This Thursday, April 25, Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) will officially open its new Riviera Beach branch at 1130 Duvall Highway with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony begins at 11:00am, with the library opening at noon.
The $19-million, 20,000-square-feet facility will offer 20 public computers, a large dividable meeting room with shared kitchen, four individual study pods, three booths of diner-style seating with integrated charging, four small group study/collaboration spaces, a owl device to run hybrid meetings, a dedicated print center, a café area and expansive lobby, a “Discovery Dock” children’s area, a “Club 1117” teen space, wi-fi access inside and outside, a large boardwalk patio, a “Yellow submarine” program space with craft area, and a a LEED Silver building construction. Anne Arundel County Public Library also stated that the Riviera Beach branch will soon feature EV charging stations.
Local architects Grimm and Parker described the building as having an underwater theme with surfboard-shaped counters, a “boat ceiling,” a shark sofa and yellow submarine program space. There are multiple nautical references throughout the library including a coastal type of architecture in materials, color and finishes with oars and anchors.
County Executive Steuart Pittman, County Councilman Nathan Volke and AACPL Chief Executive Officer Skip Auld will provide remarks and join others in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new facility. The Northeast High School Vocal Ensemble wrote and will perform a song for the event, and Piscataway-Conoy citizen Hope Khodaei will offer a land acknowledgement.
Thursday’s opening will also feature a special photo booth from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Then on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, a special giveaway will be given out to the first 250 attendees.
To conclude the library’s opening weekend, there will be a ticketed event – Bay Breezes and Books – on Sunday, April 29 for ages 21 and older. From 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Sunday, the Riviera Beach Library will feature live music from the Eastport Oyster Boys, along with food catered by Bahama Mike’s and the St. Michael Oyster Company, cocktails, and prizes. Attendees will also receive a commemorative pint glass. Tickets, which are $60 per person in advance or $75 per person at the door, are available at aacpl.net/baybreezes.
The library is open this Thursday, April 25 from noon until 9:00pm, and then on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Regular hours will be Monday – Thursday from 10:00am to 9:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
