Rockville Public Library to Briefly Close for Construction

The major construction project to upgrade and expand the Rockville Public Library will cause the building to close for several days next month.

The library, located at 52 Union St., will be shut down from from Monday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 14.

The library will reopen on Monday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m.

Library officials said the closing will enable library staff members to move books and shelves to accommodate the construction work, officials said.

While the library is closed, borrowed items can still be returned to the book drop, located near the library’s side entrance.

The project's cost is estimated at $3 million.

Rockville Bank and the George Sykes Memorial Fund are major benefactors.

Money is also coming from an existing building fund and individual contributions.

State money is also paying the bills.

In all, the library will be adding 6,000 square feet - 4,000 of that actual library space - to its existing 16,000 square feet.

The project includes major accessibility renovations to make the building fully ADA compliant, including an elevator to connect the three floors.

Construction will add a new portico and entranceway, an expansion of the Young Adult Collection, and additional space for the adult collection.

A conference room with up-to-date technology will provide space for new programs and community meetings. There will be new computers for Internet access in the Adult stacks and the Young Adult section, as well as technology upgrades. Locked glass cabinets will allow for preservation and public display of historical documents and artifacts.

The parking lot will be reconfigured to add 42 spaces, including additional accessible spaces.