Olney Library Grand Reopening (Photo)

The reopening ceremony for the newly renovated Olney Library will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 15. The event is open to the public. Overflow parking will be available at St. John’s Episcopal Church, across Rt. 108 from the library.

Following remarks and a ribbon cutting by local officials, the newly redesigned and renovated Olney Library will open for business.

Additional activities to celebrate the repening are planned throughout the weekend.

The building that first opened in 1981 has been increased in size from 16,474 total gross square feet to 22,574 total gross square feet. Some of the materials from the original building have been incorporated in to the new structure, such as exterior metal art pieces and wood paneling and bricks on the interior.

Participating in the ceremony will be County Executive Ike Leggett, County Council President Craig Rice, Councilmember Nancy Navarro (Dist. 4), Director of Public Libraries Parker Hamilton, Director of General Services David Dise, Greater Olney Civic Association President John Webster, Olney Branch Manager Joseph Eagan and Co-chair of the Olney Library Advisory Committee, Jensen S. Chiu.

In addition to the official ribbon cutting marking the Grand Reopening of the Olney Library at 9 a.m., special family-oriented programs will be held during the weekend.

Following the ribbon cutting and actual opening of the library on Saturday, the following programs will be held:

• At 11 a.m., Christiana Drapkin and her trio will perform “Bop Goes the Weasel,” an introduction to jazz for children of all ages and their parents; and
• At 2 p.m., acclaimed storyteller Diane Macklin will involve the audience as she shares stories from around the world, for children of all ages and their parents.

The Grand Reopening celebration continues on Sunday, March 16 with a program at 2 p.m. by caricature artist Paul Merklein who will draw “Great Big Faces,” including some famous faces and some from the audience. The program is suitable for children of all ages and their parents.

To view the countdown clock and see other information about the renovation project, visit the Olney Library website.

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