Monday, December 4, 2023

Calvert Board of Library Trustees Opening

Calvert Library Board Applications Being Accepted

December 4, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

Calvert Library announces a pending vacancy on the Calvert Board of Library Trustees (BOLT). All qualified applicants are welcome and all candidates will be assessed using the same criteria. Applications are accepted through December 19, 2023.

The responsibilities of the Board of Library Trustees are established by State Code. The Board is responsible for governance and fiscal oversight; approving library policies and budget and overseeing the work of the Executive Director. The Board is comprised of 7 community members who volunteer their time and support to the library. Officers include President, Vice President and Secretary. Responsibilities include monthly meetings; the board currently meets at 4:00pm on third Tuesdays. Once a quarter, meetings are held in person at one of the four library locations and the remainder of the meetings are held virtually on Zoom. In addition to regular meetings, there is an annual meeting of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association Corporation that Board members are invited to attend and an annual Citizens for Maryland Libraries meeting generally held on a Saturday in October.

Service on the BOLT is a volunteer public office with a normal appointment term of five years. The open terms begin in January 2024 and lasts through December of 2025. While State law provides that individuals may serve more than one term (but not more than two full terms in succession), each term is separate and requires application, nomination by the Board and appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. Appointment to one term does not create an entitlement to serve more than one term. The Board appreciates that experience on the Board is a significant factor to be considered, but recognizes that other factors may also be significant including, but not limited to: the quality of past performance; current Board composition; specific current needs of the Board; and, the comparative qualifications of all applicants. Additionally, since Board membership is a privilege, all eligible County citizen should have equal access to consideration for this privilege.

Details and a link to the online application can be found at https://calvertlibrary.info/about-us/board-of-trustees/meet-the-board/.

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Calvert Library Prince Frederick Announces Closing for New Carpet & the Celebration of a New Mural

Calvert Library Prince Frederick Celebrates New Mural

September 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

Calvert Library Prince Frederick is adding a colorful and educational enhancement to the brick wall facing Costley Way in the form of a tile mural that includes plants and animals of the local region. The five-day installation process will begin on Wednesday, September 6 and at times, may cause some sidewalk obstruction for those entering from the south side parking lot.

The mural was designed and crafted by local ceramic artist Parran Collery using a relief sculpting process so there is dimension to the pieces. Seeing and low-vision visitors alike can enjoy the art with their hands. The art was funded in part by the Friends of Calvert Library and a grant from Maryland State Arts Council. Friends of Calvert Library President Laura Allison said, "This mural is a wonderful enrichment to a library visitor's experience and the Friends are pleased to support it."

The mural celebrates the bountiful local natural environment that was present when the site of the library was still a rural farm and woodland. Some represented species are common, and some are on the conservation watchlist. An interactive educational activity booklet will accompany the mural which will encourage visitors to engage with the artwork on multiple levels. Calvert Library Executive Director Carrie Willson said, "Isn't it wonderful when learning is beautiful and interactive! I suspect our new mural will inspire future scientists, conservationists, and artists."

Calvert County Public Schools, Bowie State University, Dramatic Results and Calvert Library collaborated on a federal Department of Education grant to develop Calvert's capacity to create and sustain high-quality, engaging and equitable STEAM programs. The STEAM Ecosystem Expansion Demonstration (SEED) Project has a long-term goal to build arts-integrated educational pathways for a more creative and diverse workforce.  A pilot cohort of students enrolled in Calvert County Public School's Gifted and Talented program, selected the issue of climate change as the topic of study for the five-year program. Including research into native flora and fauna was a perfect fit. Programs included a hands-in-clay workshop, as well as writing and graphic design instruction.  Students are creating a companion activity booklet for the mural artwork.

To continue the theme into the building, Collery also designed a new entrance rug with similar themes and colors. The new rug will not be here in time for the mural unveiling but keep an eye out! Calvert Library Prince Frederick will be closed for overall carpet replacement on September 18 and plans to re-open just in time for the unveiling and celebration of the mural on Tuesday, October 3, at 2:30pm. For details about where library classes and events will be held during this closure, check out this page. Check out the mural and the new carpet as early as Monday, October 2.

