Friends of the Laurel Library
A Branch of PGCMLS at 507 7th Street Maryland 20707
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
Tuesday, April 29: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
Age group: Adults
event type: Poetry and Spoken Word Performing Arts Fine Arts and Crafts Black Heritage
This National Poetry Month event will explore the lives and legacies of key Harlem Renaissance figures: George Schuyler, Margaret Walker, Paul Robeson, and Jean Toomer. The discussion will highlight their significant contributions to shaping America’s cultural and artistic landscape.
Tuesday, April 29: 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.
Tail Waggin' Tutors: Asian Pacific American Heritage - Held in the Children's Department
Thursday, May 01: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Age group: Elementary (5-12 yrs)
event type: Kids Read Asian Pacific American Heritage
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, May 01: 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.
Chair Yoga and Movement Class for Seniors - Presented by Healthy Bodies/Healthy Minds Yoga
Saturday, May 03: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
Age group: Adults event type: Health and Wellness
Experience a relaxing and rejuvenating Chair Yoga and Movement class designed specifically for seniors. This class focuses on improving flexibility, balance, and overall well-being in a supportive environment. Led by a certified instructor, participants will engage in gentle movements and stretches while seated, making it perfect for all fitness levels.
Saturday, May 03: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Conference Room 1
Age group: Adults event type: Special Event Health and Wellness
Swap plant seeds and stories with fellow gardeners to prepare for next year’s growing season! Participants are encouraged to bring native and homegrown varieties, although store-bought seeds are also welcome. Seed envelopes will be provided to record care instructions and other important information.
Makerspace Monday: 3Doodlers Pens: Butterfly Pins
Monday, May 05: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Large Meeting Room B
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, May 06: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
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.
Story Explorers: Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagles Reading Ambassadors
Thursday, May 08: 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.
Community-Led Coffee and Conversation
Friday, May 09: 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.
Bibliobop: Teddy Bear Dance Party - Held in Meeting room B
Friday, May 09: 10:30am - 11:00am
Age group: Young Children (0-5 yrs) event type: Storytime or Playday
Bring your teddy bear or other stuffed friend with you to bust a move and shake your sillies out. Prepare to boogie, bop, play, and socialize until we all drop!
Monday, May 12: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Large Meeting Room B
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs) event type: Teen Zone Chess/Games/Gaming
Learn and play board games and card games at the library! Bring one of your own or play one of ours! VR games will be available to play for customers over 13 years ago. Teens can earn community service hours.
Tuesday, May 13: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room B
Age group: Teen (13-18 yrs), Elementary (5-12 yrs), Adults event type: Chess/Games/Gaming
Dive into the exciting world of chess in a fun and supportive environment! Master the basics, sharpen your strategic skills, and enjoy friendly matches with fellow players.
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 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.
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 Recent Donors to the
Friends of the Laurel Library -
Gabriella Alonso
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:
mike@mdcsr.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 login and send to Friends of the Laurel Library inc
@FriendsLaurelLibrary
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
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 the 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.