BUP

Toddler Storytime at Connie Morella Library
2025-09-09 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-16 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Get up and get moving at storytime! These 20-30-minute programs are full of a diverse collection of books, songs and fun activities. They are designed to introduce your child to the culture of reading and help develop your child’s language skills. Children are encouraged to engage with the stories and activities, and their grownups are encouraged to participate in the program along with children. ​
Space is limited! FREE tickets are available on a first come, first served basis at the Information desk beginning 30 minutes before the program. Toddler Storytime occurs at 10:30 and 11:15.

Sarah Pekkanen: The Locked Ward
2025-09-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Sarah Pekkanen will discuss her latest novel, The Locked Ward, a psychological thriller about the complex bonds of sisterhood—and what happens when they are stretched to the breaking point.

Trivia Night @ Caddies on Cordell
2025-09-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-09-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Caddies on Cordell, 4922 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Come to Caddies on Cordell every Tuesday at 7:30 PM for Trivia Night. It’s free to play, and there are gift card prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Enjoy Happy Hour prices from 3-10 PM, and half off pizza all day long!

B-CC English Conversation Club
2025-09-10 11:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-17 11:00 - 14:30 | B-CC Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Join us every Wednesday at the B-CC Regional Services Center to practice conversational English in small groups. Share your experiences and culture with other non-native English speakers in a friendly environment. For more information, please view our flyer here.

No Shelf Control - Book Club Grades 4-6
2025-09-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
All readers in Grades 4-6! “No Shelf Control” starts its 3rd year with a discussion of Jasmine Warga’s “A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall,” which features an art theft, friendship, and a turtle!

Welcome to Year 3 of No Shelf Control! If you are in grades 4, 5 or 6 and love to read and have fun talking about books and characters, this just might be the place for you! No Shelf Control meets monthly for discussion and activities related to a book chosen by a librarian just for this age group, freely available through the library, and read ahead of time.
Our first selection for the 2025-2026 school year is “A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall” by Jasmine Warga, which involves a stolen painting, a mysterious girl that only a few people can see, a pair of unlikely 6th grade detectives, a very old and private secret, and a very curious and determined turtle. The author’s previous books include the acclaimed “Other Words for Home,” a novel in verse about an immigrant girl and her family adjusting to life in the United States. “A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall” is currently a nominee for the Maryland Association of School Libraries’ Black-Eyed Susan Award for Children’s Fiction.
You can borrow a copy of the book, along with a specially prepared reading guide for our group, from the Connie Morella Library; just ask at either the Circulation Desk or Information Desk for the book for the next meeting of No Shelf Control. The book is also available in electronic formats from the library’s free services: on Hoopla as an e-book or e-audiobook; and on Overdrive or the Libby app as an e-book or e-audiobook. If you use an electronic version, please contact librarian Jeff Coster (Jeffrey.Coster@montgomerycountymd.gov) to request a copy of the reading guide. He can also be contacted with any questions about the program and participant eligibility.
Over the course of the school year, we’ll read books from a wide range of genres—realistic fiction, mystery, humor, science fiction, fantasy, adventure—featuring characters your age and themes such as friendship, family, overcoming adversity, confronting challenges, sorting through conflicting values and other people’s expectations, and navigating life, school, sports and other extracurricular activities, while expanding their knowledge of themselves and the world around them. We often use new books published within the last 2-3 years and titles from such award programs as the Black-Eyed Susan. Each session’s interactive discussions and hands-on activities will relate to the major topics and themes of the book in a fun and engaging way.
Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Bethesda Reads Book Discussion Club
2025-09-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Interested in joining? The Book Club meets the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, meeting room 2. We’ll talk over the book “Necessary Trouble” by Drew Gilpin Faust.

The book chosen for this month’s discussion is Necessary Trouble by Drew Gilpin Faust, the first female president of Harvard University. A memoir of coming of age in a conservative Southern family in postwar America. It captures a time of rapid change and fierce reaction in one young woman’s life, tracing the transformations and aftershocks that we continue to grapple with today.
Copies of this book will be available at the check out desk, while supplies last.

September's Read to a Dog - In Person
2025-09-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Read to a Dog develops reading skills and confidence as you share a book with a dog. Bring your own book or choose one from our collection!

This program is targeted to children 5 years old and up who have some ability to read aloud on their own. Sign up at the Information Desk up to 30 minutes before the program, for a 10-minute one-on-one reading session. First come, first served. Every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Located in Meeting Room 2.

Beyond the Board
2025-09-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Join us for a night of puzzles, board games, and card games!

