Charles County Public Library to Launch "Drop the Mic Recording Studio" With Special Event

WALDORF, Md. - March 18, 2019 - PRLog -- The Charles County Public Library (CCPL) will host a launch party to unveil its brand new recording studio at the P.D. Brown Memorial Branch in Waldorf, MD. The launch party event will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 4:00 pm through 6:30 pm. The event will include an all-access look at the recording booth, sound equipment and recording software. Local musicians will also be on hand offering demos that will show attendees how the process works, from start to finish. Waldorf hip-hop artist Layna Lae will be participating, as well as guitarist and singer, Matt McKinley.

The Drop the Mic Recording Studio was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant # RE-95-17-0068-17, in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, by the support of the Charles County Public Library Board of Trustees, as well as a gift from the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc (C4CCPL).

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awards grants to experiential learning programs that teach collaboration skills, programs and services that respond to community input and demonstrated needs, as well as those that lead to cultural change at libraries and sustain impact through extending training.

Teen focus groups found that a number of Charles County youth do not participate in any extracurricular activities, and further revealed that young adults wanted a space where they could be creative as well as collaborate and interact with their peers.  The focus group findings determined that a recording studio space would address the needs of our community. IMLS determined that the Drop the Mic Recording Studio would be the perfect fit. The CCPL Board of Trustees and C4CCPL provided the additional funds to make the studio a reality.

"As centers of learning and catalysts of community change, libraries and museums connect people with programs, services, collections, information, and new ideas in the arts, sciences, and humanities. They serve as vital spaces where people can connect with each other," said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. "IMLS is proud to support their work through our grant making as they inform and inspire all in their communities."

The Drop the Mic Recording Studio officially opens on March 20, 2019. It is free to use and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations can be made on the CCPL website at https://www.ccplonline.org/policies/meeting-room/, or by calling P.D. Brown Memorial Branch at 301.645.2864 starting March 20, 2019.

About The Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook(link is external) (http://www.facebook.com/USIMLS) and Twitter(link is external) (http://www.twitter.com/us_imls).

About the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc. (C4CCPL)

Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc. (C4CCPL) is a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to expand public awareness and support for the Charles County, Maryland Public Library system. With membership support from the community, we assist the library in many of its endeavors. C4CCPL sponsors activities, raises funds, and promotes the library as a cultural, educational, informational and recreational asset to Southern Maryland. The funds raised by our activities help supplement the library's budget by purchasing items not included in their operating budget by Charles County. Since our inception in June, 2002, we have provided more than a Quarter of a Million dollars in funds to the Charles County Libraries.

About Charles County Public Library

Charles County Library System (CCPL) has four branches, as well as a mobile services branch that is made up of a mobile library truck and an outreach van. The Waldorf West and P.D. Brown Memorial branches are both located in Waldorf. The La Plata branch serves as the administrative headquarters for the system and is located in the town of La Plata. The western side of the county is served by the Potomac Branch located in Ruth B. Swann Park in Indian Head. CCPL has a staff of more than 90 full-time and part-time employees. Our branches house over 200,000 volumes of printed material, audio books, film, other documents and special collections. Currently, there are over 70,000 county residents who have library cards and that number grows every day.