Garrett County Business Development joined local officials and community members on October 9, 2026, to celebrate the opening of the new Friendsville branch of the Ruth Enlow Library, a community investment that expands public resources and supports the quality of life that helps Garrett County attract and retain residents, workers, and businesses.
Construction began in 2025 following years of planning. The 5,500-square-foot facility is the first new library building in Garrett County since 2003. It includes 4,000 square feet of library space, 1,000 square feet for town offices, and a 500-square-foot meeting room. Computers, new books, and dedicated spaces for children and teens provide residents with opportunities to learn, access technology, and connect with their community.
“Investments in our communities help lay the foundation for future growth,” said Paul Edwards, Chairman of the Garrett County Board of County Commissioners. “The new Friendsville library gives residents a place to learn, connect, and access valuable resources. Facilities like this strengthen our communities and contribute to the future of Garrett County.”
Kim Durst, Manager of Business Development, and Connor Norman, Business Development Specialist, for Garrett County, also attended the celebration.
“Economic development is about more than attracting businesses. It’s also about building communities where people want to live, work, and raise their families,” Durst said. “Access to educational resources, technology, and community spaces contributes to quality of life and helps make Garrett County a stronger place for residents and businesses.”
Thomas Vose, Director of the Ruth Enlow Library system, emphasized the importance of libraries as places where people can access knowledge and connect with others.
“In a world full of AI and social networking, the humanity that libraries represent is more important than ever,” Vose said.
The ceremony included the presentation of an American flag by Woodmen Life Chapter 45 of Friendsville, followed by members of Boy Scout Troop 1 raising the flag for the first time. Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller attended, along with representatives of Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and Senator Angela Alsobrooks, who recognized the milestone.
The Friendsville branch was the first project undertaken through Maryland’s Library Capital Grant Program. Its opening demonstrates the value of partnerships and public investment in community infrastructure that supports education, workforce readiness, and quality of life.
Garrett County Business Development congratulates the Ruth Enlow Library and the Friendsville community on this milestone. Investments in community assets help strengthen the foundation for a resilient local economy and a vibrant future for Garrett County.
Photo courtesy of Claudia Reynolds, The Garrett County Republican.
