Mission Statement

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) offers free and equal access to services and resources that connect the people of Montgomery County to ideas and information which sustain and enrich their lives.

MCPL's Vision: Our diverse community of lifelong learners finds MCPL to be an open, inviting, and vital gateway to the information, ideas, and enrichment that strengthens our County. A diverse, highly qualified staff continually assesses community needs and interests to support, encourage, and inspire our customers.

MCPL's Values: MCPL believes in the right of all to learn and to grow. We value intellectual freedom, accountability, quality service, diversity, fairness, professional ethics, integrity of information, and respect for our customers, our community, and ourselves. We are a learning organization that functions openly by exploring new ideas and using the collective talent, knowledge, and creativity of employees at all levels.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY22 Operating Budget for the Department of Public Libraries is $42,705,607, an increase of $293,010 or 0.69 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $42,412,597. Personnel Costs comprise 79.88 percent of the budget for 234 full-time position(s) and 208 part-time position(s), and a total of 404.06 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 20.12 percent of the FY22 budget.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Thriving Youth and Families
• A Greener County
• Effective, Sustainable Government
• A Growing Economy

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY21 estimates reflect funding based on the FY21 approved budget. The FY22 and FY23 figures are performance targets based on the FY22 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY23.

Initiatives

• Complete migration from SirsiDynix Symphony Integrated Library System to Koha Open Source Integrated Library System.
• Refresh of Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville and installation of Bibliotheca's Open Plus building automation software.
• Begin Potomac Library refresh construction and develop Program of Requirements for the Clarksburg Library.
• Implement OrangeBoy Savannah Community Engagement platform. OrangeBoy Savannah provides libraries a data-driven solution to increase organizational productivity and community engagement. It achieves this by linking customer behaviors with outcomes desired by the library, allowing the library to identify and implement the most efficient service model. This helps libraries target communication efforts and allocate resources to customer segments based on what they need and expect from the library, run highly targeted messaging campaigns, and ask for feedback from either a very select or very broad segment of customers. This will replace Libraries' current subscription to Constant Contact.

• Summer Council Fellow will develop a plan to strengthen career paths for library staff.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Joined over 285 major public library systems in the US and Canada in no longer charging overdue fines.
• Pivoted from total traditional in-person library programming to a fully virtual programming model using the Zoom platform. From February 1, 2020 to February 11, 2021, offered 2,416 virtual programs with a total attendance of 91,299 persons.
• Launched Holds To Go service on July 6, 2020, which is a successful contactless physical materials circulation process. As of February 11, 2021, library users have borrowed 1,391,217 items using this process.
• Partnered with the Department of Technology Services to install enhanced outdoor wireless at 10 library locations.

Program Descriptions

  Administration

The Office of the Director has the responsibility for the overall management and leadership of the Department. The Director's Office also oversees strategic planning and evaluation of services, public relations with the community, marketing the department's services, partnerships, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and the Library Board. The Director's Office directly...

  Library Services to the Public

MCPL consists of 23 library sites including the Noyes Library for Young Children, the Montgomery County Correctional Facility Library, and the Collection Management Center.Library services are available to all County residents, Maryland residents, and those working or attending school in Montgomery County, free of charge. Library customers use MCPL services...

  Workforce and Business Development

Montgomery County Public Libraries has a special emphasis on developing and supporting workforce and business development in the County. The area of the Department's service falls under the Assistant Director for Programs and Outreach and is headed by a full-time Program Specialist for Workforce and Business Development.Within this program MCPL:...