Howard County reveals plan for lakefront Columbia library

Howard County officials revealed plans Thursday for a new lakefront library in Columbia that they expect to become the planned city’s crown jewel and a model for other communities. The new library — at 100,000 square feet — will be at least twice the size of any other facility in the county library system and will include an auditorium, a literacy classroom, flexible community space and a digital lab. It will host speakers, author talks and other public events. The building was designed by English architect Thomas Heatherwick and construction is expected to begin as soon as 2026.