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Spring Recap 2025
The Library Check-in is a newsletter that shares news, event highlights, and happenings from across the Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS). This page showcases the programs and initiatives from across every one of the system’s 20 locations that made this past spring unforgettable.
General features from the Spring 2025 edition of the newsletter can be found here.
To stay up to date on all things relevant to the Library, be sure to follow us on social media (@PGCMLS), or by clicking the social icons in the footer of the webpage. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community — dive in and enjoy!
Accokeek
Reading and Riding at the Accokeek Branch Library
This spring, the Accokeek Branch Library continued offering its weekly “Get Active: Ride and Read” program, which was developed in direct response to an established community need. The branch has five stationary bikes, and between customers who register online and those who show up in person, they are usually at capacity. The branch also provides tablets for customers to use while riding to read, listen to music, stream shows or movies through free library services such as Kanopy, or even learn a language through the Library digital language learning resource, Mango.
“We have our faithful few, but the branch has also seen a lot of new faces in the last few months as the weather has gotten better,” says head Accokeek Librarian Johanna James. “Someone who’d had to join the waitlist came in just the other day to take a chance and got lucky, so now she may become a new regular!”
Baden
Learning About Local Wildlife at the Baden Branch Library
In observance of National Wildlife Week in early April, Baden Librarian Danielle Cayea-Wilson borrowed a ‘Furbearers’ trunk from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and gave her young Baden customers some hands-on experience with Maryland’s fur-bearing critters.
“This was a special STEM program that I have been wanting to try out for awhile,” Danielle explains. “The state DNR has these Wildlife Education Trunks that can be picked up in various places throughout the state and are available to educators for two weeks, for free, and I’ve always thought it would be so cool to borrow one for work.”
Danielle used the trunk as a pop-up museum, and let the kids feel the pelts. The ‘Furbearers’ trunk also has replica skulls, tracks, and scat, which Danielle used to do some show-and-tell, and to inspire the kids in creating their own tracks on paper using Bingo daubers. She’s already eyeing the turkey and bear trunks for later in the year!
Beltsville
Beginner’s English at the Beltsville Branch Library
Twice a year for the past few years, Beltsville Library Associate Arianna Gomez has been running a 12-week “Beginner’s English” program at the Beltsville Branch Library. Attended by a mix of students who range in age from 18 to 64 and who come from countries as diverse as Cameroon, Ghana, Haiti, Somalia, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Brazil, this course gives Beltsville community members a space to learn and practice English for free, with their neighbors.
Arianna, who holds a K-12 ESL certification, has designed this program’s curriculum from scratch. The curriculum is always developing, but one element she makes sure to include every session is a sense of play — which this past spring took the form of an immediately silly game of Telephone right at the start of the program.
“It’s hard as adults to take yourself out of a serious [mental state],” Arianna explains. “But I want to show everyone that it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to mispronounce things, because then we can all learn together.”
Anyone interested in registering for the next “Beginner’s English” series, which starts in September, should keep an eye on the PGCMLS events calendar.
Bladensburg
Port Towns Elementary Students Spend the Morning at Bladensburg Branch Library
This past school year, the Bladensburg Branch Library staff partnered with two local elementary schools to bring whole grade levels to the branch for full-morning field trips.
The final visit of the year was made by 125 Port Towns Elementary second graders, who spent the morning rotating through four stations: a storytime station, a bookmark-making station, a children's area station, and a scavenger hunt where they were invited to search for some of the branch’s "animal assistants" (puppets).
Based on feedback Bladensburg branch staff have gotten from faculty and students alike, the effort needed to organize such an epic program was worth it.
“We had one family who came [in advance] to prepare for the field trip, who had never been to the library before,” says Bladensburg Head Librarian Debra Capponi. “And now the father has been back many times with his daughter to visit!”
