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State-of-the-Art Library Opens in South Bowie

After more than three years of construction, the $14 million dollar facility opened to the public in October.

Book lovers in south Bowie have much to celebrate this fall with the opening of the South Bowie Branch Library, a two-story, state-of-the-art library facility and the city’s first new library in 43 years.

South Bowie residents have been advocating for a library for more than a decade. The Bowie Library, located on Annapolis Road, was built in 1969 and can be an intimidating distance to travel for those who live in neighborhoods like Pointer Ridge and Collington Manor.

Councilwoman Ingrid Turner (D-District 4), a native Bowie resident and one of the driving forces behind the new library’s construction, knows how hard it can be for a child to make it to make it to the library when the facility is several miles away.

“As a young girl, I remember traveling from Pointer Ridge to north Bowie to go to the library,” Turner said.

Now, the children in her old neighborhood can all but walk to the new facility.

The county broke ground on the more than $14 million South Bowie Branch Library more than three years ago. .

The green building has tall windows to maximize natural light and images of vines, leaves and trees adorning the walls, glass and trim to bring the outdoors inside. The children’s section of the library also features a large faux tree that is in eternal spring bloom and a Children’s Discovery Room that allows for interactive learning. The centerpiece of the library is a large fireplace adorned with a sculpture by artist Roger Stoller entitled “Luminous Oak.”

Beauty is not all the new facility has to offer. There is also a drive-thru book drop-off, multiple meeting rooms, several group study rooms, a laptop training lab and an iPad dispenser that will allow patrons to check out the tablets for use in the library.

To the library system’s board chair, Christy Wright, the county’s 19th library is more than just a state-of-the-art facility serving the residents of south Bowie.

“It’s about making Prince George’s County all it can be,” said Wright. "It’s about living up to our potential.”

The new South Bowie Branch Library is located at 15301 Hall Rd., just off Central Avenue, and is open six days a week. Hours are as follows:

Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Jenni Pompi (Editor) November 12, 2012 at 07:53 PM
The library has been open for a few weeks now - has anyone checked out any books yet?
Leslie November 13, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Checked out one at the grand opening.
Anitra November 13, 2012 at 12:50 PM
My daughter and I have checked out several books and dvd's. Love the new facility!
Mother formerly known as Auntris December 09, 2012 at 03:23 PM
My sons play group meets there on Mondays for story time. Afterwards we lay back in the armchair and read picture books of his choice.

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