Glenwood Library Branch In HoCo Reopens Dec. 4 After 14-Month-Long Renovation Project

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — After undergoing a 14-month-long renovation project, Howard County Library System's Glenwood branch will reopen with a celebratory ribbon cutting Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aikens and other dignitaries will be on hand to welcome the community back to the branch, which is located at 2350 MD-97, Cooksville.

The renovated Glenwood branch will include:

• Two new multiuse studios, enabling instructors to teach more classes for all ages and giving the community more space for public meetings.
• New customer service and self-service areas, enabling customers to pick up their own holds.
• New passport office for greater confidentiality.
• Renovated vending café area in a new central location, serving as a snack area, collaborative and social space.
• Refreshed children and teen areas with new seating and relocated children’s information desk.
• New flooring in the teen, adult, studio, study, café and makerspace areas.
• A new outdoor patio.
• A makerspace, featuring 3D printers, a digital memory station, large format printer, laser cutter engraver, recording booth and tinker bins.

“We are grateful to the community for their support and patience throughout the project and are excited for them to experience what we have been able to do with a limited budget,” Aikens said. “In the best of times, construction and renovation projects often experience delays. In a pandemic, however, the delays are compounded by staffing and supply-chain issues. Our team worked strategically to maintain contactless pickup of materials throughout the project and to resume children’s classes once it was safe to do so. We know how much our community values and needs the library and we are thrilled to fully welcome customers back into the branch now that the most essential items are in place.”

The new makerspace will feature two 3D printers, a digital memory station where customers can convert VHS tapes and DVDs to digital files, a large format printer, a laser cutter engraver, a recording booth and bins filled with tinker items.

“We invite makers and curious minds of all ages to experience, learn and create with these new tools,” Aikens said. “The new makerspace exemplifies our commitment to providing the space and resources to leverage community assets through enhanced educational opportunities that foster exploration, collaboration, and creation.”

In the children’s area, a builders’ barn features age-appropriate supplies and activities for children to design and create. Still to come are interactive learning spaces that encourage young children to learn through play. These new spaces, planned to arrive in early 2022, are specifically designed to teach pre-literacy skills.

In addition, customers will be able to browse and borrow selected artworks from HCLS’ art education collection.