Largo, MD – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is pleased to expand opportunities for the community to engage with the Library from home through virtual programs. While the Library has offered free virtual programs throughout the COVID-19 emergency, there is now more content than ever before with up to 60 programs on offer every week. Regular weekly programs for children are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Adult and teen programs include the weekly Community Conversation series with PGCMLS CEO Roberta Phillips, National Poetry Month event featuring local poet and Board of Library Trustees member Hiram Larew, and a wide range of author and book discussion events.  All of the Library’s virtual programs are listed at pgcmls.info/virtual-events. Virtual events produced by the Library are broadcast on Crowdcast, with select additional streams to Facebook, YouTube, and Periscope.

The Library’s virtual programs frequently feature special guests from partner organizations like Joe’s Movement Emporium, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission, the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations, the Laurel Police Department, and the City of Bowie.

Spanish language virtual programs are now available on a weekly basis. They include Biblioniños, a biweekly Spanish read-aloud program for children ages 2-5, and a bilingual English/Spanish read-aloud on Saturday at 9:30 am. Beginning on Tuesday, April 21 at 4 pm, the Library will offer a weekly “Café a las cuatro” series of discussions in Spanish with special guests from local government to discuss resources and current issues, ranging from Census to Small Business Resources, in Prince George’s County and the DMV area. The program is hosted by Vilma Sandoval-Sall, English Language Learner Program Coordinator, PGCMLS.

The Library continues to commemorates National Poetry Month this program, Poetry of Hope: An Open Mic-Online Poetry Reading, hosted by Hiram Larew, local poet and PGCMLS Board of Library Trustees member on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 7 pm. The event is an open virtual gathering for local poets and spoken word artists to share their work and connect with each other. 

PGCMLS and the Old Greenbelt Theatre are partnering to present the longstanding Storytime on Screen series as a live virtual event on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 10:30 am (beginning April 13). The program is hosted by Heather Jackson, West Area Manager, PGCMLS.

The inaugural Authors for Truth event (Dr. Richard Bell on “Stolen”), which was previously postponed due to the COVID-19 emergency, will be offered as a live virtual event on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 pm. "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home" (2019) is a gripping and true story about five boys who were kidnapped and smuggled into slavery. Made possible by the PGCMLS Foundation. Check out the eBook or audiobook at pgcmls.overdrive.com.

On Tuesday, April 28 at 7 pm, Michelle Hamiel (COO of Support Services, PGCMLS) and Kyla Hanington (Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission) will lead a discussion of Verna Myers’ “What if I Say the Wrong Thing?: 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People.” Check out the eBook at pgcmls.overdrive.com.

PGCMLS CEO Roberta Phillips’ weekly Community Conversation series (Thursdays at 4 pm) provides opportunities for the community to hear from local leaders about the resources available to them during the public health emergency. Each discussion features an open question and answer session. The guest speaker on Thursday, April 9 at 4 pm is Renée Battle-Brooks, Executive Director, Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission.

New virtual events are added on a daily basis. Virtual programs from trusted external organizations, such as the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanic Garden and the Houston Children’s Museum, are listed on the website. Please check pgcmls.info/virtual-events for the latest lineup. Select past programs are available for viewing on demand at facebook.com/pgcmls and youtube.com/pgcmls.

Weekly Virtual Children’s Events

• Live Virtual Read-Aloud | Monday-Saturday at 10 am
• Biblioniños (Spanish Read-Alouds) | Tuesday and Friday at 11 am
• Goodnight with Dolly | Thursday at 7 pm
• STEM at Home | Friday at noon 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Live Virtual Read-Aloud | Saturday at 9:30 am
• Storytelling with ASL | Saturday at 10:30 am (Co-presented with Old Greenbelt Theatre)
• Yoga for Kids | Saturday at 11 am

Weekly Virtual Adult & Teen Events

• Digital Demo | Tuesday and Thursday at 3 pm
• Café a las cuatro | Tuesdays at 4 pm (beginning April 21)
• #PGCMLSBookChat on Twitter | Thursday at 12pm
• Community Conversation with Roberta Phillips | Thursday at 4pm
• Crafternoon | Friday at 3pm

Featured On-Demand Content

• Past PGCMLS Virtual Programs
• ArtistWorks (Music Lessons)
• CreativeBug (Arts & Crafts Activities)
• Kanopy Kids (Streaming Movies/Shows)
• Qello (Concerts)
• Storyline Online (Storytime)

About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County.

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.