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September 13, 2004    LaVale Branch of Allegany County Library System Now Open on Sundays

September 13, 2004    Library to Discuss A Walk in the Woods September 23

September 13, 2004    Library System Honoring "Rosie the Riveters" on October 1st

September 28, 2004    "One Book, One Allegany County 2004" Kicks off October 4th

September 13, 2004

LaVale Branch of Allegany County Library System Now Open on Sundays

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

The LaVale Branch of the Allegany County Library System will be open Sundays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm starting September 12, 2004. These hours will continue while renovations at the library system’s Main Branch and Administrative Offices, at 31 Washington Street in Cumberland , continue.

“The public missed the convenience of our Sunday hours. We were starting to hear comments that it would be nice to have another branch take over the Sunday hours,” said Linda Burkey, Coordinator of Community Outreach for the library system. “ Normally the Main library is the only branch open on Sunday from Labor Day thru Memorial Day.”   Burkey added “Renovation work is still on schedule, with an anticipated opening of the Main Branch sometime in January, 2005.”

Library to Discuss A Walk in the Woods on September 23

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

The Book Discussion Group at the South Cumberland Branch Library will meet on Thursday, September 23 at 7 pm to discuss Bill Bryson’s hilarious, best-selling, true account of his walk with “a buddy” on the 2,015-mile Appalachian Trail .  It had been a long time since he had actually seen his friend: “He had always been kind of fleshy, but now he brought to mind Orson Welles after a very bad night. He was limping a little and breathing harder than one ought to after a walk of twenty yards.”

If you have ever wanted to walk the trail, but didn’t, this is a great “arm-chair walk”. You may even see more thru Bryson’s eyes than you would thru your own. Born in Iowa , he spent many years writing as a journalist in England . He knows how to research his subject thoroughly.

The Book Discussion Group, which usually includes about an equal number of men and women, meets the 4^th Thursday of each month. Discussions start at 7PM and last for one hour. Everyone’s invited! Copies of the book are available at your local library.

Library System Honoring "Rosie the Riveters" on October 1st

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

The Allegany County Library System, in partnership with the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park in Richmond , California , and the Western Maryland Public Library will be hosting a Rosie the Riveter Reception on Friday, October 1, 2004 at 11:00 am at the LaVale Library. 

The National Park Service is currently conducting a nationwide initiative to collect stories, authentic artifacts, and personal histories from living “Rosies,” their families, and all the men and women who joined in the World War II Home Front effort.  The Allegany County Library System is proud to assist in this effort by hosting a reception to honor these people, and to create audio and videotapes of their stories.  Their photographs and mementoes will be digitally reproduced and copies sent to the Rosie the Riveter Park for inclusion in their exhibits, research centers, and historic records.

If you, or someone you know, was a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II, please join us at this reception and bring your photos and memorabilia.  World War II veterans are also welcome to join us.  A light lunch will be provided.  Please call 301-729-0855  to reserve your free tickets.

September 28, 2004

"One Book, One Allegany County 2004" Kicks off October 4th

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

What if every adult & young adult in Allegany County read the same book, all at the same time?  Can you just imagine the impact?  That is what “One Book, One Allegany County ” is all about, and that is exactly what we are asking everyone in Allegany to do: read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley during the month of October 2004.  All the ensuing discussion should send a message like no other—that reading is important to the people of Allegany County .  What a message to send to our children!

“One Book, One Allegany County ” for 2004 will kick-off at the New Embassy Theatre on Monday, Oct. 4 at Twilight (7 pm). Everyone is invited to attend the kick-off and also to become part of this month-long, multimedia, county-wide reading extravaganza. The kick-off will include narrative readings of the book by distinguished actor Mark Baker and a portrayal of Mary Shelley and her dream by Juanita Salazar. The night will end with a showing of the pre-Frankenstein movie the Golem.

“This will be a real treat especially for those who have never had a chance to witness Mark Baker live, onstage.  Those who have seen him already know of his talent and dedication to bringing lively theatre to the area,” comments “One Book” coordinator Linda Burkey.  “We’re also lucky to have the talented Juanita Salazar join us for the kick-off.  This summer she portrayed the local Confederate Spy Sallie Pollock onstage at the Embassy.  Needless to say this event should be fun for everyone—older children on up.  And, it’s all free; there will be no admission charge!

Initiated in 1998 by the Washington (State) Center for the Book, “One-Book” campaigns have spread like wildfire across the U.S.   Our local campaign has actually broadened into a multi-media extravaganza designed with many ways to deepen your appreciation of literature beyond just reading of the book.

The Cumberland Theatre Production of the Play Frankenstein will run from October 6 thru October 24   Call 301-759-4990 for reservations. Special showings have been arranged for local school students studying the book. A special opportunity to meet the cast & discuss the play and book with them will take place after the Sunday Oct 24   3 pm matinee.

A Narrative Reading & Portrayal of Mary Shelley and her dream by Juanita Salazar will also be held on Tuesday Oct 12   6 pm  at Country Club Mall in the common area outside of Waldenbooks.

Three book discussions are planned: Tuesday Oct. 12   7 pm at George’s Creek

Branch Library led by Linda Burkey, Allegany County Library Staff member; Monday Oct 18   7 pm at South Cumberland Branch Library led by Barbara Browning, Technical Services/Reference Librarian at Allegany College of MD; and on Tuesday Oct 19  7:30 pm at Main Street Books in Frostburg led by bookstore owner and discussion leader Fred Powell.

We hope you will attend one of our public performances and discussions plus find a little time to discuss “Frankenstein”—the book, the movie, or the play—with those you’re with everyday: your family , co-workers, church members, club members, etc.  Parents here is a perfect chance to open dialog with your teen after you have both read the book.

Test your skills at answering trivia questions; listen during the month of October for chances to win book store Gift Certificates on WCBC, WFRB, WKGO, and WTBO. Find some way to become part of this very worthwhile event!

“It’s ALIVE  read for the fun of it TEEN READ WEEK” takes place during the middle of our campaign—Oct. 17-23. So on Thursday Oct 14 at 7 pm, teens and their families are invited to the South Cumberland Branch Library to create a monster of their own following Evening Story Time which starts at 6:30 pm. This fun event is for all ages.

Coincidentally, the Hallmark Channel will also be running a newer Frankenstein movie starring William Hurt starting Oct. 5 at 9 pm.

“One Book, One Allegany County” for 2004 is being brought to you by the Allegany County Library System, Allegany County Board of Education, Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland Theatre, New Embassy Theatre, Main Street Books in Frostburg, Book Center in Downtown Cumberland, Waldenbooks & Country Club Mall, Cumberland Times-News and radio stations WCBC, WFRB, WKGO, and WTBO.  The event is made possible by funding from the Cumberland Rotary Club.

Copies of the book are available at all branches of the Allegany County Library System and at the local bookstores—The Book Center in Downtown Cumberland, Main Street Books in Frostburg, and Waldenbooks at Country Club Mall—check out their Frankenstein displays.  It is available in many formats including Large Print, audio-tape cassettes, audio-CDs and numerous VHS movies.  For more information call the South Cumberland Branch Library at 301-724-1607 or visit www.alleganycountylibrary.info/onebook.htm