Takoma Park Maryland Library
🏢 City of Takoma Park · Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park Maryland Library
Founded in 1935 by the Takoma Park Women's Club and now an independent municipal library run by the City of Takoma Park, this neighborhood institution at 101 Philadelphia Avenue holds over 60,000 books and offers passport acceptance, evening hours four nights a week, and free digital access to Libby, hoopla, Sailor Maryland databases, and the New York Times.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 12pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 12pm–6pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 Philadelphia Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Phone: (301) 891-7259
Website: library.takomaparkmd.gov
Plus Code: 87C4XXJQ+FQ (Takoma Park, MD)
📱 Scan for directions
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Takoma Park Maryland Library
The Takoma Park Maryland Library was born in 1935 when the Takoma Park Women's Club organized a public reading room for the city. Ruth B. Pratt, one of its founders, served as librarian for 28 years as the collection grew and the library moved into its purpose-built home at 101 Philadelphia Avenue, dedicated in 1955 with roughly 30,000 volumes. In 1963 the library became a formal department of Takoma Park city government, breaking from its volunteer-association origins; today it is one of the rare fully independent municipal public libraries in Maryland — separate from both Montgomery County and Prince George's County library systems. After a major renovation, the library reopened at 101 Philadelphia Avenue in September 2025 and serves a bilingual community with collections and services en español. The library uses the Aspen Discovery catalog and offers passport acceptance through the U.S. Department of State.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1935 by the Takoma Park Women's Club — one of Maryland's few fully independent municipal public libraries, a city department since 1963
- Passport acceptance agent authorized by the U.S. Department of State — apply for a new U.S. passport book on-site
- Bilingual collections and services available en español for Takoma Park's Spanish-speaking residents
- Open seven days a week with evening hours Monday–Thursday until 8 pm
- Reopened in renovated 101 Philadelphia Avenue facility in September 2025 with expanded public spaces
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Takoma Park library card unlocks Maryland's statewide and local digital collections at no cost:
📚 Services
- Passport acceptance agent (U.S. Department of State authorized) — apply for new U.S. passport books on-site
- Over 60,000 items in circulating collections including books, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Reference and reader's advisory services in English and Spanish
- Interlibrary loan via Sailor Maryland network
- Meeting room space for community use
- Aspen Discovery online catalog for holds and renewals
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming in English and Spanish
- Adult literacy and continuing education programs
- Summer reading programs for all ages
- Community events and cultural programming
- Teen programs and after-school activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Montgomery County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Takoma Park · Browse all Maryland libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at the Takoma Park Maryland Library?
Yes. The library is a passport acceptance facility authorized by the U.S. Department of State. The passport acceptance agent verifies your identity and documents and forwards the application to the State Department. Call (301) 891-7259 or visit library.takomaparkmd.gov to check current appointment availability and required documents.
Is the Takoma Park Maryland Library part of the Montgomery County Public Library system?
No. The Takoma Park Maryland Library is an independent municipal public library and a department of the City of Takoma Park — it is not affiliated with either the Montgomery County or Prince George's County public library systems. That means it runs its own catalog (Aspen Discovery) and issues its own library cards, though some digital resources are shared through Sailor Maryland.
How old is the Takoma Park Maryland Library, and how did it start?
The library was founded in 1935 by the Takoma Park Women's Club, which organized a reading room for the community. Ruth B. Pratt, one of the founders, served as librarian for 28 years. A dedicated building at 101 Philadelphia Avenue was dedicated in 1955, and in 1963 the library became a formal city government department. Most recently, after a major renovation, the library reopened at 101 Philadelphia Avenue in September 2025.
Does the library offer services in Spanish?
Yes. Takoma Park has a significant Spanish-speaking population, and the library provides bilingual collections and services en español to serve those residents. Staff can assist in Spanish and the collection includes Spanish-language materials for children and adults.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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