Temporary McLean Library Closes May 21, Striking New Library Awaits

McLean will have a library in a park when the newly renovated Dolley Madison library opens in July thanks to a wrap around wall of windows that is now the library's back wall.

“We are so excited,” said Starr Smith, who heads the McLean Library.  “I think everyone is very curious to see the new building.”

The 44-year-old cozy Dolley Madison library has been transformed by a $4.5 million renovation  that nearly doubled its size, gutted its insides and included a “green” roof that will become garden spouting plants.

The temporary library that opened in the Balduci’s shopping center in June 2010  closes  5 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Library staff will move the collection to the newly renovated building and begin preparing  to open to the public July 9 at 10 a.m. after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Eighty percent of the library's collection has been in storage.

"We are anticipating this with great pleasure," said Smith. "There is more space and everything is on the same floor."  McLean residents call look forward to two conference rooms (instead of just one), a quiet study room, 24 public computers with inter-net access, lots more seating.

The library staff can look forward to their own staff room and bathrooms.

Brian Worthy,  a public information officer for Fairfax County, said, “This is going to be a green library that will reduce water and energy consumption and save taxpayers money at the same time. It will be a beautiful building that patrons will enjoy using.”

The wall of windows in the back overlooks McLean Central Park. It's striking.

The interior library colors will be muted in keeping with the feeling of a library in a park.

The Dolley Madison Library just off Ingleside Avenue is the third most popular of the county’s 14  community libraries, according to Mary Mulrenan spokesperson for the Fairfax County Public Library. Dolley Madison serves one of the must educated and affluent communities in the U.S.

The library says: Customers who regularly use Dolley Madison Library will need to use another Fairfax County Public Library branch between May 22 and July 9. Holds can be suspended or changed to a different branch. The book drop at Dolley Madison Library will not be available between May 22 and July 9. Due dates for Dolley Madison customers will be adjusted to address the closing.