Severn Community Library grand re-opening celebrates its new look

The Severn Community Library on Annapolis Road will hold a grand reopening celebration on March 20 to showcase the completion of the first two phases of a $1.1 million facelift.

The branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library has occupied center stage in the Severn community since it opened in 1986. The 11,500 square foot space has housed many programs and resources as needed by the local population. The library will open March 13 with the event celebrated a week later. There is a Discovery Dock Children’s Area and Individual Study Space for the younger library patrons. This branch also serves as a collection point for military resources as well as various community outreach programs.

The $1.1 million-dollar renovation of the library began the summer of 2018 when funding for improvements was approved by then County Executive Steve Schuh. The library would receive all new shelving for its books and new furniture. A new “living room” space was incorporated into the plans as was a new café space with vending machines. On the technical side, the public meeting rooms were updated with SMART boards and Chromebooks will be available when the library reopens.

“The funding for the Severn Library improvements is a result of recommendations from the county’s Local Development Council, which advises the county executive on the needs of communities surrounding the Maryland Live! Casino and the expenditure of video lottery terminal funds,” said Christine Feldmann, AACPL Marketing and Communications Manager.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works is responsible for the construction project, headed by a construction manager/inspector. A Feb. 22 celebration was initially planned but unforeseen construction issues caused delays.

Phase 1 of the grand plan was the interior construction. An upgrade in the community meeting area yielded two large meeting rooms in place of one, each space with a maximum capacity of 86 people. This necessitated the relocation of the conference room and created a space for a café and vending machines. The conference room and both meeting rooms have been equipped with SMART board technology to further meet the neighborhood needs.

Phase 2 of the project brought new furniture and technology upgrades to the library. In addition to new carpet, paint, shelves and furniture throughout, a new service desk was installed, a new community living room space was created, as well as semi-private study/meeting spaces for use by individual patrons. Chromebooks will be available for checkout within the branch once it reopens for business on March 13.

The final phase of the $1.1 million renovation addresses the library’s outer walls and will include exterior façade improvements. No date has been scheduled for the outside work to begin. The property has received little attention during the last 34 years, requiring only small improvements like carpet, paint and furniture. The Discovery Dock Children’s Area was added in 2016.

Ashley Rogers is Severn’s branch manager and was looking forward to the delivery of new furniture.

“There will be tables and chairs in this center area, and computer tables,” Rogers said. “The new bookshelves are not as tall as the previous ones, so they let in a lot of light. It really makes a huge difference.”

Rogers pointed out the new reception area with its long, curved desk and eye-catching sound-proof tiles accenting the walls providing both décor and functionality.

“All of the rooms are much more welcoming,” she said. “We’ll have individual study spaces in a semi-private meeting area. It’s not separate spaces but the furniture is high backed. It will be a place where two people can sit quietly and chat.”

A new conference room has been added and the library’s large meeting room was divided to create two smaller gathering spaces.

“The meeting rooms were always in constant demand but most of the organizations don’t have enough members to fill the whole space,” Rogers said. “With two smaller meeting rooms, we can actually accommodate more people.”

The new meeting rooms and conference room will be available for booking starting on March 16 for events to be held March 23 through May 31.

The celebration will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 20 at the Severn Community Library, 2624 Annapolis Road (Route 175) in Severn. Invited guests include the District 32 delegation, the AA County Executive and members of the County Council. Branch staff will be on hand to conduct tours of the newly renovated spaces. Guests will enjoy food and giveaways. Games, crafts and a photo booth will also be available to participants.

“We are grateful for the continued support of the LDC, County Executive and Council as we work to create a library that is welcoming and responsive to the needs of the community,” Feldmann said.

For more information visit aacpl.net.