MCPS Professional Library and Library at the Universities at Shady Grove Merge to Expand Access to Academic Publications and Electronic Resources

School System Staff and University Faculty and Students to Benefit from Combined Collection

A new resource for educators and students will be available this fall, as Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) moves the contents of its professional library from the basement of the Carver Educational Services Center to the new library facility at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).

The collections of the two libraries are merging to provide expanded access to information and resources for MCPS staff and USG students and faculty. The new collection will reside in the USG library in the Camille Kendall Academic Center on the Shady Grove Campus.

The merger is the result of a partnership among MCPS, USG, and the University of Maryland College Park and will integrate information resources and services on academic subjects with those on education theory and practice. Users of the combined collection also will be able to take advantage of a new facility with ample space for books, journals and other documents, as well as meeting rooms and study and computer labs for training and hands-on experience with electronic resources.

In addition to providing greater access to publications and online information databases, the merger will provide reference services, course reserves, library instruction, specialized references consultation, and on-site use of all materials. Borrowing privileges will be extended to all MCPS administrators, faculty, and staff, as well as USG students and faculty.

The MCPS professional library transferred its collection to the USG campus on July 14. Staff from the MCPS School Library Media Programs are working with USG staff throughout the summer to prepare the collection for use in the fall of 2008.

For more information, contact:

Montgomery County Public Schools
Gail Bailey, director, School Library Media Programs Tel.: 301-279-3215
Kate Harrison, assistant director, Public Information Office Tel.: 301-279-3853

Universities at Shady Grove
Joe Bucci, director, Marketing and Communications Tel.: 301-738-6356

The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is an innovative model for delivering top-quality college degree programs.  USG is not one university; instead it is a collaboration of nine leading public universities in Maryland offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Montgomery County. Established in 2000, USG serves more than 2,600 full- and part-time students.  Participating USM partners include:  Bowie State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland College Park; and University of Maryland University College. www.shadygrove.umd.edu