Thursday, December 2, 2010
Cupcake Showdown at the Calvert Library
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thinning the Veil Open Mic
October 12, 2010
In this time just before Halloween, the veil between this world and the next…thins. Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting a “Thinning the Veil” Open Mic on Thursday, October 28 at 7:00pm. Do you have a good ghost story? Maybe some Edgar Allen Poe-etry? Or maybe some creepy music? All things terrifying are welcome. Costumes are encouraged. Sign up for a 5-minute spot at the mic at the Calvert Library website, calvert.lib.md.us. No one will be turned away but the faint of heart should beware. For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Honor our Veterans at Calvert Library Week of November 9
October 12, 2010
Land of the Free = Home of the Brave:
Get to know brave Veterans who keep our freedom alive.
Calvert Library honors our Veterans every year through a special event in November. This year, the library has enlisted the aid of students from each of the high schools. These presenters have interviewed a veteran of their choice and will share the highlights of their conversation on Wednesday, November 10 at 7pm at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick. The theme of the presentation is “Land of the Free = Home of the Brave.” Come learn why these special Americans have been willing to make such personal sacrifices for our country and freedom. There will be time for questions and answers from the interviewers as well as the interviewees.
A musical celebration of Patriotism in song featuring the Patuxent Pearls will precede the program at 4:30 pm in the Library Café. Please come early and enjoy a wonderful evening with your family.
Calvert Library Prince Frederick is also showing a series of documentaries about World War II at 2pm the Monday, Tuesday and Friday of Veterans’ Day week. On Monday, November 8, come see a documentary about D-Day with a tour through modern-day Normandy. Tuesday’s documentary is about Hell’s Highway and Friday’s is about the Battle of the Bulge.
For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
Let's Grow Liberty's Tree of Honor Together
October 12, 2010
Honor our brave Veterans who keep our freedom alive by posting a picture of your favorite U.S. Military Veterans on a white star on Calvert Library’s Tree of Honor October 12 through November 10, 2010. Take this special time to learn of your family’s and friend’s contributions to the security of our country. Then bring your family to Calvert Library, Prince Frederick to share Veteran’s Week activities and honor those who have kept freedom alive.
For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Genealogy Workshop
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Calvert Library Is Not Just for Children and Bibliophiles
September 28, 2010
If you are one of those adults believe that a library is only for children and maybe for bibliophiles who do not have the space to store all of the books that they want to read, then prepare to be surprised. Calvert Library offers a wide range of classes, workshops and special events appealing to adults with interests ranging from gardening to ghost stories to genealogy research. While it is true that all Calvert Library locations offer traditional monthly book discussions including a special series on the classics at the Prince Frederick location; and while it is also true that Calvert Library offers various writing groups and workshops for poetry, lyrics, prose and memoir writers; most of the library events are not as book-oriented.
The Calvert Library prides itself on offering events that are transformational for individuals and for our community. As the trends present themselves, the library responds. More and more people are interested in eating “close to the earth” and the library, in partnership with the Calvert County Master Gardeners offers an annual Garden Smarter series where participants learn about edible landscaping, beekeeping, composting and more. The library has also served as the incubator for a grass roots group called Calvert Eats Local who meets (and often eats) monthly at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.
As people begin to recognize the benefits of gaming to maintaining healthy brains, the Calvert Library has increased their weekly Brain Game events to include Mahjongg lessons, which turn out to not only be challenging for your brain but be a great opportunity to make new friends and have a darn good time as well. For those who prefer to spend their leisure time producing something tangible, there is a weekly On Pins and Needles group of folks meeting to quilt, crochet, knit or do other creative work while building their artistic networks.
Speaking of networks, it is true that the library does have an online presence on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social media outlets and that they encourage online discussions of books, anime, and what’s happening in our community. But it is also true that the library buildings themselves serve as a network-building, community-gathering place for events like Open Mic nights, Cinema CafĂ© and workshops on topics like “Keeping Our Kids Safe” and “Do I Need an Attorney?” The Calvert Library is a committed community-builder, bringing people together to talk about tough issues affecting our local community like housing, education, bullying, racial issues, local economic issues, local environment, our youth and more. An upcoming discussion on the continued separation in Calvert by race of neighborhoods and churches is part of a series called “Facing Our Fences.”
These are a few of the offerings the Calvert Library has for adults. So even if you don’t have small children and even if you don’t love books, Calvert Library can be your destination for imagination, information and inspiration. For more information on these or other events, check the website at calvert.lib.md.us or call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
iPod Touch Winner
September 2, 2010
Allyson Evans, Public Services Librarian for Calvert Library presented an iPod Touch to Jaclyn Selden, the winner of the Teen Summer Reading contest. The library hosts many reading events over the summer to help prevent the “summer slump” that leaves many students unready for the new school year. The prize was sponsored by the Friends of Calvert Library through funds they raise through events such as the upcoming Sidewalk Book Sale on Saturday, September 18 at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.
