Friends of the Laurel Maryland Library
A Branch of PGCMLS at 507 7th Street Maryland 20707
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Laurel Library Events from Marcy the Librarian
The new year brings new events to the Laurel public library! Here's what's happening in January both in the library and virtually. The calendar is also attached for your convenience.
Special events this month include:
Story Explorers: Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagles Reading Ambassadors, Tuesdays at 5:30 pm (elementary)
ASL Conversation Club: Beginner, Wednesday at 5 pm (teens and adults)
Craft and Create: Junk Journaling, Wednesday 1/7/26 at 6 pm (adults)
New Year, New You, New Space: Organization Techniquest, Saturday 1/10/26 at 11 am (adults)
Craft and Create: Bath Melts with a Surprise, Saturday 1/17/26 at 2 pm (adults)
Makerspace Monday: Bookmarks, Wednesday 1/28/26 at 6 pm (teens)
The library will be closed on January 1st and January 19th.
Program registration is generally not required (except for virtual programs) but is highly recommended. Registration allows us to see which programs are most popular, more accurately purchase supplies, communicate delayed and rescheduled events, and more.
Welcome from the Friends of the Laurel Library!
The Friends of the Laurel Library are pleased to provide books and materials for sale in the Cafe Book Store (the glass enclosed area on the left as you enter the Library). Stop by and look at the wide selection of Thrillers, Romance novels, non-fiction titles and children's gently used materials at only $1 or $2. Yes, we raised the prices in July 2026 for the first time in a decade, but it's still the best book buy around. And you can pay with cash or PayPal or Apple Pay.
Book Donations
All of the proceeds from the donated books sold in the Friends of the Laurel Library Book Store are used for Library activities - such as a Play House for children while adults are checking out - board games for kids and support for the Library Staff.
Go to the Laurel Library Events Page
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
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
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.
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:
Family Yoga programs
Staff Appreciation activities
Foreign policy discussions led by local experts
Special Thanks to Generous Donors to the
Friends of the Laurel Library -
Sasha Azeez
Gabriella Alonso
Karen Lubieniencki
Martha Hambleton
AND
Anonymous😉
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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
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 $2.
All proceeds go to support the programs and staff of the Laurel Library.
Laurel Library Book Discussions
7 pm on the Fourth Tuesday of Each Month
at the Laurel Library*
All are Welcome
2026 Books for Discussion
Framed by John Grisham and Jim McClosky July 28
Book for August 25 TBD
The Women by Kristin Hannah August 25
Book for September 22 to be announced
No Sense in Wishing by Lawrence Burney, The Maryland One Book October 27
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner November 24
The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman December 22
*Video sessions are available - Email mike@mdcsr.com for the link
Here's a list of Books Discussed and
Recommended by the Book Group
Challenger: A True Story of the Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Lifelines by Leana Wen
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocum (we're reading another book by this author for May 2026)
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 *
*= Also made into excellent films
About PGCMLS Donor Trees
About PGCMLS Donor Trees
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.
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
Maria Wilder - Vice President
David Whitman - Membership VP
John DiGiovanni - Treasurer
Emily Moser - Member Emeritus
Sasha Azeez - Member
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.
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