Gilchrist Center Joins Plans for New Wheaton Library

The Charles Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, which provides services and classes to immigrants and their families in Montgomery County, will likely be a part of the new library and community recreation center complex planned for Wheaton.

"I'm pretty certain that it's going to happen," said Karla Silvestre, the center's director, who has been in talks with the county's Department of Libraries.

Ernest Lunsford, division chief for Building Design and Construction in the Department of General Services, also confirmed plans to include the center in the designs.

The center is located in the Mid-County Regional Services Center at 2424 Reedie Drive, near the Wheaton Metro station and the bus bay at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Veirs Mill Road.

Moving the Gilchrist Center further north along Georgia Avenue to the site of the new complex would also move it farther away from these transportation hubs.

"I'm more concerned about bus access since most of our people come by bus or car," Silvestre said. "But I'm happy that the library has free parking and bus access."

The Gilchrist Center already operates a satellite office in the lower level of the Wheaton Library. Last year, it was open 40 hours a week, Silvestre said, but this year staffing issues led to cutting hours in half.