Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host a grand opening ceremony for the Surratts-Clinton Branch Library at 9400 Piscataway Road in Clinton on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11 am. The event will include remarks from PGCMLS CEO Dr. Mark Winston, County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair and District 9 Councilmember Sydney J. Harrison, Maryland District 25 Delegate Karen Toles, PGCMLS Board of Library Trustees member Brett Crawford, PGCMLS Interim COO for Public Services Megan Sutherland, and Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council Director of Marketing Communications Kisha Mason, as well as an invocation from the Rev. Kirk Freeman, pastor of Davies Unitarian Universalist Congregation. 
Surratts-Clinton Branch Library had a soft opening to the public on Monday, March 4, after the branch had been closed to the public for five years during an extensive interior renovation. Because of high public interest, the branch opened before the grand opening ceremony. There were more than 600 visits to the branch on opening day, and staff are looking forward to welcoming more visitors during the grand opening, said PGCMLS South Area Director Melanie Townsend Diggs, whose area includes the Surratts-Clinton Branch Library. 

“We look forward to greeting our community partners, stakeholders, elected officials and their constituents, and being able to offer a plethora of programs and services curated by our stellar and creative staff. We are delighted to host the community in our new and exciting spaces, including the Discovery Bay-themed children's room, the Teen Zone, a new conference room and training lab, as well as study rooms,” Townsend Diggs said. “The new Surratts-Clinton Branch is a place for everyone.”

Branch staff will also host programming for all ages throughout the day to celebrate the grand opening: 

• Bibliobop Dance Party: 11:30 am-12 pm (Ages 0-5)
  
• Kids Create: Lighthouses: 4:30 pm-5:30 pm (Ages 5-12)
  
• Trivia Night: Maryland Edition: - Held in the Large Meeting Room 4:30 pm-5:30 pm (Kids to Adults) 

The new 25,682-square-foot interior provides space for storytimes and other programs for larger audiences in its new “Discovery Bay”-themed children’s area, as well as more computers, expanded meeting room space, and “Reminisce” by Carey Dean, a stained glass mosaic near the entrance which depicts views of the Chesapeake Bay from Calvert Cliffs State Park, funded in partnership with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council’s Art in Public Places Program.

“We are thrilled to have commissioned this stunning artwork for the new Surratts-Clinton Branch Library, as it embodies our commitment to making art accessible to all,” said Rhonda Dallas, CEO and Chief Curator of the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council. “We believe that integrating public art into community spaces like libraries enriches the cultural fabric of our community and fosters a sense of belonging and pride among residents.”

Surratts-Clinton, originally dedicated in January 1980, was built on land once owned by the Piscataway Nation. It closed to the public for renovations in the summer of 2019, and construction began in February 2020. PGCMLS hosted a temporary pop-up location at Davies Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Camp Springs during the closure.

PGCMLS’ social media post sharing the news about Surratts-Clinton’s soft open in early March received more than 1,500 reactions, more than 400 shares, and 200 comments on Facebook, along with more than 400 likes on Instagram, making it one of the library’s most popular posts this year so far.

Many of those who commented on the posts were excited to return to Surratts-Clinton after the closure. 

“Thank you. It’s been a long time,” Vicky Simontacchi Young said on Facebook. “Looks beautiful and the kids should love the decor.” 

Others were regulars in the past and were happy to see the changes to the branch. 

“I grew up going to this library every weekend,” Dinah Gill said on Facebook. “It looks amazing.”

Graphics Package

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 book lovers, 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.