Library System Launches Program of Automatic Renewals
Beginning today (March 22), the county’s library system will launch a program of automatically renewing certain materials borrowed by library users up to three times, officials announced.
Submissions for Virtual Music Contest Now Being Accepted
Submissions for the Virtual 2021 Make Music Montgomery contest are now being accepted by the county library system, officials announced. The contest, which will be part of Virtual Just for the Record—A Vinyl Day, is open to anyone who lives or works in the county.
County Libraries Will No Longer Impose, Collect Late Fees
Montgomery County Public Libraries will no longer impose or collect late fees for overdue items, according to a press release. Officials will waive all outstanding late fines, allowing customers to resume borrowing materials and using library services.
Long Branch Library Reopens After $4 Million Renovation Project
Long Branch Library at 8800 Garland Ave. has reopened after a 10-month renovation, county officials announced today. The library closed in March 2020 for the project, which cost about $4 million. Due to the pandemic, services are limited to contactless holds pickup service and telephone service.
County Library System’s MoComCon Going Virtual in 2021
MoComCon, the county library system’s annual celebration of everything related to comics, graphic novels and fandoms, is going virtual in 2021, according to an announcement on the system’s website. The all-day, all-ages event will be held Saturday, Jan. 16 and will include art, cosplay and essay contests for various age groups.
County to Open Former Library as Cooling Center During Heat Alert
The county will open the former Silver Spring library location today (July 20) as a cooling center in response to a declared heat emergency alert. The building at 8901 Colesville Rd. will open at 11 a.m. Monday and close at 7 p.m. In addition, the Silver Spring Civic Building has been designated a cooling center today as well, also from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kefa to Leave Library Location, Bump ’n Grind to Take Over
Kefa Café will leave its location in the Silver Spring Library and open a café in the new Wheaton Library, while Bump ’n Grind will take over the Silver Spring spot. “We have been honored for the past five years to operate the coffee shop located on the grounds of the Silver Spring Library,” said Kefa’s co-owner Lene Tsegay in a statement, “and we are proud to have established a precedent for creating a welcoming and supportive community space for library customers.”
Takoma Park Seeks Citizen Preferences for Library Exterior Design
The City of Takoma Park is asking citizens to take a survey to indicate their preference for the exterior design of a renovated and reconstructed library, officials announced. The survey provides a review of three designs submitted to the City Council in February by RRMM Lukmire Architects. The presentation included a project cost estimate of more than $8 million for each design.
Some Restrictions on Parks, Libraries Lifted This Week
The county’s parks and library branches this week will begin lifting some restrictions imposed as part of the COVID-19 lockdown and offering certain services and amenities. Beginning today (June 29), Montgomery Parks will be reopening playgrounds to patrons under certain guidelines, and library book drops will open for returns (with some exceptions).