The Neighborhood Design Center supported the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) to develop concept designs that transform existing spaces located inside the Beltsville, Largo‐Kettering, and Oxon Hill Libraries as part of The Commons initiative.
The designs will embody the project vision of The Commons to connect community in physical and virtual space for library users to create, explore, inspire and realize together. Each space will provide services specific to community needs at the different locations. A dedicated team of volunteers from Gensler worked with NDC and PGCMLS staff to create inspiring designs that responded to community needs. Gensler will work with PGCMLS through permitting and construction moving forward.
The Life Lab will be an innovative career center with key partners including Employ Prince George’s, Prince George’s County American Job Center, Financial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community College and Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers. Programs and resources will include multilingual workforce training programs, professional apparel program, professional development library, 1:1 career coaching, job fairs and recruitment events, citizenship services and advanced technology classes.
The E/Studio will focus on supporting small business and entrepreneurs with key partners Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation and Prince George’s Community College. Programs and resources will include multilingual workforce training, business video conferencing suite, 1:1 career coaching, job fairs and recruitment events, citizenship services and advanced technology classes.
The Foundry will provide an innovation and creative production hub in Oxon Hill. Key partners include the National Organization of Minority Architects, National Harbor, Capital Bike Share and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Programs and resources will include access to architecture software, design technology classes, CAD classes, Hip Hop Architecture Camp, fiber arts equipment, fashion design and technology. In addition to these other options for visual art and pottery studio, woodshop, metal foundry or bike repair training will be explored.
At each location NDC and PGCMLS will engage key partners, library staff, library users and community stakeholders in the design process to understand appropriate choices for layout, color scheme, materials, artwork, technology, equipment, furniture, lighting, and other features.