Savage Library Reopens with $6.1 Million Facelift

A laptop bar, recording booth and courtyard classroom are some of the dozens of upgrades to the Savage library, which reopened Tuesday after an 18-month renovation.

The $6.1 million renovation project reflects Howard County's high standards, according to County Executive Ken Ulman.

"When people walk into this library, they know that this branch is of the quality of this community, and I hope you agree..." Ulman said.

The renovated library has doubled in size from its previous version, encompassing 24,000 additional square feet that previously housed a senior center and health department office. New features at the Savage branch include the following:

• 51 public computers (double the previous amount)
  
• Three study rooms
• Children’s classroom with child-sized entrance and windows overlooking a butterfly garden
• Laptop counter overlooking the courtyard
• Sound recording booth
• STEM education center
• Courtyard classroom
• Amphitheater
• New collection of books, audiobooks, e-books, films, music and specialized online research tools

Visitors may notice a decorative trough in the courtyard that is part of an educational drainage system connected to the roof, as well as a bio-retention system on Gorman at Knights Bridge roads, some of several "green" features.

Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, who represents the district that includes Savage, said the building "will serve as an environmentally-friendly model for new construction and future upgrades to all public buildings."

For the artistically inclined, there's a snazzy sound booth inside that represents a first, according to Councilwoman Courtney Watson. "You can use it to record your own music," Councilwoman Courtney Watson said, adding that there was training available for how to use the professional-quality sound booth. According to Watson, it is the only county-funded sound booth in Maryland.

See a YouTube video of the library's grand opening on Tuesday, July 22, produced by Howard County Government.

The Savage library is located at 9525 Durness Lane. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.