Calvert Library Shares COVID information (press release)

 

Calvert Library Shares COVID Information

 

July 28, 2021

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

 

Unfortunately, COVID is ramping back up locally.  The Delta variant is now the dominant strain of COVID in Maryland and it multiplies faster, generates a higher number of viral particles and attaches to our cells more effectively than the alpha variant. Studies have shown that the Delta variant is 80% more likely to require hospitalization than the original COVID strain.  According to the Calvert Health Department’s Facebook post on July 28, 2021, “An unvaccinated person is 6-times more likely to get sick and 30-times more likely to end up in the hospital than a vaccinated person of the same age and general health.”  Vaccines continue to be available from the Health Department and appointments are easy to get through https://www.calvertcountycovid19.com/vaccination or by calling 410-535-5400x388.

 

 

The CDC recommends masks indoors in public, even for fully vaccinated people, in areas of substantial or high transmission. While our increasing positivity numbers thankfully don’t meet the “substantial transmission” levels, Calvert Library wants all our customers to stay healthy and, in partnership with Calvert County Health Department, is recommending that customers and staff wear a mask in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status.  It’s a simple thing we can do to help keep transmission and hospital rates low in Calvert County.

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

 

Calvert Library Hosts Eco Adventures with Dr. Brady Barr (press release)

 

Calvert Library Hosts Eco Adventures with Dr. Brady Barr

June 20, 2021

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

 

Calvert Library is excited to welcome Eco Adventures with Dr. Brady Barr to the library this summer!  Dr. Barr will present “Tales from the Wild Side” virtually to the Calvert community on Wednesday, July 28, at 6pm.  Families can tune in to learn all about reptiles and their habitats on the library’s Facebook or YouTube pages or interact directly with the live show on Crowdcast at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/dr--brady-barr.

 

Owned by Nat Geo's herpetologist/personality/book author-Dr. Brady Barr and marine biologist wife-Mei Len Sanchez-Barr, Eco Adventures provides a variety of hands-on conservation programs to inspire young conservationists.  Part of their mission includes housing many rescued and misplaced animals. Eco Adventures houses over 100 native and exotic animals on display and as animal ambassadors.  

 

Dr. Brady Barr is a world-renowned scientist, National Geographic herpetologist, and Eco Adventure's owner. He has visited over 100 countries all over the world in search of and sharing information about amazing creatures, through his television shows and award-winning books.  He is the only person to have captured all 24 species of crocodilians.  He is a dynamic speaker who loves to share his behind-the-scenes stories when filming his expeditions. 

 

Eco Adventures is presented as part of Calvert Library’s #calvertREADS Summer 2021 Challenge.  All ages are invited to register for the summer challenge and log their reading times via the library’s website or the Beanstack Tracker app on their mobile device.  Our challenge is to log 1.5 million minutes from June 12-August 14 and all time logged earns digital raffle tickets that can be entered for prize drawings from a children’s train table to a Nintendo Switch to loads of gift cards.  Sandy Hunting, #calvertREADS team leader and public services librarian, reports that so far, Calvert County has logged over 490,000 minutes.  Keep reading and logging!

 

For more information, check out the library’s website at calvertlibrary.info, visit any library location or call at 410-535-0291.

 

 

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

 

Calvert Library Hosts Children’s Music Star Pierce Freelon

 

Calvert Library Hosts Children's Music Star Pierce Freelon

May 20, 2021

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

 

Calvert Library is excited to present children's music star Pierce Freelon in a one-of-a-kind concert experience on Saturday, June 12 at 1pm.  The concert will be livesteamed on Crowdcast, Facebook and YouTube on June 12 at 1pm.  After the show, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a live conversation with Pierce Freelon. 

Pierce is a children's artist who combines hip hop beats and playful lyrics to create songs with relatable themes of family, fatherhood and joy.  His first album, D.a.d., is a family journal chronicling the life and times of a Black millennial father living in the South.  Its infectious first single, Daddy Daughter Day, highlights not only Pierce's gifts, but also those of his remarkably talented daughter, Stella. 

 

The concert will be the kickoff event for this year's #calvertREADS summer reading challenge.  Each summer, the Calvert Library community comes together to share a love of reading, to challenge one another to make time for books and to win fabulous prizes!  This year our challenge is to read and log 1.5 million minutes over the course of the summer. Prizes include a Nintendo Switch, a kid's train table, Beats headphones and lots of gift cards!  Everyone is invited to participate, and sign-up could not be easier.  Check the Calvert Library website at calvertlibrary.info for more information and to register.

 

Pierce Freelon is an accomplished hip hop/soul/electronic musician and Emmy-award winning producer, director and professor from Durham, NC whose work has been featured on the TODAY Show, NPR's Now This and in Rolling Stone, Parents Magazine and more. For over 16 years, Pierce has traveled the world teaching hip hop and music production to youth in community centers. He is the co-founder of Beat Making Lab, an Emmy Award-winning PBS web-series, has taught in the departments of music and African American studies at the University of NC at Chapel Hill and is the writer, composer and co-director of an animated series called History of White People in America, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Pierce is also the founder of Blackspace, a digital maker space where he has mentored dozens of youth, teaching digital storytelling through music and film. For over a decade, he has been the frontman of the critically acclaimed jazz/hip hop quartet The Beast, has toured internationally and has released a series of albums, EPs and mixtapes. In 2022, Little, Brown & Co will release his debut children's book, Daddy Daughter Day (based on his song of the same title).