Friday, August 27, 2010
October Cinema Cafe - Invictus (press release)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
E2K - Teen Open Mic Night
TEENS, Express Yourself at E2K!
On September 8, 2010, the Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting the Experimental Expression KafĂ© from 7pm to 8:30pm. What is E2K? It’s your Performance Lab for Teen Music, Poetry, and Mayhem. Bring your guitar, poems, fiction, rants and raves about anything you want. Lab Safety Rule #1: you don’t have to keep it nice, “just keep it legal!” If you’d like to perform, register for up to a 10 minute slot, or, come support your friends, enjoy the free java, and just chill out. Who knows? The next big thing might just come out of Calvert County, and now is your chance to say you knew them when…
For more information call Robyn Truslow at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
Cinema Cafe
Friends of Calvert Library Fundraisers
The hot weather is here so take advantage of the great joy ice cream can bring and support Friends of Calvert Library at the same time! On Thursday, May 20 from 6pm-9pm, the Rita’s in Prince Frederick will be sharing their profits with the Friends. Scooper-of-the-night will be local celebrity, owner of Keep It Simple Computer Training and member of the Friends Executive Board Laura Allison. Part of the profit from the sale of ices, shakes, cones, whatever cool treat you love will go to the Friends so buy big!
Friends of Calvert Library have been a fundraising support system for the library for many years. Their biggest fundraisers are their used book sales a couple times each year. In fact, the next sale will be Saturday, May 22 from 9am-3pm at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick and you can find great deals on thousands of gently used books, plus movies, audio books and more.
In these careful economic times, the Friends have been able to supply the funding for library Teen and Tween nights, digital cameras to capture the fun at each library location, art and snack supplies for various events such as Gingerbread House Workshops, Teen Band Night, Fright Night, Kindergarten Art Day, Kids Just Want to Have Fun and more. Help them keep the funding flowing by buying a scoop or two at Rita’s!
For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Quilts, Quilts and More Glorious Quilts!
Is there a National Quilt Month? If there is not, then there should be and it should be May because that is when the Calvert Library is showcasing some very special quilts and quilt events. From now through May 15, the Calvert Library will be hosting the Heart of Maryland Libraries quilt. All month, the library is holding a raffle for a beautiful Readers’ Quilt created and donated by Anita Konzak Turley of Huntingtown. On Saturday, May 22, the Calvert Library Prince Frederick will host a Quilt Show at which traditionally pieced, appliquĂ© and art quilts made by talented Calvert County quilters will be displayed. The Calvert Quilt Shop Queen Bees, Calvert Quilt Guild and the Southern Maryland Art Quilters are generously loaning a number of their beautiful creations for the day of the Quilt Show. Library customers will be able to enjoy them from 9am to 3pm.
The idea behind The Heart of Maryland Libraries quilt was to create a piece of art that visually renders the hearts of individual library systems throughout Maryland. More than 130 librarians and library users from across the state contributed their time and creativity to produce a diverse selection of twenty-seven quilt squares. The final result is a statement on the unifying nature of Maryland libraries. Customers can also peruse a copy of the scrapbook that Susan Howes created documenting the stories behind the quilt squares. The quilt will be displayed through Saturday, May 15 at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick after which it will continue on its journey around the state.
The Readers’ Quilt being raffled is another work of art created by library lover Anita Turley. Tickets are available for $1 each or 6 for $5 at any Calvert Library location until the drawing on May 28, 2010. Inspired by her mother, Eloise Konzak, a librarian for over 25 years in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, the quilt features books that were family favorites growing up and some that her mother gave to her grandson over the years. Sewn and designed by Turley, she turned the final top-quilting over to Michelle’s Quilts in Hughesville. She made and donated the quilt in memory of her mother, finishing the last stitch on what would have been her parent’s 60th anniversary on August 17, 2009 having started it in February of that year. The raffle is a fundraiser for Calvert Library and will go towards library materials.
Why do quilters quilt? In the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century, quilts were made for utilitarian reasons. We needed warmth. When polyester was born in the mid-twentieth century and quilts took a nose dive in popularity. In the late 1970's oil prices caused polyester to get more expensive and good 'ole cotton came back and there was a quilt-making revival. Today most quilts are made to fulfill a quilter’s need to be creative. Many use beautiful cotton fabrics like a painter uses paint. Art quilts use various materials, not just cloth and are interpretative in their design rather than repeating a pattern.
