Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Kate Stewart, other County Councilmembers, Kensington Mayor Tracey Furman, and State and local elected officials hosted the community at a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the Noyes Library for Young Children on Saturday, May 9.
Located at 10237 Carroll Place in Kensington, the Noyes Library is a small, historically designated library dedicated to pre-kindergarten and early literacy education. Its small scale creates a signature experience for young children. However, the current building is not accessible and lacks adequate staff space, restroom facilities, and meeting space to fully support its mission.
“Libraries are one of the most important public investments we can make, especially for children,” said County Executive Elrich. “The Noyes Library for Young Children is the heart of Kensington. It serves as the social and cultural center of the community and as a place that welcomes families to read and play together, however, we recognized the building is outdated and no longer serves the needs of everyone in the community. Renovating the historic Noyes Library will prepare it for a more equitable and inclusive future; transforming the facility so we can expand programming and services for every child and family who walks through its doors.”
The Montgomery County Department of General Services (DGS) is providing design and permit coordination and will oversee construction and coordination of the project. Following completion, DGS will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the facility.
“I am so excited that we are breathing new life into the Noyes Library for Young Children with this rehabilitation and renovation project, while also maintaining the historic charm that brings residents and families to visit this unique community gathering space,” said County Council President Natali Fani-González. “As one of the few public libraries dedicated to children across our nation, this library plays an important role in promoting early literacy for our youngest learners. I look forward to the completion of this project, so even more children and their families can take advantage of this beloved community treasure.”
The Noyes Library is one of only eight libraries in the United States dedicated exclusively to serving children and their families.
“The Noyes Children’s library is a one-of-a-kind jewel of the community and the oldest library in the DC area,” said County Councilmember Stewart. “As the District Councilmember, I have heard firsthand how important this Library is to the residents of Kensington and Montgomery County. This has been a long process and I am thankful to all of the stakeholders, particularly the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation, who have worked tirelessly to advocate on keeping this Library operating as well as ensure that the space is welcoming for everyone.”
The library opened in 1893 and predates the Library of Congress’ Jefferson building, completed in 1897, by four years. For generations of children in the Kensington area, the Noyes Library has been their first introduction to imagination, which can inspire a love of learning, and a lifelong relationship with books.
“The Noyes Children’s Library is a cherished and beloved cornerstone for families in Kensington and throughout the region. We are so pleased to partner with the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation and the County to secure funding for this long overdue upgrade, which will enhance accessibility for our community while greatly expanding the library’s reach and mission. When completed, Noyes Children’s Library will continue to be a destination for families and educators and ultimately a national model for early learning and literacy,” said members of the District 18 delegation — Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher, Del. Aaron Kaufman, Del. Emily Shetty, and Del. Jared Solomon.
Funding for the project is provided through Montgomery County General Obligation Bonds, along with contributions from the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation, and State of Maryland bonds, and the Town of Kensington.
“We are so thrilled that the renovation of the Noyes Children’s Library has officially begun,” said Kensington Mayor Furman. “This project represents a significant investment by the State, Montgomery County, the Noyes Library Foundation and its donors, along with the Town of Kensington. Once completed, the library will greatly enhance literacy services with the addition of the Jan Jablonski Early Literacy Training Center. We look forward to the positive impact our historic library will have on our county’s youngest residents and their families.”
The renovation project will make critical, equitable and inclusive improvements to upgrade the historic library, while preserving its unique, small-scale character, including:
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- Ensuring the facility is fully accessible for patrons and staff.
- Providing new ADA-compliant restrooms for the public and staff.
- Converting the attic into a finished second floor to provide a dedicated space for library staff.
- Renovating the original first-floor library room.
- Creating a finished basement to add more space for community programs.
- Adding an elevator for universal access.
Once complete, the rehabilitated facility will accommodate expanded programming and services for all, providing equitable access to information, opportunity, and the community.
“This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of hopes, plans, and persistence finally becoming reality,” said DGS Director David Dise. “The Noyes Library project is dear to the community in which it is located, and we are proud to begin the work. Even more so, we look forward to its completion. We know it will be the realization of an older generation’s dreams, and an inspiration to a new generation of children.”
The Noyes Library will close temporarily at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, for the renovation. The library is expected to remain closed for approximately 14 to 16 months and anticipated to reopen in fall 2027.
“The groundbreaking and renovation of the Noyes Library for Young Children represent an important investment in early literacy and in the families we serve across Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Director Darcell Graham. “This project will preserve the historic character of this beloved community resource while creating a more accessible, modern space that supports innovative programming and lifelong learning. We are excited to reimagine Noyes as a vibrant resource that will inspire young readers and strengthen our community for generations to come.”
During the closure, customers are encouraged to visit nearby branches for continued service. Kensington Park Library, the closest branch to Noyes, offers access to collections, programs, and resources. Customers also can use the library system’s digital offerings, including e-books, audiobooks, and virtual programs.
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Read the original article at mcdgs