Bowie
Time for Teens at the Bowie Branch Library
Ten years into its existence, the Bowie Branch Library’s “Teen Zone” continues to provide Bowie teens a safe space to hang out, make friends, and get creative. In May, this included playing host to two fun end-of-year programs: two touring performances of the Bowie High School Theatre Department’s adaptation of “Dandelion Magic,” a favorite of the Library’s Books from Birth families, as well as an afternoon of “record breaking” featuring fun, competitive events for teens like “Most Marshmallows Picked up with Chopsticks in 1 minute” (Jazmyn H., 74) and “Fastest Time to Sort M&Ms with Chopsticks” (Jordan P., 4 minutes 40 seconds).
These two programs showcase the breadth of teen-specific opportunities the Bowie Branch Library provides.
“We were particularly proud of the partnership with the Bowie Theatre Department,” says Public Services Specialist Lauren Wright, who is also the branch’s Youth Services head. She has been hearing rave reviews from families who came out for the shows. “It was so nice for the community to see the other side of these teens, who they often only see after school in their ‘downtime’ mode. And it was great [for us as staff] to get to see so many familiar faces during the day, lighting up to entertain these kids during storytime.”
“I really appreciate the fact that we could bring something like this [to the library] because it gives us the ability to not only just tell stories and give kids a fun time, but also introduce them to theater at such a young age,” says Isabella, one of the BHS student performers. “I really like that we have that opportunity here [at the library].”
The “Dandelion Magic” production provided a full-circle moment for Lauren, too — it turns out that the star of the show, Reed, was at Lauren’s first-ever program at Bowie four years ago. And now Reed is the one providing fun memories for other young Bowie Branch Library community members!
County Correctional Center Law Library
Upgrades at the Prince George’s County Correctional Center Law Library
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System maintains a permanent, non-public law library inside the Prince George’s County Correctional Center.
This arm of the Library provides incarcerated County residents critical access to legal information and other learning resources. It also supports their professional development and personal enrichment by providing a variety of educational materials like General Educational Development (GED) textbooks, English language learner (ELL) resources, and Commercial Driver License (CDL) manuals; religious texts in multiple languages; and general interest books that are free to borrow on county-provided electronic tablets.
In early April, a new Digital Access Suite opened at the law library for regular use. Made possible by the Prince George’s County Pull-Up Fund, the suite’s twelve new laptops — which are not connected to the general internet — provide access to LexisNexis for incarcerated users, and to Westlaw and Pacer for PGCMLS staff. Library staff look up laws and court cases for anyone who requests assistance, within the scope of PGCMLS’ Memorandum of Understanding with the County.
Also this spring, a number of PGCMLS branch staff facilitated a large donation of 48 new 2025- 2026 GED books for the Department of Correction’s official GED program.
Fairmount Heights
Breaking In the New DREAM Lab
Earlier this year, the Fairmount Heights Branch Library soft opened its newly renovated DREAM Lab for public use. Since then, the combination makerspace, recording studio, and digital art lab has seen several firsts, including its first school field trip (a 4th grade class from North Forestville Elementary), and the first professional studio recording session of the PGCMLS house podcast, “These Books Made Me.”
“I really liked the recording studio, and liked the song I helped make,” said one of the North Forestville students during their April field trip. He also shared that this was his first ever visit to a public library. He was impressed, and is looking forward to coming back with his step-siblings in tow!
“We are very glad that the DREAM Lab is open for us now,” says Heather Jackson, West Area Director and “These Books Made Me” podcast co-founder. “As editors, we’re totally self-taught, so just being in a space where I don't have to pull out every trick in the book to fix things is a relief. It’s just a delight to have [this studio space] available to us!”
You can find “These Books Made Me” wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow the team’s blog on Medium.
Glenarden
Teens Create National Library Week Bookmarks at the Glenarden Branch Library
In April, Glenarden Librarian Hawa Jalloh led the branch’s Teen Action Group in designing and creating bookmarks to give to patrons during National Library Week.
Some teens hand drew their bookmarks, and some used Canva to create their designs digitally for Hawa to print out. A lot of the design work happened on the teens’ own time, but they came together for one big assembly day to punch holes in all the bookmarks and attach the tassels. They were a big hit!
