Splendid McLean Library Debuts This Morning: 5 Things to Know

McLean's beloved Dolley Madison Library reopens today at its newly renovated addressed. The library is finally as elegant as its namesake.

Here are five things to know for the opening:

1. What: Grand opening of McLean's $8 million renovated library that features a wall of windows in the rear that is roughly 140 feet long.
 16 feet tall. The windows look out into McLean Central Park.

Our little cozy library has doubled in size and now feels like a soothing country retreat nestled in the woodlands.

2. When: 10 a.m. this morning Fairfax officials including Board of Supervisor Chair Sharon Bulova, Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, Fairfax County library director Edwin “Sam” Clay III, McLean librarian Starr Smith.

11 am. Skip the speeches and just come tour the library. They're giving away goodies to mark the big day. Story time for the kids.

3. Where: 1244 Oak Ridge Ave. just off Dolley Madison Boulevard and across the street from the McLean Community Center.

4. Who: Bowie Gridley Architects, of Washington, D.C. designed the stunning new library. According to its website: Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance—schools, performing arts venues, libraries, athletic facilities, museums, and more.

5. Saving the Trees. The bonds for the renovation of library were sold in 2004. Then McLean residents saw the plans that called for a moving the supervisors office to the new library, cutting down nearly 100 large trees and building a flotilla of parking spaces. Not in our McLean.

After much wrangling between citizens, county and the McLean Citizens Association, “Many trees have been saved that otherwise would have been taken down," said Frank Crandall, the long-time chair of the MCA Environmental Committee. About 60 large trees were saved. The supervisors office stayed in the McLean Governmental Center on Balls Hill road. Citizens got an very green building that is welcoming, warm and wonderful.