Library After Dark
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Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave.
VIP Reception 6:00 p.m. (invitation only)
Please contact lad@folmc.org with questions.
At the 4th Annual Library After Dark Gala, we will recognize the library staff, volunteers, donors, and community leaders who make Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) an outstanding, nationally-recognized system. This year we will celebrate the theme of Stories from the Stacks. Libraries tell the stories of our community, offering a broad range of free services to all children and families; a place where we can learn, gather, and create new stories together.
Honoring B. Parker Hamilton
FOLMC will honor B. Parker Hamilton, former director of MCPL and the first African-American to head the award-winning library system. Hamilton spearheaded the Library Refresh Program, which was nationally-recognized by the Urban Libraries Council. She worked for Montgomery County for almost 37 years, and served as MCPL director for 12 years. County Executive Leggett described her as a “remarkable woman.” Hamilton began her working life in South Carolina as a domestic worker, telephone operator, and pawn shop clerk; and ended it leading one of the most innovative and progressive public library systems in America. She earned her BA and MLS from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. “Director Hamilton’s story is a testament to the power of access to knowledge and education,” said FOLMC Executive Director Ari Brooks.
The FOLMC Board of Trustees announced that the Library Professional of the Year Award has been renamed in honor of Hamilton and a portrait by Maud Taber-Thomas will be unveiled at the Gala.
Emcee Kevin Lewis
Kevin Lewis joined the ABC7 News team in August of 2013. He focuses his reporting on Montgomery County, Maryland.
While at WNDU-TV in South Bend, Indiana, Kevin was recognized with a regional EMMY award for an investigative series on panhandling scams. He also received two Indiana Associated Press awards for investigations that led to the resignation of a longtime police sergeant, and exposed toxic levels of E. coli in restaurant ice.
During his time at ABC7, Kevin has reported extensively on the 2015 Baltimore riots, Hannah Graham murder case at the University of Virginia, and also uncovered misspending within the Montgomery County Public School’s Board of Education.
A Chicago native and University of Missouri alum, Kevin now calls North Bethesda home.
Awardees
Susan F. Cohen is awarded the B. Parker Hamilton Library Professional of the Year for groundbreaking work on the Deaf Culture Digital Library (DCDL). Cohen is head of adult services at Germantown Library. Her professional astuteness and ability to garner support for DCDL from key players were noted as exceptional qualities worthy of recognition. Cohen’s leadership and expertise brought recognition to the program both locally and regionally.
The Library Professional of the Year Award was renamed in honor of former director B. Parker Hamilton, the first African-American to head MCPL.
Richard Freedman of Aggregate Industries is awarded the Charles W. Gilchrist Volunteer Award for his role in the company’s long-standing support of the Quince Orchard Library as well as other nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Freedman is the Regional Environmental Land Services Manager at Aggregate Industries and their Quarry Day event provides a fun learning environment for families and provides monetary contributions to the Quince Orchard Library Chapter.
The Gilchrist Volunteer Award is given in memory of former Montgomery County Executive Charles W. Gilchrist, for exceptional service to MCPL through philanthropic support.
Honorary Committee
Tebabu Assefa & Sara Mussie
Beth Daly
Margaret Engel
Carol W. Leahy
Gilberto and Karen Zelaya
Thank you to our generous sponsors
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| Ellen L. Berman |  |
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| AIS Engineering | Capital Bank | Chevy Chase Land Company |
| Cambria Hotel & Suites Rockville | Fitzgerald Auto Mall | Joanie & Larry Friend |
| Arthur & Wilma Holmes | IBM | Aileen Klein |
| Law Office of Shu-Ping Chan | Carol W. Leahy | David & Carla Satinksy |
| Siema Wines | Snyder Cohn | United Therapeutics |
| Rivka Yerushalmi | ||
| Kofi & Awo Ansu | Laura Frene, CPA & Associates | Gary & Claire Funkhouser |
| James Montgomery | Hannah Padilla | Pamela H. Saussy |
| Eric Smith | Tom Thomson |
View photos from our 3rd Annual Library After Dark Gala.
Photos by Dona Jones Photography