“The patrons seemed to really like them,” Hawa says. “And it was fun to see which designs people were most drawn to. I made a few, but all the ones the teens made went first!”
Greenbelt
Greenbelt Branch Library Visits Laurel Elementary for Career Day
Laurel Elementary School invited Greenbelt Branch Library Associate Matt Hartman to their Career Day to meet with second and third graders and talk with them about what library professionals do. Matt brought tiny books, gigantic books, talking books, and puppets and told the kids how he plans storytime programs by writing and performing songs about books and characters that provide a basis for games, activities and more.
Back at the Greenbelt branch, Matt led multiple engaging storytimes this past spring, including through his ongoing collaboration with the Greenbelt Cinema for the “Storytime on Screen” program, which is a free program at the cinema filled with stories, songs, and a short film for children ages 1-5. Matt is currently developing a storytime take on “Where the Wild Things Are” that’s more geared towards little ones, called “The Mild Rumpus.” Check out the PGCMLS calendar for an upcoming screening time to attend!
Hillcrest Heights
Crafting Juneteenth Bracelets at the Hillcrest Heights Branch Library
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Hillcrest Heights Branch Library hosted a fun and educational craft program on June 17 where participants were invited to learn facts about the holiday while crafting vibrant red, black, and green beaded bracelets.
“It was a new program for us, in response to the community interest we have seen in more historical things,” says Hillcrest Heights Library Associate Danielle Knox, who put the program together.
The program brought in three adults and two kids, and they all had an enriching time crafting bracelets while learning about Juneteenth. During the craft portion of the program, Danielle gave a brief overview of Juneteenth, including the backstory of the holiday and its specific significance in Texas, as well as how even after Union troops brought news of emancipation to Galveston Bay in 1865, enslaved people in other states still awaited freedom.
“[Some of the] groups who came didn’t even know what Juneteenth was about, so it was nice to be able to share the significance of the holiday with them,” says Danielle.
Hyattsville
Honeybees at the Hyattsville Branch Library
On April 25, the Hyattsville Branch Library brought in a beekeeping expert from the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation for an interactive program for all ages called “Meet the Honeybee.”
Following a quick talk about the honeybee’s life cycle, social dynamics, and favorite food sources — including the honey locust flowers that drape Maryland’s parks and roadways in mid-April — participants were able to get up close and personal with a traveling hive and search for the green-backed queen. The event drew in Prince Georgians of all ages, all of whom were sent home with free wildflower seed packets from the Prince George’s County Free Seed Library that also lives at the Hyattsville branch, to help feed the pollinators in their own green spaces.
Largo-Kettering
Largo-Kettering Branch Library Hosts Local Authors of Youth Literature
On May 21, the Largo-Kettering Branch Library hosted 13 children’s and young adult authors at the Spring “Local Author Expo.”
“The really cool thing about these events is that the local authors bring the party,” says Adult Programming Specialist Audrey Lau, who helps organize the semiannual event. “We provide tables and chairs, and the authors bring the magic.”
Nearly 300 writers are on the Library’s local authors mailing list. For the May 21 Expo, the majority of authors who came to the Largo-Kettering branch were first-timers, which was exciting for everyone involved.
“The Local Author Expo is a really great way for the public to interact with people who have already published, especially if they are interested in becoming authors themselves,” Audrey says. “But what I love about these events is that the local authors also get to have conversations with each other, to form that community-within-a-community.”
Another highlight of the Largo-Kettering event was that many of the authors in attendance were able to bring and sell hands-on, activity titles like coloring books or educational workbooks. These were a hit with the attendees!
To discover what titles by local authors are part of the PGCMLS collection, check out the Prince George’s Room at the Hyattsville Branch Library.
Laurel
Laurel Branch Library: Poetry Rocks!
For this year’s National Poetry Month, Laurel Librarian Tracy Day debuted a new passive, walk up program: “Poetry Rocks!”
