Events

Get the babies and toddlers moving to music!

Join us for a fun morning of music and movement for our youngest customers with local musician and educator, Stef Pleasure!

Ms. Stef has 30 years of experience as a music teacher and performer and specializes in infant/toddler and preschool music and movement.

This program is for babies, toddler and preschool-aged children. Adult must accompany children under 8 years of age.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch 240-773-9545.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for a special storytime all about science!

Come listen to stories, rhymes and songs all about different science concepts for little ones! Then stick around as we explore and experiment with activities that highlight early literacy skills during this special extended storytime!

Ideal for ages 18 months to 5 years with a parent or caregiver.

Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

To celebrate the release of their newest Dork Diaries book, mother-daughter team Rachel Renée Russell and Nikki Russell are visiting Gaithersburg library!

FOLMC, MCPL, and the Gaithersburg Book Festival are excited to bring you Rachel Renée Russell and Nikki Russell, the author-illustrator team of the wildly popular Dork Diaries series.

In this sixteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series, Tales from a NOT-SO-Bratty Little Sister, Nikki Maxwell’s diary enters her bratty little sister’s clutches. It’s almost time for school to start again, and Nikki is a little worried—but, as always, she has her BFFS to help. Only, it turns out her friends need Nikki’s help. Nikki quickly gets overwhelmed and even starts feeling sick…which is when her little sister, Brianna, takes her chance to steal Nikki’s diary! How much damage can Brianna do before Nikki is back on her feet.

The author presentation and Q&A will be from 2-3 p.m. followed by a book signing. Rachel Renée and Nikki will only be signing copies of Tales from a NOT-SO-Bratty Little Sister sold by the Friends of the Library Montgomery County (FOLMC) the day of the event. Book sales will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the Second Floor.

Registration is required for this program. Registration opens October 16 at 10 a.m. Please add additional members of your group when you register yourself.

For families of all ages.  Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

If the library’s parking lot is full, additional parking is available in the office building next door at 18310 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.

Author Bio:

Rachel Renée Russell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dork Diaries, an international blockbuster series chronicling the life and misadventures of middle school students, Nikki Maxwell and her best friends Chloe and Zoey. With humor and wit, Rachel’s books encourage tweens to embrace their individuality and always let their inner dork shine through. The Dork Diaries series has been translated into forty-two languages worldwide and its characters are as diverse as the millions of tweens who read the books. With more than fifty-five million books in print, the series has garnered such honors as two Kids’ Book Choice Awards, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, the Milner Award for Children’s Literature, and a Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Book of the Year nomination. Rachel is also the author of a second New York Times bestselling series, The Misadventures of Max Crumbly, which received a Kids’ Book Choice Award. Her daughter, Nikki Russell, is the illustrator for both book series. The mother-daughter team has released nineteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers.

Illustrator Bio:

Rachel Renee Russell’s daughter, Nikki Russell, is the illustrator for both book series. The mother-daughter team has released nineteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers. Nikki Russell graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She taught first grade until landing her dream job as the illustrator for the award-winning New York Times best-selling children’s book series, DORK DIARIES.  She also illustrates for the best-selling children’s book series, THE MISADVENTURES OF MAX CRUMBLY. In her spare time, Nikki enjoys shopping, listening to music, playing computer games and watching the Home & Garden channel.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

By joining this MCPL program, you agree to abide by our rules of conduct. Library staff has the authority to remove you from this program if we deem your behavior to be inappropriate, to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

This author event is co-sponsored by the Gaithersburg Book Festival and Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join Mr. Jon and his Parent’s Choice Award winning music. Get ready for an energetic music show that inspires fun, laughter and dancing! Ages 1-6.

Join multiple Parents’ Choice Award winning musician Mr. Jon & Friends for a fun interactive show for the whole family.  Mr. Jon uses rhymes, songs, books, and puppets for a musical comedy show not to miss. Be ready to jump, dance, laugh and sing along!   This program promotes early literacy, movement, and positive connections.

This program is especially for children ages 1 to 6 and their families.

Questions about this program? Contact the Maggie Nightingale Library at 240773-9550

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

It’s electric! Take part in the Maryland STEM Fesitval and join us for an afternoon of fun as we learn about electricity with paper circuits.

