Clarksburg Library: County Council Action Brings Us A Step Closer

Learn how community advocacy led to a major win with the passage of Expedited Bill 14-25 — and why continued engagement is key to keeping the project on track.

William Roberts

7/30/20252 min read

We're happy to share some exciting news that brings us closer to something our community has been working toward for a long time: our very own Clarksburg Library! There has recently been a flurry of activity on the library and it is a testament to the powerful, collective voice of our entire community.

Two Actions Taken

On behalf of the Clarksburg Neighbors Alliance (CNA) and so many of you who have passionately advocated, we recently made our voices heard loud and clear before the Montgomery County Council, as we expressed our support for Expedited Bill 14-25. This crucial legislation which will further authorize the planning, design and construction of our library passed unanimously and was signed by the County Executive in June. The CNA is also supporting Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) in their efforts to secure a vital grant from the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA), which would provide additional crucial funding.

For decades, the vision of a dedicated library space has been a persistent demand as we've sought to hold Montgomery County to its promises to Clarksburg. From quiet conversations to organized advocacy, many residents have consistently made it clear that this community resource is long overdue.

We are grateful that our County Executive and County Council not only listened but took the significant first step by including initial funding for the design phase in the FY 25-30 Capital Improvements Projects budget. Now, with Expedited Bill 14-25, we are steadily getting closer to the day when our library can open its doors!

The Library is Key to Our Community

Ensuring the Clarksburg Library is built on schedule is not just about meeting immediate needs; it's about laying a crucial foundation for the broader, planned development of infrastructure and resources that Clarksburg has waited too long to see. This project will serve as our anchor, allowing other initiatives to proceed as envisioned, ensuring Clarksburg keeps evolving into the vibrant, thriving, and beloved community we all know it can be.

A huge thank you to every single neighbor who has advocated, supported, and pushed for this library over the years – together we’ve shown that Clarksburg is powerful, united, and won’t be ignored. However, we can't declare victory just yet. It's crucial that we remain in close communication with our elected officials and stay an active part of the process to keep this vital project on track.

You can review the letter CNA submitted in support of Expedited bill 14-25 here.

Want to be Part of the Change?

The Clarksburg Library project is a powerful example of what a united community can achieve. If you're passionate about making a difference in Clarksburg and want to be part of grassroots community efforts like this one, we invite you to join the Clarksburg Neighbors Alliance! Your voice and involvement are crucial to shaping the future of our beloved community. There are two ways to get involved:

  1. Write a letter of support for the Clarksburg Library. The library needs to hear from citizens on how important their services are. Please email Andrew Newsome a signed copy electronically. HERE is a template that can be used to edited to incorporate your specific thoughts and voice.

  2. Sign up for the CNA newsletter to stay up to date on what's happening and how you can advocate!