Bladensburg Library 

Follow the progress of the library on the PGCMLS Builds webpage, https://www.pgcmls.info/Bladensburg

On October 20, 2021, I had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking of the new Bladensburg Library. One of my priorities, when I was first elected, was to push for the Bladensburg Library to be replaced.

I’d like to thank Roberta Phillips, Michael Gannon, Stan Earley, Jonathan Butler, and anyone I may have forgotten for all their work in making this happen. 

This groundbreaking is taking place a little over a year past when I’d hoped and we’d all planned. There was this little thing called Covid that threw in a monkey wrench, and it took longer than expected to find temporary space for the library. The good news is we are here today, and we’re actually getting started!

A library is more than just a building that holds books. This new building, which will be three times the size of the old one, will serve in many ways as an important foundation for our community. A good library can be a magical place for children. When they learn to read, they can go on wonderful adventures. Learning to read opens the whole world for them, and library story hours can be the beginning for children of opening the magic window of reading. And, this building will have librarians. Librarians are treasures, who provide help and information. My step-mom and my mother-in-law were both librarians, so I’ve had insight into how passionate librarians are about helping people get access to all the books and resources.

Our new library will have a two-sided fireplace, a private room for mothers who are breastfeeding, two giant glass curtain walls that will let in lots of light, and a nautical-themed children’s room with an authentic ship’s wheel, and boat-shaped reading nooks. It will be certified LEED Silver because it will have rooftop solar panels, electric-car charging stations, and energy-efficient HVAC and lighting. Importantly, it will provide access to computers for those who need them and many other services.

Albert Einstein said, "The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." I’m thrilled that this one will be right here in Bladensburg.