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    Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library

    3.5 (49 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Charles M.

    I am grateful for the opportunity to use this library during the pandemic. It's closed to the public, but the librarians are inside working feverishly to make our lives easier. I have reserved books, videos, and electronic materials for the last two months. They are working like a well oiled machine and they always answer the phone. I have heard that they are planning on opening up soon. This will a great place to get work done for a lot of people who have been working from home.

    Kids area
    R.P. F.

    Great urban library for kids. Great book selection, helpful staff, spacious and open play, imaginative materials.

    DON C.

    A Nerd Confessional: Okay...yeah I know....Not too many people get excited about Libraries...but "I DO!" LOL! I put them up there with the rest of them...my man cave....my love for sports cars, electronic toys, a charcoal grill, strip clubs (oops!...scratch that...wrong forum lol) and steak houses!! Ever since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed libraries. I would get lost in them for hours exploring the world.....marveling history, pictures and pointless facts! I still do as a matter of fact....get lost in libraries and bookstores reading/skimming stuff for hours! Eventhough everything is digital these days and at your disposal with a 'mindless swipe' of your smartphone or tablet, I still enjoy the actual tangible item itself--a physical book! With the advent of the Internet, the purpose of the library as your main knowledge base, book source and research space has certainly changed. This game changer has made libraries evolve from dusty, old looking book archives, paper card catalogs, dewey decimal systems and fuzzy newspaper/media pics on microfiche (telling my age).....to sexy community centers that house digital media, movie rentals, Wi-Fi wired lounges, computer labs with free desktop computer/Internet use, and even in-house coffee shops! This is definitely the case and all of the above with the new Silver Spring Library! It's huge and has one of the largest book and media collections in the DMV! There are books on any and everything imaginable...all for the taking. The digital media and DVD collection is impressive too. Small, black kiosk that resemble a Redbox are on the main floor that display their media catalog for easy checkout. So forget Netflix or Redbox movie rentals...and save some money monthly. This place has plenty of recent and old titles! In addition to the massive book collection, digital media, magazines and plentiful meeting-group work spaces in this place....the architecture rendering of the building itself is a sight to behold too. You won't feel like you walking into some stale concrete insane asylum or congressional session on Capitol Hill. Instead, it feels like you walking into a shopping mall or concert arena that caters to book lovers. Okay, enough said. You can probably tell by now I get a kick out these places! Libraries don't always get a good wrap, the "Cool" badge!....and is never-ever known for the "place to be"....BUT this one changes that perspective!! So get on on out and enjoy one of the best marvels since the beginning of time and take in a good book! Why not!?...it's good exercise for the brain and mental IQ because as they say... "The mind is a terrible thing to waste. And besides, its your tax dollars that's paying for them anyway....so you might as well not waste your money and enjoy the services offered! HONORABLE MENTION: Get a library card. As a member of this library, you get online access to additional digital services...like free college courses, language tutorials, eBooks, magazines online and videos...accessible via phone/tablet from anywhere. All for free!!

    Finally!
    Libby F.

    I don't know where to begin with this review, because this library blew me away! The ribbon cutting ceremony was today and County Executive, Isiah Leggett gave a speech, Tom Hucker, District 5 County Councilman gave a speech, and way too many others gave long-winded speeches and thank yous. The natives were restless. After nearly 50 minutes and the three second ribbon cutting, locals were ushered in to what one speaker said is "the most beautiful library in the world!" It is beautiful, but I haven't been all over the world, and libraries aren't what I go to see. However, this new branch has all the bells and whistles. It's five stories tall with library space on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. First and second floors will be used for art organizations, with a [very] small coffee bar/cafe run by the ladies from Kefa Cafe. The top floor is the children's book section, with a Pre-K interactive early literacy space. Pretty cool. I believe you can only check out books on the 3rd floor, and today the line for check-out was enormous. There are small and mid-sized conference rooms, a business center with fax, scanner, and copiers/printers, a computer lab, charging stations, DVD check-out machines, and probably way more techie stuff than I can recall. And yes, it is beautiful with the light that streams in from the glass windows. It is state of the art with a LEED Silver rating and [soon to be] "green" roof. Give the plants a month or two. Is it worth the $65+ million price tag? Yes, especially once the senior center portion is completed. Some feel the decision not to have parking on the premise prohibitive, but it is accessible by Metro and bus, and parking in the Wayne Ave Garage across the street is free on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays.

