For Immediate Release: Friday, May 5, 2017
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has received four 2017 Achievement Awards for outstanding programs. The awards are presented by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to recognize efforts by local jurisdictions that promote responsible, responsive and effective county government.
The MCPL programs receiving awards this year are:
“What Do I Check Out Next?” – Readers’ Advisory connects customers beyond the brick and mortar to ensure that MCPL customers can access the right book at the right time, wherever the customer may be.
“Building Community Bridges during Crisis” – the Flower Branch Apartment Explosion Response recognized the quick response of staff following the explosion at the Flower Branch Apartment in Silver Spring last year. The Long Branch Library became a gathering space for the community and a place to bridge various community organizations and agencies to respond to and recover from the emergency.
The organized and rapid response from MCPL strengthened the relationship between the library and the Long Branch community, which included the residents and local community organizations. This relationship allowed the library to become host to community forums, programs, therapeutic groups, as well as tailored library policies to help be a guide and a safe place for the community.
“Connecting Communities through Social Media” recognized the effective use of social media program to reach customers who might not visit branches regularly. The expansion in digital tools, such as e-books and databases, has increased the importance of social media to reach customers who may not come to a branch. MCPL’s growth in social media presence included adoption of new social media platforms and the creation of tools and campaigns that support both special events and ongoing projects. Social media is now a fully developed community building tool that can be used to share information about County services and programs and to engage with customers about topics or provide quality customer service.
“One Student, One School & One Library Card at a Time” – Library Link is a partnership between MCPL and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) which provides MCPS Elementary, Middle and High School students the opportunity to obtain a free library card that can be used at any of the MCPL branches. The card provides access to a wide range of materials and resources available through the public library system and extends student learning beyond the school day.
“We work very hard to provide services and resources so that all County residents can participate in creating a more literate, connected, strong and vibrant, and delighted Montgomery County,” said MCPL Director Parker Hamilton. “We are very excited that our efforts have been recognized nationally through these achievement awards.”
Montgomery County Public Libraries offers free and equal access to services and resources that connect the people of Montgomery County to ideas and information which sustain and enrich their lives. For more information about library services, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.
Release ID: 17-439