Library's Catonsville Branch Renovation Set to Begin in February

After years of planning and a pandemic delay, Baltimore County Public Library’s Catonsville Branch located at 1100 Frederick Road is set to undergo a total renovation this spring. The branch’s last day for customers is set for February 18, which also includes the drop boxes. Construction is slated to start in mid-March and will last for roughly 12 months. Customers who use the Catonsville Branch are encouraged to use our Arbutus Branch, located at 855 Sulphur Spring Road, but can use any of our 19 locations. The digital library is also available for customers 24/7.

“One of our goals at Baltimore County Public Library is to make sure that we are offering our customers a 21st century library experience with our infrastructure, as well as our customer service. We are pleased to get this long-awaited renovation underway, which will provide critical building updates along with new features that will help fulfill our mission of providing opportunities to explore, learn, create and connect,” said Baltimore County Public Library CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine. “Since Catonsville is nicknamed ‘Music City,’ we are particularly excited to include a recording studio with recording and mixing booths as part of the branch renovation. It will reduce barriers to access by allowing our customers to record music, podcasts and more for free.”

The current estimate of the project construction cost is $8 million, of which $1.1 million will come from a Fiscal Year 2020 Maryland State Library Capital Grant. Baltimore County Government and the library will cover the remainder of the cost. Improvements include building upgrades and adding 21st century amenities. A full list of renovations can be found below.

21st Century Library Amenities

• New recording studio featuring recording and mixing booths
• Remodeled public meeting room
• New dedicated teen area
• New finishes throughout the building, including flooring, custom wall graphics, and acoustic treatments
• New library technology
• New LED lighting throughout the building
• New furnishings, including reading areas, laptop bars, comfortable seating, work tables, conference and training tables, and shelving
• New customer service desk

Improved Building Systems

• New sprinkler system
• New sewage ejector pump and sanitary line
• New electrical system
• New clerestory windows
• Upgraded HVAC system

The building housing the Catonsville Branch was built in 1963 and other than a few systematic updates, the layout is still the same as when it opened.