“I wanted to do something passive for poetry month that customers of all ages could enjoy,” Tracy shares. She thought of all the river stones she had at her disposal in a creek nearby her home, and from there it was a quick leap to her final “Zen garden” theme.
To create the “rocks” she used paint and Modge Podge (a glue, sealer, and varnish product), and then arranged the rocks in two baskets on either end of a paper-covered table so that customers walking by could stop for a minute and arrange them. One customer who engaged with the display called them “emotional support rocks,” which Tracy loved.
Mount Rainier
Seed Pots and Clementine Hunter at the Mount Rainier Branch Library
Because the Mount Rainier Branch Library is one of the system’s smaller locations, branch staff work hard to design engaging arts and crafts programs that are geared specifically for a smaller group of participating families. In March, this took the shape of doing watercolor paintings in the art style of Clementine Hunter. And then in April, branch staff designed an Earth Day-themed project where kids were invited to decorate small pots and plant seeds or houseplants. Program participants at both had a great time!
New Carrollton
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Filipino Storytime
As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations in May, Librarian James Caparas led a specially extended Filipino dual-language storytime at the New Carrollton Branch Library.
“[PGCMLS has] a really big collection of picture books featuring Filipino culture,” says Caparas, who offers a shorter Filipino-English storytime on alternating Saturdays throughout the year. “For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I got to expand that program and bring in even more stories about Filipino culture. It was such a great opportunity for me to share both my culture and the library’s resources.” Among the titles Caparas read for his April program was “Gregory the Terrible Eater,” as a tribute to the Filipino-American illustrator Jose Aruego.
The New Carrollton Branch Library will be continuing to hold dual-language storytimes on Saturdays throughout the summer, rotating Filipino and Spanish, alongside English, as staff schedules allow.
Tail Waggin’ Tutors Program Celebrates a Very Good Boy
A fluffy white golden retriever named Max is a favorite of the New Carrollton Branch Library’s monthly “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” read-to-a-pet program. For his birthday milestone in April, program participants got to celebrate him in style! After the kids in attendance took their turn reading to Max, Library Associate Claudia Parra-Acevedo led them all in a round of “Happy Birthday.” They then presented Max with a toy cake and peanut butter treats and spent time socializing with him and his caretaker.
“Tail Waggin’ Tutors” is an ongoing monthly program at multiple PGCMLS branch libraries. Check out the calendar to find the next one near you!
Following the performance, former Poet Laureate of Prince George's County Sistah Joy invited four previous Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureates to the stage to celebrate the intergenerational creativity in the county, in anticipation of the 10th Annual Prince George's County Youth Poet Laureate Finals that was to be held at the Bowie Branch Library in early May.
Oxon Hill
Collective Voices Honors Grace Cavalieri, Youth Poet Laureates for National Poetry Month
On April 12, the Oxon Hill Branch Library hosted a special National Poetry Month program organized by local poetry group Collective Voices, featuring djembe musician Doc Powell, and former Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri as the afternoon’s Poet of Distinction. The program featured recitations by Collective Voice members, followed by a series of stories and readings by Grace Cavalieri.
Following the performance, former Poet Laureate of Prince George's County Sistah Joy invited four previous Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureates to the stage to celebrate the intergenerational creativity in the county, in anticipation of the 10th Annual Prince George's County Youth Poet Laureate Finals that was to be held at the Bowie Branch Library in early May.
Oxon Hill High School Orchestra Plays Music from the Sojourner Truth Room Collection
In May, the Oxon Hill Branch Library hosted the Oxon Hill High School (OHHS) Orchestra in its Foundry space for a special end-of-year performance.
27 OHHS students joined orchestra director Walter Harley to perform four pieces from their own repertoire, and three from the branch’s special Sojourner Truth Room collection.
“The renditions were powerful and professional,” says Oxon Hill Library Associate Kofi Bart-Martin, who is responsible for the Sojourner Truth Room collection, and who helped select the pieces that the students played.
