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March 7, 2022, rev. March 21, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicholas A. Brown
(301) 699-3500, ext. 6241
nicholas.brown@pgcmls.info
Largo, Md. – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is thrilled to announce that the new 40,258 square-foot Hyattsville Branch Library (6530 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782) will open to the public on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. This highly anticipated new library continues PGCMLS’ track record of building award-winning sustainable, modern, and welcoming branches that serve as hubs for the community.
Opening day festivities are open to the public and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony (10 am) featuring County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras, PGCMLS CEO Roberta Phillips, PGCMLS Board President Toni A. Smith, Rico Newman (Member of the Elders Council of the Choptico Band of Piscataway Indians), and other distinguished guests.
PGCMLS worked closely with the Prince George’s County Office of Central Services and Grimm and Parker architects to realize the community’s vision for a contemporary and vibrant new library. “The Hyattsville Branch Library is a beautiful, open building that reflects the spirit and diversity of the Hyattsville community,” said Roberta Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of the Library. “I am grateful to all of our partners and customers who contributed to the creation of this space that carries on the Library’s commitment to literacy and lifelong learning, inclusion, creativity, personal achievement, and healthy living.”
Schedule of Events
Opening Day (Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 10 am-8 pm)
NOTE: Face masks continue to be required at PGCMLS buildings for everyone ages 2 and up. The Library appreciates customers’ assistance with maintaining a safe environment for children who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and for customers and staff who have high-risk for COVID-19.
Hyattsville Branch Library Hours
The Hyattsville Branch Library’s regular hours, starting on Thursday, March 31, 2022, will be:
*Sunday hours at the Hyattsville Branch Library will begin on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
New Features
“PGCMLS is proud that the new Hyattsville Branch Library design and features are directly informed by customer feedback that was collected during five community forums,” said Michael Gannon, Chief Operating Officer for Support Services at the Library. “The top priorities identified were to maintain the same location, embrace sustainable design, keep the flying saucer, offer plentiful study and collaboration spaces, expand the children’s area, and increase the availability of computers.”
The library includes PGCMLS’ first-ever vegetative (“green”) roof for stormwater mitigation, first parking garage, and the following features:
The theme of the children’s area is “Discovery Village.” It features elements of classical children’s literature: a castle with a drawbridge, the Three Little Pigs’ houses and troll bridge (where children can sit and read), a friendly dragon, an enchanted tree, and the Yellow Brick Road.
Art at the Hyattsville Branch Library
The Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council Art in Public Places program commissioned two works by Prince George’s County artists for display at the new Hyattsville Branch Library. Valerie Theberge (Mount Rainier) created a mosaic tiled mural below the renovated flying saucer. Curtis Woody (Upper Marlboro), a mixed media artist, created a mural for the branch entrance that honors the history of the Hyattsville community.
History of the Hyattsville Branch Library
The original Hyattsville Branch Library was dedicated on January 19, 1964 and was a state-of-the-art facility for its time with electrically-heated sidewalks to melt ice, a book lift for carrying materials between levels, and noise reduction features. It was the first county-owned library and was dedicated in memory of President John F. Kennedy. PGCMLS’ administrative offices were located at the Hyattsville Branch from its opening until 2015. More about the branch history and new construction is available on PGCMLS Builds.
A limited number of commemorative posters, Hyattsville Branch Library t-shirts, and reclaimed bricks from the original Hyattsville Branch Library will be available for purchase through the PGCMLS Foundation on Opening Day. T-shirts are also available for purchase at pgcmls.info.
About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.