Whether you’re new to puzzles and tabletop games or are looking for people to play with, join others in a relaxed evening of gaming at the library. Feel free to use one of the puzzles and games in our collection or bring your own with you!

Yappy Hour at Caddies
2025-09-11 17:30 - 20:00 | Caddies on Cordell, 4922 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Thursdays | 5:30pm-8:30pm
For every Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail purchased Thursdays June through September, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will donate $1 to Warrior Canine Connection, up to $1,000.
Paw-dras | Tito’s Handmade Vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice
Daily Walk | Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lemonade, iced tea
Loyal Labrador | Tito’s Handmade Vodka, ginger beer, squeeze of lime
Salty Dog | Tito’s Handmade Vodka, grapefruit juice with a salted rim
All-Time Furravorite | Tito’s Handmade Vodka, club soda, slice of orange, slice of lime

Author Discussion: Susan Coll
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Susan Coll will be in conversation about her latest novel, The Literati, about a 26-year old who lands her dream job, only to find herself in the middle of a financial, legal and existential calamity. Susan will be joined by author Michelle Brafman.

Bethesda Art Walk
2025-09-12 08:00 - 17:00 | MD
View the artwork, meet the artists and enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Bethesda Art Walk!

Miss Monster
2025-09-12 18:00 | Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & St. Elmo Avenues

Arrested Development
2025-09-12 18:30 - 23:00 | Bethesda Theater, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Dinner & Doors 6:30pm
Showtime 8:30pm

Women Artists of the DMV at The Writer's Center
2025-09-13 - 2025-12-05 | The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD, 20815, United States
The largest ever-curated fine arts multi-venue show in the U.S. comes this Fall to 16 art venues around the Greater Washington, DC capital region as curator Florencio Lennox Campello surveys over 400 female artists actively working around the DMV.
Locations:
Name Opening Reception Exhibition Dates
Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Washington, DC 29 Aug 25 29 Aug – 28 Sep, 2025
Artists & Makers, Rockville, MD 5 Sep & 3 Oct 25 4 Sep – 29 Oct, 2025
American University Museum at Katzen Center 6 Sep 25 6 Sep – 7 Dec, 2025
Adah Rose Gallery, Rockville, MD 7 Sep 25 7 Sep – 28 Sep, 2025
Universities at Shady Grove Priddy Library, Rockville, MD 11 Sep 25 11 Sep – 31 Oct, 2025
The Writer’s Center, Bethesda, MD 13 Sep 25 13 Sep – 5 Dec, 2025
Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, Hyattsville, MD 13 Sep 25 13 Sep – 2 Nov, 2025
McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA 18 Sep 25 11 Sep – 1 Nov 2025
University of Maryland Library, College Park, MD 19 Sep 25 15 Sep – 23 Oct, 2025
Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel, MD 19 Sep 25 11 Sep – 2 Nov, 2025
The Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA 28 Sep 25 Sep 25 – Nov 2, 2025
Children’s National Hospital Gallery, Washington, DC TBA Sep 1 Sep – 9 Jan 2026
Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MD 4 Oct 25 4 Oct – 8 Nov 2025
Maryland Hall, Annapolis, MD 8 Oct 25 4 Oct – 18 Dec, 2025
Melissa Ichiuji Gallery, Front Royal, VA 18 Oct 25 18 Oct – 7 Dec, 2025
Nepenthe Gallery, Alexandria, VA TBA TBA
About the exhibitions: Featuring the work of over 400 women artists from the Greater Washington, DC capital region, this massive survey exhibition is curated by Florencio Lennox Campello, whose curatorial background includes over 200 exhibitions over the past four decades. “This region is not only home to some of the best art museums in the world, dozens of commercial art galleries, non-profit art spaces, alternative art venues, embassy art spaces, etc., but it also supports and fertilizes some of the most unique and creative visual art scenes in the nation,” notes Campello.

Storytime: The Penguin of Ilha Grande by Shannon Earle
2025-09-13 10:30 - 11:00 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
A man rescues a penguin off the coast of Brazil and finds a lifelong connection in this true story about the power of friendship. (Ages 4-7, but everyone welcome!)

Women Artists of the DMV Opening Reception
2025-09-13 17:00 - 19:00 | The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD, 20815, United States
The largest ever curated fine arts multi-venue show in the United States comes this Fall to 16 art venues in the Greater Washington, DC capital region as curator Florencio Lennox Campello surveys over 400 female artists actively working around the DMV.
The Writer’s Center’s Joram Piatigorsky Gallery will host a portion of the exhibition from September 13 to December 5, featuring artists Sharon Armstrong, Lori Boocks, Amy Elvove, Sheila Flanders, Elyse Harrison, Carmen Jenkins, Carol Levin, Megan Maher, Beverly Ress, Carol Rubin, Eve Stockton, Dagmar Swenson, Jessica Van Brakle, and Pamela Viola.

