To Celebrate February as “Library Lover’s Month,” the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Potomac Chapter, will sponsor Kaydee Puppeteers on Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Kaydee Puppeteers will present a double feature — two puppet shows that include a feisty little red hen, a sly fox, a big strong lion and a tiny mouse. The free shows are at 10:30 a.m., last 45 minutes — and no registration is required.
The Potomac Library, located at 10101 Glenolden Drive, is a resource for many adults and children in the community. Residents have the opportunity to attend educational, informative and entertaining programs, conduct research, check-out and purchase books and CDs and use and learn more about technology.
According to its website, www.folmc.org, The Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter is a non-profit organization that “organizes support from the county’s community of library patrons that would supplement the basic operating funds provided for in county’s annual budget. The mission is to strengthen, promote, and champion our public library system, as it responds to the changing needs of our diverse communities.”
Edie Wingate, president of the Potomac Chapter said, “Our events are a way of promoting our library and giving back to our community. We sponsor an incredibly popular monthly book sale on the second Saturday of each month. This sale is a fundraising effort which brings in the bulk of the income that the Friends then use to purchase special equipment and furniture for the library as well as to support book groups, speakers, the foreign policy discussion group called Great Decisions, children’s and community programs at the library. Clearly the library is more than just about books.”
“The book sale itself has become an important community event,” said Judy Davis, chair for the book sale for the last 15 years. “We are very lucky to have such a good reading community in Potomac, one that is generous in its donations of good books for resale. Almost all books are for sale for very little money. Hard covers are $1, soft covers are $.50, children’s books are $.50 - $1 and CDs, DVDS, and books on CD are $2. Because of the quality of books and other items for sale, the excellent organization and the low cost of the books, buyers line up as much as 45 minutes each month before the doors open at 10 a.m. “
The Potomac Library, with the help of the FOLMC, offers programs for young children as well as young adults at the Potomac Library. These include the Preschool Storytime (3-6 year olds) Potomac Toddlers (12-36 months) and Potomac Cuddleups (birth – 11 months) every Thursday at 10:30 a.m., Lego Masters on Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and the Potomac Chess Group on Saturdays at 3 p.m. The library will also sponsor “Creating Your College List” free workshop for 10th, 11th graders and their parents on March 21 at 2 p.m. – and more events will be coming up each month.
A new feature at the library is “Wireless Wednesdays” where Potomac librarian and technology expert Jeff Corber answers questions and helps participants learn more about their tablet, Smartphone or e-reader. “We average only about 5 people each week, so you receive individual attention with your device — just bring it in and I’ll answer your questions. I help people to download apps, transfer their files between their devices and learn everything they want to know about their digital devices,” he said.
Sue Koronowski, the Potomac Library Branch manager, explains that the library has just received a new literacy workstation for young users. “It is located near the children’s collection next to the children’s computer catalog. It’s definitely child-friendly and is already quite popular.”
Wingate said, “The Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Potomac Chapter’s goal is to make our library as fun and friendly as possible — a happy place that gives back to the community.”