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Home > About the Library > Press Releases
April 3, 2002 3rd Annual Food for Fines Day at Allegany County Libraries April 6, 2002 LaVale Library Hosts the Importance of Voting April 8, 2002 Saturday Story/Craft Program at Westernport Library April 8, 2002 Career Pilot Gives Talk at Library April 10, 2002 Library Book Group Will Meet April 25 April 14-20, 2002 National Library Week April 18, 2002 Al Feldstein Will Speak at Frostburg Library April 24, 2002 Learn to Use Fertilizers Wisely at the Westernport Library April 29, 2002 Special Hairstyles for Special Occasions at Libraries
April 3, 2002 3rd Annual Food for Fines Day at Allegany County LibrariesPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: John Taube Allegany County Library System 31 Washington Street Cumberland, MD 21502 To help celebrate National Library Week, Allegany County
Library System and the Western Maryland Food Bank have teamed up for Food for
Fines day at local libraries. On Thursday, April 18, 2002 library users will be
able to exchange canned or dry food items for payment of library fines.
One canned or dry food item will pay for $1.00 in fines or fees.
Food items can be donated at any branch of the library system. Food items can be used to pay the overdue fines on any
library material such as books, videotapes, books-on-tape, and magazines.
Patrons can donate food in exchange for up to $10.00 in fines. “National Library Week is an annual event observed by libraries across the country and we have events planned at all our branches” says Library Director John Taube. “this is our third Food for fines day and we are really hoping to top last years donations of 423 pounds for the Western Maryland Food Bank.” Diana Loar, Executive Director of the Western Maryland Food
Bank says “this is a great partnership with libraries feeding the mind while
we feed the bodies” Taube added
“while doing your spring cleaning, you may find an overdue library book that
has been collecting fines as well as dust.
This is a great time to get that book back without paying overdue
fines.” Suggested food donations include: canned soup, instant potatoes, pie crust mix, pie mix, gravy or gravy mix, canned juice, canned green vegetables, evaporated milk, canned fruit, peanut butter, crackers, rice, pasta, and spaghetti sauce.
April 6, 2002 LaVale Library Hosts the Importance of VotingPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Lisa McKenney LaVale Public Library 815 National Highway LaVale, MD 21502
The LaVale Library in association with the League of Women
Voters will host a program on “The Importance of Voting” on Thursday, April
18, 2002 from 4 to 6 pm as part of National Library Week and the Rediscover
America @ your library initiative. Area residents are invited to get a first hand look at the
new computerized touch screen voting machines which will debut in the next
election???? Speaker Jacqueline Sams will also demonstrate the award-winning web
site Democracy Net (DNet), the premiere source for election and voting
information. Voter Registration
Forms will also be made available. “This program encourages area youth and adults to find
out more about one of the fundamental freedoms and responsibilities we have as
American citizens—the ability to vote,” says librarian Lisa McKenney.
One of the things librarians have discovered in the aftermath of
September 11 is that many people are taking a fresh interest in what it means to
be an American, especially in today's global society. Libraries are the
cornerstone of our democracy - offering the broadest range of print and online
resources, along with the expertise of a librarian.
April 8, 2002 Saturday Story/Craft Program at Westernport LibraryPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Pam Neder Westernport Branch Library 66 Main Street Westernport, MD 21562 April’s Saturday Story/Craft Program for Children will be held at the Westernport Branch of the Allegany County Library System on Saturday, April 20 at 2 PM. “We will have a Spring/Mother’s Day theme for our April program,” explains Nancy Sudine, Children’s Librarian at Westernport. Sudine goes on to comment that “The kids enjoy these Saturday afternoon programs, their crafting keeps getting better and better.” The Westernport Branch holds a Saturday Story/Craft Program for Children once a month.
April 8, 2002 Career Pilot Gives Talk at LibraryPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Debbie Hartman George's Creek Public Library 76 Main Street Lonaconing, MD 21539 Mark Paugh will provide an informational program “What It’s Like To Be a Pilot, And How To Become One” at the George’s Creek Branch of the Allegany County Library System on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 PM. The program will provide information for teens and adults, making a career choice, who may be thinking about becoming a pilot. Come learn what it takes to be a pilot; what training is required, the cost and details of getting your license, and what types of jobs are available once you are qualified. Hear about the fun of it and the hard work required. Paugh, a career pilot, flies and teaches with Marathon Aviation.
