Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) provides equitable access to information, ideas, and experiences that spark imagination and expand possibilities for all. The Department's libraries are an essential component of a just and equitable community, where all can thrive and grow.MCPL provides library services throughout the County in 21 branch libraries and one Montgomery County Correctional Facility Library. MCPL's branches provide over 540,000 square feet of space for services, in branches that range in size from 925 to over 82,000 square feet. MCPL provides service in a historic building at the Noyes Library for Young Children.The 21 Library...
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) provides equitable access to information, ideas, and experiences that spark imagination and expand possibilities for all. The Department's libraries are an essential component of a just and equitable community, where all can thrive and grow.
MCPL provides library services throughout the County in 21 branch libraries and one Montgomery County Correctional Facility Library. MCPL's branches provide over 540,000 square feet of space for services, in branches that range in size from 925 to over 82,000 square feet. MCPL provides service in a historic building at the Noyes Library for Young Children.
The 21 Library branches provide access to library services, including 638 public access computers, meeting rooms, individual and group study rooms, seating, Wi-Fi Internet access, and other service features. Some branches include features such as Assistive Technology Workstations, Discovery Rooms (reservable rooms for children to learn through play), and collaborative learning spaces managed by MCPL partners such as KIDMuseum (a makerspace experience for children) and the Gilchrist Center that serves new Americans.
MCPL offers a collection of over 1.8 million physical books and media, and 1.96 million electronic books, audiobooks, music, magazines, and other viewable or downloadable materials. MCPL also creates useful content and provides services via its Web Page and social media platforms.
Branch-specific materials collections, technology, service delivery models, and interior geography are reviewed, modernized, and realigned via the Library Refurbishment project or during new building construction projects, such as the Clarksburg Library project in this Capital Improvements Program (CIP). In addition, system-wide technology and other service features are modernized via the 21st Century Library Enhancement project. The mix of books, media, physical features, and technologies used for each branch is determined by analysis of the needs of each community via demographic analysis, the physical characteristics of the buildings and sites, and resource constraints.
MCPL recognizes the need to more responsively adapt library services to rapid changes in technology and the increasing diversity of its customers and their needs. This CIP continues the strategic approach to modernizing library branches, investing in system-wide technology and services infrastructure, and developing a faster, more targeted approach to physical and programmatic changes to libraries.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Fund design and construction of a new library in Clarksburg, including funds for the evaluation and purchase of an alternate site.
- Plan and construct six refresh projects over the FY25-30 CIP cycle. Refurbishments planned during the six-year planning period are Damascus Library, Silver Spring Library, Twinbrook Library, Rockville Library, Gaithersburg Library, and Olney Library. State Aid was also provided for a shade structure for Long Branch Library.
- Continue implementation of a 21st Century Library Enhancements project that will allow Public Libraries to respond to customer demands and library trends that require changes in the equipment and related furnishings of library buildings.
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Contact Angelisa Hawes of the Department of Public Libraries at 240.777.0022 or Deborah Lambert of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2794 for more information regarding this department's capital budget.
CAPITAL PROGRAM REVIEW
Five projects totaling $70.2 million comprise the recommended FY25-30 CIP for Public Libraries. This represents an increase of $25.1 million, or 55.5% percent, from the amended FY23-28 total six-year cost of $45.1 million. The cost increase results primarily from a new cost estimate for the Clarksburg Library and funding provided for the evaluation and purchase of an alternate site for this library, the movement of costs for the Chevy Chase Library and Redevelopment project into the six-year period, and escalation of cost for the Library Refurbishment level of effort project. The Public Libraries FY25-30 CIP is funded primarily by general obligation bonds. Current revenue is generally used for the technology and minor building modifications that do not qualify for bond funding. The Department of Public Libraries also actively pursues State Aid for its capital projects.
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