Mission Statement

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) provide 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'S VALUES

Discovery - MCPL is a champion of curiosity, exploration, and growth. MCPL supports members of the community to expand their knowledge, learn new skills, spark ideas, and make connections.

Intellectual Freedom - MCPL believes in free, open, and confidential access to ideas and information for all as a cornerstone of a thriving democratic society.

Equity - MCPL believes all residents of Montgomery County deserve equal and inclusive access to all the library's resources, regardless of race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, education, language, disability, and/or immigration status.

Respect - MCPL strives to treat everyone with kindness, provide a safe and welcoming environment for all, and honor the knowledge and lived experience of all members of the community.

Service - MCPL connects members of the community with the information they want and need, as efficiently as possible. MCPL anticipates and adapts to the changing needs, desires, and expectations of community members.

Community - MCPL is the backbone of the community, a place to connect with each other. MCPL forges strong, reciprocal relationships with residents, community organizations, and other county departments in service of our shared goals.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY24 Operating Budget for the Department of Public Libraries is $49,788,495, an increase of $3,901,454 or 8.50 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $45,887,041. Personnel Costs comprise 80.13 percent of the budget for 241 full-time position(s) and 199 part-time position(s), and a total of 385.11 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 19.87 percent of the FY24 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 FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

Initiatives

• FY24 funding provided to reduce Montgomery County Public Libraries' (MCPLs') lapse from 5.9% to 3.3% to allow MCPL to fill more positions and enable the Department to provide better customer service to residents.
• Add $100,000 in FY24 funding to purchase World Language collections, beginning with Spanish and Chinese, evenly split.
• The Early Care and Education Non-Departmental Account will provide $75,000 in FY24 funding to expand Montgomery County Public Libraries' early childhood literacy programs and outreach for children from 0 to 5.
• In partnership with the Department of General Services, completing a FY23 to FY26 MCPL Facilities Master Plan that sets priorities, goals, and objectives in keeping with MCPL's Community Centered Vision for the "Increasing Equity in Access and Opportunity" Strategic Plan. In addition, the Master Plan will enable the Department to apply for future Library State Aid as they rethink and reimagine their interior spaces to meet the needs of residents.

• Developing partnerships with Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Services, Manna Food Center, and Montgomery Parks Foundation in support of the "All Together Now" Summer Reading Challenge 2023.

• Pilot programs for young children, including a Hatchlings Program for expectant parents/parents of newborns and a LaunchPad tablet collection to encourage early digital literacy and Kindergarten readiness.

• Partner with NBA team Washington Wizards to launch Winter Reading Challenge program for PreKindergarten to High School students.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Created new Strategic Plan for FY23-FY26 in collaboration with County Innovation Team, staff, residents, and stakeholders.

• Switched to the Koha Integrated Library System (ILS). The ILS is Libraries' core software product, which is responsible for its database of users, the collection, lending rules, and its public catalog interface. The Koha ILS is open source software and saves the Department a significant amount of money across the life of the contract. MCPL was the highest circulating public library in the United States to switch to Koha, and the open source nature of the product provides it with unprecedented ability to customize and improve the product in order to improve staff workflows and customer experience on an ongoing basis.

• Restructured MCPL branch library administration to create six administrative groups of three to four branches, each under the oversight of one Regional Manager, resulting in more cohesive, effective, and targeted administration of branch libraries across the County.

• Implemented the Coral Electronic Resource Management (ERM) system. ERMs are primarily used by academic libraries to manage their databases and other electronic resources. MCPL has adapted this best practice from academic libraries to a public library environment in order to improve the acquisition, management, and monitoring of its electronic resources. The open source nature of this software will allow MCPL to influence and improve upon it on an ongoing basis.

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:...