After several delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and permitting issues, the new 40,000 square-foot Hyattsville Branch Library at 6530 Adelphi Rd. is holding its grand opening today, Wednesday, March 30.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off at 10 a.m. with local and county officials including remarks by Roberta Phillips, chief executive officer of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and the honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks, county executive of Prince George’s County. Sainey Cessay, the 2021 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate, also gave remarks.
Today’s festivities, which are open to the public, are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and include library tours, bilingual story time, a scavenger hunt, hands-on activities throughout the new library as well as giveaways.
Inside are several amenities that parents, especially, will appreciate, including a family restroom, private “comfort room” for mothers who are nursing, and a fairy tale-themed children’s area complete with a suit of armor and a castle and even a teen room.
The kids area also features a yellow brick road inspired by “The Wizard of Oz,” reading nooks inspired by the Three Little Pigs and private rooms where children can meet with tutors.
Another area aimed at teens has a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard, dedicated computers, and a game room. There’s are even 3D printing services which can be reserved for $1.00 an hour.
Other features at the library include a small cafe area; two fireplaces; a revamped Prince George’s Room focusing on local history and genealogy; and meeting rooms, study rooms and an art room with butcher block table.
Commissioned art installations at the library feature work by Valerie Theberge, who created an outdoor mosaic tiled mural below the renovated flying saucer, and Curtis Woody, who created an 8 x 20 foot mixed-media mural inside at the entrance of the library titled “Connecting the Faces of History,” honoring the history of Hyattsville and the greater community.
There are also some high-tech features including rooftop solar panels, USB outlets and standard plugs at every seat and table, a learning lab with a 3D printer, 24-hour Wi-Fi access and a backup generator in case of emergencies. The new branch also has on site 84 public computers, which is the most for any library in the county.
Available to purchase at the grand opening are limited edition Hyattsville Branch Library merchandise, including a poster in partnership with Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville and a Vigilante Coffee “Pride of Prince George” blend, to benefit the PGCMLS Foundation.
Upcoming events at the new library include:
-Fridays in April: Ready 2 Read Storytime, Ages 3-5 (outdoors) at 10:30 a.m.
-April 2: Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime, Ages 3-5 (outdoors) at 10:30 a.m.
-April 5: Legos Creative Club (outdoors) at 4 p.m.
-April 12: STEM-tastic (outdoors) at 4 p.m.
-April 19: Board Game Fun (outdoors) at 4 p.m.
-April 26: Story Explorers at 4 p.m.
-April 21 and 28: Teen Action Group (TAG) (outdoors) at 4 p.m.
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