    Fourth floor

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    Where are the books?! Sure, the library is pretty and has good meeting space, but... Where are the books??

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    Ask the Community - Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library

    For how long do they allow us to sit there? Do we need any Id or pass to go in?

    I don't think there is a limit as to how long you can sit at a table as long as the library is open. No ID or pass of any sort is needed to just sit at a table and study.

    Do we have to pay for sitting there to study on our own?

    No. It's free.

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    Review Highlights - Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library

    Library card needed to use fourth floor computers.

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    Wheaton Community Recreation Center - Ping Pong, Pool table and Video Games

    Wheaton Community Recreation Center

    4.4(14 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Since I'm new to area one of my errands was getting library and rec center cards. Fortunately for…read moreme, you can do both things in one place. The Rec Center: Overall, I liked the layout of the rec center, and the folks that helped with getting a card were SUPER friendly and helpful. While I have not officially used the rec center, I was a bit disappointed with the the size of the weight room. The size of the weight room reminds of a weight room that one would find in a hotel. However, the gym did look like it had everything that one would need for a decent workout. Also, I was a bit surprised that the rec center does not open until 9 am on weekdays (and Saturday). Based on my prior rec center experiments, I'm used to rec centers opening from 5:30 to 7 am. Then again, perhaps, these hours are for the summer months. The Library: Again, the librarian who signed me up for a card was very friendly. Also, I loved how she gave me a very thorough overview of this branch's services and resources. Although I was in the library for only a few minutes, I thought it was very well organized.

    Was out and about with my 8 year old daughter and she wanted to go to the library and read and I…read moredid a quick Google search and it brought us here. This was our first time here and I did not know that this was more than just a library. Well first of all the library was great and my daughter was quite excited to read one of her favorite books to me. After reading we explored this place as something for everyone.....ping pong tables pool table, video games, basketball courts, indoor track, weight room, lots of event rooms and a playground outside for the little ones. The staff there were very friendly. Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Wheaton Community Recreation Center - Outside

    Outside

    Wheaton Community Recreation Center
    Wheaton Community Recreation Center - Exercise Room

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    Exercise Room

    Chevy Chase Library

    Chevy Chase Library

    3.8(5 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    Parking is EASY, close, free, and handicap accessible. Staff…read moreis GREAT and helpful. There are ample tables with electrical outlets. Internet is fast enough. I never had a single one of my khan academy videos give me the "loading" signal. I'm military so they gracefully granted me a card even though I don't have a state address but i feel compelled to say usually there is a 10$ out of state fee. The only thing bad I can say about this location is that it was hot the first time I went (like 90+ outside) and it smelled a little stale inside. It's not THE MOST beautiful high tech library I've ever seen but honestly if it was it wouldn't be so welcoming.

    It has books like a good library should. It also has lots of children running wild, especially on…read moreMommy & Me days, or more likely, Nanny & Me. On my last visit I arrived shortly after 10am on a Tuesday morning (when their website said they opened) and there was already a crowd of ladies with their toddlers and preschoolers waiting for the stories and songs to begin. That would be okay if they stayed in the children's section, but no, once that class was filled the ones that decided to hang out for the 11:00 toddler time class just set their charges free in the rest of the library. Since the public libraries don't carry professional periodicals and journals I needed to do some online research. This library has several web-connected computers to use, only they are out in the open, not in a private room. The problem with that is when a nanny decides to leave her baby stroller (with baby intact) parked behind you while she peruses the chic lit, it can get annoying, especially if the toddler is calling out to deaf ears. As for the library itself, it does its job: lend books. It is easy to get to (not by Metro) and has plenty of free parking.

    Photos
    Chevy Chase Library - Family activities

    Family activities

    Chevy Chase Library - Entryway - front or back!

    Entryway - front or back!

    Chevy Chase Library - Reception desk - she was great!

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    Reception desk - she was great!