Parran Collery has designed and implemented a wide range of public art projects in the Maryland-DC-Virginia area including mosaic murals for the DC H Street Revitalization Project, Calvert Animal Welfare League, Caroline County Council of Arts and the Annmarie Arts Center. Other public art projects include a sculpture in Leonardtown and a series of sculptures in Frederick.

For more information, contact Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator for Calvert Library at 410-535-0291 or robyn.truslow@calvertlibrary.info.

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Detail image of portion of mural attached

Image of template posting (left to right): Elise Martin, Parran Collery and Carrie Willson

Monday, May 1, 2023

Make Your Mark Financial Workshop at Calvert Library

Make Your Mark Financial Workshop

May 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

Put Tuesday, May 30, 6pm on your calendar as the night you learn how to better Make Your Mark on your community!

When Calvert Library asked Calvert Countians the question “What keeps you up at night,” it is no surprise that the top two answers were concerns about health and finances. The revelation was that the next most common concern was how to make an impact on one’s community. Calvert Library offers many resources and classes on physical, mental and financial health. On Tuesday, May 30, at 6pm, Calvert Library Prince Frederick is hosting a workshop called “Make Your Mark: How to Effectively Give Back to Your Community.” Estate planning attorney Rose Crunkleton and financial advisor Lee Ritter will teach attendees the benefits of incorporating charitable planning into a financial strategy to maximize impact and minimize taxes. Attendees will learn about planned giving, donor advised funds, qualified charitable distributions from a 401(k), charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and employer matching. After a Q&A, attendees will then be encouraged to do a little speed dating with local nonprofits who will be at the event to share their mission, vision and how donors can make their mark. While there is only physical space for a dozen or so nonprofits, more are welcome to register with their information. The library will share a resource directory of interested nonprofits with all attendees. To attend as a potential community change agent, register here and to claim a spot as a nonprofit, register here.

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

410-535-0291 or direct 667-803-0500

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Special Guest at the Southern Maryland Asian American Pacific Islander Cultural Festival This SATURDAY!

Special Announcement: Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller plans to attend!

IT'S INSIDE!

Saturday, April 15 | 10am - 2pm
Calvert County Fairgrounds

Join us INDOORS at the Calvert County Fairgrounds to learn about and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander culture. There will be dancing, food, art projects, games and more.

Enjoy performances and exhibits representing multiple cultures such as Korean, Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, Indian and Thai.

Co-sponsored by AARP Maryland, Calvert Library, Calvert County Parks & Recreation, Charles County Public Library, St. Mary's County Library.

CalvertLibrary.info

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Friends of Calvert Library Pub Quiz is Back!

Friends of Calvert Library Pub Quiz is Back!

February 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

The long-awaited return of Pub Quiz, your favorite Friends of Calvert Library trivia night is here! Friday, March 24, Pub Quiz will be held at the Calvert County Fairgrounds. Friends of Calvert Library will be holding their popular fundraiser for people to test their knowledge, have some fun and win some cash! Kelly's Kickin' Cuisine and Sassafras Farms food trucks will have dinner for sale starting at 5pm when the doors open. The quiz action starts at 7pm, grab your drinks from the bar and join the fun!

All proceeds go to help Calvert Library, so put on your thinking cap and register your team today! Tickets are $120 per team of up to 6 adults. Cash prize to the top 3 teams! A limited number of teams are allowed so pre-registration is required. Don't have a team but love trivia? You can sign up as a spectator and maybe get picked up by one of the teams! Must be registered to attend!

Looking for all the details? Go to the Calvert Library website. It promises to be a highly entertaining evening complete with free snacks, a cash bar and loads of laughs.  Donations and sponsorships are welcome.  For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

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Small square photo: https://static.libnet.info/images/events/calvertlibrary/Pub_Quiz.jpg

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

410-535-0291 or direct # 667-803-0500

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Calvert Library Foundation Awards Dinner Honoring Patricia Hofmann & Michael Kent

Calvert Library Foundation Awards Dinner Honoring Patricia Hofmann and Michael Kent

January 24, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

The Calvert Library Foundation is pleased to announce that 2022 Foundation Award honoree Ms. Patricia Hofmann and 2023 Foundation Award honoree Michael Kent will be celebrated at a dinner on Saturday, March 11, at 6pm, at the Saint John Vianney, Vianney Room in the Parish Center in Prince Frederick.