 

He is the son of famed Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and the late preeminent architect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Phil Freelon. Pierce lives in Durham with his wife and their two young children.

 

For more information and pre-registration information on Crowdcast, visit Calvert Library's website at calvertlibrary.info or call 410-535-0291.

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Related Links

 

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 Fax

rtruslow@calvertlibrary.info  

 

 

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

 

Calvert Library to Increase Access (press release)

 

Important Announcement from Calvert Library

May 14, 2021

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

 

Calvert Library is phasing in more access.  As of Saturday, May 22, the one-hour limitation on library use will be lifted.  Building capacity limits will also be increased.  Customers will still be asked to wear an appropriate mask over their nose and mouth and to maintain a social distance of 6’ from others and help their children do the same.

 

On June 1, all library locations will be extending their walk-in building hours to Monday through Thursday, 10am to 7pm, Friday 1-5pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.  Curbside services will continue to be offered during those times as well.  When asked what facilitated this increase in hours, Executive Director Carrie Willson said, “We are now at the stage where most of our staff have been vaccinated, and we will be able to work confidently together without risking quarantining a large segment of our staff if someone becomes ill.”  She added, “We know morning library visits have been missed, particularly by some of our oldest and youngest customers. We are all very much looking forward to the return of those who couldn’t come because of an afternoon nap time.”

 

The Maryland Department of Health has advised that quarantining library materials be ended as of June 1.  This will speed up the pace of getting new titles into borrowers’ hands.

 

Vaccination rates in Calvert County continue to lag behind other areas of the state, thus the risk of transmission is higher, particularly among the vulnerable populations the library serves.  Library leadership stays in close touch with the local Health Department about county numbers and recommendations.  If the local pace of vaccinations continues and Calvert County reaches the state level of vaccinations, the library will be able to open meeting rooms.  The library currently hopes to make them available for reservations beginning in July.  Small tutoring rooms and study rooms have been available for reservation since September, 2020.

 

Board of Library Trustees President Jeffrey Lewis said, “We are pleased to be able to phase in expanded access over the next several weeks. We are optimistic that our customers will continue to follow our requests for masking and social distancing so that we can stay accessible to all.  We hope that our local vaccination rates continue to rise so we can confidently increase access.”  Executive Director Willson added, “If you know people who are still on the fence about getting vaccinated, have them join us and physician Michelle Folsom Elder for an online lunch conversation on Thursday, May 27 where you can bring your questions and concerns about the vaccine.”  Registration for this conversation is required to receive the Zoom link to participate live. It will also be streamed to Calvert Library’s YouTube page.  Call Calvert Library at 410-535-0291 or visit calvertlibrary.info for more information.

 

For the health and safety of others, if you are exhibiting symptoms of a contagious disease, especially coronavirus, please stay home and call your healthcare provider for medical advice.  More information about coronavirus is available in the Research & Learn section of the library website.

 

Call 410-535-0291 or email getanswers@calvertlibrary.info with any reference questions you may have. 

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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

 

Calvert Library Staff Member Positive for COVID (press release)

Calvert Library Staff Member Positive for COVID

 

April 15, 2021

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

 

A member of Calvert Library Prince Frederick staff has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The staff member worked in the public space on Monday, April 12, from 10am to 2pm. 

 

The staff member worked with the public following library COVID-protocol and had no contact with customers greater than 15 minutes, maintained 6 feet of social distance, washed/sanitized their hands regularly and wore a mask covering their nose and face at all times while working with customers.  Risk should be minimal to any library customers but please follow Health Department guidance or your physician’s recommendations if you visited the library during the affected time period.

 

Staff members who were not yet fully vaccinated and had close contact with the team member in the days prior to the positive test are quarantining per CDC guidelines.  They are able to work from home providing phone and email reference, virtual programming planning and execution, training, etc.

 

Please know that the safety of our staff and the public we serve is our top priority. We will continue to take the proper precautions to promote social distancing and keep our workplaces and equipment clean and sanitized. Remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid touching your face, wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth when in public spaces and make sure to practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home.

 

We will continue to work together through this difficult time, and we will continue to keep you informed of any new information over the course of this pandemic.

 

For more information call 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

 

Calvert Library Foundation Hosts Online Fine Art Auction (press release)

 

Calvert Library Foundation Hosts Online Fine Art Auction

 

March 25, 2021

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

 

Every few years, Calvert Library Foundation hosts an art auction. It is always a great opportunity to buy fabulous gifts and adorn your home with prints and originals that are beautifully framed.  The prices are usually quite reasonable, and a percentage of the sales goes to the Foundation to support Calvert Library.  There have been years when the auction has raised over $20,000. 

