Press Releases
Montgomery County Public Libraries Receive Two NACo Achievement Awards
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 14, 2018
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has received two 2018 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:
The Reading and Educating to Advance Lives (REAL) Program: An innovative partnership between Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of Eligibility and Support Services; the Jewish Council for the Aging’s Heyman Interages® Center (JCA Interages); and Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). The REAL Program brings together staff and volunteers from these organizations with the goal of transforming the time children spend waiting at DHHS service centers into a fun and educational experience. JCA Interages senior volunteers read and engage children and their families in literacy and healthy living activities as they wait for services at four DHHS offices. Permanent “Community Collections” of MCPL owned children’s books are regularly refreshed and are available to be read while waiting or the books can be taken home. MCPL Outreach team members visit the sites and assist visitors by issuing free library cards and providing information about library programs, services and resources. DHHS staff ensure that the program runs efficiently through active coordination efforts among the partners and by maintaining the offices’ lobbies to appeal to clients.Through the REAL Program, DHHS, JCA Interages, and MCPL make a difference by providing an innovative and unique service to the community.
Library Matters is MCPL’s podcast, which launched in February 2017. Since then, MCPL has released one podcast approximately every two weeks. Podcast topics range from library programs (Summer Read and Learn, Workforce Development) to services (online readers’ advisory, refresh building projects) to books (romance novels, cookbooks) to topics of more general interest (New Year’s resolutions, Academy Awards). The podcast is available in audio and transcript formats on our website and various podcast apps. The podcast is an innovative way to reach customers, new and old, in various places and to share information about parts of the library’s services that might normally not be seen. Podcasting is a good way to reach young professionals who might not be connected via traditional channels. The podcast also puts a “human” face on library’s services as staff discuss topics for which they are passionate. It also builds staff moral by giving them a unique platform to share their expertise and interests. Since the initial launch, the podcast’s audience has continued to grow steadily. We have gotten more feedback from customers and staff members interested in the podcast and checking out services based on recommendations in the podcast.
“We work very hard to provide services beyond our walls; to meet customers where they are; and to engage noncustomers,” said Acting MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “These two programs do just that, and 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.
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6536