April 10, 2002 Library Book Group will Meet April 25PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Linda Burkey South Cumberland Library 100 Seymour Street Cumberland, MD 21502 The Book Discussion Group of the South Cumberland Branch Library will meet Thursday, April 25 at 7 PM to discuss The Winner by David Baldacci. The Winner is the story of LuAnn Tyler, a poor waitress from rural Georgia with a young child. It’s also the story of what happens when she’s pulled into a “surefire” plot that guarantees she will win the national lottery. What actually happens will keep you reading, possible all night. The Book Discussion Group meets the 4th.Thursday of each month to discuss a selection chosen by the group. The discussions are open to anyone who is interested; no registration is necessary. Copies of the books can be borrowed from any branch of the library system.
April 14-20, 2002 National Library WeekPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Linda Burkey South Cumberland Library 100 Seymour Street Cumberland, MD 21502
It’s difficult to envision a person who wouldn’t be able to find something at one of the Allegany County Libraries that would make their life easier or bring them enjoyment. Our services today are so varied and numerous. If we just provided books--that’s what most of the public connect to the library--that would be big; but there’s a whole array of other services people in our neighborhoods look to the library to provide. Services include faxing and copying; e-mailing their families all over the world; getting free tax help; checking our medical and health databases; relaxing and browsing; being tutored or home schooled; picking up videos and DVD’s, volunteering, having fun at programs, holding meetings; the list goes on and on. It was thought that the arrival of computers and the Internet at the library would jeopardize the future existence of libraries, but that hasn’t been the case. Circulation of materials from the Allegany County Library and its branches and bookmobile are actually increasing. More patrons are also relying on the library for assistance in finding information. Attendance at children’s programs and library sponsored adult programs are also on the rise. Libraries of the Allegany County Library System are busy places today. Library staff are constantly training to provide assistance. As the American Library Association explains “In a world of information overload, librarians are information navigators--clearing a path, pointing you toward the information you need.” It’s
possible that some people don’t know what’s happened to their library over
the last few years if they haven’t been here for a while.
They don’t know there’s a diverse set of experiences and
opportunities awaiting them here. We
celebrate National Library Week each year by inviting everyone in the community
to come check us out. Come, spend a
few minutes in your library; look around, do a 360-degree inspection. During
National Library Week, we will again be running our Food For Fines campaign to
benefit the Western Maryland Food Bank. On
April 18th, for each non-perishable food item you bring will count as
$1.00 off your overdue fines. Patrons
can donate food in exchange for up to $10.00 in fines. Other
activities include a contest for kids at our Frostburg Branch. Winner will receive a bookstore gift certificate.
The Main Library on Washington Street will be celebrating with a
FIND IT
LaVale
Branch will host some
The
Allegany County Library’s Bookmobile will be holding a drawing for various
books, stuffed animals, and other “stuff” for elementary school age
children. The box is on the
bookmobile now; names will be drawn on Friday April 19th. The
Library’s 2nd Annual Poetry Contest is also taking place during the
month of April. Hosted by the
George’s Creek and South Cumberland Branches, our contest will include three
divisions: Children up to and
including 12 years, Teens ages 13-17, and adults including those from 18 to 118.
Submit your original poem to South Cumberland or George’s Creek
Libraries on or before April 29, 2002. Call
(301) 724-1607 or (301) 463-2629 for details. Library helps grow readers of all ages
The Children’s Librarians in the Allegany County
Library system are some of our busiest staff.
They have expanded their program offerings so that everyone between the
ages of birth and 18 has good
reason to visit the library. For
newborns, their parents and caregivers, we have board books full of colorful
pictures and catchy words.
