Glenwood Library

 I stopped by the Glenwood Library in Howard County recently. It has always been one of my favorite libraries. I loved how they integrated the bucolic rural surroundings and used that in the architecture of the building. When I first went there after they opened, I felt like they had taken a farm, and tossed some of the typical architectural pieces you find around a farm and put them in a blender - which helped design this wonderful rural library that was incredibly modern with a bow towards the agricultural surroundings.

Fast forward several years, (has it really been 20 years since it opened?) and Howard County decided to refresh the branch. From new paint, to new ways of interpreting and using the space, the library looks beautiful. Not only did they update the building and add new technology, they did an excellent job of honoring the architecture of the original building and keeping the more iconic parts of the design in place. 

The result is an eye catching space that meets the needs of the community and offers the very latest in technology. They have added a fabulous maker space along the wall that used to house the magazines, and they have everything you could want to use but can’t afford to buy - laser cutters, 3D Printers, a Photo Preservation Station, a large printer that prints out banners, a recording studio, OZ Bots, Lego Mindstorms - the list goes on and on.  The pictures below capture everything. They’ve also included a dedicated space in the middle of the library with a hard floor where people can eat and drink away from the books and electronics.

I’d like to add that you do have to pay for use of consumable materials. That’s how the library can afford to have them. So, if you want to use a laser cutter on Walnut, you are going to have to pay for the wood. BUT - you aren’t paying for the laser cutter, and the prices are posted on the material samples in the Tinker Space.

I’m including the pictures below. I’m not going to add a lot of commentary, because I honestly think that the pictures speak for themselves. If you’d like to see my original post on the Glenwood Library from 2016, you can find it here:

https://mini-van-mom.blogspot.com/2016/05/glenwood-library.html

Catonsville Public Library

A classic Mid-Century Modern library with the design elements classic to this era, the Catonsville Library is a large, open branch in the Baltimore County Library System.  Located on Main Street, this branch is located within easy walking distance of much of the community.

Here's a few pictures I took recently when I stopped to check out the branch after attending a meeting close by:

The front entrance.  That's Main Street on the right.

I love the mural in the children's section!

The children's section is to the right.  Adult to the left.  This is the adult section.

The middle is a large open space!  Around the outside of the square, you have the stacks.

One of the few pictures I could get of the center without people.

And a close up of the windows around the top of the open space.  Lots of natural light!

Let me tell you - I go to visit these libraries, and they are packed with people.  Attempting to get any shots of any building without any faces in them is next to impossible.  This is just a small sampling of what the library looks like.  Trust me, this place was packed with people!

Baltimore County Public Library Website: https://www.bcpl.info/index.html

Elkridge Public Library

Howard County Public Library opened a new branch a few months back.  I finally got an opportunity to stop by and visit this wonderful new branch.  This new building is located on the same property that housed the previous Elkridge Branch, but it has been beautifully updated!

Howard County has always done a marvelous job of keeping their branches updated and current with the most modern resources and technology.  This branch has something new and exciting - a tool library.  You can check out tools, take them home and use them for the full checkout period and then return them.  Talk about a huge money saving device that benefits the community!

The Elkridge Library is located just off of Route 1 in Elkridge.

As always, I post pictures without people's faces.  As always, I struggle to get enough pictures without people's faces.  For the middle of a weekday afternoon, this place was absolutely packed.   I took as many pictures as I could to get a good idea of what the branch looks like, and I posted what reflects the branch without posting pictures of people's faces.  

Front Entry

The site plan for the library.  I like the dedicated wetlands and green space.

This is the tool library.  I really like that it's separate from the rest of the building.

Library entrance. It's got a very sleek, modern feel to it.

I'm a big fan of the bubble wall along the side!

Look at all of those gorgeous books!

A view of the children's desk.

A view down the side of the children's section towards the teen section.

Study tables.

The cafe area at the very front - away from the stacks!

Howard County Public Library Elkridge Branch Website: https://hclibrary.org/locations/elkridge-branch/

Laurel Public Library

View of the front from the side.

