Friendsville, MD Celebrates its New Ruth Enlow Library
Friendsville, Maryland has started a new chapter. The October 9 ribbon cutting for the new Friendsville branch of the Ruth Enlow Library system brought together residents, library leadership, local and state representatives, and the design and construction team to celebrate a long-awaited investment in the future of this Western Maryland community. What began as the replacement of an aging library building culminated in a celebration of place, community, and opportunity.
Designed by Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, the new 5,500-square-foot branch replaces a former building that was undersized, inflexible, and energy inefficient. The previous facility lacked natural daylight, had minimal insulation, and was often drafty. The new building addresses those challenges with abundant windows, views to the outdoors, improved energy performance, reading/gathering porches and welcoming interior spaces filled with natural light.
Overcoming challenges through thoughtful design
Working closely with the Library Director and Board, M&D developed space requirements, schematic layouts, and multiple site options. The selected design uses a wood-framed structure with pre-engineered trusses, stone veneer, fiber-cement panels, aluminum storefronts, and wood-grain aluminum soffits.
Through design refinements—including optimizing furniture layouts and reducing overall square footage—M&D achieved efficiency and considerable cost savings, resulting in bids below budget and the initial cost estimate. The project was completed for roughly $3.19 million.
In addition to maximizing value, the Friendsville branch was carefully designed to deliver meaningful community impact, including expanded library collections, dedicated children's and youth areas, staff workspaces, accessible public amenities, and a flexible 800-square-foot Community Room Suite that can accommodate up to 100 people. Notably, the Community Room can operate independently from the library, allowing it to host all kinds of events outside of normal operating hours.
Additional features include:
Open reading and computer areas
Fireplace
Study spaces
Quiet reading zones
Covered outdoor reading/gathering porches
Back-of-house offices
Staff break room
Accessible public restrooms
Large lobby, with full-height glazing offering an expansive mountain view
The building was also designed to be photovoltaic-ready, allowing for the potential addition of solar panels in the future.
A space that ‘fits right in’
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, library staff invited all attendees to tour the new building—at which point “the library came to life,” says Patrick Ness, Associate Principal at M&D. This included “children making crafts in the Community Room and reading in the Children’s Library area, patrons scanning the book volumes and movie inventory, and the town’s long-time residents telling stories around the fireplace.”
One of the most rewarding moments for the design team came from hearing residents at the event remark that the new library "fits right in with Friendsville." That sense of belonging was intentional. M&D worked closely with library leadership and community stakeholders to create a building rooted in local identity. Design elements inspired by the surroundings—such as a painted mountain/river-like motif along a windowless clerestory that runs the full length of the building—help reinforce the library's connection to place while creating a distinctive destination.
As landscaping and site enhancements continue to mature, the Friendsville Library stands as a testament to what thoughtful design, community collaboration, and long-term investment can achieve. More than just a new building, it is a space where residents can gather, learn, connect, and create memories for generations to come.
Patrick says, “M&D approached this small library with the same detail and enthusiasm as any building much larger in size, finding inspiration in the town’s rich history, natural setting, and its river community.”
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Friendsville, Maryland has started a new chapter with the recent ribbon cutting for the new Friendsville branch of the Ruth Enlow Library.