At 18 months everyone is invited to our Toddler Time
programs. Toddler Time is a special
story hour targeted at children aged 18 to 36 months. “Because these programs are for children who are just
learning to talk,” explains Connie Wilson, Children’s Coordinator,
“we’ve designed Toddler Times that use singing, finger plays, rhymes and
stories not only to entertain the child but to also help stimulate the child’s
language skills and development.” Toddler
Time programs are designed for both the toddler and parent or caregiver because
of the important role they play in our programs. Starting
at age 3, we offer daytime and
evening story hours. Story hours
usually consist of reading stories, songs, fingerplays and other children’s
activities. Westernport
Children’s Librarian Nancy Sudine says “evening story hours are a great
opportunity for working parents and kids to visit the library together and see
what’s new in the library.” Library highlights
Expanded Programs and Services
Established
Homework Help Centers at Frostburg and Westernport branches. Reached
goal of one evening program per month per branch.
These programs bring people for throughout the area to learn more about
their community. Formed
book discussion clubs at South and Frostburg branches. George’s
Creek branch opened Celebrated
Dr. Suess’s Birthday with over 400 kids in
partnership with Frostburg State University’s College of Education and
the Allegany County Teachers Association. Successful
Back to School Open house in September. We
demonstrated our services to over 255 visitors that evening, Successful
Summer Reading Program (Between June and August, 250 children read over 2100
books). Libraries
expand collections and technology.
The
Allegany County Library System continues to provide free Internet access to
government, educational, and nonprofit agencies at 60 locations in our region
(the equivalent of $6720 per year per agency). We
have begun the integration of Bookmobile into our automated library system. We
have expanded our collections by adding DVDs and Books on CD to our offerings. To
promote successful completion of reports, letters, and projects, we have added
Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software to all library
computers. In
January 2001 we standardized public computers to enhance flexibility, security
and ease of use. Checking
out the databases on the library’s website
at http://lib.allconet.org/database.htm
could keep you busy for quite awhile. The
Business and Company Resource Center gives company profiles, rankings,
investment reports, company histories and articles on company and industry news.
Reference USA is also a source on American Businesses. Discovering
Collection provide in-depth reference content for History, Biographies, Science,
and Social Studies. Discovering
Authors can be found here. Also to
discover the world of Literature try the Literature Resource Center offering
critical analyses, biographies, essays, etc.
The Biography Resource Center provides award-winning biographies from
respected Gale Group sources. The SIRS Discoverer Database may suit the younger
researcher with has been selected for educational content and readability.
The Columbia Grangers World of Poetry is a definitive source in English
for locating a poem’s title. STAKS,
our online catalog, has
replaced the card catalogs in our libraries.
Though it’s been difficult for some to make this change STAKS has
finally made all our libraries feel like an integrated system.
It’s nice to know what we own, where our materials are, how many people
have them on reserve, etc. You can
even check this catalog from your home. Go
to http://library.allconet.org.
The
library has also starting offering free computer training.
Our Frostburg Branch offers one-on-one computer training on Wednesdays at
10 and 1. The LaVale Branch offers
Beginning Internet & Computing sessions by appointment.
South Cumberland Branch offers bi-monthly presentations on various
aspects of the computer; What’s a
computer? What’s the Internet? How can I get e-Mail? and the Basics of
Microsoft Word. Our next scheduled program is “What Is a Computer?”
Come see what’s inside a computer; learn how it works; learn what are
hardware & software, and the difference between bits & bytes.
Library System Extends Borrowing
Privileges
With over 100,000 new
titles books published in 2001, the Allegany County Library System could not buy
every new book that’s released. But
the library can get them from other libraries to loan to you.
The Library System can also have photocopies of magazine and journal
articles from magazine we do not subscribe to delivered from other libraries.
In the library world this service is called Inter-Library Loan, at the
Allegany County Library System we call it good service for our patrons. In
fact, over the last 2 years we have borrowed over 13,000 items for patrons.
Branch Manager Maryland Appel says, “there has been a decrease in the
number of items we need to borrow.”