Both Kofi and the OHHS orchestra director want to continue this collaboration — possibly with another performance this coming holiday season. Keep an eye on the PGCMLS events page for news of the next performance, and in the meantime, come check out the Sojourner Truth Room collection!
South Bowie
Fishing with Magnets at the South Bowie Branch Library
On April 2, the South Bowie Branch Library hosted a “STEM for Families” program called “Fishing for Magnets.”
South Bowie Library Associate Brandon Adams, who designed the program, explains: “I used it as an opportunity to teach the participants about magnetism — what is a magnet, how does a magnet work, things of that nature.” He filled some empty yogurt buckets with blue tissue paper to look like water, then added in a lot of miscellaneous objects provided by the staff for the kids to “fish” for. “I wanted it to be a surprise for the kids about what was magnetic,” he explains.
Brandon had participants craft their own rods with sticks, strings, and donut magnets, and then write down what was magnetic and what wasn’t. The program was such a hit, Brandon plans to add it to the branch’s standing STEM programming line-up!
Spauldings
Spauldings Branch Library Welcomes Back the Uhuru Quilters Guild
In late March, the Spauldings Branch Library welcomed members of the Uhuru Quilters Guild back for the second time to present their work.
“I think people really enjoy seeing such a historically and culturally significant art form, and how it's still active today,” says Spauldings Branch Librarian Teresa Miller. “It's such a tactile art form, so it’s really moving to see everything in person, and to have conversations with the artists themselves.”
Around ten artists presented at the event, all of whom were eager to share more about their process and artistic vision.
“I saw people having great conversations, and coming out with big smiles,” says Teresa. “It was a really good program, and we hope to have them back again.”
Surratts-Clinton
Third Annual Geek Out Expo Draws Crowds of All Ages
This past April, the Surratts-Clinton Branch Library hosted the third annual PGCMLS “Geek Out Expo,” a vibrant celebration of all things geek that welcomed community members of all ages. From video games to tabletop and board games; from manga and anime to comics and comic book movies; from a cosplay “how-to” to a “Bibliobop” costume dance party — there was something at the Expo for everyone to enjoy!
The day featured successful collaborations with community partners like Game Kastle College Park, Artway Alliance, and local cosplayer Beto-Potato. Activities included live game demos of popular games like “Magic: The Gathering” and “Super Smash Bros.,” which can require expensive cards or gear that aren’t universally accessible. PGCMLS Teen Services Specialist Isaiah West spent months working with the rest of the Library’s dedicated, cross-departmental Geek Out team to ensure attendees could explore these and other fandoms for free.
“Some of these things are expensive, and I don't think a lot of people realize just how expensive [fandom] can get,” says Isaiah. “A lot of people have video games at home, but not everyone, and everyone should be able to […] put their friendships on the line at some point to play ‘Super Smash Bros.’”
This year’s event was such a success, the team is already making plans to host the Library’s fourth “Geek Out Expo” next year. Next time around, Isaiah would love to emphasize cosplay even more, ideally with a parade to showcase cosplayers’ creativity, as that element was especially popular this time. Got a fun cosplay idea of your own? Come to one of the Library’s many arts and crafts programs, in particular any that feature sewing, knitting, or crocheting — all helpful in creating cosplay costumes and accessories. Additionally, the Library offers a variety of Manga and Anime Clubs for different age groups, film, and TV screenings for fans to enjoy throughout the year.
Upper Marlboro
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month at the Upper Marlboro Branch Library
For this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Upper Marlboro Branch Library staff decorated a giant bulletin board with an array of small rainbow-colored envelopes that they filled with special notes of affirmation. Following the theme “Find the Light Within,” community members were encouraged to take an envelope and note from the board for themselves, and to then leave new notes of support and affirmation behind for others in the community.
Upper Marlboro Branch Library Associate Dréa Bell was most excited about how engaging the board ended up being. “It was really fun to see all the community members come into the branch and interact with the board,” she says. “It was so busy! We were always having to change all the envelopes, and ended the month with hardly any left.”