    Hyattsville Branch Library

    Hyattsville Branch Library

    3.8(22 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    I stopped by the Hyattsville Branch Library to get a new library card. I love the reciprocity with…read moreMaryland and DC locations (some Virginia locations, too). There's a small parking garage underneath the library. (The garage closes when the library closes... so no dawdling!) The front desk staff was friendly and helped me get my new library card set-up. She helped to reset my account, gave me a bookmark which also noted the library hours, walked me through the different resources available, and was willing to answer any questions. You can checkout up to 75 items! The library space was new and modern. There was a community event being hosted in the meeting room when I visited. There are so many services and events that the public library offers beyond books - I dare you to check it out. As everyone's favorite aardvark once said, "Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card!"

    Another beautiful library! The libraries in PG have such a chic and modern look, but they still…read moremanage to feel cozy. The second library I've seen with a fireplace and high ceilings. I love the integration of the Spanish language in all the titles of the different areas, and that there is a dedicated space to eat and hang out where you can talk louder etc. The building gets a lot of natural light and there is plenty of parking. You can't go wrong visiting this library. Def proud to be a PG county library card holder!

    Photos
    Hyattsville Branch Library
    Hyattsville Branch Library
    Hyattsville Branch Library

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    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Wheaton Branch

    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Wheaton Branch

    4.0(20 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Tons of parking, newly remodeled, bright and airy, easy to navigate with spacious walkways, ample…read moresignage, and elevator access whether you are walking with your own two feet, in crutches, or in a wheelchair. Great library with friendly staff and a vast collection of books neatly organized and well laid out floor plan. There's even a rec center/gym between the library and bookstore directly across the hallway. It brings together the sporty/athletic types and the bookish/nerdy types, and some who are both! There's even a cafe. It's definitely more than just a library, which most Montgomery County libraries are. It's a destination!

    I've visited this library on a few occasions, and I've only had positive experiences. I have to…read moreadmit that I'm kind of a grab and go kind of person when visiting a library, so I haven't really checked out all of (or most of) what the Wheaton branch has to offer outside of books. Even though I visit without having an actual book in mind to borrow, I always end up checking out three to four books. The library itself is very clean and organized because I've never really had to search for anything. Also, the staff recommendation section often has pretty interesting books. The only (very) minor issue: I wish the card catalog computer terminals had scrap paper and pencils so patrons can write down information to find the books they are searching for. Other than that minor complaint, this library is all good in my book.

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    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Wheaton Branch
    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Wheaton Branch
    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Wheaton Branch

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    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Kensington Park Branch

    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Kensington Park Branch

    3.0(5 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    This library is constantly losing books. It has happened to me numerous times & now they've just…read morelost another book I turned in which makes it twice in as many weeks. It is also the 2nd interlibrary book they've lost. For the first one, when I brought it to their attention that I had returned it but it was still showing up on my acct as checked out, the librarian said let me go look for it. She walked away to the children's section & came back a moment later carrying the book. It was on their shelf! I don't even know how that would happen since interlibrary books have a white paper taped to the front of them. This one no longer had the paper on it although it did when I turned it back in. It has happened to my husband as well. He used to check out their foreign language cd's but after being told he hadn't returned a set when he knew he had (he walked back to where he originally found it & there it was on the shelf) he stopped patronizing this place. As of right now, this (2nd) interlibrary book that they have lost is still on my acct as being checked out. They won't remove it. I know I turned it in b/c I checked out 2 books by the same author & turned them in at the same time. One made it back into the system & one has been lost. This is so frustrating. How hard is it to get books checked back into the system? Someone at this library is seriously incompetent. Now I will never just put the books I'm bringing back on the countertop (where they want them placed). I will stand in line & watch the librarian check each & every one of them back in & then I will log into my acct & make sure they are no longer there before I leave.

    The library got a makeover! The upstairs is renovated and rearranged, making it feel much bigger…read moreand more modern, at least for a public library. They now have a big open area with the children's section in two enclosed rooms towards the back. There are a few computer stations in the middle of the room, lots of tables for reading and studying, and a few enclosed work rooms. They even have a charging station for laptops and phones, which looks very high tech! The semi-enclosed children's stacks have 3 computers (for research, mom!), and the other children's area is completely enclosed so that will keep the little ones from roaming or disturbing other patrons. There are 4 check out desks, of course staffed by helpful librarians. The only down side is that there is no self-checkout, so you have to wait in line. I didn't go downstairs to see if that had also been renovated. Stay tuned!

    Photos
    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Kensington Park Branch
    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Kensington Park Branch
    Montgomery County Public Libraries - Kensington Park Branch

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    Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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