Because making quilts by hand takes a long time, many quilters have learned to love computerized sewing machines to help make quilts in the twenty-first century. According to Marti Phelps, quilting instructor at the Calvert Quilt Shop and quilt historian, “We still appreciate what Grandma did and even like to create the same designs that she did but we piece and even quilt with a machine. We have so many quilts we want to make and making a quilt by machine is so much faster! An individual can machine-piece and machine-quilt her own bed-size quilt in a month or two, putting in an hour or so a day.”
Historically, quilting has always been a social event. Quilters got together to hand-quilt around a frame and they could finish a quilt in a day with 8-9 quilters seated at the frame. Quilters still gather to work and share stories about their families, keep up with community happenings, and support each other. Quilting is a stress reducer and creative outlet. When asked how else quilting has changed over the years, Phelps had this to say, “We don't use cardboard and scissors anymore to create patterns. With the invention of the rotary cutter, mat, and plastic rulers, we slice squares, rectangles, and strips. We have marvelous fibers to use for filling in a quilt today; in addition to polyester, we have wonderful cotton, wool, silk, and even bamboo for the ecology-minded. We even have "green" polyester batting made from recycled plastic bottles.”
While a nice quilt can keep your heating bill down, the hobby itself can be expensive. Many quilters use their home sewing machines, however "long-arm quilting machines" have become popular, though very expensive (“Try $35,000.” says Phelps). These machines have openings to slide the quilt into that are 30-36" deep. Soon a home quilting machine with an 11" opening will be available on the market for a mere $3,000. Quilting is big industry but quilters have big hearts. Come to the Calvert Library to see what Calvert County and Maryland quilters have to show you. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Super Sidewalk Sale
Due to the generosity of book lovers cleaning out their shelves for their Spring cleaning, the Calvert Library is overstocked with a huge assortment of donated books and videos! Help us spin gold out of this lovely stock by coming to the Friends of Calvert Library Super Sidewalk Used Book Sale on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Calvert Library Prince Frederick (850 Costley Way). Buy from the fantastic selection of gently used books – fiction, non-fiction and videos. Thousands of books will be available at great prices! Stock up for your summer beach reading!
Celebrate National Poetry Month: Meet Poet Grace Cavalieri
Celebrate National Poetry Month with Calvert Library Prince Frederick who will be hosting poet, playwright and radio show host, Grace Cavalieri on Thursday, April 29 at 7:00pm. She will be featuring her new book of poems, Sounds Like Something I Would Say but you will hear a bit from her other books as well. Given that it is National Poetry Month, you should also come prepared to do a little writing and sharing yourself. Bring your pencil and your muse.
Cavalieri is a multi-talented poet. In 2009 she produced “The Poet’s Cookbook” with Tuscan recipes and food poems by 28 poets. She is the author of 22 produced plays and she’s written texts/lyrics for two produced operas. She founded “The Poet and the Poem” on public radio, and now produces the series from the Library of Congress, in its 33rd year on-air. The series holds the CPB Silver Medal. Her book Anna Nicole:Poems (Goss 183:: Casa Menendez) holds The 2009 Paterson Award for Literary Excellence. Her 2004 book What I Would Do For Love: Poems in the Voice of Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) won a Paterson Poetry Prize. Her play based on this book, “Hyena in Petticoats,” received its premiere reading at NYC Public Library, 2007. Her play “Quilting the Sun” was presented at the Smithsonian in 2005, and received its world premiere production, 2007, Centre Stage, S.C. It received a key to the city of Greensville for the play’s depiction of ex-slave quiltmaker Harriet Powers. Cavalieri’s last collection of poems, Water on the Sun (2006) won the Bordighera Poetry Award and was listed on Pen Center’s Best Books of 2006 List.
For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Library Customer Survey Time
Every other year, Calvert Library conducts a customer survey. This puts responders in the great position of playing an important role in determining how the library serves our community. The library is committed to meeting the imagination, information and inspiration needs of the citizens of Calvert County. Please completely answer the five-to-ten minute survey.
The survey will be offered online so even for those with busy lives, it is easy to have your voice heard. Visit the library home page, calvert.lib.md.us, and click on the big "Yes" in the bottom right-hand feature block. By sharing a few minutes of your time, you can provide valuable information that will help the staff create a library that meets your needs.
In the past, information from customer surveys has encouraged the library to add computers, provide computer training, increase the audiobook collection, add infant storytime and evening storytime, and continue to make available a wide variety of books and audio-visual materials.
