Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has been awarded $2.2 million in the FY23 federal budget to acquire and launch a mobile library vehicle, Rover: Library 2Go. This investment in Prince George’s County is part of $40 million in federal funds secured for Prince George’s County and Montgomery County by Maryland’s delegation to the 117th Congress. The mobile library will provide internet access, multilingual library services, immigrant and refugee support, and job search and career assistance throughout Prince George’s County, with a focus on areas that do not have current access (via public transportation and walking) to a permanent neighborhood branch library (see map of current branches). These communities include Langley Park, College Park, Suitland, and Brandywine, among others. 

“The Library is the ultimate connector in the local community,” said Toni A. Smith, President, PGCMLS Board of Library Trustees. “Bringing the Library directly to the people who need services and internet access will have a positive, multi-generational impact on families, Prince George’s County, and the state.”

Once launched, Rover: Library 2Go is projected to annually support over 150 outreach events, provide 1,560 service hours, facilitate 10,000+ WiFi sessions, offer over 1,800 career services consultations, and circulate upwards of 1,300 Online 2Go Chromebooks with built-in internet service. The mobile library expands PGCMLS’ efforts to bridge the digital divide, which finds over 116,000 Prince Georgians lacking home broadband access (2020 U.S. Census), and reduce unemployment (4% as of October 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

“PGCMLS is grateful to Senator Chris Van Hollen and former Representative Anthony Brown for their sponsorship of the Library’s proposal through the community projects program,” said Nicholas A. Brown, Acting Co-CEO, PGCMLS. “We also extend thanks to Senator Ben Cardin,  Representative Steny Hoyer, former County Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros, the PGCMLS Foundation, Friends of the Laurel Library, and Gavin Baker of the American Library Association for their steadfast support of this project and Prince George’s County residents.”

Bookmobiles have a long tradition of serving customers right in their neighborhood. PGCMLS has a tradition of offering bookmobile services since the early 1950s (see vintage photos in the graphics package). These mobile units celebrate literacy and a passion for learning, foster residents’ career potential, aid in creating economic opportunities for families. 

The Library’s significant involvement in employment services, food equity (with mobile food pantry events and summer meals for K-12 students), and COVID-19 testing/vaccine clinics during the pandemic demonstrated how it is able to rapidly deploy community services, in addition to fulfilling its core mission of providing access to information and educational resources. With Rover: Library 2Go, PGCMLS rejoins the ranks of Maryland libraries that offer mobile library services, including Baltimore County Public Library, Charles County Public Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, and others.

The timeline for launching Rover: Library 2Go will be determined following the receipt of implementation guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor, which will be issued in the coming months.

Graphics Package

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.