Maggie Nightingale Library Reopens with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Celebration

For Immediate Release: Saturday, May 21, 2022

The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Maggie Nightingale Branch located at 19633 Fisher Avenue in Poolesville reopened Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration. The event marked the official reopening of the branch after being closed to be “refreshed” under the Library Refurbishment Level-of-Effort initiative in the County’s Capital Improvements Program. 

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by Deputy Director of the Department of General Services Greg Ossont, Director of Public Libraries Anita Vassallo, State delegates, family members of Maggie Nightingale, and members of the community. 

“With innovative upgrades, that include sustainable features, as well as more accessibility for those with disabilities, the visitor experience at the Maggie Nightingale library has been improved,” said County Executive Elrich. “I encourage all Poolesville residents to come check out the library and take advantage of this great resource, a facility worthy of its namesake, Maggie Nightingale.”

The first public library opened in Poolesville in 1978 and was named Western County Library.  The name was changed to Poolesville Library in 1984. The library moved to the Fisher Avenue storefront in 1991, where it expanded to a second storefront in 2001. It was renamed for community leader, Maggie Nightingale, on April 29, 2017. The refresh for the library includes the replacement of all flooring, new shelving in select areas, a new service desk, painting throughout, additional lounge seating, and replacement of the entry doors. Work was also performed to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“We are so excited to reopen Maggie Nightingale Library to its community members, who we know have been eagerly awaiting this day,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “I hope they will be as pleased as we are about all the new refurbishments.”

The Maggie Nightingale refurbishment cost $1,033,187. KANE Construction served as the contractor for the project. NOA Architects provided architectural services. 

The library reopened to the public immediately following the ceremony. For more information about the refresh, click here. For more information about the library, including hours of operation and upcoming events, visit the Maggie Nightingale branch website. 

 

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Release ID: 22-307
Media Contact: Monika Hammer 240-463-2442
Categories: Library