The library values its customers and strives for excellence in customer service. Please take the time to tell them what you think. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Fit Fun 4U
Yes, fitness can be fun! The Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting “Fit, Fun 4U” for 5th-12th graders on Wednesday, March 31 from 10am to noon. Come and learn the tricks of the fitness trade and hook-up with some hot-shot athletes. James Sutton has been a Personal Trainer for over two decades and trains all levels of clients from the novice to the highly advanced. As Head of Education/Training and Sports Rehabilitation Consultant (PTA, US Navy Retired), Sutton has 20 years of clinical experience in neuromuscular development, gait analysis, spinal evaluations and musculoskeletal injuries. You will also meet Lisa Horton, formally of the Pittsburg Passion professional football team who was the quarterback and team captain for seven years. Horton was named the National Woman’s Football Player of the Week during the 2003 thru 2007 season and received the Willie Stargell award for “Community Sport Leader.” She is currently the Associate Executive Director of the YMCA National Capital-YMCA of Metro DC as well as the volunteer strength and conditioning Coach for Coolidge High School. Horton, who has an M.S. in Exercise Science and Wellness Promotion, will teach you how to stay fit and healthy. Dress comfortably and be ready for some fun fitness, tasty refreshments and even a chance to win some door prizes. No registration is required. For more information, call 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Proposal Writing and Budgeting Workshop
The Calvert Library has invited Caroline Herbert of the Foundation Center, Washington, D.C. to present a two-hour workshop on writing a grant proposal and the essentials of preparing a budget for a non-profit organization.
This workshop will introduce participants to the key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation. Topics covered include: gathering information to help prepare the proposal, tips for writing and structure, and communicating with the funder after a decision is made. The presenter will also review the essentials of budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including the preparation of the personnel section, incorporating overhead costs, and the budget narrative. This workshop will be held on Friday, April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. Registration required-- contact Cathey Moffatt-Bush or Robbie McGaughran at 410-535-0291.
Dog Lover? Meet Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Jon Franklin
Are you a dog lover? You must meet Jon Franklin and read his book The Wolf in the Parlor: the Eternal Connection Between Humans and Dogs. Written by atwo-time Pulitzer prize winner, the story is a nonfiction mystery that begins with a 12,000 year old grave, the skeleton of an old man and a puppy and leads to a startling conclusion. You can hear more about the story and meet Franklin on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00pm at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick where he will be selling and signing his book.
Franklin is one of the founders of the literary nonfiction movement – writers who tell true stories as emotionally gripping as nonfiction. He is known for his ability to illuminate issues of science in terms everyone can relate to. The author of five books and countless articles, Franklin is currently a professor at the University of Maryland in the College of Journalism.
So what brought him to the dogs? His wife. Married to Lynn Franklin of the Boogie Woogie BowWows fame, Franklin cannot help but be exposed to the deep connection that can be had with one’s canine. He spent a decade studying the origins and significance of the dog and its peculiar attachment to humans. In his book, using science and observation, he comes to a conclusion so remarkable that you may change your perception of yourself after reading the book. Whether you love dogs or know people who love dogs, this is a book to try.
For more information about this Meet the Author event, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
Women's History Month: Meet Marie Antoinette
Women’s History Month: Meet Marie Antoinette on Monday, March 22 at 7:00pm at Calvert Library Prince Frederick. Christine Trent, author of The Queen’s Dollmaker will present as Marie Antoinette and perhaps dispel the bad reputation that has always plagued the queen. As the queen at the height of the French Revolution, she has been much maligned. She was fourteen when she wed the king-to-be and as an Austrian and foreigner, she was an easy target of criticism among her subjects. Not producing an heir for seven years was only one of the early complaints. Some have suggested that Marie Antoinette influenced her husband’s political views in a way that made the revolution a foregone conclusion. She was also the object of rumored affairs and accusations of incest. The phrase “Let them eat cake” is often attributed to her though there is actually no historical evidence of this.
Christine Trent writes historical fiction from her two-story home library. She lives with her wonderful bookshelf-building husband, four precocious cats, a large doll collection, and over 3,000 fully cataloged books. She and her husband are active travelers and journey regularly to England to conduct book research at historic sites. Learn more about Christine at www.christinetrent.com. For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
An All Music Open Mic
The Calvert Library Prince Frederick will host you and your song on Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm. Whether you need to sing the blues, have a song in your heart or just want to share the beat, sign up for a slot of up to 10 minutes.
Join emcee and blues rodent Rocky Jones as he jumps another boxcar to evade the Law, the hound of doom, and the lonely waitress’s angry boyfriend. The format for this year has changed somewhat for good reason. Last year the Calvert Library offered a Blues Open Mic and opened it up to bluesy music, prose and poetry.
According to Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator for the Calvert Library, “We drew such a crowd of musicians that asked for more musical opportunities that we are focusing just on music this year. And our Heart and Spleen Open Mic got snowed out so there is plenty to sing the blues about!”
Last year there was a wide variety of music with its roots in the blues; gospel, folk, old-timey blues and more.
“Even a tear or two was shed,” said Truslow. “This year, all musical genres are welcome.” Truslow emphasized that acts need to register to make sure that they book their turn at the mic for up to 10 minutes.
For more information and to register, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at (410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.