Friday, Juanuary 16, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prince George’s Library to Host Keynote Address for Statewide Career Success Month

Largo, Maryland – On Tuesday, January 20, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host the first of two keynote addresses for the Maryland State Library’s fourth annual Career Success Month. This year’s theme, “Stronger Workforce, Stronger Maryland,” explores the ways in which public libraries provide the tools that build employment skills and advancement opportunities, which in turn strengthen Maryland's workforce, businesses, partnerships, and communities.

The January 20 program will feature keynote speaker Jennifer Dewees, president of Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI); co-founder and construction lead of Maryland Apprenticeship Coordinator (MAC); and co-founder of Baltimore Modular. It will introduce attendees to the world of apprenticeship, particularly in construction and skilled trades, and will emphasize practical steps participants can take immediately after the session. Attendees will also learn about MCCEI’s statewide workforce development resources and apprenticeship search tools.

This virtual event will also feature guest speaker Sharon Burley, assistant manager of workforce development at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Baltimore. As overseer of operations at her organization’s Construction Education Academy Trade School, Burley helps bridge the gap between education and hands-on apprenticeships in the construction trades.

This first keynote will stream live at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 20, and will remain available on the PGCMLS YouTube channel following the event. On Tuesday, February 3, the Enoch Pratt Library will host a second virtual keynote focused on AI education featuring speaker Crystal Trice, instructor and founder of Scissors & Glue, LLC.

These two keynote programs anchor a number of special Career Success Month offerings that can be found at libraries across Maryland. A full list of statewide programs can be found on the Career Success Month website. 

Highlights from PGCMLS’ Career Success Month line-up include:

• A “Career Commanders Young Adult Job and Resource Fair” at the Spauldings Branch Library on January 22; 
• A pair of “Workforce Resource Toolkit” programs exploring the free-to-use resources LinkedIn Learning and Learning Express Library at the Beltsville Branch Library’s LifeLab on January 20 and 27; 
• A virtual “Base Camp: Veterans Information and Resource Session” hosted in partnership with the Prince George's County Office of Veterans Affairs on January 28;
• A three-part “KEYS 2 Success” career preparation program designed for young adults aged 18 to 24, co-hosted by Employ Prince George’s at the Beltsville Branch Library on February 3, 10, and 17; 
• A “BOSS UP: Business Owners Success Series Information Session” presented by Prince George’s Community College at the Beltsville Branch Library on February 4;
• A “Job Seekers: Job Skills Improv” program at the Hyattsville Branch Library on February 17; 
• The opportunity to get a free professional headshot at the “New Year: New Career – Free LinkedIn Professional Profile Photo” program at the Beltsville Branch Library on February 18.

These special Career Success Month programs complement the regular workforce and career development resources and programming that are available at PGCMLS throughout the year, including job search assistance, technology and computer skills training, entrepreneurship guidance, and more.

To provide customers with the widest range of career readiness and employment  support, PGCMLS is proud to partner regularly with Employ Prince George’s, Prince George’s County Community College, and other local career-oriented organizations. 

For the full calendar of Career Success Month events at PGCMLS branch libraries, please visit our website here.

To discuss coverage opportunities, contact PGCMLS Communications Specialist Alexis Gunderson at alexis.gunderson@pgcmls.info.

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About the Fourth Annual Career Success Month

Stronger Workforce, Stronger Maryland

January 6 - February 28, 2026

Career Success Month was created and developed by the Maryland State Library Agency and its ​​Workforce, Career and Business Community of Practice —​ a group of library professionals from across the state that ​meets monthly to share ideas and collaborate on workforce, business and career programs and services in public libraries. The WCB Community of Practice includes PGCMLS is co-chaired by PGCMLS Staff Development Coordinator Jaleen Marbury-Walker.​

Library professionals play a significant role in strengthening the workforce by tapping into relevant trends and topics, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), financial literacy, cybersecurity, emerging adults in the workforce, entrepreneurship and trades careers. 

“Stronger Workforce, Stronger Maryland” programs will be offered in library systems statewide, virtually, and in-person, displaying the collaboration across library systems during Career Success Month. The goal of Maryland public libraries this month is to build employment skills and advancement opportunities by strengthening Maryland's workforce, businesses, partnerships and communities.

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is a beacon within its diverse and dynamic community. The Library serves Prince George’s County, Maryland’s 966,000+ residents through 19 public branches, a law library in the County Correctional Center, various pop-up services and events, and 24/7 access to free online resources. As a trusted and responsive community leader, PGCMLS democratizes knowledge and opportunity by providing safe, accessible spaces where customers of all backgrounds can freely engage with the resources needed to build knowledge, literacy, skills, and creativity at every phase of life. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.