For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today joined other public officials and community members in opening the County’s new $26 million, state-of-the-art library in downtown Rockville. The three-story, nearly 100,000-square- foot facility is the first to open as part of the Rockville Town Center project and will serve as an anchor for the new development.
“As a lifelong Rockville resident and strong supporter of our public libraries, I am very proud of this beautiful new facility, the largest in our system,” said Duncan. “I applaud everyone who played a role in bringing it on-line and am delighted that it will anchor the Town Center project.”
Also participating in the ceremony were: County Council President George Leventhal, Eighth District Congressman Chris Van Hollen; Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo; Rockville City Councilmember Susan Hoffmann; District 17 Senator Jennie Forehand; Rockville Library Agency Manager Dan Beavin; Francie Gilman of the Disability Resource Center; and Library Board Chairman Dr. Lois Neuman. Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Director Parker Hamilton served as emcee.
Leventhal said, “For all of us who support and use our libraries, this is an exciting day. I predict that this library will be a community gathering place, as well as a local landmark for the new Rockville Town Center, and I am proud to be part of this historic day in Rockville.”
Van Hollen called the new library “an important addition to the Rockville Town Center.” He added, “I am working in Congress to take our nation in a new direction, one that will make our country more competitive and bring prosperity and opportunity to all. Literacy and reading are two of the best tools we have in this effort. The library that we open today will allow members of our community to empower themselves. I am proud that our residents will have this outstanding facility to enjoy.”
The first building to open in the Town Square section of Rockville’s redevelopment project, the $26.3 million, three-story facility houses not only the actual library, but MCPL administrative offices, the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Maryland, and the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. Also located on the third floor are the County’s Office of Human Rights and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) of the County’s Department of Technology Services.
Giammo said, “This is a great and proud day for Rockville. It’s special because the opening of the Rockville Library is the first in a series of great days for our City as we move forward toward the official grand opening of the entire Town Square project in the spring. This library exemplifies exactly what we have been trying to create. We wanted our new downtown to be filled with things not found elsewhere, and there is not a library in this entire region that can match the new Rockville Library.”
Hamilton said, “This library encompasses and represents the past, present and future. It has something for everyone and I’m proud to now say, ‘Come in and see, enjoy and use our wonderful building. We’re open for business.’” Following is a synopsis of the services and features in the new library:
Library Services
First Floor Services – new and popular titles, large print books, audio books, public computers, languages, Children’s Resource collection, areas designated for Children and Teens, and a Children’s Program Room. Second Floor – talking books, non-fiction about various disabilities, general non-fiction, reference works, the Business Information Center, magazines/newspapers, public computers and a computer lab, quiet study and group study rooms, a public meeting room and the Ask-A-Librarian services.
Architectural Highlights
Grimm+Parker Architects wanted to incorporate a significant local occurrence – the mapping of the human genome – into the design of the building. The architectural team of Steve Parker, Melanie Hennigan and Karen Erickson achieved this by having the building follow the curvature of Maryland Avenue, with the exterior wall undulating along that curve – a subtle reference to one half of the double helix. The landscaping along the Maryland Avenue façade completes the other half of the double helix. Towers mark two prominent corners of the building. The one at the corner of Maryland and Beall avenues will mark the gateway to the new Town Square, in addition to being visible to motorists on Rockville Pike. The second tower, at Maryland Avenue and the Town Center Plaza, will serve as a marquee for the library. Books/Materials
Approximately 140,000 volumes have been moved from the former library. In addition, 60,000 items will be purchased for the new facility over the next three years.
Technology
There are 22 PCs on each floor for public use, and there is a PC lab with adaptive hardware and software. Wireless Tech (Wi-Fi) is available to anyone who brings their own properly configured equipment. The building also has energy efficient glass and heating/cooling systems. Parking
Free parking is available in the new garage at 30 Maryland Avenue. Contractors
Consulting engineers were A. Morton Thomas and Associates, CEI Engineering and Gipe Associates. The contractor was Rockville-based Forrester Construction. Overall project management was handled by the County Department of Public Works and Transportation’s Division of Capital Development. The mailing address for the new Rockville Library is 21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 310, Rockville, MD 20850. The hours are: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. (September – May).
The phone numbers remain the same, 240-777-0140; TTY 240-777-0902. Ask-A-Librarian telephone reference is 240-777-0001. Library Appreciation Week
In recognition of the ceremonies surrounding Montgomery County Public Libraries two newest branches – Rockville and Germantown – Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan has proclaimed November 27 through December 2 as Library Appreciation Week in Montgomery County.
The proclamation recognizes that public libraries are one of the most widely used services provided by the County and that for the past five years, Montgomery County Public Libraries has ranked among the top 10 in the country for systems of comparable size. It also thanks library staff for their contributions to the lifelong education of the community.
