The renovated Mount Rainier Public Library officially reopened as of Monday, after being closed since 2018.

The updated branch includes a brand new interior, new library books and a new computer system, along with other improvements.

An artist has also been chosen to do a series of thematic murals on the interior walls of the library, a collaborative selection process by the Prince George’s County Public Library System and the City of Mount Rainier in conjunction with Joe’s Movement Emporium.

Shawn Stone, special events project coordinator for Joe’s who helped oversee the selection process, told the Hyattsville Wire they chose D.C. artist Cita Sadeli, a.k.a. Miss Chelove, to do a series of multi-dimensional thematic murals on the inside of the library with the possibility of an exterior mural as well that continues the theme portrayed inside.

Sadeli was selected given her previous work and because of her connection to the Route 1 corridor, having grown up in the Hyattsville area. The desired murals will be presented to the city council on Feb. 17 with the aim of completing the project by the end of March

The library, which first opened in 1952, occupies a window storefront in a historic building from 1915 near the Mount Rainier Circle at 3409 Rhode Island Ave.

Sponsors of Monday’s grand reopening included Pepco, the City of Mount Rainier and the Prince George’s County Public Library System.

Hours of operation are Monday from 3:30 p.m.  to 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Sundays.

In conjunction with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Read to Read Storytime will still take place on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Waterhole down the street at 4004 34th St, aimed at children up to five-years-old.