Glen Mar Apartment Homes , one of the properties owned by Morgan Properties, recently celebrated the installation of a “Little Library” housing free books for the community at its Glen Mar Apartment Homes in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The Little Library is a donation from the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Association and Firefighter-Paramedic, Brian Holtslander. Members of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Station 26, responded to an apartment fire on New Year’s Day at Glen Mar Apartment Homes, and Brian was looking for a way to stay connected and offer support to the residents.
“Putting out a fire isn’t the end of a struggle, it’s just the beginning of a long road for the families affected,” said Holtslander, who began the Little Library in 2015 as a passion project to give back to the community. “Throughout my 17 years of service in Anne Arundel County, I’ve seen various incidents over and over and it never gets easier. At the end of the day, I’m always left thinking about other ways I can make a positive impact in the community.”
The Little Library came fully stocked with books for all ages, and will serve as a destination for residents and local community members to pick up or donate books of their choice. Holtslander’s goal is for the residents at Glen Mar Apartment Homes to adopt the library and fill it with books that represent their diverse backgrounds and interests. The library is made out of a recycled newspaper box and has been refurbished and designed to resemble the stripes on the Anne Arundel County fire engine.
“We’re very much looking forward to having a Little Library in our community,” said Rommy Karam, Regional Marketing Manager for Morgan Properties. “The books not only provide our 329 residents with new reading materials and a way to connect with neighbors, but also serve as a reminder of the heroes who helped protect our community from a devastating fire on New Year’s Day.”
Morgan Properties and the Anne Arundel Fire Department celebrated the installation with a ceremony at Glen Mar Apartment Homes following all the appropriate COVID protocols. Representatives from Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Association and Anne Arundel County Council were in attendance. The crew that responded to the apartment fire back in January was in attendance with their fire engine and fire truck, in tow. This Little Library is the first of several planned installations Holtslander will complete throughout the county in March to coincide with National Reading Month.
This partnership with the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Association to install a Little Library demonstrates Morgan Properties’ appreciation for the heroes in the community, and commitment to providing a safe and healthy place for all residents.
