library Events

DateTimeDescriptionNotes
Monday, March 77:30 PMAuthor Winifred Conkling discusses her book “Radioactive! How Irene Curie & Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World.” Best for ages 10 up.
Monday, March 147:30 PMAuthor/illustrator Ursula Vernon presents “Of Mice & Magic,” the second volume in her “Hamster Princess” hybrid series.
Wednesday, April 67:30 PM– “Origami Yoda” author/illustrator Tom Angleberger launches a new “Rocket & Groot” series with “Stranded on Planet Strip Mall!”
Thursday, April 77:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Ruth Chan spotlights her new picture book, “Where’s the Party?”
Monday, April 117:00 PMAuthor/illustrator James Sturm presents “Birdsong: A Story in Pictures,” his new graphic novel beginning reader.
Tuesday, April 197:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Henry Cole talks about his new picture book, “Spot the Cat”
Sunday, April 243:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Lulu Delacre reads and discusses her new bilingual alphabet book, “Olinguito, From A to Z!”Bilingual (Spanish & English) event
Thursday, April 287:00 PMAuthor/illustrator Kevin McCloskey discusses his new graphic novel non-fiction beginning reader, “The Poop on Pigeons.”
Monday, May 27:00 PMPicture book star Mac Barnett presents his newest book, “Rules of the House.”
Friday, May 67:30 PMAuthor & humorist Dave Barry talks about his new kids’ novel, “The Worst Night Ever,” a sequel to his best-selling book “The Worst Class Trip Ever.”Community Center Auditorium
Saturday, May 73:00 PMCaldecott Honor illustrator Molly Idle presents the latest in her “Flora” picture book series, “Flora and the Peacocks.”
Thursday, May 197:30 PM2016 Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall and author John Bemelmans Marciano launch their new chapter book series, “The Witches of Benevento.”
Friday, May 207:30 PMGraphic novelist Maris Wicks highlights her new book, “Science Comics: Coral Reefs, Cities of the Ocean”
Tuesday, June 77:00 PMDebut Author Minh Le, a Takoma Park resident, spotlights his new picture book, "Let Me Finish!"
Thursday, June 97:00 PMGraphic novelist Ben Hatke spotlights his new picture book, “Nobody Likes a Goblin.”
All events are in the Children’s Room of the Takoma Park Maryland Library, 101 Philadelphia Ave., Takoma Park, MD. unless otherwise noted. Table maintained by Karen MacPherson, Library Manager - Children & Young Adult Services. (KarenM@takomaparkmd.gov)

Takoma Park Maryland Library Links

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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

“An American Tragedy” – Lecture & Reception!

“An American Tragedy,” by Theodore Dreiser, Lecture and reception with Dr. Adam Wood, at Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue on Thursday April 7 at 7:30 PM. This introduction to the classic work will  be the first in a series of discussions sponsored by the Friends of the Library “Big Book Club. ” All are invited! Check at the Library for discussion dates.

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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

Please Respond to the Library Renovation Survey!

The Takoma Park Maryland Library needs your input! Please consider taking the Library Renovation Survey, an important survey that you are encouraged to fill out with open-ended comments. The survey is available here:

Library Renovation Survey (Google Forms)

For more information on the the Library Renovation visit the Takoma Park Maryland Library’s Library Renovation page in the Project Directory.

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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

 

The Future of the Washington Adventist Hospital Campus – Share Your Thoughts on April 5th!

The Maryland Health Care Commission took final action in December and ruled in favor of the Certificate of Need application to move Washington Adventist Hospital’s (WAH) acute care hospital to an area north of White Oak. Construction of the new facilities will take about three years to complete. While certain medical facilities will remain on the current site, the move provides an opportunity to rethink how some of the vacated property can be used to mutually benefit WAH and the community. The goal is to create a thriving and vibrant campus that we can all be proud of.

WAH is interested to hear your thoughts and will be hosting a “Community Discussion” about the future of the site. The discussion will take place on April 5 @ 6:30 PM and will be held in the Conference Center on the WAH campus located at 7600 Carroll Avenue. This will be the first in a series of community meetings about the site as the main hospital is prepared for the move. Stay tuned for further details on future meetings.

We hope you will participate in the discussion!

Briefing on City Tax Revenue Sources

Takoma Park Taxes 101

During the March 9, 2016 City Council meeting City Manager Suzanne Ludlow gave a presentation on City tax revenue sources and provided some background information in advance of the Council’s budget work sessions. Video of the “Tax 101” style presentation is available below courtesy of City TV and is also available on their YouTube channel.

Fiscal Year 2017

This info helps frame discussions going into work sessions which start in April and offers insight into how the proposed budget for fiscal year 2017 will be developed. Once the proposed budget is approved and voted on by the City Council it becomes the City of Takoma Park Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and the official policy for how funds – including tax revenues – are spent in FY17. (Fiscal year 2017 starts on July 1, 2016 and extends to June 30, 2017.)

Briefing on City Tax Revenue Sources Links:

 

Meet Author/Illustrator Ursula Vernon

Cover of the Hamster Princess of Mice & Magic book.
Cover art for book two in the “Hamster Princess” series by author/illustrator Ursula Vernon

Author/illustrator Ursula Vernon unveils the second book in her Hamster Princess chapter book series on Monday, March 14, at 7:30 PM in the Library’s Children’s Room. Titled Of Mice and Magic, the heavily-illustrated book for ages 7-10 tells what happens when spunky Princess Harriet the Invincible sets off to figure out how to lift the curse from 12 dancing princesses in a neighboring  kingdom. In its review, Booklist noted: “Fans of twisted feminist fairy tales will be delighted, and Harriet’s existing followers won’t be disappointed with this second installment.” At our event, Vernon will talk about the Harriet books, as well as her popular Dragonbreath series. Copies of Vernon’s books will be available from Politics & Prose, but the program is free and no purchase is required to attend.

Takoma Park Maryland Library Links

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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

Meet “Radioactive!” Author Winifred Conkling

Photo of cover of the book Radioactive! by author Winifred Conkling
Meet Radioactive! author Winifred Conkling at the Takoma Park Maryland Library on March 7 at 7:30 PM!

Author Winifred Conkling kicks off our celebration of Women’s History Month on Monday, March 7, at 7:30 PM with a discussion of her new book, Radioactive!: How Irene Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World. Conkling’s book, written for middle school and high school students, has won critical acclaim, with Booklist calling it “a thorough and engaging study of two female scientists worth their weight in radium.” Politics & Prose will be selling copies of Conkling’s book, but the event – held in the Library’s Children’s Room – is free and no purchase is required. Please join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

Register for Library Events
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News: Children’s Room; Library Blog; Books; Teen Buzz

City Council Letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission

The Takoma Park City Council sent a letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission on March 1, 2016 voicing concerns regarding Montgomery College’s Facilities Master Plan process and asking it to postpone consideration of the 2013-2023 Montgomery College Facilities Master Plan until the required local stakeholder and municipal government consultation takes place.

Montgomery College is legally required to consult with the community and local jurisdictions. The City Council does not believe that consultation occurred in the latest Facilities Master Plan process. The Council shares its concerns about the development of the master plan in the letter addressed to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Excerpt from the full letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission:

The Takoma Park-Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College is an important part of the Takoma Park community, both as an educational institution and as part of our physical landscape.

Because changes to the Montgomery College campus can have significant impacts on the greater Takoma Park community, it is important that the College, in its role as a neighbor, work with the residents and local jurisdictions in developing a long range vision of the campus,

View the full letter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.