Montgomery County, MD - Office of Public Information - Press Releases

Two Montgomery County Public Libraries Offer New Video Phone Service; Deaf, Hard of Hearing Customers Can Make Phone Calls via Internet

20 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST

In order to provide deaf and hard of hearing library customers with an additional means of communicating with hearing individuals, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has announced the installation of a new video phone service at the Rockville and Germantown branches.

The video phone equipment provided by Sorenson Communications will enable deaf and hard of hearing individuals to conduct telephone calls with hearing individuals via a high-speed Internet connection, television monitor, and a qualified American Sign Language interpreter.

Using video relay service (VRS), deaf callers connect to a nationwide network of American Sign Language interpreters. Callers see an interpreter on their television monitor screens and sign a message to the interpreter who then contacts the hearing recipient on a standard phone line and relays the conversation back and forth between the two parties. VRS allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to communicate in their n ...more

Montgomery County Public Libraries Launches Campaign to Encourage Customers to Sign-up for Email Notifications

19 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Under a new outreach campaign created by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) that will run through the month of December, library customers will be encouraged to sign up for email notifications that can save them time and money.

By receiving email alerts, customers can:

• be notified when items they have requested are ready for pick up, thus saving time by being able to get materials faster and

• be reminded when borrowed items are due to be returned, helping to save money in overdue fines.

During the campaign, library staff will wear “Do you know?” buttons and hand out bookmarks promoting email notification. There will be signs at each branch and colorful reminder signs will be placed on the public computers.

Customers can sign up online from the library computers or any home, school or work computer with internet access, using the E-Mail Notification Link on the library’s website,

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will offer an H1N1 vaccination clinic for adults 18 to 64 years of age who have a chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS and cancer by appointment only on Tuesday, November 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Only injectable vaccine will be available and vaccinations are free of charge ...more

Montgomery County Ride On Now Offers Google Trip Planner

17 Nov 2009 14:51:00 EST

The Montgomery County Ride On bus system is now offering new, online trip planning tools using Google Maps to make it even easier for commuters to plan a trip on Ride On from home, work or on the go. Google Maps now includes Ride On transit route and schedule information.

“We are continually trying to make it even easier and more convenient for commuters to take Ride On, and we expect our new Google Maps capability to greatly improve the Ride On experience for both our existing customers and potential new ones,” said Ride On General Manager Carolyn Biggins. “The ability to plan a Ride On trip from any location should really boost our customers’ confidence in relying on Ride On.”

To use the trip planner, go to Google Maps and select “By Public Transit” and the results will show the Ride On route options for the trip. Passengers can also select a future date and time by clicking the “Show Options” button.

Residents Invited to Participate in Online Chat with County Executive

17 Nov 2009 10:33:00 EST

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will hold another “virtual” Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 19 at 1:30 p.m. County residents will be able to talk with the County Executive and ask questions via the Internet through the County website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. Click on “Live Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett: November 19.”

Residents interested in participating in the online chat can enter questions through the County website before or during the chat. Questions and answers will be available for viewing both during and after the chat.

For more information, call the Office of Public Information at 240-777-6507.

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Volunteer Center, Interfaith Works Invite Participation in Holiday Giving Project; Opportunities to volunteer and/or donate goods, cash

16 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Individuals, families, companies and civic and faith groups in Montgomery County that want to help make the Thanksgiving and December holidays brighter for local residents in need are invited to participate in this year's Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project through donations of food, gift cards, gifts for children and/or cash.

For the second consecutive year, the project is being managed by Interfaith Works, a non-sectarian nonprofit organization with more than 140 member and affiliated congregations that works to meet the needs of the poor in the county. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center, which ran the project for many years, continues to work closely with Interfaith Works on the countywide effort.

The project, which has been aiding low-income families for the past 30 years, is a coalition of nonprofit, faith-based, public and private groups that collect and distribute food and gifts to individuals and families during the winter holidays. A network of so ...more