Prince George's County Memorial Library System

05/28/2026

Celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the United States — also known as, the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — at the “Prince George's 250 We the People Block Party.” At this special county celebration, hosted at PGCMLS’s Bowie Branch Library and the Bowie Center for Performing Arts, community members are invited to enjoy performances, live music, film screenings, panel discussions, activities, games, demonstrations, and refreshments local to Prince George’s County and the DMV region! This event is part of a broader series of events that celebrates Prince George’s County’s history, arts, culture, and more as we commemorate and observe the United States’ Semiquincentennial. Prince George’s County’s history is American history!

Registration and full events line up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-the-people-prince-georges-250-block-partyfiesta-de-bloque-tickets-1984204098873

Join us for the “We The People” Prince George’s Block Party 250! Celebrate community, culture, and creativity with a day full of live music, cultural performances, art activities, historical discussions, and delicious food trucks!

This is a Free family-friendly event welcomes everyone as we come together to celebrate the stories, voices, and history that shape our community. Bring your friends, bring your family, and don’t miss this unforgettable celebration!

05/27/2026

The Fairmount Heights Branch Library will open at 2 pm on Thursday, May 28, due to a special event. // La Biblioteca de Fairmount Heights abrirá a las 2 p.m. el jueves 28 de mayo debido a un evento especial.

05/26/2026

The South Bowie Branch Library will be closed on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, due to emergency WSSC repairs. // La Biblioteca de South Bowie estará cerrada el miércoles 27 de mayo y el jueves 28 de mayo debido a reparaciones de emergencia de WSSC.

05/26/2026

This spring, grab your favorite lunch at noon and tune in to virtual conversations with the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System on topics from repairing the effects of racial injustice to fighting for equitable access to recovering from exile and loss. Let’s learn together!

Lunch and Learn returns with special guests Alix Dick and Antero Garcia in conversation with the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights and the Prince George's County Memorial Library System discussing their new book, "The Cost of Being Undocumented: One Woman's Reckoning with America's Inhumane Math."

About the book:

An undocumented activist and a social scientist come together to tally of the structural costs of undocumented life

An inhumane math pervades this country: even as our government extracts labor and often taxes from undocumented workers, it excludes these same workers from its social safety net. As a result, these essential workers struggle to get their own basic needs met, from healthcare to education, from freedom of association to the ability to drive to work without looking for ICE in the rearview mirror.

When Alix Dick’s family found themselves in the crosshairs of cartel violence in Sinaloa, Mexico, she and her siblings were forced to flee to the U.S. Many of the scenes that she shares are difficult and unforgettable: escaping from a relationship in which her partner threatened to report her to immigration; getting root canals done in an underground dental clinic. But there are moments of triumph, too: founding her own nonprofit; working on films that tell important stories; and working with her co-author Dr. Garcia to tell her story in a framework that lays bare the realities of structural oppression.

As Alix and Antero tally the costs of undocumented life, they present a final bill of what is owed to the immigrant community. In this way, their book flips the traditional narrative about the economics of immigration on its head.

05/26/2026

Tune in at noon to watch Alix Dick and Antero Garcia discuss their book "The Cost of Being Undocumented.” Watch here:

Lunch and Learn: "The Cost of Being Undocumented" by Alix Dick & Antero Garcia

05/24/2026

At this local musical society’s recital, you can celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month while experiencing the serene beauty and harmonious melodies of traditional Japanese koto music. The koto, a 13-string instrument made of paulownia wood, is the epitome of elegance and simplicity, mirroring the tranquility of Japanese nature. Come enjoy a captivating performance showcasing the exquisite sounds of the koto, played with precision and grace.

When: Saturday, May 30 at 1 pm
Where: New Carrollton Branch Library

Info & registration: https://ow.ly/UYPM50Z3jbX

05/23/2026

We've had a great time celebrating this month. Check out these photos from the "Let's Make and Eat Japanese Bento" program last week at the Hillcrest Heights Branch Library. PGCMLS library is more than just a place for books — it’s a hub for culture and learning!

05/22/2026

At this immersive workshop, participants will dive into the world of mehndi (henna art) through a five-senses cultural workshop led by a professional henna artist. Participants will explore the history, botany, and cultural significance of henna across South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African traditions. They’ll also explore henna’s rangoli and mandala-inspired designs, learn how to drape a saree, and discover how to spot authentic, natural henna versus ink-based “henna tattoos.” All interested participants will receive a freehand henna design by the artist; optional bindis will also be available.

Info & registration: https://ow.ly/tI9850Z3iT4

05/22/2026

The Library will be closed Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25,
in observance of Memorial Day. // La Biblioteca estará cerrada el domingo 24 de mayo y el lunes 25 de mayo, en conmemoración del Día de los Caídos.

05/20/2026

Life, uh, finds a way… to the library this summer! 🦕🦖

(Summer Prince George’s is here! Learn more at pgcmls.info/summer ☀️)

05/20/2026

Life, uh, finds a way… to the library this summer! 🦕🦖

(Summer Prince George’s is here! Learn more at pgcmls.info/summer ☀️)