Spark your interest in STEM with paper circuits! You can create paper crafts, elevated with LED lights! This hands-on program will provide children with the opportunity to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to achieve a result.

This program is part of the annual Maryland STEM Festival.

This program is designed for children 8 years old and above. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

All supplies provided.

Registration required for each participant.

Questions about this program? Contact the Olney Library at 240-773-9545.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for a weekly book club for children who are learning to read!

As a group we’ll read and talk about the book together, then children will have the chance to build literacy skills with different hands-on stations with the help of our teen volunteers from the Gaithersburg Youth Center. You do not need to read the book before the program.

For Grades Preschool-1st. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Please note: there is no My First Book Club when MCPS schools are closed or have a half day.

This program is in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Teens and tweens can join us for an evening of board and video games.

Take a break from all the studying and homework to relax and play games. The library will have video games and board games to play!

No registration needed.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

By joining this MCPL program, you agree to abide by our rules of conduct. Library staff has the authority to remove you from this program if we deem your behavior to be inappropriate, to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with tales from the Cherokee Nation!

The Cherokee People have a rich history of myths, legends and folktales explaining everything from the creation of the world to how the plants and animals around us came to look and behave the way they do today. Developed in partnership with the Cherokee Historical Association, Bright Star‘s production introduces young audiences to the Cherokee People through a series of fun and engaging stories.

Best for Grades Pre-K to 6th, but all ages welcome. No Registration required.

Questions about this program? Contact the Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us at the Noyes Library for some fun experimentation!

Join Mr. Sean in adventures in flinging things around! Use popsicle sticks and rubber bands to make catapults strong enough to toss mini marshmallows (also provided!). All materials provided.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for Kitchen Chemistry by Science Connections. Space is limited, registration required. Ages 6-10.

Most of the time we eat our food without thinking about the science behind what we are eating. Join Science Connections for Kitchen Chemistry, a program all about food science. Learn how salt can be important in making ice cream, make edible juice bubbles with extract from brown seaweed, and separate the curds and whey in milk! What you learn in this program will give you something to talk about at your dinner table.  Registration required.

Register online or call 240-777-0200 beginning 3 weeks before the event.  For children ages 6 – 10.

Questions about this program? Contact the Quince Orchard branch at 240-777-0200.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join teen volunteers from Write to Right in a monthly writing workshop where we’ll explore using creative writing as a tool towards social change.

This program occurs on the second Saturday of the month.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. Feel free to join anytime.

For ages 9 to 14.

Questions about this program? Contact the Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Learn about the Native American people’s tradition and the importance of listening. Then, use your imagination & creativity to make your very own personal talking stick.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch: (240) 777-0110

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us as we learn about the life of botanist and photographer, Anna Atkins! Then we’ll explore the science behind photography and even create our own botanically inspired cyanotypes.

For 1st to 5th graders. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Questions about this program? Contact the Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

“Fall into Autumn!” Interactive fun with original and familiar songs, dancing, puppetry with ventriloquism, while emphasizing the current season. TICKETS REQUIRED!

Come join Pam the Kindersinger and her pal, Rascal, for interactive fun with original and familiar songs, dancing, puppetry with ventriloquism, while emphasizing the current season: “Fall into Autumn.”

Space is limited!  Tickets can be obtained at the Information Desk 30 minutes prior to the program.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch at 240-777-0970.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for a weekly book club for children who are learning to read!

As a group we’ll read and talk about the book together, then children will have the chance to build literacy skills with different hands-on stations with the help of our teen volunteers from the Gaithersburg Youth Center. You do not need to read the book before the program.

For Grades Preschool-1st. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Please note: there is no My First Book Club when MCPS schools are closed or have a half day.

This program is in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Explore your creative side & create a masterpiece!

Join us as we learn about Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak whose career spanned more than five decades and included graphic art, drawings, printmaking and even stained glass! Then we’ll create our own work of art inspired by her colorful prints of fantastical creatures!

For Grades Kindergarten-5th. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Take your imagination to new heights with LEGOs®!

Drop on in for some LEGO® play! Build anything you can imagine!

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library Montgomery County.