K. Michelle
2025-09-13 18:00 - 22:00 | Bethesda Theater, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Dinner & Doors 6:00pm
Showtime 8:00pm

Back to School with American Girl Pop-Up Museum Exhibit
2025-09-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
A Special Showcase from The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles

Step into the past with a special pop-up exhibit from Blake Changnon and The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles, featuring the beloved American Girl Historical Characters and their “school story” collections.
To celebrate the back-to-school season, we’re bringing you a mini-museum experience centered around rare and original items from the school-themed collections of Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, and Molly. These treasured artifacts come directly from The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles’ extensive archive, which honors the legacy and storytelling power of Pleasant Company and American Girl.
Travel through American history as you explore how each of the seven original Historical Characters experienced education in her unique time and place—from Addy’s Sixth Street School lessons to Molly’s wartime classroom on the WWII home front. You’ll see beautifully preserved desks, lunchboxes, books, and other accessories that bring these stories to life.
This exhibit is a hands-off experience designed to protect these fragile, one-of-a-kind items from the museum’s collection. Visitors of all ages—children, teens, and adults—are welcome, as long as museum etiquette is observed. For that reason, we recommend this experience for ages nine and up.
Come celebrate history, storytelling, and school days—American Girl style.
Registration is required for this event, and will open on September 1st, 2025. Registrants will have the opportunity to view the collection, walk through the exhibit and then enjoy refreshments. Groups will be contacted prior to the event with an assigned fifteen minute time slot to walk through the collection. As part of County Government, MCPL does not collect personal information other than for the purpose of providing programs or services.

In Store Signing: Junction of Earth & Sky by Susan Buttenweiser
2025-09-14 13:00 - 13:30 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Susan Buttenwieser will be in store to sign her novel Junction of Earth and Sky.

Author Talk: Christopher Palmer
2025-09-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Join us for an author talk with Christopher Palmer about his most recent book Achieving a Good Death. Until his retirement in 2018, Chris served on American University’s full-time faculty as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence. In 2004, he founded AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking at the School of Communication, which seeks to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and media experts to create informative, ethically sound, and entertaining work that makes a difference.
“Death is inevitable, dying badly is not. A good death is achievable, and this book explains how. There is an art to dying well that can be taught and learned. While death is inevitable, dying badly is not. This practical guide to achieving a good death will reduce the fear that often cloaks discussions about death and dying and give readers the knowledge and skills to achieve a peaceful and gentle death.” -Amazon Book Description

September's Cover to Cover! A Book Club for Grades 2-3
2025-09-16 16:15 - 17:15 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Cover to Cover is a NEW monthly reading, discussion & activity group for students in grades 2-3. We’ll start by reading “Third Grade Angels” by Jerry Spinelli, about an unusual school competition.

What would happen if every student tried to be the nicest, kindest, most well-behaved kid they could be? Find out in this very funny story of a different kind of competition to start the school year for the third graders in Mrs. Simms’ class!
You can borrow a copy of “Third Grade Angels” by Jerry Spinelli–along with a specially prepared reading guide for our group–from the Connie Morella Library; just ask at either the Circulation Desk or Information Desk for the book for the next meeting of Cover to Cover! The book is also available in electronic formats from the library’s free services: on Hoopla as an e-book or e-audiobook; and on Overdrive of the Libby app as an e-book or e-audiobook. If you use an electronic version, please contact librarian Jeff Coster (Jeffrey.Coster@montgomerycountymd.gov) to request a copy of the reading guide. He can also be contacted with any questions about the program and participant eligibility.
Cover to Cover is a brand-new monthly reading, discussion, and activity group created for students in 2nd and 3rd grade. Each month, we will read a different chapter book that you can check out ahead of time from the Connie Morella Library (or read or listen to on one of our free e-book apps, if available), along with a specially prepared reading guide to help you get ready for the group’s next meeting. At each session, we’ll have an icebreaker activity and discuss the plot, characters, topics, settings, and themes of the book in a variety of different ways, from traditional question-and-answer discussion to role plays, think-pair-share, fishbowl, and more to encourage fun interaction among the participants. Then we’ll finish with an activity related to the book–for example, a small art or craft project or interactive game–to reinforce the main themes or topics. Books will be chosen from among a variety of genres–adventure, humor, realistic fiction, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery–with a range of diverse characters in a variety of different cultural backgrounds and life circumstances. Many of the books used will be from lists of nominees at the appropriate age-level for honors such as the Maryland Association of School Libraries’ Black-Eyed Susan Award and the Maryland Library Association’s Youth Services Division’s Blue Crab Young Reader Award.
We’ll start this year’s program as a hybrid of a traditional book club with a shared read-aloud component. Volunteers can practice reading out loud to their peers the first chapter of the next month’s book, say, or perhaps a short story or poems chosen for their suitability. This program is designed to support students transitioning from beginning readers and simple chapter books into the next challenge of longer chapter books with more complex vocabulary, different writing styles, and fewer pictures, but all materials chosen for use will be in the general on-level range for 7–9-year-olds.
Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

