Nonprofits can benefit from Cooperating Collections

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008

The Cooperating Collections are a nationwide network providing free public access to grant maker directories, books and newsletters on fundraising and nonprofit management, and the Foundation Center's electronic databases.

The Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy. Established in 1956, and supported by more than 600 foundations, the Foundation Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy, connecting nonprofits and the grant makers supporting them to tools they can use and information they can trust. Charles County Public Libraries are proud to have been designated a Cooperating Collection.

Foundation Directory Online Professional, a database available at any of the Charles County libraries, includes information and features a comprehensive database of over 92,000 grant makers and 1.3 million grants. Also available at the P.D. Brown Memorial Branch is the Foundation Grants to Individuals Online database, which allows individuals to quickly search through detailed descriptions of more than 6,000 foundation programs that fund students, artists, researchers and other individual grant seekers.

Librarians are available to show how to use these resources to develop targeted lists of foundations that match funding needs.

Call Cindy Thornley at 301-645-2864 for more information or stop by any of the Charles County library branches.

Holiday hours set

The Charles County libraries will close for Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The libraries will re-open Dec. 26. On New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, the libraries will close at 5 p.m. and remain closed New Year's Day. The libraries will re-open Jan. 2.

All branches will be closed Dec. 28 and Jan. 4.

The P.D. Brown Memorial Branch in Waldorf will be the only branch location open on Sundays effective Jan. 11.

New Saturday storytimes

On the first Saturday of each month, storytimes will be held at P.D. Brown at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 3: Flight of Fancy

Feb. 7: Howdy Partner

March 7: Waking Up

Dial-A-Story is available at 301-934-3552 (24 hours day/seven days a week).

Upcoming performances

Coming to the Potomac branch 10 a.m. Jan. 10, "Grandma Cautionary Tales" with actress Debra Mims.

Coming to the La Plata branch 10 a.m. March 14, Alden Phelps. Phelps is an artist, songwriter and musician with 18 years experience as a performer.

Coming to the P.D. Brown branch in Waldorf 10 a.m. May 9, "Once Upon an Opera."

Board to meet

The next board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22. Look for our sale items, mouse pads, lanyards and earbuds.

TumbleBooks are here

Teach your children the joy of reading with TumbleBooks. These animated, talking, electronic picture books and puzzles are wonderful to read or have read to you. They are free for all library card holders.

Used book store

Check out the used book store operated by the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library. The store is open every Saturday (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the lower level of the La Plata branch. Book donations welcome — with volunteers to help on Saturdays. We will be closed Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.

Book discussions for adults

The book discussion books for Waldorf are:

Jan. 3, Self-selected poetry. Bring in a copy of your favorite poem.

Feb. 7, "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris.

March 7, "Bridge of Sighs" by Richard Russo.

April 4, "Appaloosa" by Robert B. Parker.

If you are interested in joining the Waldorf book discussion, call 301-645-2864 or e-mail mruss@somd.lib.md.us with your library card number and we will place a copy of the book on reserve for you.

La Plata meets the second Thursday of every month from 7-8 p.m.

The book discussion books for La Plata are:

Jan. 8, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.

Feb. 12, "Puddn'head Wilson" by Mark Twain.

March 12, "The Measure of a Man" by Sidney Poitier.

April 9, "Beautiful Swimmers" by William Warner.

If you are interested in joining the La Plata book discussion, call 301-934-9001 or e-mail pfrere@somd.lib.md.us.

We will start up a book discussion at the Potomac branch for those who express an interest. Call 301-375-7375.

We also have book discussions at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center and the Indian Head Senior Center. Check out the senior center newsletter, the Scoop, each month.

Jane Austen Book Club

Discussions are held on the following Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at the P. D. Brown branch.

E-mail Cindy Thornley at cthornley@somd.lib.md.us for more information.

Jan. 25 "Mansfield Park;" Feb. 22 "Emma;" March 29 "Persuasion."

Book discussion for kids

We are adding an afternoon book discussion and craft for third- and fourth-graders every second and fourth Tuesday from 4-4:45 p.m. at the Potomac branch, every second and fourth Wednesday from 4-4:45 p.m. at the P.D. Brown branch and every second and fourth Thursday at the La Plata branch.

The writer is the executive director of the Charles County Public Libraries.