Questions about this program? Contact the Kensington Park Library at: 240-773-9515.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Join us for an insightful musical storytelling presentation that explores the cross pollinations of African and First Nations people that are at the core of American culture.

To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, join us for an insightful musical storytelling presentation by MWALIM “DaPhunkee Professor” that explores the cross pollinations of African and First Nations people that are at the core of American culture.

Born Morgan James Peters, MWALIM “DaPhunkee Professor,” is a celebrated artist, educator, and scholar known for his mastery of the oral tradition. His diverse body of work spans music, literature, theater, film, and multimedia installations, earning him acclaim as a multi-award-winning composer, musician, playwright, and educator. Mwalim’s storytelling brilliance is rooted in his West Indian/Bajan (Barbados) and Mashpee Wampanoag heritage.

A nationally recognized Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Educator/Lecturer, Mwalim is a founding member of his tribe’s Educational Department and is a trained Parent’s Advocate in Special Education and was appointed to the advisory board for Special Education of the Bureau of Indian Education by the Secretary of the Interior in 2011. He is also one of the only living authorities on the ‘Ahaneenun’ (sacred clown) tradition of the Wampanoag people.

Raised in both Bronx, NY, and Mashpee, MA, he is a mixed-genre artist performing soul, nu jazz, afro house, and funk, and is considered the ‘Godfather of Southcoast Thump & Soul.’ Mwalim entered the music industry in the mid-1980s and gained international recognition with his single “Her Groove” and subsequent releases. He has performed with notable artists like The Four Tops and Dizzy Gillespie, and won numerous awards, including multiple New England Urban Music Awards and a Silver Arrow Award. As a member of The GroovaLottos, he’s received six Grammy nominations. An accomplished playwright and novelist, his first novel “LAND of the BLACK SQUIRRELS” was published in 2020.

As an educator, Mwalim has over 30 years of experience teaching theater, language arts, and music to students of all ages. His teaching venues have included schools, community centers, colleges, festivals, and even street corners, illustrating his dedication to bringing the arts to diverse audiences. His academic career is distinguished by his role as a tenured Associate Professor of English and Black Studies at UMass Dartmouth, where he has also served as Director of Black Studies.

Registration required.

This Contemporary Conversations program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC), Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ), Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR), Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) and Classrooms 2 Community (C2C).

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Build a Mini LED Lightsaber

Build your own mini LED lightsaber with a straw in this quick Star Wars-themed STEM activity. For ages 12-18.  May the Force be with you!

The Maryland STEM Festival is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics designed to advance STEM and STEAM education for children and teens that takes place every fall.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch 240-773-9515

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, MD.

Little Dragon is an immersive Mandarin language story hour for children 6 months to 4 years of age and their families.

Registration is required. Registration open two weeks prior to the event.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch (240) 777-0110

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

An Intergenerational Book Club with the goal of bringing children 9 to 12 and their adult family members together over awesome books.

We will be reading “When Stars Are Scattered” by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson, followed by an activity related to the book. Pick up a copy of the book at the Service Desk beginning October 21st.

Ages 9 to 12 and their family members.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch: (240) 777-0110

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for a book discussion led by Dr. Karen Arnold starting at 1:00pm. We will be discussing Horse by Geraldine Brooks.

Join us for a book discussion led by Dr. Karen Arnold starting at 1:00pm. We will be discussing Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Please contact the Little Falls library at 240-773-9520 if you are new to the group and would like to be added to the book discussion email list and receive materials related to the discussion.

The ebook and eaudiobook are available via OverDrive/Libby: Horse

Questions about this program? Contact the Little Falls branch at 240-773-9520.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Join us for a weekly book club for children who are learning to read!

As a group we’ll read and talk about the book together, then children will have the chance to build literacy skills with different hands-on stations with the help of our teen volunteers from the Gaithersburg Youth Center. You do not need to read the book before the program.

For Grades Preschool-1st. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program.

Please note: there is no My First Book Club when MCPS schools are closed or have a half day.

This program is in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.

Explore different genres of tween literature each month with games, activities and book discussions.

This month we’re talking about Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage; followed by an activity related to the book. Pick up a copy of the book at the Circulation Desk beginning October 17th.

For Grades 4-6.

Questions about this program? Please contact Gaithersburg Library at 240-773-9490.

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County.