Kensington’s Noyes Library Now More Accessible Thanks to New Ramp

Kensington’s Noyes Library for Young Children will now be more easily accessible to visitors with mobility challenges thanks to a newly built ramp.

The ramp is located on the exterior of the 123-year-old library and was built in partnership between the library’s Make MORE Noyes Campaign and Montgomery County. According to a news release, the ramp is a part of a much bigger renovation that the library and County has taken on.

Officials say an important goal of the renovation is to make the library universally accessible and compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Parker Hamilton is the director of Montgomery County Public Libraries.

“What a major effect this addition will have on the lives of so many. I am very grateful to our Department of General Services for their excellent work to increase accessibility to our Noyes Library,” Hamilton said. “The new ramp will provide access for everyone to the unique programs and services offered at the library,” she said.

Jan Jablonski is co-president of the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation and has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). According to the news release, Jablonski was able to visit the library for the first time in years because of the newly built ramp.

“I didn’t think I would get back into Noyes, but here I am,”  Jablonski said. “The craftsmanship of the ramp is extraordinary, and children—all children—are going to love it,” she said.

Sheila Dinn is also co-president of the Noyes Foundation and says that visitors will have more to look forward too.

“The ramp is a great first step, but we have a long way to go,”  Dinn said, “[with] the Make MORE Noyes renovation plan, we are setting a pretty high bar in terms of accessibility, to create the most welcoming environment for people with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges.” Dinn said the renovations include; two accessible family bathrooms and lighting and paint colors that take into account sensory issues. “We are also excited about Noyes having the space and resources to provide more early literacy programs and outreach,” Dinn said.

For more information, visit the Noyes Library Foundation website.

About Maureen Chowdhury

Maureen Chowdhury is a multimedia journalist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at mchowdhury@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @MediaMaureen. Maureen authors the blog Sound Check on MyMCMedia.

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