2025 National Voter Registration Day: Tuesday, September 16, 2024
2025-09-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Did you know September 16th is National Voter Registration Day? Now is a good time to learn how the Montgomery County Board of Elections (MCBOE) meets its mission to serve Montgomery County voters. An information table staffed by MCBOE representatives will be available to answer your questions.
In collaboration with Montgomery County Board of Elections (MCBOE).

Beginning Beekeeping with Urban Beekeepers in Montgomery County
2025-09-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Come listen to a lecture about beekeeping and honey harvesting from author and beekeeper Phil Frank!

Have you found yourself gazing longingly at a busy bee, or admiring a flourishing garden? It might be time for a hive of your very own. If you’ve ever been interested in learning about being a beekeeper, this program is for you! Bees aren’t just for the countryside, urban life and bees go hand in hand. Author and local beekeeper Phil Frank will be lecturing on the care and keeping of your very own bees.
Phil Frank is a science journalist and TV producer, writer, and director of non-fiction films. His programs have been seen on CNN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, and Science Channel amongst many others. While producing a National Geographic program about mass animal die-offs, Phil became fascinated by honey bees. In 2014, he started his first hive. Now he has 15 hives on his deck, and one glass walled hive in his kitchen, where he studies busy bees year round. Phil developed and runs websites for the Maryland State Beekeepers Association and Maryland’s Montgomery County Beekeepers Association. He designs beekeeping curricula and teaches honey bee biology for beekeepers.
Copies of Hive Tour, coauthored with Frank Linton will be available for purchase at this event. You can also check it out at the library from our local authors collection.
Questions about this program? Contact the branch 240-777-0790.

Author Discussion: Jennifer Oko, Martha Anne Toll, and Varun Gauri
2025-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
Join Jennifer Oko, author of Just Emilia, a darkly comic, time-bending tale of three versions of one woman stuck in a DC Metro elevator, and Martha Anne Toll, author of Duet for One, a lyrical story of love, loss, and the healing power of music, in conversation with local author Varun Gauri. Together, they’ll explore mothers and memory, identity and time, and transformation in fiction, and share insights into their creative and publishing journeys.

Fiber Friends
2025-09-17 10:30 - 12:30 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
A biweekly meeting for creative people to come relax and craft with each other.

Do enjoy taking a break and knitting or crocheting? What about embroidery? If so, join us and relax in a group of fiber enthusiasts! Feel free to bring your projects and work on them in a laid-back setting. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Questions about this program? Contact the Connie Morella Library at 240-777-0970.
Take a look at Creativebug, which has resources for knitting, crocheting and other crafts.

September's Middle School Book Club
2025-09-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Connie Morella Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
No Shelf Control welcomes ALL readers in grades 6, 7, and 8 for a monthly meeting and discussion of books chosen by a librarian just for this age group and read ahead of time. Anyone ages 11-14 is welcome!
If you are in grades 6, 7, or 8 and love to read and have fun talking about books and characters, Middle School Book Club is the place for you! Over the course of the school year, we’ll read books with a wide range of genres—featuring characters your age and themes such as friendship, family, overcoming adversity, confronting challenges, sorting through conflicting values, and navigating life, school, sports and other extracurricular activities, other people’s expectations, and their expanding knowledge of themselves and the world around them. We often use new books published within the last 5 years and acclaimed titles from such award programs as the Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry. Each session’s interactive discussions and hands-on activities will relate to the major topics and themes of the book in a fun and engaging way.
Each month, you can borrow a copy of the assigned book from the Connie Morella Library. You can also access many of the titles as e-books or e-audiobooks through the library’s free app, Hoopla and Libby. The book for September 17 is SLIDER, by Pete Hautman.
Please contact children’s librarian Joe Farmarco (joseph.farmarco@montgomerycountymd.gov) with any questions about the program and participant eligibility.

Author Discussion: Alisha Fernandez Miranda
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
The author of My What If Year is back with a witty debut novel that takes you inside the world of extreme wealth and charitable giving. She will be in conversation with Victoria Vrana, chief executive of Global Giving.
