Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch Ribbon-Cutting and Donor Event Successes!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2024

The Board of Calvert County Commissioners and Calvert Library hosted a ribbon-cutting for the new Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch at 4100 5^th Street in North Beach on Tuesday at 2pm with almost 400 people in attendance. Dignitaries included Maryland Delegate Jeffrie Long; Commissioners Buddy Hance, Mark Cox, Catherine Grasso and Todd Ireland; State Librarian Irene Padilla; North Beach Mayor Mike Benton; Chesapeake Beach Mayor Patrick Mahoney; Town Council members from both communities including Gregg Dotson, Charlie Fink, Peggy Hartman, Mary Healey, Mickey Hummel, Lauren Kabler, Greg Morris, Paul Troncone, and Ken Wilcox; Registrar of Wills Margaret Phipps; Sheriff Ricky Cox; Calvert Library Foundation President Scott Deacon and members Betsy Deacon, Mel Powell and Dr. Renita Alexander; Capital Campaign Chair Dr. Mark Frazer and members Grace Mary Brady and Dr. Duncan Frazer; Calvert Library Board of Library Trustees past and present including Rachel Jones, Ron Crupi, Doug Alves, Jeffrey Lewis, Willson Parran, Rene Libertore, Martha Grahame and Carolyn McHugh; former Calvert Library Director Patricia Hofmann; former Twin Beaches Branch Manager Joanie Kilmon; and of course, current Branch Manager & Assistant Branch Manager Melissa Gray and Sandy Hunting and their staff. Also in attendance was a representative of Piscataway Conoy tribe, Ariane Odom, who was referenced in library Executive Director Carrie Willson’s remarks for having given a land acknowledgment on behalf of Chief Jesse Swann at the groundbreaking for the building. For this event, the land acknowledgment was printed in the program and Willson described her ancestors as “uninvited guests” but hoped that the original inhabitants would be pleased with the library’s use of the land “as a destination for lifelong learning, community building and sharing of resources.”

While the presentation of colors that was planned fell through, Executive Director Carrie Willson pointed out that neighbor Triton’s Garage has a large flag on their roof and people were encouraged to pay their respects when they viewed it from the library’s top floor. During acknowledgment of many of the elected officials, Willson noted that the library had received a citation of congratulations from Senator Michael Jackson’s office and then expressed gratitude to the many contributors to the project. She referenced a detailed document that attendees would find inside that lists many of the contributors to the project and can be found on the library’s website. According to a fact sheet provided at the event, the total cost was about $12.5 million with about $6.6 million coming from Calvert County capital project funds and $5.6 million from the State of Maryland’s County Library Capital Grant program. The Town of North Beach donated the parcel the library was built on plus a $250,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the project and the Town of Chesapeake Beach donated $100,000. Calvert Library Foundation raised over half a million dollars from local citizens and businesses to add special features such as outdoor furniture and technology for the Makerspace including a 3D printer, a laser etcher, a serger sewing machine, an embroidery sewing machine, a vinyl printer and more. Commissioner President Buddy Hance made note of some of this equipment in his remarks saying, “Libraries are not just about books anymore… there are things that I have no clue what they do but I’m sure some of you out there will be very excited. It’s a great opportunity for our homeschoolers, too.”

State Librarian Irene Padilla shared information about the funding provided by the state for the project and other library projects across the state. The State of Maryland’s County Library Capital Grant program has provided over $93 million to libraries since 2008, stimulating $375 million in local matching funds.

Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) President Rachel Jones talked about her own history using Calvert Library, saying that it shaped her childhood. She invited applause for Ms. Willson, Ms. Gray, her staff, the BOLT and the Capital Campaign Committee. She referenced visiting the new building the prior week at a special event with her teenagers who were immediately excited to settle into the teen area.

After Ms. Jones remarks, dignitaries and others who had “put their heart and soul into the library” were invited forward for the official ribbon cutting. After a short delay for library staff to unlock the building, attendees streamed in for their own first use of the space. There was a tremendous level of enthusiasm on the way in and even more on the way out. Comments heard included, “I’ll be back tomorrow and the next day, and the next…” and “I think this will be my new office!” and “I live right up the street and will be here all the time!” Teens were literally jumping up and down with excitement to see the space designed for them. Many attendees left with books, movies, games, a commemorative program, and even a bookmark depicting line drawings of the three different spaces the Twin Beaches Branch had been in. These images were laminated onto the back of a now obsolete (outdated?) “date due card” so people could take a little bit of history with them. Visitors enthusiastically shared their videos, photos and comments over many Facebook community and personal pages.

Branch Manager Melissa Gray reported this Friday morning, that over 1,300 people visited the library on Tuesday and in the two and a half days they have been open, they have seen over 3,200 people (more than the other 3 locations combined in the same period) and made 214 new library cards. Gray said, “There is nothing better than seeing the community using the space that was intentionally designed with their input. All our study rooms were in use on the very first day and have been fully booked since! It truly was the best day!”

In Rachel Jones’ remarks, she referenced the Calvert Library Foundation Donor Appreciation event held last week, on Wednesday, April 10, at the new, “almost ready” Twin Beaches Branch in North Beach. With about 150 people in attendance, there were many “oohs” and “aahs” over the special features in the building. The donor event began at 6pm and allowed for time to explore the new space while enjoying hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants. Donated items came from Dreamweavers, Plaza Mexico and Traders and Elise Market and Patisserie, Vaughan Cheese, Rod ‘n Reel, Hook & Vine, Nicks of Calvert and Baia provided discounts. Courtesy parking for the event was provided by Ron Russo and RAR Associates.

Most remarks were words of thanks for the donors and the Campaign Committee led by Dr. Mark Frazer, Grace Mary Brady and Dr. Duncan Frazer and supported by library staff member Lisa Railey. The Town of North Beach was thanked for their donation of the land and their contribution of a $250,000 grant from the Department of Housing & Community Development. Several people commented on the excellent decision to create a public building with an incredible view for all to take advantage of. Lead donors included the Town of Chesapeake Beach, Fastop/Q-Dog Fuels, Dr. Mark & Mary Frazer, Friends of Calvert Library and Patricia Hofmann (former Director of Calvert Library). Over 400 additional donors resulted in a successful campaign raising over $500,000.

Donors were memorialized on fused glass art panels by George Ellenberg and Avery Shaffer, Chesapeake Bay artists. The panels suggest a bay theme in many colors that coordinate with the new building’s interior design.

Speakers were Calvert Library Executive Director Carrie Willson, Foundation President Scott Deacon, Campaign Chair Mark Frazer and former Twin Beaches Branch Manager Joanie Kilmon to share the history of the Twin Beaches Branch. Guests were introduced to some of the exciting technology their gifts made possible such as a large laminator, 3D printer, laser etcher, vinyl printer and a podcasting booth that will also double as a sound-proof space for telehealth visits, oral histories and more. The take-home commemorative piece was a stemless wine glass etched with a line-drawing of the new building.

For more information or for links to photos/videos of the event, contact Robyn Truslow, Public Relations Coordinator at 410-535-0291.

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