Library Matters

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 childre

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 MC

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

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

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 thi

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 t

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. D

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

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 b

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 tool

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 Sch