For Immediate Release: Saturday, April 15, 2023
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Evan Glass today joined Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), other officials and community members for ceremonies to reopen the Potomac Library. The branch has been closed since May 22, 2022, for significant renovations.
The Potomac Library, which is located at 10101 Glenolden Dr. in Potomac, is the 13th library to be refurbished in the County’s program to keep all of its 21 branches up to date.
The library was built in 1985. The project to refurbish the 16,000-square-foot library was budgeted for $3.5 million and was completed on-budget. The contractor was CDCI. The project architect was A/E, Hughes Architect Group.
“Libraries are the fabric of many communities and we are excited the Potomac Library has reopened,” said County Executive Elrich. “I looked around, and as a former elementary school teacher, I thought: ‘What a great place this is to learn. To read. And to explore worlds that are beyond an individual’s imagination.’ I know some people think that because of technology that libraries would go away. That is hardly the case. We look at every library and see opportunities to enhance the lives of community members of all ages and interests."
Among those attending today’s ceremonies were County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Kristin Mink and Laurie-Anne Sayles. All members of the Maryland State District 16 Delegation attended, including Senator Ariana Kelly and Delegates Marc Korman, Sara Love and Sarah Wolek. The Winston Churchill Jazz Ensemble performed as part of the reopening event.
The refurbished library opened with more than 60,000 books on its new shelves.
The renovation work included the replacement of all flooring, reconfiguration and updating of shelving, painting throughout, a new service desk, new lighting, redesign of the children’s reading nook, installation of security equipment, the addition of lounge seating and study areas, replacement of the entry doors, creation of a family restroom and the updating of interior and exterior signs.
Work also was performed to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
More information about the Potomac Library, including its operating hours, is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Library/branches/potomac.html.
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