New Twin Beaches Branch2024-02-16T14:13:45-05:00

From Carrie Willson, Calvert Library Executive Director

The wait is nearly over! You are hereby invited to join the Board of County Commissioners for the festivities on Tuesday, April 16 at 2pm for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the beautiful new Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch. We can’t wait to share this vibrant hub of learning and community engagement with the Twin Beaches community. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art facility including our makerspace, spacious teen and children’s areas, meeting and study rooms, plus gorgeous Bay views from the porch and terrace. This ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizes not only the beginning of a new chapter for the community, but also a testament to the power of the collective vision and collaboration of Calvert Library, Calvert County and the towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach. The land was given to Calvert County by the Town of North Beach. Capital project funds from Calvert County and the County Library Capital Grant Program, Maryland State Library Agency, made the building possible. A grant obtained by the Town of North Beach assisted with the design costs. Finishing touches were accomplished with funds raised by the Calvert Library Foundation through generous community donations including the Town of Chesapeake Beach as our lead donor. Mark Tuesday, April 16 on your calendar and be one of the first to see this new treasure in the Beaches!

MOVING SCHEDULE

MARCH 4 – Last day to accept book and movie donations at the current building

MARCH 16 – Last day the current building is open

APRIL 16 – OPENING DAY RIBBON CUTTING

STORYTIME SCHEDULE DURING CLOSURE

The last storytime sessions at the current building will be Wednesday, March 13 and Saturday, March 16. During the building closure, come join us for storytime at the Northeast Community Center in Chesapeake Beach!

BOOKMOBILE STOPS DURING CLOSURE

While we move to our new location, the Calvert Library Bookmobile will be making extra stops in the Beaches!

MOVING FAQS

Need more information about the move? Check out these FAQs!

Will the Bookmobile be in the Twin Beaches area during the building closure?2024-02-05T14:14:18-05:00

Yes! See the Bookmobile schedule. If you would like to pick up your holds from the Bookmobile choose Calvert Library Mobile Services as your pick-up location.  Your materials can be picked up at North Beach, Chesapeake Beach or any other Bookmobile stop.

Can I drop off book and movie donations at the Twin Beaches Branch?2024-02-08T09:12:00-05:00

The Friends of Calvert Library will not be able to accept book and movie donations at Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch beginning March 4.

Our other locations are open and accepting donations during business hours.

Will there be any library events while the Twin Beaches Branch is closed?2024-02-16T14:16:08-05:00

Yes! Storytime will take place at the Northeast Community Center, 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732 on Wednesday mornings.  See the full Storytime schedule during closure. All other programming will restart in the new location.

 

When will library materials be due?2024-02-05T14:08:52-05:00

Library items checked out from Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch will have extended check-out periods. No materials will be due during the library’s closure.

Materials checked out at the Twin Beaches Branch on March 9 or later will be due on April 30, 2024.

Will I be able to return books at the Twin Beaches Branch?2024-02-06T13:27:20-05:00

The bookdrop at Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch will be closed while the building is closed but remember Calvert Library is fine free. Due dates will be extended so that no items will be due during the closure. Items may be returned to a different Calvert or Tri-County library at any time.

Will I be able to pick up my holds?2024-02-05T14:15:03-05:00

There will not be any materials available for pick-up at the Twin Beaches building during the closure and move to the new location.

You may place holds to be picked up on the Bookmobile by choosing Calvert Library Mobile Services as your pick-up location. Your materials can be picked up at any of the Bookmobile stops. There will be additional Bookmobile stops in both North Beach and Chesapeake Beach during the library branch closure.  You can also have your holds sent to another Calvert Library location for pick up during the closure.

Will Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch be open during the move?2024-02-06T13:25:06-05:00

 Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch in Chesapeake Beach will be closed to the public starting March 16. All other Calvert Library locations will be open offering full services and will be ready to welcome you! Please visit us at:

Calvert Library Prince Frederick
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-0291
Fairview Branch
8120 Southern Maryland Boulevard
Owings, MD 20736
(410) 257-2101
Southern Branch
13920 HG Trueman Road
Solomons, MD 20688
(410) 326-5289
HOURS
Mon-Thu: 9am – 8pm
Friday: 12pm – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Additionally, the Bookmobile has stops all around the county. Bookmobile services include books, movies and other library materials for check out, Wi-Fi access, limited public computer access, printing and library card services. The Bookmobile cannot accept material returns or payments. Please return materials to other library locations. Remember, we are fine free and nothing will be due for Twin Beaches customers during this time.

BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS

  • 18,000 square foot space – 4x the current branch
  • Flexible meeting room – space for 100 or divided 65/35
  • Community gathering and exhibit spaces
  • Remote working and study rooms
  • 25+ public computers and laptops
  • More loanable hotspots and Chromebooks
  • Wi-Fi throughout the building
  • Workforce development support
  • Porch & terrace with views of the Chesapeake Bay
  • Imagination Station: interactive play area for children to develop crucial early learning skills
  • Entertaining and educational community events
  • Community health, food insecurity initiatives
  • Early literacy education
  • Makerspace
  • Sound Booth for podcasting and recording
  • Memory Lab with digitization equipment
  • 24/7 accessible pick-up lockers for holds
  • Parking under the building
  • New and expanded programming
  • 60,000+ visitors expected annually

VIDEOS & MEDIA

FLICKR PHOTO ALBUMS

November 2023 album

October 2023 album

September 2023 album

August 2023 album

July 2023 album

June 2023 album

May 2023 album

April 2023 album

March 2023 album

January/February 2023 album

December 2022 album

October 2022 album

Groundbreaking album

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR BLUEPRINTS – click picture to see all blueprints

pic of part of blueprint for new Twin Beaches Branch

FAQs

Why are you raising money for the project? Are you over budget?2023-03-27T10:57:09-04:00

The project is not over budget—the building and furniture are fully funded, but the Calvert Library Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, is leading a capital campaign to outfit the new building with extras like a maker space and podcasting booth that will bring innovative technology and opportunity to the citizens of Calvert County.  

Where will we park to visit the new library?2023-03-27T10:55:59-04:00

There will be dedicated parking on the ground floor of the new library building to supplement parking around the town of North Beach.  In addition, there will be several handicap spaces in front of the building on Chesapeake Avenue.  This parking will be earmarked for library customers during open hours, but will be available for public parking when the library is closed. 

Where is the new library being built? When will it be open?2023-03-27T10:55:09-04:00

The new Twin Beaches branch is being built on the corner of Chesapeake Avenue and 5th Street in North Beach. Projected opening is late winter or early spring of 2024. 

What will happen to the current library location?2023-03-27T10:56:22-04:00

All staff and services in the current branch in Chesapeake Beach will move to the new space in North Beach upon opening. The library’s current home is leased space—it will be up to the owners to determine how the space will be used going forward.  

What does the Foundation hope to purchase with the funds raised?2023-03-27T10:57:31-04:00

The new Twin Beaches Branch of Calvert Library will feature technology and services including a maker space outfitted for science, art and technology, a memory lab with digitization equipment and a podcasting booth where library users can host their own podcast, meet with clients, conduct an interview, collect family stories or engage in another creative venture. Additionally, dedicated children’s and teen areas will provide space for young people from babies to teens to engage in learning and gathering opportunities supporting their social, emotional and intellectual growth. 

How can I donate to the capital campaign? How can I make sure that my donation goes specifically to this project?2023-03-27T11:00:19-04:00

The Calvert Library Foundation happily accepts donations to support Calvert Library projects and its mission through its General Campaign Fund. The Foundation has also set up a Twin Beaches Fund that will be specifically earmarked for additional services and features of the new Twin Beaches Branch. For more information or to make a donation specific to the Twin Beaches project, please visit  the Twin Beaches Branch webpage, click donate and change “General Campaign Fund” to “Twin Beaches Fund.” 

How big will the new library be?2023-03-27T10:55:35-04:00

The new branch will be 18,000 square feet—almost four times the size of the current Twin Beaches branch. There will be three floors—parking on the groundfloor and two floors of library space above. The second floor (main level) will feature a 100seat meeting room, group and study spaces, public computers and the adult collection. The third-floor features children’s and teen spaces with a program room and maker space. 

Are you worried about flooding?2023-03-27T10:56:47-04:00

The building has been designed to allay the risk of flooding by raising the main floor of the building ten feet above the flood plain with a ground floor parking area designed to drain quickly and effectively.  Additionally, the town of North Beach has made concerted efforts to improve pump stations and other infrastructure to mitigate the risk of flood damage for buildings throughout town. 

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