Library Matters

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 th

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 Librar

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 Mic

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

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

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

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 Garriso

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:

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

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 K

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)

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 B

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 nonp

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 Dram

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

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 Myste

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