Free Little Library Planted at Judson Road and Lindell Street

State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, State Delegate Jared Solomon, civic leaders and about 40 community members celebrated the opening of a “Free Little Library” on Saturday, November 16 in the community gathering space at the Judson Road median and Lindell Street in Glenmont.

Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA) President Jim Epstein described the cozy sycamore-stump and natural rock reading area that complements the lending library cabinet as the “realization of a dream” that enabled the GFNCA to expand its quality-of-life community efforts.

The little library is part of a network of eight that GFNCA plans to install throughout the community. A second community little library and reading space will be installed at the site of the planned fire-station construction project at Georgia and Randolph. Greater Silver Spring Civitan Club (GSSCC) will maintain both community little libraries. “We will keep it going, look after it, and refurbish it as needed,” said GSSCC President Mirza Donegan, and will do the same at the second location in the future.

GFNCA also planted three other little libraries on Livingston Street, at the Lindell and Randolph Streets juncture, and at the intersection of Henderson Street and Georgia Avenue. Though installed on private property, the “lend-a-book-take-a-book” libraries are open to all members of the community.

“I think that this just really reflects that a community is more than just the houses and the people living in it,” observed State Delegate Solomon. “It is everyone from the community working together to build a space that they can call their own.”

“To see the neighborhood spirit here is very heartening, especially on such a cold day,” commented Senator Waldstreicher.

Epstein credited the Montgomery Housing Partnership for starting the ball rolling by sending four GFNCA board members to training by NeighborWorks America, which granted GFNCA $2,000 for community projects. The Mid County Regional Services Center Neighborhood Event Matching Funds program gave additional funds for the little libraries.

The Department of Environmental Protection donated stumps for seating at the space from a fallen sycamore tree which had put a nearby Kensington stream’s stabilization at risk.

Community members who seek more information or would like to join these civic organizations can contact glenmontforestnca@gmail.com or silverspringcivitans@gmail.com.