Assault at Bethesda Library

A 2nd-degree assault at the Connie Morella Bethesda Library drew a significant police response yesterday afternoon. The assault was reported at the library, which is located at 7400 Arlington Road, at 4:56 PM Sunday. A reader reports that five Montgomery County police cruisers responded to the incident. 

The assault took place at a peak library time for children and families during daylight hours. What a sad statement about the ultra-low quality-of-life standards applied by our feckless Montgomery County Council in the 21st-century. Bethesda residents are paying too outrageous a level of taxes to have to put up with this [garbage], much less have their kids exposed to it.

Strong-arm rape reported at library in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm rape at a Montgomery County public library in Bethesda on Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026. The sexual assault was reported at a library in the 7400 block of Arlington Road at 4:30 PM Friday. The Connie Morella Library is located at 7400 Arlington Road. No further information is available at this time.

Assault at Connie Morella Bethesda Library

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at the Connie Morella Bethesda Library late Tuesday night, August 27, 2024. The assault was reported at 11:35 PM. To state the obvious, the library is closed at that time.

Assault at Bethesda Library

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a second-degree assault at the Connie Morella Library (a.k.a. Bethesda Library) at 7400 Arlington Road on Wednesday afternoon, December 22, 2021. The assault was reported at 12:10 PM, according to crime data.

Another second-degree assault was reported in downtown Bethesda later that evening. Police were summoned to the 7700 block of Woodmont Avenue to investigate that assault at 6:30 PM.

Bethesda Library to be renamed after Republican congresswoman Connie Morella, reopen Saturday

The Bethesda Library at 7400 Arlington Road will reopen this Saturday, April 14, at 10:00 AM. One surprise is that the library is going to be renamed the Connie Morella Library, after the former Republican congresswoman who represented the Bethesda area from 1987 to 2003.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the reopening, after a major renovation of the building. Attendees arriving by car are being asked to park at County Public Parking Garage 49 at 7601 Woodmont Avenue, and take a shuttle bus to the library (9:30 AM to noon). Parking spaces at the library will only be available for those who have ADA license plates or hang tags.

Bethesda construction update: Bethesda Library (Photos)

Renovation work at the shuttered Bethesda Library at 7400 Arlington Road has turned to the sidewalk and ADA ramps out front. The curb is being lowered here, and modifications are being made to the ramps for improved accessibility. In addition, the handicapped parking spaces will be relocated from the Arlington Road side to the center of the lot across from the building entrance. The library is scheduled to reopen in early 2018.

Little Falls Library to reopen July 29, Bethesda Library to close August 6

The long-delayed reopening of Little Falls Library in Bethesda will finally happen on Saturday, July 29, at 10:00 AM. Now the Bethesda Library will close for a similar renovation on Sunday, August 6, at 5:00 PM. Bethesda's renovation had to be pushed back until Little Falls was ready.

LAUREN OLIVER TO DISCUSS NOVEL "REQUIEM" AT BETHESDA LIBRARY TUESDAY AT 5 PM

Bestselling YA author Lauren Oliver will be at the Bethesda Library (7400 Arlington Road) tomorrow, Tuesday, March 5, at 5:00 PM.

She will discuss her latest novel, Requiem, the final book in her dystopian Delirium Trilogy.

In this series, love has been outlawed by the government. Everyone has an operation when they are 18 to "cure" what is now considered a disease. (Just think of how many flower shops and jewelry stores will go out of business as a result. Egads!).

Well, it's too late.  Lena Haloway has already fallen in love with the requisite hunk. And she's not going to go along with that mandated surgery.

By this third installment, Lena has gone all Katniss on Big Brother Uncle Sam. Will she survive the revolution? Will she ever be happy? Does she still qualify for a federally-managed health exchange?

Find out in this final book, and get your questions ready for tomorrow evening.

MAUREEN JOHNSON TO APPEAR AT BETHESDA LIBRARY THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Best-selling YA author Maureen Johnson will appear at the Bethesda Library (7400 Arlington Road) this Thursday, February 28, at 5:00 PM.

She will be discussing her newest novel, The Madness Underneath, which will be released tomorrow.

Madness is the second in Johnson's 4-book Shades of London series. Heroine Rory Devereaux returns after tangling with a Jack-the-Ripper copycat in Book 1.

Now she is in therapy (understandably), but the ghost-hunting secret police known as the Shades won't let Rory's newfound ghost-killing powers go to waste on her shrink's couch.

Back to London it is, and this time there are a whole bunch of paranormal problems. Expect surprises, witty dialogue and "spectacularly gruesome details" from the creative author behind Book 1, In the Name of the Star, which you have all of tonight to read before Book 2 hits shelves tomorrow.

