Major Gift for Library System

PGCMLS Receives $2.52 Million from the Pull Up Fund to Give Residents Internet Access and Entrepreneurship Programming

More funding means better resources and programming for the local library system. The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has received two major gifts totaling $2.52 million from the Pull Up Fund, which will aid the system in reaching its three-year improvement plan. This marks the largest private gifts in the history of the library system.

The funds are divided. $500,000 is dedicated to launching a new program called Online 2Go, which offers over 900 borrowable laptops with built-in internet to customers. $2,020,000 will support the launch of The Commons, which will feature five technology labs and a work-study and fellowship program located at the five branch libraries throughout the county:  Beltsville Branch Library, Bladensburg Branch Library, Largo-Kettering Branch Library, Fairmount Heights Branch Library, and Oxon Hill Branch Library.

Founded by native Prince Georgian Sam Brin, the Pull Up Fund is committed to “pulling up to underserved communities and connecting them with the resources they need to thrive. The Online 2Go and The Commons projects were developed collaboratively by Roberta Phillips, Michelle Hamiel (COO for Public Services, PGCMLS), and Nicholas A. Brown (COO for Communication and Outreach, PGCMLS), along with Sam Brin and his team.

Online 2Go will support the Library’s existing mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and provide internet access for residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 12.8% of households in the county lack home broadband access, meaning that over 116,352 Prince Georgians need internet access. The Online 2Go program will serve approximately 7,800 households per year.

The major gift from the Pull Up Fund will support the development of The Commons labs, new programming and services, and an opportunity pathway for participants to obtain paid work-study positions and competitive fellowships for higher education or technical training as they progress through The Commons programming.