February 28, 2002
 

Libraries Participating in annual Maryland Day
 

The University of Maryland, College Park, including the Libraries, is opening its doors on Saturday, April 27th to alumni and the families, parents, prospective students, the business community and residents of the surrounding Baltimore-Washington Metro area for the fourth annual Maryland Day. 

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the campus will buzz with activity as visitors join students, faculty, staff and their families for a day where there will be something for everyone to experience and explore.

Last year some 42,000 folks visited the campus and, in the words of an alumnus, “it was overwhelming. There was so much to do here today. It made me want to come back to school." Everyone is invited to this year’s Maryland Day festivities and what makes it especially appealing is that all the activities are free.

The Libraries have an exciting and action-packed array of activities for Maryland Day, something to suit people of all ages. A special feature of this year’s Maryland Day will be the return of Bob Heck, who is known as “Bob The Vid Tech.”  Bob, who captivated the scores of youngsters who attended last year’s Maryland Day, will be at the Big Top Mall Tent from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and then meet and greet and sign autographs for his many admirers from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at the Library Tent. 

At the Big Top, Bob, together with Brianna, his partner-in-fun, will present “The Vid Kid Road Show,” a live musical comedy and a real kid crowd favorite. Both the show as well as the appearance at the Library Tent are sponsored by Friends of the Libraries and University Relations.

With his distinctive green jacket, snazzy ties, and purple shirt, Bob has served as Maryland Public Television's (MPT) super-enthusiastic children's host “Bob The Vid Tech” since 1992. Every day, he appears between MPT's regularly scheduled children's programs to impart short educational lessons on a variety of topics including numbers, letters, shapes, and sharing. Due in part to Bob's incredible comic versatility, he often plays multiple characters in the same scene. 

Bob Heck has been honored three times with the Capital Region Emmy Award (Acting/Performing/Announcing in 1996; and Host/Interviewer/ Moderator in 1999 and 2000). His half-hour VID KID programs have also received six Emmy nominations.

Bob’s appearance at the Library Tent, under the cosponsorship of Friends of the Libraries, is especially appropriate as the Libraries’ National Public Broadcasting Archives contains some MPT holdings including copies of early programming as well as papers and other records. 

Those who visit the Library Tent, in addition to securing Bob The Vid Tech’s autograph, will also find maps, information about other Maryland Day activities, and have a chance to register for a raffle drawing.
The Libraries’ other outstanding and exciting Maryland Day events, designed for people of all ages, include the following:

McKeldin Library

Make Origami Figures at the Prange Collection Office—kids will get a kick out of making origami (Japanese paper folding) birds, insects, and other figurines and view Japanese animated films. While at the Prange Office, parents can see adult and children’s books, comic books, magazines, newspapers, and much more from the world’s most comprehensive collection of items published in Japan during the immediate post-World War II years, 1945-1945.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Government Documents, in recognition of AG (Agriculture) Day, will offer an exhibit on agricultural history and have recipes available for both herbivores and carnivores. Giveaways galore. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Make A Book—One of last year’s most popular activities, come make your own miniature book and learn about the different ways book have been constructed through the ages. Learn why books and paper materials deteriorate and what can be done to slow down the process. In addition, see a model of a deacidification chamber used to treat library materials.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Interact with digital, multimedia, and virtual reality projects in the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Hornbake Library

Interested in Special Collections treasures focusing on Maryland and the University of Maryland history, broadcasting, rare books, and historic preservation?  Stop by to see the original Testudo, rare books and maps, historical photographs and manuscripts, and much more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Take a guided tour of the Katherine Anne Porter Room offered by a Porter Scholar. See the furnishings, photographs, memorabilia, and the personal library of the distinguished author of Pale Horse, Pale Rider, and Ship of Fools.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ongoing.

How would you like to create your own diamondback terrapin? Visit our University Archivist who will show you how.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

What was the name of Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend? Find out what cartoons your parents were watching when they were told to turn off the TV and go outside.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.

Ever wonder how a film is made?  Nonprint Media Services hosts a filmmakers’ showcase! View works by UM and community filmmakers and talk with them about how they made their films.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ongoing.
 

Performing Arts Library

Identify excerpts from classical, music, jazz, rock and Broadway musical at the Library’s interactive workstations.  10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ongoing.

Tour the stunning new Performing Arts Library for music, theatre and dance, attend an open house there, and watch and listen to four great performances on the Bosendorfer 290SE Digital Reproducing Piano, one of only 37 in the world.  Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Bosendorfer performances, 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
 

return to top