Stephanie Long
(8/7) When the Thurmont Library on Main
Street opened 52 years ago, Gloria Angleberger
was the first storyteller to read to a group
of children in the new library. But history
has a way of repeating itself, as Angleberger
experienced first-hand whilst surrounded by 30
children at the recent opening of the new
Thurmont Regional Library on East Moser Road
on Aug. 2.
Once again Angleberger became the first
storyteller to read to a group of children in
the new Thurmont library, an event she was
honored to participate in, despite her nerves.
“I felt nervous at first, but it felt good
once I got going,” Angleberger said after the
reading. “I love reading to kids.”
The making of the library
“Ten years ago we started talking about it [a
new library] and looking for land,” said
Thurmont Librarian Erin Dingle.
Finding affordable land proved in some ways
to be the hardest part of the project. But a
two-acre donation from the town moved the
project one step closer to completion. With a
place to build, plans for the library could be
made.
“It was very much a group effort,” Dingle
said. “Frederick County helped, the users
helped… the community worked together.”
Community representatives spoke with the
architectural firm about building a library
that would represent the community and they
spent hours planning to ensure that the
library was exactly what was originally
intended.
Darell Batson, director of the Frederick
County Public Libraries, said that the
community support truly helped the project
come to fruition.
“The steps aren’t complicated, but they’re
long,” Batson said. “I love that the people in
town have always supported the library.”
After all of the hard work, Dingle said
that everyone got exactly what they wanted and
then some with the new library that opened on
East Moser Road.
“It’s pretty perfect,” Dingle said, looking
around the library with a huge smile on her
face, “I’m thrilled.”
New Features
The new library was built to resemble the
Catoctin furnace and boasts 40-foot high
ceilings.
Inside, the Thurmont Lion’s Club donated a
handicapped-accessible technology station,
which magnifies and reads text to people with
vision problems. A Lock-A-Shelf system
protects the DVD collection and wireless
internet.
Two meeting rooms can be booked for
community use online at FCPL.org. The
children’s library has early literacy
stations, a puppet stage, covered bridge,
computer stations and more. An agricultural
library boasts rare, local volumes pertaining
to agriculture in the area. For those on the
run, a drive through, which is open until ½
hour before the library closes, can be used to
drop off items or pick up items on hold.
Outside, a large deck runs along a tree-lined
area, with tables, chairs and wireless
internet access available where users can
bring their lunch or snack to eat.
Comfortable chairs, internet stations, and
tons of relaxing areas are tucked all around
the library, giving users a place where they
can truly relax and partake of all the library
has to offer, which is something Dingle
expects to happen.
“We really expect to see usage increase,”
Dingle said. “There’s plenty of parking, easy
access, a lot for kids… there’s just so much.”
Public Reaction
Hundreds of visitors attended the grand
opening and were pleased and in awe with what
they saw.
“We like it a lot more that the old
library,” said Raymond Barry, of Thurmont.
Jadia Clem, 5, enjoyed the new computers in
the children’s library so much that she
couldn’t be bothered to explain exactly why
she liked the new library, except to say she
enjoyed it “because it’s so fun.”
Even non-Thurmont residents were enjoying
the new library. Sarah Harrison, of
Hagerstown, was visiting family in Thurmont
and decided to stop on in.
“I think it’s the most-beautiful library,”
Harrison said. “It’s so personal, homey,
inviting. I needed help and the staff was so
eager and helpful.”
Harrison was especially impressed with the
children’s section.
“I thought the kids section was adorable,
neat and interactive,” Harrison said. “You
don’t see that a lot in a small town. It’s a
good step for Thurmont.”
PHOTOCAPTION:
Gloria Angleberger conducted the first
storytime when the library opened on Main
Street 52 years ago and she conducted the
first story time in the new library on East
Moser Road.