MARISSA MEYER TO APPEAR AT BETHESDA LIBRARY TUESDAY

Young Adult fiction author Marissa Meyer will appear at the Bethesda Library tomorrow, Tuesday, February 19, at 5:00 PM, to discuss her new novel, Scarlet. 

Scarlet is the second installment in Meyers' Lunar Chronicles series (read Chapter 1 here), a blend of sci-fi and fairy tales primarily geared toward female readers.

Book 1 centered on the eponymous character of Cinder, a young female cyborg, who is now in prison at the start of Book 2.  Bummer!

New title character Scarlet Benoit is now the focus. She's searching for her kidnapped/murdered grandmother because the police won't.  Enter the subtly-named street-fighting man named Wolf.  Can he help find Grandma? Will Cinder bust out of the Big House? Can the handsome prince most of the women in the book are chasing after be found, before the evil queen forces him into a loveless marriage?

You'll have to read the book to find out!

This author series at the Bethesda Library is sponsored by Politics and Prose bookstore, who will handle book sales at Tuesday's event.

Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda.

BETHESDA LIBRARY HOSTING AUTHOR RACHEL COHN WITH NEW NOVEL, BETA

The Bethesda Library on Arlington Road, in conjunction with the Politics and Prose bookstore, has been hosting some very interesting author events for fans of Young Adult dystopian science fiction. In other words, if you finished the Hunger Games trilogy long ago, you may find something new-yet-familiar at these events.

This Thursday, January 31, at 5:00 PM, YA author Rachel Cohn will discuss her new novel, Beta.

Beta is the story of a 16-year-old clone named Elysia, sold as a "companion" to a wealthy family on the island of Demesne. (If you paid attention in Classics 101, you're going to figure out there's something symbolic about these names). Everyone on Demesne is rich, and is intoxicated by a narcotic-like element placed into the air by the government.

Elysia was cloned from a girl who supposedly died in the cloning process. But now Elysia is starting to remember things she shouldn't be able to remember. And isn't an emotionless drone like the other clones.  Sounds like there's going to be trouble there.  And a love triangle. And a surprise ending. Which sets up a - you guessed it - future trilogy.

Hmm.  Clones. An island. Clones with partial memories they shouldn't be having. Clones who start getting wise to the raw deal they've been dealt by The Man.

This sounds like one of my favorite movies, The Island (2005).  Yes, I know I am one of maybe 3 people in the world who enjoyed The Island.  Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, a gull-wing Cadillac Cien supercar, a pre-Game of Thrones Sean Bean, Pete from Benson, Djimon Hounsou, and directed by Michael Bay - now that's a movie.

If you like this novel a lot, I think you'll like The Island. I'm still waiting for an ultimate super-duper edition to be released on Blu-ray, because there's just a single-disc with no extras on it available right now.

"I'm Tom Lincoln!!"

BETHESDA LIBRARY WILL HAVE NEW HOURS STARTING SEPTEMBER 16

Bethesda's downtown library on Arlington Road will have new hours, beginning September 16:

SUNDAY: 12-5 PM

MONDAY-THURSDAY:  9 AM - 9 PM

FRIDAY-SATURDAY:  10 AM - 6 PM

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE - POWER OUTAGES, COOLING CENTERS

Heat Alert! Storm Alert!

There is a chance of storms today, the temperature will be high (what a shock!) and many are still without power.

For those reasons, the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road will be opened as a cooling center (and as a library, of course: books, internet, etc.) from noon until 8 PM tonight.

You'll be a short walk from the barbecue on Bethesda Lane in front of Redwood between 12 and 6 PM, if you'd like a burger or hot dog.

New Power Outages

Last night's storm caused an additional 11,000 outages.

Old Power Outages

Kenwood (the neighborhood, not the club!) was without power as of 11:00 PM last night.

Power Restorations

Pepco made some progress in the hard-hit 20816 and 20817 zip codes.  Residents near Fernwood and Greentree Roads reported having power by mid-evening last night.

Gas stations on River Road reopened, but 7-11 appeared to remain closed.

Power was restored for the first time in the Springfield neighborhood off River Road.

Stay tuned to @BethesdaRow on Twitter and this blog for the latest news!

BETHESDA CENTRAL

FARM MARKET

ADVISORY REGARDING

PARKING AT

TODAY'S MARKET

Farmers Market Issues Statement After

County Government Expresses Concern for

Safety of Children at Bethesda ES

During Market Hours

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The Bethesda Central Farm Market is OPEN today, Easter Sunday, from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Bethesda ES on Arlington Road.

However, they have issued a parking advisory.

BCFM asks all those capable of walking a block to *please* park at the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road, or in the public garage in the first block of St. Elmo Avenue. All those who cannot/do not wish to walk are welcome to park in the Bethesda ES lot.

This announcement is in response to Montgomery County Government expressing concern for the safety of children, who are attending other activities at Bethesda ES on Sunday mornings. As reported here last week, the lot filled up last Sunday, and the variety of activities happening concurrently may have led to the jam.

