(June 1, 2017) Worcester County and Berlin officials, and members of the Worcester County Library Board, will lead a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $6.25 million Berlin branch on Harrison Avenue, Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
The new, four-times larger library will be 12,000 square feet spread out over two stories.
“The current branch opened in 1970 and is the smallest of the Worcester County Library branches,” Worcester County Library Director Jennifer Ranck said. “Several summer reading programs have been held outside because we couldn’t fit everyone inside the branch. With no meeting room and one restroom, we have had to limit the kinds of programs we can offer.”
Ranck said the new branch is scheduled to open by July 2018.
“The new library will provide more space for positive interactions for families and opportunities for community engagement,” she said. “The library will have a wonderful community room that can be configured to accommodate smaller groups or arranged as one large space for programs or meetings. The building includes an expanded children’s area, a separate young adult/teen collection, a local history room, gallery space, a maker space, and additional public computers.”
Added seating and connectivity for laptops will be available and an elevator will provide easy access to restrooms on both levels, Ranch said.
“The Berlin branch staff are looking forward to the new facility and their input has been instrumental in the design process,” she said. “We hope additional staff will help us to provide outstanding public service throughout the new two-story building.”
Ranck said support for the new library has been tremendous.
“The Humphreys Foundation was an early supporter and has given the Worcester County Library Foundation two matching grant opportunities totaling $250,000,” she said. “We have approximately $23,000 left to raise to meet the second matching grant.”
Donations have raised $425,000 through the library foundation, she said, and a “Bricks-to-Books” campaign continues.
“The library has also been awarded over $1.8 million from the County Library Capital Grant Program through the Division of Library Development and Services, Maryland State Department of Education, to help with construction costs,” she said.
“We appreciate the generous support of the Worcester County Commissioners and County Administration. We are grateful for the encouragement provided by the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees, as well as, the expertise of the Berlin branch planning team.”
She said the library also received great support from the Town of Berlin.
“In 2015 the town contributed $75,000 towards the project and has recently waived up to $23,300 in building permit fees and $3,427 in labor fees for electric installation,” Ranck said.
Individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations during the groundbreaking can contact Worcester County Public Information Officer Kim Moses at 410-632-1194.
For more information about the Berlin Branch Library project, contact Ranck at 410-632-2600.
The new, four-times larger library will be 12,000 square feet spread out over two stories.
“The current branch opened in 1970 and is the smallest of the Worcester County Library branches,” Worcester County Library Director Jennifer Ranck said. “Several summer reading programs have been held outside because we couldn’t fit everyone inside the branch. With no meeting room and one restroom, we have had to limit the kinds of programs we can offer.”
Ranck said the new branch is scheduled to open by July 2018.
“The new library will provide more space for positive interactions for families and opportunities for community engagement,” she said. “The library will have a wonderful community room that can be configured to accommodate smaller groups or arranged as one large space for programs or meetings. The building includes an expanded children’s area, a separate young adult/teen collection, a local history room, gallery space, a maker space, and additional public computers.”
Added seating and connectivity for laptops will be available and an elevator will provide easy access to restrooms on both levels, Ranch said.
“The Berlin branch staff are looking forward to the new facility and their input has been instrumental in the design process,” she said. “We hope additional staff will help us to provide outstanding public service throughout the new two-story building.”
Ranck said support for the new library has been tremendous.
“The Humphreys Foundation was an early supporter and has given the Worcester County Library Foundation two matching grant opportunities totaling $250,000,” she said. “We have approximately $23,000 left to raise to meet the second matching grant.”
Donations have raised $425,000 through the library foundation, she said, and a “Bricks-to-Books” campaign continues.
“The library has also been awarded over $1.8 million from the County Library Capital Grant Program through the Division of Library Development and Services, Maryland State Department of Education, to help with construction costs,” she said.
“We appreciate the generous support of the Worcester County Commissioners and County Administration. We are grateful for the encouragement provided by the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees, as well as, the expertise of the Berlin branch planning team.”
She said the library also received great support from the Town of Berlin.
“In 2015 the town contributed $75,000 towards the project and has recently waived up to $23,300 in building permit fees and $3,427 in labor fees for electric installation,” Ranck said.
Individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations during the groundbreaking can contact Worcester County Public Information Officer Kim Moses at 410-632-1194.
For more information about the Berlin Branch Library project, contact Ranck at 410-632-2600.