Beginning on Jan. 2, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) are reopening on Sundays and staying open until 8 p.m. an additional night each week.
The libraries closed to the public due to the pandemic on March 16, 2020. They reopened gradually, allowing residents to schedule a time to pick up requested books. The program was called holds-to-go.
The libraries then reopened to browsers in January but with reduced hours that kept them shuttered on Sundays.
With the start of the new year, all MCPL branches except Maggie Nightingale in Poolesville, which currently is closed for a building refresh, and Noyes Library for Young Children will open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the libraries will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
“Our libraries are critical gathering epicenters throughout our communities where many residents rely on, not just access to books, but to the internet as well,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich in a news release.
MCPL Director Anita Vassallo said, “One of my highest priorities is to work towards providing equity of service to our community members.” She added, “By equalizing and restoring hours at all of our branches, we are taking a huge step in continuing this mission. I thank everyone who was involved in this process, as well as our customers for their patience.”
🆕 from @MCPL_Libraries! 📚 Hours of branch service to the community will expand effective Jan. 2. Details ➡️ https://t.co/r8p8EXr2G4. pic.twitter.com/Mwqv3U449p
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) December 8, 2021
