Firefighter Installs Little Library At Glen Burnie Apartments

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A firefighter with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to an apartment fire on New Year's Day at Glen Mar Apartment Homes in Glen Burnie. Something else lit a spark in the firefighter's conscience, prompting him to pursue the idea of installing a Little Library that would house free books for the residents of the apartment complex.

Firefighter-paramedic Brian Holtslander, along with support from the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Association, recently installed the Little Library. He began participating in the Little Library movement in 2015 as a way to give back to the community.

“Putting out a fire isn’t the end of a struggle, it’s just the beginning of a long road for the families affected,” Holtslander said. “Throughout my 17 years of service in Anne Arundel County, I’ve seen various incidents over and over and it never gets easier. At the end of the day, I’m always left thinking about other ways I can make a positive impact in the community.”

The Little Library arrived at the apartment complex fully stocked with books for all ages and will serve as a destination for residents and local community members to pick up or donate books of their choice. Holtslander’s goal is for the residents at Glen Mar Apartment Homes to adopt the library and fill it with books that represent their diverse backgrounds and interests. The library is made out of a recycled newspaper box and has been refurbished and designed to resemble the stripes on the Anne Arundel County fire engine.

“We’re very much looking forward to having a Little Library in our community,” Rommy Karam, regional marketing manager for Morgan Properties that owns the complex, said in a statement. “The books not only provide our 329 residents with new reading materials and a way to connect with neighbors, but also serve as a reminder of the heroes who helped protect our community from a devastating fire on New Year’s Day.”