For Immediate Release: Saturday, June 20, 2015
The long-awaited, much anticipated new state-of-the-art Silver Spring Library opened today in Downtown Silver Spring amidst a host of local elected officials and hundreds of community residents and library staff, advocates and users.
Located at the intersection of Wayne Ave. and Fenton St. (900 Wayne Ave.), the County’s newest urban library occupies about 63,000 gross square feet on the top three floors of the approximately 90,000 gross square foot structure.
County Executive Ike Leggett led the list of elected officials who spoke about the importance of the new library to the community. “When we broke ground for this project, I said this building would be ‘another cornerstone in the still unfolding character of Silver Spring.’
“Now, seeing this amazing actual structure – at least from the outside – I know that it will be just that,” Leggett said. “So, I am as excited as everyone here today to see the interior, for the first time, for what’s on the inside – from the stacks to the staff – will be an educational cornerstone for anyone who walks through the doors.”
“The new Silver Spring Library is a world class facility,” County Council President George Leventhal said. “From the building’s design to its amenities, this library exemplifies the very best aspects of Montgomery County.”
“This will be our first three-story library facility, in our most urban setting to-date,” said Library Director Parker Hamilton. “We look forward to the completion of the adjoining housing facility and park; the eventual public-private partnership to operate the other parts of this wonderful new building; and a future Purple Line transit stop, which will complete this 21st -century urban campus designed for vital living, efficient use of space and environmental resources, and lifelong learning.”
Participating in the opening ceremonies were: County Executive Ike Leggett, County Council President George Leventhal and Vice-President Nancy Floreen; Councilmembers Tom Hucker (Dist.5); Craig Rice; Roger Berliner; Marc Elrich; Sidney Katz; Nancy Navarro; and Hans Riemer; Montgomery County State Senator Jamie Raskin and State Delegates Sheila Hixson and David Moon; and former County Councilmember from Dist. 5, Valerie Ervin. Representing Congressman Chris Van Hollen was Suzanne Lofhjelm. Also, Director of Montgomery County Public Libraries Parker Hamilton; Director of General Services David Dise; Assistant State Supt. for Libraries Irene Padilla; Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter President Becky Reeve; and Silver Spring Branch Manager Fran Ware.
In addition to the official ribbon cutting ceremony, the day-long Grand Opening celebration featured special programs that will be repeated throughout the coming week. Check the Silver Spring website for a list of upcoming programs.
About the Building
Located at the intersection of Wayne Ave. and Fenton St. (900 Wayne Ave.), the County’s newest urban library occupies about 63,000 gross square feet on the top three floors of the approximately 90,000 gross square foot structure.
Kefa Café, a Silver Spring-based coffee house/eatery serving gourmet, organic, fair trade coffee, pastries and sandwiches, will be located on the first floor by the Fenton Street entrance near the escalators.
The third floor is the entry floor to the library portion of the building with access provided from both the Wayne Ave. and Fenton St. entrances. The meeting room, media collection, Young Adult area, Accessibility Center and main customer service work area are located on the third floor.
Adult collections, small conference rooms and a large quiet study room are on the fourth floor.
On the fifth floor is the children’s floor with an integrated pre-K early learning area, program room, tutor rooms and a dual purpose staff and community large conference room.
New features in the LEED Silver library include:
· Outside 24/7 pickup lockers for materials on hold;
· Pre-K interactive early literacy space with elements from The Burgeon Group;
· Accessibility Center with suite of adaptive software and hardware;
· Coffee bar/café with café seating operated by Kefa Café;
· Powered laptop seating bars on the third and fourth floors;
· Green roof;
· Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners that will check out multiple items at one time and a check-in system featuring conveyor belts in the book drop room and staff workroom that will automatically check in items with both RFID tags and barcodes;
· Tech Bar featuring current mobile and other technology for demonstrations and hands on use;
· 90,000 print volumes; and
· World Language Collection: Amharic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Vietnamese
Some familiar pieces of memorabilia from the old library made the move to the new structure, including the lion statue that is now on the fifth-floor green roof and the historic post office mural that is on the third floor by the Fenton Street entrance.
Construction/Project Information
The building is on a 1.46- acre plot bordered by Fenton and Bonifant streets and Wayne Avenue.
Cost of the project was $69 million, including site acquisition and prep work; design; construction; furniture and equipment; and funds to enhance the collection.
Partial funding for the building was supplied through the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services, County Library Capital Project Grant Program.
The overall building was designed by the architectural firm The Lukmire Partnership, Inc. and built by Costello Construction of Maryland. The interior design was by The Studio of Sandra Ragan.
The County project managers were Susanne Churchill in the Department of General Services’ Division of Building and Design and Rita Gale, Public Services Administrator for Facilities and Strategic Planning with Montgomery County Public Libraries.
Hours, Contact Information
The Silver Spring Library will be open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
The Branch Manager is Fran Ware. To reach the library, call 240-773-9420.
For more information about the library, including a fact sheet on the new building, how to reserve a group study room, etc., visit the Silver Spring website.
Release ID: 15-248