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 recommended FY23 Operating Budget for the Department of Public Libraries is $45,884,221, an increase of $3,178,614 or 7.44 percent from the FY22 Approved Budget of $42,705,607. Personnel Costs comprise 79.13 percent of the budget for 233 full-time position(s) and 207 part-time position(s), and a total of 403.60 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 20.87 percent of the FY23 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 Growing Economy
• A Greener County
• Effective, Sustainable Government

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 FY22 estimates reflect funding based on the FY22 approved budget. The FY23 and FY24 figures are performance targets based on the FY23 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY24.

Initiatives

• Reduce Montgomery County Public Library's lapse budget by $1,500,000 which will enable the Department to recruit more librarians and other support staff and improve customer service.
• Increase Montgomery County Public Library's collections budget by $900,000 to reduce wait times for eBooks.
• Equalized library public service hours across all locations and expanded Sunday service hours to eight hours systemwide.
• Partnered with Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Department of General Services, and the County Executive's Office to distribute over 800,000 COVID rapid test kits and over 1 million N95 masks to the public from 19 library branch locations.
• Awarded $8 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Emergency Connectivity Funds, in partnership with Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, to provide 20,000 laptop computers to County residents who lack access to an internet connected device.
• Awarded $100,000 from the Maryland State Library through ARPA funds to purchase an outreach van that will allow the Department to bring resources and services to under-served communities.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Increased the distribution of marketing messages from 5,468 subscribers to more than 285,000 using the new OrangeBoy Savannah Community Engagement platform beginning November 2021.
• Enhanced the monthly "Check Us Out" eNewsletter with personal video message from the Director.
• Implemented a new model for recruitment and selection within the Department to streamline the process.
• Launched Strategic Plan process in partnership with the County Executive's Innovation Team.
• Partnering with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Friends of the Library Montgomery County to launch a more relevant Summer Reading program in 2022 that will help children understand and support the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Activated outdoor space at the Long Branch Library to respond to community needs.
• The Department developed a wide range of virtual programs for all ages.
• Purchased equipment to support outdoor programming.

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:...