Have Children's or Adult Fiction Books You'd Like to Donate?
Here's your chance! Schedule a meetup with a volunteer from the Friends of the Laurel Library who will be happy to accept gently used children's, easy reading, romance and literary fiction books. To setup a donation send an email to mike@mdcsr.com to schedule a time and place to transfer up to three boxes of books.
April Events at the Laurel Library
Tail Waggin' Tutors: Poetry Month - Held in the Children's Department
Thursday, April 03: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Age group: Elementary (5-12 yrs) event type: Poetry and Spoken Word Kids Read
Build your child's confidence as they read to specially trained therapy dogs. Bring a book or choose one from the library. Each child will read for 10-15 minutes.
Story Explorers: Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagles Reading Ambassadors
Thursday, April 03: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Large Meeting Room B
Age group: Elementary (5-12 yrs) event type: Kids Read
Boost your reading skills and confidence or listen to favorite stories read aloud with Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagle Ambassadors.
Film: "Free For All: The Public Library" - Advance Screening
Saturday, April 05: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs), Adults
event type: National Library Week Love Your Library Films
The story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today's librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all. ~PBS
Monday, April 07: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Computer Lab
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs) event type: Teen Zone STEM
Create 3D printed shapes and models using Tinkercad, 3Doodlers, and more. Come create a dice or create a free style of your own creation. Teens can earn community service hours.
Tuesday, April 08: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room B
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs), Elementary (5-12 yrs), Adults
event type: Chess/Games/Gaming
Learn to play or improve your chess game. All ages are welcome!
Community-Led Coffee and Conversation
Friday, April 11: 10:00am - 11:00am
Conference Room 1
Age group: Adults event type: Discussions
Have a cup of coffee and enjoy conversations focused on relevant and engaging topics. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tuesday, April 15: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Conference Room 1
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs), Elementary (5-12 yrs), Adults
event type: Fine Arts and Crafts
An evening of crocheting and knitting. Bring your current projects and materials. All ages are welcome. Led by the Laurel Branch Library's Seventh Street Ravelutionaries crocheting and knitting group.
Community-Led Book Discussion: "The Beauty of Dusk" by Frank Bruni
Tuesday, April 22: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Laurel - Conference Room 1
Age group: Adults
event type: Discussions
Join a lively discussion! This month we are discussing: "The Beauty of Dusk" by Frank Bruni.
Work and Jobs for Seniors - Presented by AARP
Wednesday, April 23: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Laurel - Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
Age group: Adults
event type: Workforce & Community Development Speaker or Panel Computers and Technology
Get expert career tips and find the job-search tools and professional resources that every experienced worker needs to sharpen skills and get hired.
Saturday, April 26: 10:30am - 1:00pm
Laurel - Conference Room 1,Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
Age group: Adults
event type: Workforce & Community Development
Join us to receive guidance and assistance in clearing eligible criminal records. This process can open new doors for employment, housing, and other opportunities, helping you move forward with confidence. A Spanish-speaking attorney will also be available to assist those who need language support. In addition, we will have wellness resources available to help support your overall well-being.
Welcome from the Friends of the Laurel Library!
HELP - Remember excellent online Library resources are available 24/7 to help the community even when the Library buildings are closed. Be sure to stay in touch with the latest at Prince George's County Memorial Library System
Help Available
Need help with technology? Get help for your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Learn about ways of accessing and searching the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. Want to download ebooks or audiobooks free from the Library catalog? It's all there to discover with a personal 1 on 1 session with a Librarian. Go to this link to schedule your personal appointment:
Schedule a 1 on 1 session with a Librarian
PGCMLS has a policy in place for authors who wish to have materials added to our collection. Click here.
Read a story about the beginnings of Library Systems in Maryland
Support the Laurel Library with a donation to the Friends through PayPal at FriendsLaurelLibrary@gmail.com or on our Facebook page
The Friends of the Laurel Library meets in a video call on the third Monday of most months. If you would like to know more about the Friends and attend a meeting please email mike@mdcsr.com for a link to the meeting.
About PGCMLS Donor Trees
You can be a lasting part of your neighborhood Laurel branch library by purchasing a leaf on our Donor Recognition Tree. Contribute to the work of the PGCMLS Foundation by purchasing a leaf that can be dedicated to a loved one or in recognition of your gift. Donor Trees are made possible with seed money donated by the branch "Friends of the Library" groups in Baden, Laurel, Oxon Hill and Surratts-Clinton. The Laurel Donor Tree is now installed in the Laurel branch. Be sure to stop and check it out on your next visit to the Laurel Library on the wall across from the Cafe area.
About Us
The Friends of the Laurel Library was organized in January 1996 to promote the Laurel Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. The Friends raise and donate funds to the Library for programs, materials and appreciation of the Library Staff.
Specifically, all membership dues, book sales and generous donations go to numerous amenities for the Laurel Library including:
Staff Appreciation activities
Foreign policy discussions led by local experts
Special Thanks to Generous Donors to the
Friends of the Laurel Library -
Karen Lubieniencki
Martha Hambleton
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Laurel Branch Hours
Monday 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday Noon to 8 pm
Wednesday Noon to 8 pm
Thursday 10 am to 6 pm
Friday 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm
Join the Friends of the Laurel Library!
Email: FriendsLaurelLibrary@gmail.com
A small donation and an interest in helping the Laurel Library thrive is all you need to join
Stay informed about the latest at the Library
Email:
mike@mdcsr.com
Donate to the Friends
If you have a PayPal account just send $ to friendslaurellibrary@gmail.com
Or go to our Facebook page and click Donate!
Or mail a check to
Friends of the Laurel Library
717 7th Street Laurel MD 20707
Book Sale
When you are at the Laurel Library don't miss the Friends of the Laurel Library Book Sale in the Cafe area. A marvelous collection of novels, non-fiction and children's books are available. And books on CD and DVDs are also for sale on the shelves. Everything is $1 or $.50
All proceeds go to support the programs and staff of the Laurel Library.
Laurel Library Book Discussions in 2025
All are Welcome
Meetings at the Laurel Library
The Beauty of Dusk by Frank Bruni April 22
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner May 27
The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar June 24
The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld July 22
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman August 26
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood September 23
Maryland One Book Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford October 28
Playground by Richard Powers November 25
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney December 23
Video meeting sessions are available - Email mike@mdcsr.com for link
Books Discussed and Recommended by the Group
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Lifelines by Leana Wen
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocum
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Phillip Wilder
We lost a hardworking volunteer and dear Friend of the Laurel Library in 2023. Phill is sorely missed for his many fine qualities and his years of dedicated, careful efforts on behalf of the Laurel Library. Everyone enjoyed Phill's company, marked by his quick, mischievous laugh, his thoughtful attention and his very caring demeanor. He and wife Maria were most generous with their time and support for the Laurel Library staff. Truly a kind fellow.
Friends of the Laurel Library Board
Theresa Held - President
Emily Moser - Vice President
David Whitman - Membership VP
John DiGiovanni - Treasurer
Maria Wilder Car - Member
Amra Bharati - Member
Mike DiFilippo - Secretary & Webmaster mike@mdcsr.com
Karin Luoma - North Area Director | Beltsville, Bowie, Greenbelt, Laurel and South Bowie Branches
Meetings of the Friends of the Laurel Library are usually held the third Monday of each month. Email mike@mdcsr.com for details.
