It’s been about a year and a half since the Catonsville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library closed for renovations.

The $7 million project comes to a close today, with a grand reopening and ribbon cutting scheduled for 11 a.m. at the branch on Frederick Road.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring this library back online, but bring a new and improved and fresh and modern and exciting experience for people in the community,” said Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, the CEO of BCPL. “This is the library they’re going to remember, but a thousand times better.”

The rework required a total gutting of the building, first built in the early ’60s. It included necessary work — like plumbing, wiring and HVAC repair — and some other standard updates, such as energy efficient windows that let in more sunlight and fresh paint that makes the space feel more open.

There’s also aesthetic work, like gigantic wall graphics of studious animals and a sleek stone circulation counter. There’s a new, dedicated teen area for reading, socializing and even playing video games; the children’s area offers toys, not just books.

And of course, the public meeting room in the library’s basement has been remodeled, with new carpet, fresh paint and sound dampeners that almost look like wall art.

“Libraries are vibrant community anchors that provide our residents with modern and high-quality spaces where they can learn, study, and build connections with their neighbors,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement.

The renovation, funded by the state and county, delivers a facility “where residents of all ages have access to the books, digital equipment and resources they need to achieve success,” Olszewski added.

But the project didn’t stop at the routine. The Catonsville branch added fully functional recording studios and mixing booths — fitting for the town often called Music City, Maryland.

“People can go in there, create music, record a podcast, and it’s completely free because it’s in a public library,” said Alcántara-Antoine.

Library officials said it’s the first and only recording studio in a Baltimore County Public Library. As libraries evolve and expand beyond books, many have begun offering expanded social services and access to borrowable tools, telescopes and more.

BCPL officials said they weren’t aware of other public libraries in Maryland with recording studios, though the D.C. Public Library does have studio space.

“More and more, we are here to provide access to the resources that folks need to have a robust and healthy and satisfying quality of life,” Alcántara-Antoine said.

While the library has its official reopening Wednesday, the rollout of the studio space will be a bit slower, said Emily Williamson, a spokesperson for the library. An exact date isn’t set, but later this year, visitors should be able to take classes in the library to learn how to use the studio equipment and make use of the space.

The Reisterstown branch of the library got a similar renovation in 2021, and county officials recently announced plans for a combined library and recreation center in Randallstown.

The county has already acquired land in Essex for a new library building, Alcántara-Antoine said, though the timeline for that project isn’t yet clear. BCPL also plans to close the Woodlawn branch next spring for a $22 million renovation and expansion, she said.

For the nostalgic or historically minded, there’s no reason to entirely dread the library’s new look. The staff kept several details — like a mid-century modern wall clock among the stacks, groovy, disco-worthy patterns on some furniture and, of course, space to quietly read a book or the day’s newspapers.

And the history room, though it has new carpet, windows and lighting, kept its nostalgic decor. It was still being unpacked when The Banner visited in late August, but the room felt homey with its wood-paneled walls and display cases of local artifacts.

The 19 Baltimore County Public Library branches are open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Branches are closed on Sunday.