Appel continues “we have more of what the public wants due to the
donations we received during the Commissioner’s Library Challenge and we can
help them find more of what they want using our databases and internet
access.” If you are traveling outside of the county, the Allegany County Library System also has a cooperative borrowing agreement with every public library in the state that allow you to use your Allegany County library card to check out material. Local Library System
is first and last choice for answers
English
Author Samuel Johnson said “Knowledge
is of two kinds: we know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find
information upon it.” The
Allegany County Library System strives to be the source where everyone “can
find information upon it.”
Whether it is a homework question, a company address, or a home repair
manual, the librarians at your local library will help you find what you need.
In
an average month, we assist over 6200 people find the answers they need.
Public Services Coordinator Beth DiGiustino says, “our goal is to be
the first place people think of with questions and be the last place to look if
they can’t find it themselves.” DiGiustino
continues “ This year we are seeing a 22% increase in the number of number of
patrons we assist, DiGiustino
continues “we are offering more services, and have more opportunities to help
patrons find what they need.”
April 18, 2002 Al Feldstein Will Speak at Frostburg LibraryPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Pat Merrbach Frostburg Public Library 65 E. Main Street Frostburg, MD 21532 The Friends of the Frostburg Community Library will
host local history speaker Al Feldstein on Monday, April 29 at 7 PM to give a
“Historic Overview of George’s Creek Coal Mining.” “This promises to be a dynamic program, a historical perspective with slides,” explained Friends President Jack Riley. Hosting a guest speaker also allows the Friends group the opportunity to explain their role helping the library, what they have planned for the future, and how you can be part of their group.
April 23, 2002 World War II Veterans Speak at Allegany County LibraryPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Maryland Appel Allegany County Library 31 Washington Street Cumberland, MD 21502
World
War II Veterans William J. Hay and George K. Brant will be speakers for the
Allegany County Library’s History Lecture on Tuesday May 7, 7 PM at the
Allegany County Library on Washington Street.
Hay was a 31-year-old private 1st. class in the Army when as
he describes it, he “walked, ran, and crawled through France, Belgium,
Germany, and finally wound up in Czechoslovakia.
Some days we only moved a few 100 yards, someday a mile or so.”
Hay will talk about his experience in Normandy and elsewhere.
Brant will also be talking about his experience in Normandy.
“I arrived in Normandy two weeks after the initial invasion,” Brant
explained. He’ll go on to
describe his experience in an antiaircraft unit protecting ships delivering
supplies into Antwerp, Belgium.
The Allegany County Library System presents a History Lecture the first
Tuesday of each month. “This is
the second time we’ve have asked World War II veterans to speak. The first panel spoke at our Frostburg Branch, and the
program was so popular we saw the need to allow others an opportunity to
speak,” explained Linda Burkey, program coordinator.
“Our history lectures cover all areas of historical interest from coal
mining, the iron industry, and Cumberland glass, to some history of the B &
O Railroad, the National Road, and the Land of the Living-Green Ridge.”
The lectures are held at a different branch of the system each month.
April 24, 2002 Learn to Use Fertilizers Wisely at the Westernport LibraryPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Pam Neder Westernport Branch Library 66 Main Street Westernport, MD 21562 Armand
Smithberger will be at the Westernport Branch of the Allegany County Library
System on Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 PM for an informational program on the use of
fertilizers in your garden.
A nutrient management advisor for the Maryland Cooperative Extension,
Smithberger will also give advice on soil testing, how and when you should have
it done. April 29, 2002 Special Hairstyles for Special Occasions at LibrariesPRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System
Contact: Linda Burkey South Cumberland Library 100 Seymour Street Cumberland, MD 21502 Joann
Parker, Director of the International Beauty School, and some of her students
will present two after school programs to help teenagers and other interested
patrons learn the ins and outs of having “Special Hairstyles for Special
Occasions.” The program will be
at the South Cumberland Branch of the Allegany County Library System on
Thursday, May 9 at 3:30 PM and will be repeated at the George’s Creek Regional
Library on Thursday, May 16 at 4 PM. These afternoon programs are planned to give students a fun activity that will allow them to use some of their free time constructively. |
theme and a “Library Trivia
Sheet” that adults should find interesting.
fun with an Americana Question
Contest for children.
in Westernport.