Periodically, the Calvert Library Foundation Award is presented to an individual who has distinguished themselves by contributions to Calvert Library and the community, in keeping with the mission and goals of the Foundation, and who has encouraged the love of writing and books. The members of the Calvert Library Foundation Board of Directors are pleased to recognize the many contributions and great community spirit Ms. Hofmann brought to her career as a librarian and as the former Director of Calvert Library. Mr. Kent continues his distinguished and far-reaching leadership, service and support of the Library as well as numerous high profile service organizations.

The Calvert Library Foundation is committed to the enrichment and support of Calvert Library, by facilitating donations of citizens to provide funding beyond the reach of tax dollars, making a great library exceptional. We hope that you will join us as we present Ms. Hofmann and Mr. Kent this award, not only to allow us to express our thanks for their service, but because we believe their efforts and results demonstrate that they are worthy to join what we intend to be a long line of honors for distinguished individuals who have contributed to the development of Calvert Library, literary excellence, and the encouragement of reading.

This will be the first major fundraising event as the Foundation seeks to raise capital funds to support the construction of a new Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch in North Beach. This will be a non-political event, supported by private individuals and business sponsors for the benefit of the library. All proceeds from this event will be used to benefit Calvert Library.

You are invited to purchase tickets to the Awards Dinner, become an event sponsor, or make a donation to the Foundation in Ms. Hofmann’s or Mr. Kent’s honor, by February 18. Visit any Calvert Library location or purchase online at https://calvertlibrary.info/foundation-home/calvert-library-foundation-awards-ceremony-2023/.

If you would like information, please contact Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Related Links

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

410-535-0291 or direct 667-803-0500

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

: Calvert Library Participates in Statewide Career Success Month

Calvert Library Participates in Statewide Career Success Month

January 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

The new year often brings new activity on the career front. Calvert Library wants to help and has launched a new Career & Job Center website. Calvert Library Prince Frederick has also established a weekly Working Wednesdays series to offer support with resumes, online job applications, career coaching and more.

Libraries across the state are participating in the first-ever Career Success Month, a collaborative effort to enhance Maryland’s workforce. Career Success Month, which will run from January 17 through February 17, 2022, will provide customers with a broad spectrum of guidance on business, job advancement, career goals, and legal considerations. This program is part of Maryland Libraries Together, a statewide initiative sponsored, in part, by the Maryland State Library Agency.

The keynote speaker for this inaugural event will be Kathryn Finney.

Kathryn Finney is a serial entrepreneur and investor. She is the Founder and Managing General Partner of Genius Guild, a Chicago-based venture fund that invests in scalable businesses led by Black founders using innovation to build and promote healthy communities. A Yale-trained epidemiologist, Kathryn founded digitalundivided after selling her media company, The Budget Fashionista, making her one of the first Black women to successfully exit a startup. Her new book, Build The Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business if You're Not a Rich White Guy, launched in June 2022 and appeared on the Wall Street Journal’s list of bestselling books in its first week of release. You can register to receive the link on the Howard County site.

"Ensuring career success and workforce development is integral to the curriculum of public libraries in Maryland,” stated Rohini Gupta, Adult Learning and Innovation Specialist for Howard County Library System. Gupta is spearheading the Career Success Month project. “We realize the importance of navigating legal issues for entrepreneurs, the employed, as well as job seekers. Thus, our goal is to present actionable and high-value information for our community during Career Success Month."

Career Success Month will be followed by a series of events across the state, including Lawyer in the Library, Trademark Law, Goal Setting for Success, and more. A complete list of events can be found on the Maryland Libraries Together webpage through the Maryland State Library Agency website.

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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