However, one must ask, if the county knew children would be trying to get to other events at the school, why did they insist that BCFM move to Bethesda ES?

Secondly, while no one will force you to walk, the directives may well dissuade potential attendees.

Third, the idea of parking at the Bethesda Library is counterintuitive; many people's first reaction may be, "Do I have to pay? Will cars be towed?" Thanks to bad county council policy - hitting up citizens for cash to go to the library - the library lot has a very negative perception among the general public.

But apparently you can park there today.

Well, parking aside, here's what to expect at today's market:

First, Cowgirl Creamery and Virginia Diner Peanuts make their 2012 debuts at the market.

Farm-fresh eggs will be available, and you can talk to the farmer directly to find out exactly where your eggs came from, and the conditions under which they were produced. Another advantage of buying local!

And Vernon will have fresh fish for your Easter feast tonight!

Give credit to the market, vendors, and customers: it's been a rough week PR-wise - and remember, this move was not the market's idea; they were forced to do this by the county - but loyalties are intact.

Enjoy the market today, and have a great Easter and Passover!

SPIES AND WITCHES

CONVERGE ON

BETHESDA LIBRARY

Tuesday Author Event Features

Creators of "Gallagher Girls,"

"Hex Hall" Series

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Expect international espionage and casting of spells Tuesday evening, at the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road.

Authors Ally Carter (Gallagher Girls) and Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall) will be reading from their latest young adult novels at 5 PM.

Conveniently, both books just happen to arrive in bookstores that very day.

Carter's "Out of Sight, Out of Time" is the latest spy adventure of heroine Cammie Morgan, a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. Which is run by the CIA.

Hawkins has written "Spell Bound," a female twist on Harry Potter and the next chapter in the saga of Sophie Mercer. Sophie attends a Hogwarts-meets-private-girls-boarding-school academy for witches, and has just lost her powers when a group of hit girls show up for an "epic war." Bummer!

Fans of either series will want to be at the library Tuesday night, at 7400 Arlington Road. Call 240-777-0970 for more information.

AUTHOR! AUTHOR!

BLOCKBUSTER

BOOK FAIR

TODAY AT

BETHESDA LIBRARY

The Bethesda Library is starting to rival the Bethesda Row Barnes & Noble for author events and book signings. Perhaps the biggest event yet will be held this evening at 5 PM.

Andrea Cremer, author of the Nightshade series and a history professor at Macalester College, will discuss and sign "Bloodrose." The heroine of the series, Calla Tor, is destined to be the next "alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves." Translation: Something for the Twilight fan who has finished that series, and wants a less-helpless female protagonist than those novels offered.

Marie Lu will talk about her novel, "Legend." A dystopian novel of the future, it presents the story of a teenage boy being hunted down by a teenage "girl prodigy." She is also an artist, and has a pretty impressive portfolio linked from her website at http://www.MarieLu.org. Some of her art would be at home in video games, but a couple pieces recall Roger Dean. If this book thing doesn't work out, I may have to hire her to do a Yes-style cover for a future album. So anyway, I'm sure she'll be ready to talk about art, too.

Beth Revis has written two novels in her "Across the Universe" series, including the month-old sequel, "A Million Suns." Protagonist Amy was just trying to take a restful, 300-year nap aboard the Starship Godspeed. Oh, and she was frozen, too. But she is unfrozen early (hate when that happens!). Now, three months after her adventures in the first novel, the Godspeed is getting "more and more out of control." Amy has to deal with terrorists, a wanna-be starship captain, and - surprise - romance. What's a girl to do? By the way, no vampires or werewolves are involved!

Last but not least, is Jessica Spotswood, author of "Born Wicked: The Cahill Witch Chronicles, Book One." Spotswood is a local; she lives in Washington, D.C. Cate Cahill and her sisters are - you guessed it - witches. If this gets out, the book says, Cate could end up on a prison ship. So Cate has to be discrete, but she is also "too pretty for her own good." This means dealing with "shocking marriage proposals" and "forbidden romance." Beats being frozen!

Obviously, all of these books will find a most receptive audience among young women. But many of those women will likely catch the writing bug themselves. Tonight's event is a great opportunity for such aspiring authors to get advice from these successful writers, and book sales aside, it's free to get in.

TIRED OF WORDS WITH FRIENDS?

TRY WORDS WITH STRANGERS

TODAY AT BETHESDA LIBRARY

Ready to bring your word game skills to a real-life challenge?

Scrabble master Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak, will be at the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road this afternoon from 2-3:30 PM!

He'll talk about competitive Scrabble, and his book celebrating 10 years in print.

To top it off, Fatsis will challenge participants in Scrabble.

Can you beat the master?

Find out today at the library! The event is free.