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 Montgomery 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 also provides service in a historic building at the Noyes Library for Young Children.The 21...

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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 Montgomery 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 also provides service in a historic building at the Noyes Library for Young Children.

The 21 MCPL branches provide access to library services, including 579 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 1.65 million physical books and media, and 2.59 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 and Shady Grove West Library projects 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 conducting an analysis of each community that includes a review of demographics, the physical constraints 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 to serve a growing community currently without convenient library resources.
• Fund design and construction of a new Shady Grove West Library that is part of a housing development next to the Shady Grove Metro station.
• Plan and construct six refresh projects over the FY27-32 CIP cycle. Refurbishments planned for completion during the six-year planning period are Damascus Library, Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring, Twinbrook Library, Rockville Memorial Library, Gaithersburg Library, and Olney Library.
• Continue implementation of the 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

Six projects totaling $83 million comprise the recommended FY27-32 CIP for Public Libraries. This represents an increase of $8.2 million, or 10.9 percent, from the amended FY25-30 total six-year cost of $74.8 million. The cost increase results primarily from a new cost estimate for the Clarksburg Library and funding provided for the design and construction of a new Shady Grove West Library. The Public Libraries FY27-32 CIP is funded primarily by general obligation bonds and recordation tax premium. 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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