Long Branch Community Library Celebrates 20th Anniversary; Introduces New Services, Programs

ba/longbr.pr 97-110 Contact: Mildred Nance: 301-565-7411

LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY LIBRARY
CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY;
INTRODUCES NEW SERVICES, PROGRAMS For Immediate Release: April 12, 1997

Colorful illustrations of "New Zoo" art animals, the kick off of an innovative reading
skill program, a book sale, a session with a favorite children's author and the introduction of
new technological programs highlighted today's 20th anniversary celebration at Long Branch
Community Library in Silver Spring.
Local elected officials, including County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, County
Council Vice President Isiah Leggett, Councilmember Derick Berlage and 4th District
Congressman Albert Wynn, participated in the official ceremonies.
Special displays featuring illustrations of traditional fairy tale characters and "New
Zoo" characters by renowned local sculptor/artist Phillip Ratner were unveiled. Ratner's
works include the statue of Ling Ling at the National Zoo and his "Ellis Island Suite," a
series of bronze sculptures representing immigrants of all ages, which is on permanent display
at the Statue of Liberty.
The Friends of the Library of Montgomery County presented a check to head librarian
Mildred Nance to kick off funding for the new Born to Read program at the library. Born to
Read teaches parents and those who care for infants and young children -- from birth through
18 months -- to encourage and foster early language skills by using books, rhymes, simple
-more-

LONG BRANCH .LIBRARY 20TH ANNIVERSARY 2-2-2-2

stories, music and other activities designed to stimulate language development for reading.
Proceeds from the book sale held in the afternoon also went to support the Born to Read
program.
Valerie Tripp, one author in The American Girls Collections spoke at a session in the
morning then autographed books and bookmarks. Mother Goose also read stories during her
visit to the library. Demonstrations of the library's new CD ROM system and "Everybody's"
catalog, which will provide graphical interface of information for patrons, were also offered.
Que Bronson, the acting director of the Department of Public Libraries, said, "The
Long Branch Community Library is a very special place, and I'm delighted by this celebration
of its past and of its future."
The library is located at 8800 Garland Avenue in Silver Spring. It is open Monday
and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 1:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Friday
and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about services and programs at Long Branch, call 301-565-7410.

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