Bethesda Library 'Refresh' Delayed By Little Falls Library Problems

BETHESDA, MD — A four-inch fire-main pipe break has delayed the re-opening of the Little Falls Library branch of Montgomery County Public Libraries located at 5501 Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda. The branch was already closed for a “refresh” when the pipe broke on December 7, 2016.

The anticipated reopening of the Little Falls branch is now mid-May, library officials said. To minimize impacts on residents, the March refresh-closure for the Bethesda Library will be delayed.

“With the delay of reopening Little Falls, we could not close the Bethesda branch in March as planned,” said MCPL Director Parker Hamilton. “We want to ensure the community has adequate access to library services.”

When the date for reopening the Little Falls branch is determined, the closing date for the Bethesda branch will be announced.

“We could not have anticipated the water main break nor the extent of the damage it caused,” said state Department of General Services Director David Dise. “We are working at full capacity to get the project back on track.”

A “refresh” project gives library buildings significant and timely updates without having to close for the amount of time it takes for a full renovation. The Library Refurbishment CIP funds programmatic, cosmetic and service impact updates to two to three libraries every year.

Image via Montgomery County Public Libraries