Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

May 18, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PGCMLS: Nicholas A. Brown

                                                           (240) 687-5911

Nicholas.Brown@pgcmls.info

Washington Nationals: Alex Robbins

(202) 577-3205

Alex.Robbins@nationals.com

Washington Nationals and PGCMLS Launch “Imagine Your Story”

Virtual “Summer @ Your Library” Program for All Ages

Largo, Maryland – The 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) are proud to provide creative ways for Prince Georgians to stay connected with baseball and reading this summer. The Nationals and PGCMLS are partnering to present “Imagine Your Story,” a virtual “Summer @ Your Library” (S@YL) program in English and Spanish for all ages that runs from May 18 through August 21. “Imagine Your Story” is the first online-only summer reading and engagement program in the history of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, ensuring that all Prince Georgians can safely engage with the Library and our beloved hometown baseball team as the community recovers from the public health emergency.

In moments of change, Prince Georgians can look to the Library and Washington Nationals as pillars of the community. Both organizations provide entertaining and educational opportunities for connection across generations. More than a traditional summer reading program, S@YL encourages children, teens, and adults to read 30 minutes each day, attend virtual programs (from yoga and puppet shows to musical performances and read-alouds), explore the wide range of streaming movies and music in the 85+ online library resources, and participate in interactive social media challenges. S@YL participants can track their activity progress throughout the summer and earn badges and prizes with a downloadable S@YL game board or the Library’s Beanstack website and app (iOS/Android). All who complete the full S@YL challenge will be entered to win an exclusive Washington Nationals experience (details to be announced in July) and additional grand prizes.

“The Washington Nationals are glad to be the presenting sponsor of this program and to partner with Prince George’s County Memorial Library System,” said Gregory McCarthy, Senior Vice President for Community Engagement. “In these trying times, having access to a good book is more critical than ever and we are proud to help bring the joys of reading to as many residents of Prince George’s County as possible. Combating the summer slide requires families, schools, libraries and the private sector to work together.”

The Washington Nationals are generously making a wide range of online content available for Prince Georgians through S@YL with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System:

“We are proud to be fans of the World Series Champion Washington Nationals here in Prince George’s County and we are grateful for the team’s commitment to supporting the community during this unique time in history,” said PGCMLS CEO Roberta Phillips. “Whether sharing the love of baseball or books, families can turn to S@YL for interactive content all summer long from home or on the go.”

As part of this new virtual collaboration, PGCMLS is shining a spotlight on baseball in the online library with a new dedicated webpage that will feature the Nationals’ online content and the Library’s extensive collection of baseball ebooks, audiobooks, feature films, documentaries, and baseball training videos year-round. The Nationals content is open access and the Library’s online baseball content is accessible with a PGCMLS library card number or a LINK card number for Prince George’s County Public Schools students. Virtual library card registration is open to Prince George’s County residents and others throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Participants can explore suggested summer reads on the Library’s Beanstack, NextReads, and Book List platforms.

Summer @ Your Library is made possible by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and PGCMLS Foundation, with presenting sponsor the Washington Nationals.

Key Details:

  • Summer @ Your Library: Imagine Your Story
  • Presented by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and Washington Nationals
  • May 18-August 21, 2020
  • Summer reading and library engagement program for all ages. Track reading and activities to earn virtual badges and prizes.
  • English program website: pgcmls.info/summeratyourlibrary
  • Spanish program website: pgcmls.info/verano-en-su-biblioteca
  • PGCMLS and Washington Nationals representatives are available for interviews upon request.
  • Graphics package

About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County.

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.