 

This year it is easier than ever to participate.  Participants will be able to join online from home. If you like the excitement of the live bidding process, you can bid during the event on Saturday, April 17 beginning at 7pm.  If you prefer to set your limits and trust in luck, you can set your minimum and maximum bids for the pieces you are most interested in during the preview period that begins April 15 at 9am.  The first step is to register to bid on Monday, April 5 at 9am, on the Marlin Art Auction site (https://bid.marlinart.com/) for the Calvert Library Foundation auction.  To add excitement to that component, the first 75 guests registered on the Marlin site for this auction will be entered to win a $150 Amazon gift card. 

 

All purchased art will be shipped free of charge within the continental US so tell your friends (especially those whose art tastes differ from yours…unless you really like the competition) to register as well. If you would like the library to email you a reminder about registering on April 5, you can register for the event on the library calendar at https://bit.ly/CLFoundationauction.

 

Calvert Library Foundation provides support for many of the extras at Calvert Library. They have provided funding for things such as Imagination Stations (interactive early learning and play stations for babies through preschoolers) for each library location, Teen Zone renovations, new shelving for several branches, data for mobile hotspots, iPad classroom sets for STEM classes and Foundation Center subscription to support nonprofits in the county.

 

Calvert Library Foundation expects to kickoff a major capital campaign for the new Twin Beaches Branch as well, so keep an eye out for great opportunities to make a significant impact on our county through giving that will support a Maker Space, improved technology, public meeting space with A/V, significantly increased useful space and attractive, comfortable design features that will take advantage of the beautiful site of the prospective building with a view of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

Questions about the auction can be sent to calvertlibraryfoundation@calvertlibrary.info or call Calvert Library at 410-535-0291.  Donations can be made on the https://calvertlibraryfoundation.org website by clicking on the Donate Now button at the top. 

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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

 

Maryland Libraries Together Series Presents April Special Virtual Events: COVID-19 Vaccines & Latin Identity

March 17, 2021                                                                                         Contact: Robyn Truslow

                                                                                                                     (410) 535-0291 x 802

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         rtruslow@calvertlibrary.info

 

Maryland Libraries Together Series Presents April Special Virtual Events

COVID-19 Vaccines & Latin Identity

 

Maryland's public libraries have a strong commitment to creating opportunities for community members to come together and develop cross-cultural understanding about topics that impact daily life. The Maryland Libraries Together series returns on April 1 with two major statewide virtual events that explore the COVID-19 vaccine and Latin identity. Maryland Libraries Together is a collaboration to engage communities in enriching educational experiences that advance an understanding of the issues of our time. These events are hosted by individual public library systems and made available to all Marylanders through the Maryland Libraries Together series.

 

COVID-19 and Vaccine Information Session (April 1 at 5-6:30 pm ET)

The Enoch Pratt Free Library has coordinated a timely discussion of the COVID-19 vaccine with clinicians, researchers, vaccine recipients, and other health professionals discuss vaccine access, vaccine hesitancy, recent pandemics, and virus variants. The program features:

●      Dr. Sherita Hill Golden, the Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine

●      Dr. Tracey Murray, Dean of the College of Health Professions at Coppin State University

●      Dr. Kim Sydnor, Dean of the School of Community Health and Policy at Morgan State University and serves as Associate Professor for the Department of Behavioral Health Sciences

●      Dr. Kawsar Rasmy Talaat, Assistant Professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She holds a joint appointment in medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her areas of clinical expertise include vaccine clinical trials and vaccine safety.

●      Dr. Jonathan Mark Zenilman, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is known internationally for his work in infectious disease epidemiology.

 

This event is free and open to the public via Zoom and Facebook.  See more details on the Calvert Library calendar at calvertlibrary.info or Enoch Pratt Free Library website.

 

Viva Latino: Own Voices Writers in Conversation (April 1 at 7-8:30 pm ET)

Leading and award-winning contemporary Latin American writers gather to discuss their perspectives on the importance of own voices narratives in providing representation for readers. This program offers Latino/a/x and non-Latin Marylanders with an opportunity to learn about the diversity of the Latin American community, as represented in literature and poetry. The panel is presented by the Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL), and Charles County Public Library (CCPL). This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Maryland State Library.

Featured panelists are:

●      Julia Alvarez, National Medal of Arts Winner ("Afterlife," 2020)

●      Angie Cruz, Inaugural Good Morning America Book Club Author ("Dominicana," 2018)

●      Reyna Grande, American Book Award Winner ("A Dream Called Home," 2019)

●      Juan Felipe Herrera, U.S. Poet Laureate (2015-2017) ("Jabberwalking," 2018)

●      Lupita Aquino, Moderator, @Lupita.Reads Bookstagram

 

Registration is required for this event, which will be broadcast on the Prince George's County Memorial Library System's YouTube and Facebook. Visit MDLibraries0401.eventbrite.com for more information. The event will be presented in English. ASL interpretation and captions will be provided. Viewers can obtain copies of the panelists' books through Loyalty Bookstores or Curious Iguana. Free and open to the public.

 

Graphics Folder

 

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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