We are hosting two digital photography workshops in June, one at the Grantsville Library on Monday, June 4, and another at the Oakland Library on Wednesday, June 6. Both workshops, presented by Jennifer Wampler, run from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., and are free and open to the public. These are beginner-level workshops, requiring only some knowledge of basic camera operation. Registration is not required but a courtesy call to the library at 301-334-3996, ext. 117 is appreciated. Participants should bring their own cameras.

“Each workshop will include a quick look at some helpful camera accessories and easy camera settings,” notes Wampler. “We will discuss various mistakes to avoid when taking photographs, technicalities such as file size, and the almighty rule of thirds. We’ll take a stroll outside (weather permitting) for a short hands-on experience. Finishing up the workshop, we will take a look at some photos and learn how to quickly and easily edit them, using iPhoto or Photoshop, to make them picture-frame worthy.”
 
Wampler, who is an art teacher at Southern Middle School, studied Graphic Design and Art History at Frostburg State University, earning a BFA.  She spent a summer in Florence, Italy, where she studied Fashion Design and Color Technique at the Accademia Italiana.  After working in Washington D.C. for several years, she returned to FSU and earned her Masters degree in Art Education.  Along the way, she has learned a great deal about various mediums, with photography being one of her favorites.

For additional information about the programs, contact Bonnie at the number listed above.

Young readers will “dream big” during July at Summer Reading Club 2012. We have a number of events planned around the theme “Dream Big, Read!” From a glow-in-the dark party to programs about nocturnal animals, astronomy, and camping, participants will find plenty of fun and educational opportunities. All programs are free, and children choose their own reading materials and track their progress using the reading logs provided. “Numerous studies have shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss and that children who join the summer library program keep their brains active and enter school in the fall ready to learn and ready to succeed,“ notes Keela Pfaff, children’s specialist at the Oakland Library.

Registration for the program opens June 1. All those interested in attending the series are asked to call their local library branch to register, or to email the following contacts: keela@relib.net for Oakland, susan@relib.net for Accident, sandra@relib.net for Grantsville, and diane@relib.net for Kitzmiller. Friendsville is running a walk-in program of crafts and games during June, July, and August, which requires no registration.

Dates at all branches are as follows:
* Oakland—weekly from July 5 – July 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., 3 – 5 year-olds on Wednesdays (no program on July 4), 6 – 12 year-olds on Thursdays
* Accident—Tuesdays from July 3 – July 24, 11:00 a.m. – noon, all ages
* Grantsville—Wednesdays, July 11 – July 25, 11:00 a.m. – noon, all ages
* Kitzmiller—Fridays, July 13 – July 27, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
* Friendsville—walk-in crafts and games, June, July, and August

Summer Reading Club is a cooperative project between the local Maryland public libraries and the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services. The state also is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.

The Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library contributes significant funds towards the library’s summer reading program. Other local organizations and businesses support the program as well with incentives. And statewide, the Baltimore Orioles, the Downtown Partnership in Baltimore, and the Maryland Science Center contribute tickets and passes to participating libraries.

Do you need to repair your vehicle, or someone else's, or check service bulletins and recalls? Or maybe just learn more about the workings of your vehicle?

You can access ARRC from a library PC or remotely. From within the library, go to www.relib.net, click the Research tab and then the Fix-It button, and then select EBSCO Auto Repair. To access ARRC remotely, follow the same steps, except that you will be asked for a Patron ID (library card number) after selecting EBSCO Auto Repair. Enter the 14-digit card number (with no spaces) in the field provided; for example, 22214000000000.

Stop by any of our branches to pick up a brochure. Call the Oakland Reference Desk at 301-334-3996, ext. 100 if you have questions.

ARRC is provided to Maryland Public Library patrons through the SAILOR project.