When husband and I were first married, we lived in Laurel.  I was teaching at the time, and I remember going to the library to check out books for my class.  I had gone to high school in Fairfax County, Virginia, and our library was a showpiece.  Even though the building was old, it was light, bright, and you could tell that people loved the building.  I went there about once a month to check out books.  When we moved to Laurel, I was expecting the same.  I was disappointed.  The library was dark.  The collection was limited, and I felt terrible about checking out books for my classroom.  Any books I checked out would have seriously impacted what was available for the community.

Laurel has undergone something of a Renaissance in the years since we left.  It is a beautiful city, with so many things to offer to the community.  The top attraction (in my mind) is the library.  Laurel opened a new library a few years ago, and I had the time to go.  The building sits on the footprint of the old building, but that is where the similarities end.  Let me tell you, this is a huge asset to the community!!

I've posted the pictures that I took as I walked in with a sense of wonderment.  All I kept thinking is "This is beautiful!  Oh my gosh, how fantastic!"  Join me as I walk you through the library with me!  Please note, I took many more pictures, but I don't publish pictures with the pictures of people's faces on them.  So, I don't have as many pictures to share as I would like to have.  The good news is, that library is full of people!  It is being well used!

Rain garden in the parking lot.

Inside the front entrance - the adult stacks.

A side note here - I adore those overhead lights!  They are such a nice touch!

In the above picture, I'm standing near the fireplace.  (Yes, gas fireplace with chairs surrounding it.)  I'm looking back towards the front door.  On the left is the circulation desk.  The semi circle drop down lights delineate the circ. desk.  Look at all of that natural light!

Dinosaur footprints leading into the children's area.

A look into the children's area.  Again, look at the natural light!

Outside of the library, on the left is the children's area.  Straight back is the teen section.

Turn around from the picture above this, and there's an ampi-theater.  Do you see those blue circles?  They are part of a splash pad for kids.

Prince George's County Memorial Library System.

Laurel Public Library Website: https://www.pgcmls.info/branch/location/Laurel

Truman Library and Museum

While it's not a public library, it's still a library!  I really enjoyed visiting the library, and I really enjoyed the ability to put his presidency in the context of U.S. History at that time.  I knew the history, but I don't think I truly appreciated the full extent of what he did and the impact it has had on our modern world until I went through the museum.  We went because we were celebrating husband's birthday.  I was expecting the entire thing to be a yawn fest, but - nope - I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute that I was in the building!  I'm going to share a few pictures below, but I honestly don't think that my pictures do justice to the experience.

Replica of the Oval Office during Truman's Term in Office

The flame outside of the museum.  The Truman family is buried in the courtyard.  See those windows across the courtyard?  That's where the library is. Only REAL researchers are allowed in there. 

The infamous newspaper that came out ahead of the election results!

Harry, Bess, and Margaret!

I don't know if you can read all of the text.  This is the most sobering artifact I've ever seen.  It's the plug from the "Fat Boy" bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.  Remember, Pres. Truman made the decision to drop the bombs.

The document, with Truman's corrections, that recognize Israel as a state.

Library

Husband and I went to Denver recently for a celebration of life for one of his cousins.  The celebration was everything that you would want - full of life, joy, and laughter.  We laughed a lot while we were remembering his wonderful life, and the undying love that he and his wife shared.  We flew out to Denver early - so we had an opportunity to explore the city.  (All on foot).  If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that one of my first stops in the city was the Public Library.  It is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever wandered through!  I'd really like to thank the Roving Librarian who greeted us at the door, and gave us a quick tour of the library.  She was amazing!

A view up to the top of the building from the lobby.

The adult reading room.

In the children's section of the library!

The automatic book return/sorter.

The fossils come included in the marble!  #Ammonite

Curious to find out more about the Ammonite? 

Check out this link: https://www.denverlibrary.org/blog/ross/creatures-walls-fossils-central-library

The G-8 Summit was held in this room back during the 90's.  The press sat around the 2nd floor balcony.

The table that was used at the G-8 Summit.

This is the room where they keep the table now... in the conference room on the 3rd floor.

And this is the view from that conference room!

And look at this beautiful artwork outside of the conference room!

Denver Public Library Website: https://www.denverlibrary.org/