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Community Corner

Is it Possible? Expect Even More Services at the New Miller Branch Library

Howard County is adding 62,000 square feet of library space near the existing Miller Branch Library. The new library opens in Dec. 2011 carrying the name Charles E. Miller Branch and Historical Center.

The Miller Branch Library will not open for 30 more minutes, but already people are waiting by the front door on a warm Monday morning. Within an hour the entire parking lot will be full.

Meanwhile, next door to the building, in what use to be a cornfield, construction is underway for the new Miller Branch Library.

The new building, named Charles E. Miller Branch and Historical Center, is scheduled to open in December 2011. The existing building will then be used as the administrative headquarters for the county library system.

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At a projected 62,000 square feet and two levels, the completed building will be an impressive structure, nearly triple the size of the existing 23,800 square foot branch. 

As befitting its greatly expanded size, the branch will have many new features, according to Susan L. Stonesifer, Miller Branch Library manager.

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"By virtue of having so much more space, we plan to have more computers available, more space set aside for story-time classes, and a meeting room that can accommodate 300 people and be subdivided into three separate rooms, if needed," said Stonesifer

Also planned are expanded study spaces that will include a large quiet area, self check-out machines, and a drive-through book drop, among other features.

The highlight of the first floor of the new building is a planned technology lab, while the second floor will showcase a 3,000 square foot space for the Howard County Historical Society where visitors will have access to historical documents and books about Howard County.

The new building will have many green features as well, such as a solar panel on the roof. It will also be designed to maximize natural light, making it more energy efficient. These, and other green features, will qualify the building to have a LEED (Leadership Energy and Environmental Design) silver rating.

All new county buildings are now constructed to be LEED certified, according to Stonesifer.

With the overwhelming popularity of its programs, there is clearly a demand for a new Miller Branch Library.

The library has long been a popular spot for Ellicott City residents. On any given school night or weekend you can find a large number of high school students studying there, for example.

Currently, popular programs include a Wednesday evening English conversation class designed for newcomers to the country and various book discussion groups  for different demographics. A recent discussion group for 11 to 17 year olds called Book Club Boot Camp was particularly popular; one session focused on the Twilight series and another focused on the Percy Jackson series of books.

Stonesifer estimates that more than 75,000 people visited the library this past August, the most in her four years as the branch manager.

"We have a loyal constituency who uses the library a great deal," said Stonesifer.

Teddy Clark, a 40-year Ellicott City resident, has been coming to the Miller Branch Library since the late '60s. (The library was originally built in the early '60s when Charles E. Miller donated a portion of his farmland for its construction). She has been a volunteer for 18 years.

"It is a wonderful place to be," said Clark. "I have watched Miller Branch Library grow over the years, and I'm very excited to see it grow yet again with a new building."

Theresa Hebrank, a 10-year Ellicott City resident, said she comes to Miller Branch Library three times a week.

"The staff is wonderful here, very friendly and very outgoing," said Hebrank. "They can't do enough to help you."

The Miller Branch Library is one of only two branches in the county open seven days a week (Central branch is the other). It is located at 9421 Frederick Road. The hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

"We are thrilled to serve the Ellicott City community," said Stonesifer.

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