Montgomery County Public Libraries

Last updated
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Location Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S.
EstablishedMay 31, 1950;73 years ago (1950-05-31)
Branches21 [1]
Collection
Size1,904,442 concrete objects
Access and use
Population served1,044,292 [2]
Other information
BudgetUS$43,064,563 [3]
DirectorAnita Vassallo
Website montgomerycountymd.gov/library

The Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is the public library system for residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. The system includes 20 publicly accessible branches as well as a branch in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Contents

History

Library service in Montgomery County started in 1869 when a group of Rockville and other area residents assembled in the County Courthouse to plan a joint stock library. Other independent libraries were formed in Montgomery County in the following years. For example, in 1893 a group of private citizens in Kensington established the Noyes Library. From 1893 until 1950, independent public or subscriber funded libraries provided limited services to residents of southern Montgomery County. Nine independent library associations operated facilities located in Bethesda, Four Corners, Gaithersburg, Garrett Park, Kensington, Rockville, Sherwood, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. [4]

In 1945 the Maryland Legislature passed the State Library Law which provided matching state funds for County library systems, based on a County's population. [4] On May 31, 1950, the Montgomery County Council passed the County Library Law of 1950, which created a Department of Public Libraries administered by a professional librarian and advised by a Library Board. George B. Moreland was hired as the first Director of the Library System. The Library Board was appointed by the County Council and assumed its duties in February 1951. [5]

By July 1, 1951, when the Department officially began its operations, seven of the nine independent Montgomery County libraries agreed to hand over administrative control to the new system in exchange for improved library service. [5] Remaining independent meant that a library would have to operate from individual subscriptions, donations and fundraising, whereas joining the county system meant that it would receive county funds. [6] The Library System began operation with properties and administrative control of seven formerly independent libraries, including Four Corners, Gaithersburg, Garrett Park, Noyes, Sherwood, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. The Bethesda Library Association transferred its facility and collections to the County on July 1, 1952, but the Rockville Library Association did not follow suit until July 1, 1957. [4]

Today Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) consists of 21 branches. MCPL also provides services at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Governance

MCPL is a Montgomery County government agency. The current Director of Public Libraries is Anita Vassallo. [7]

The Public Libraries' operating budget is included in the County budget process. The approved operating budget for fiscal year 2020 (July 2019–June 2020) is US$43,964,563. This includes money for physical and electronic collections and databases, staff, and programs. Public Libraries employees are County employees. For Fiscal Year 2020, the approved budget included 232 full-time and 210 part-time positions. [3] In 2021, it was reported that librarians in the library system had formed a union. [8]

In 2016, the MCPL released a new strategic plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2020, [9] which includes four core aspects:

The Public Libraries has a Library Board made up of twelve members appointed by the County Executive and one representing the School Board. The Board makes recommendations to the County Executive on library-related issues, including facilities, collection, service areas, and personnel. The Library Board has twenty-three Library Advisory Committees, subcommittees representing individual branches or programs. Members of the LACs are approved by the Board. [10]

Branches

Gaithersburg Library Gaithersburg Library.jpg
Gaithersburg Library
Rockville Memorial Library Rockville Memorial Library 2018.jpg
Rockville Memorial Library
Noyes Library for Young Children, Kensington Noyes Library for Young Children, Kensington, Maryland LCCN2012630015.tif
Noyes Library for Young Children, Kensington

The following MCPL branches are open to the public: [1]

MCPL operates a Capital Improvement Program that calls for branches to be updated on an accelerated timetable through refresh projects. Two to three libraries per year are closed for several months to complete these projects. The Refresh program allows for technological and other updates on an accelerated timetable from the previous 25 year renovation cycle. [11] The refresh program was recognized with the 2016 Top Innovator Award from the Urban Libraries Council. [12]

In addition to publicly accessible branches, MCPL operates a branch at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. [1]

Services

MCPL offers a wide variety of services to the public. These include physical and electronic book checkouts, magazines and e-magazines, audiobooks in various formats, and access to movie and television shows. Services in branches include internet computer access and Wi-Fi connection. [13] Some branches offer specialized graphic design software. [14] Printing and copying services are also available. [15] Librarians are available at every branch to help customers find the books, information, and resources they need. MCPL also offers online information services through its Ask a Librarian and What Do I Check Out Next services.

In addition, MCPL offers a variety of programs aimed at children, teens, adults, and seniors. Programs cover a range of educational and other topics. Examples of programs include: storytimes and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) skills programs for children; coding, writing, and financial literacy programs for teens; book discussion groups and job searching programs for adults; and health, art and financial planning programs for seniors. [16]

MCPL also offers an Outreach Team that can visit community events to share information about services and sign individuals up for library cards. [17]

Privileges

The library system is part of the Maryland Consolidated Library System, which provides that any person who is a resident of the State of Maryland may obtain a library card at no charge at any county library or Baltimore City. This privilege is also available to non-residents who work for an employer in Maryland or pay property taxes there. A person may apply for a card from any library system in the state, or choose to authorize a card from any other library system in the state on that system.

Anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes, or goes to school in Maryland, or who lives in the District of Columbia, or in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia is eligible for a free MCPL card. There is no age limit to get an MCPL card. With an MCPL card, customers can borrow materials, download ebooks, eaudiobooks, movies, and music; use research databases and online learning tools; and much more. A MCPL card can be applied for in person at any branch with a proof of address and a photo ID. Customers can apply online for a digital card to access eBooks and some databases and other eResources. They must apply in person for full library privileges, including checking out and placing holds on physical materials. Anyone who does not qualify for a free MCPL card can apply for a MCPL Nonresident card which is $10.00 a year and non-refundable. [18]

Nearby public library systems

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomery County, Maryland</span> County in Maryland, United States

Montgomery County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 1,062,061, increasing by 9.3% from 2010. The county seat is Rockville and Germantown is the most populous place in the county. The county is adjoined to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, and is part of the Washington metropolitan area and the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area. Most of the county's residents live in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Germantown, and the incorporated cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockville, Maryland</span> City in Maryland, United States

Rockville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, and is part of the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The 2020 census tabulated Rockville's population at 67,117, making it the fourth-largest incorporated city in Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kensington, Maryland</span> Town in Maryland, United States

Kensington is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,122 at the 2020 census. Greater Kensington encompasses the entire 20895 ZIP code, with a population of 19,753 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheaton, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

Wheaton is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, situated north of Washington, D.C., and northwest of downtown Silver Spring. Wheaton takes its name from Frank Wheaton (1833–1903), a career officer in the United States Army and volunteer from Rhode Island in the Union Army who rose to the rank of major-general while serving before, during and after the Civil War.

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Darnestown is a United States census-designated place (CDP) and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. The CDP is 17.70 square miles (45.8 km2) with the Potomac River as its southern border and the Muddy Branch as much of its eastern border. Seneca Creek borders portions of its north and west sides. The Travilah, North Potomac, and Germantown census-designated places are adjacent to it, as is the city of Gaithersburg. Land area for the CDP is 16.39 square miles (42.4 km2). As of the 2020 census, the Darnestown CDP had a population of 6,723, while the village of Darnestown is considerably smaller in size and population. Downtown Washington, D.C. is about 22 miles (35 km) to the southeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Bethesda, Maryland</span> Census-designated place in Maryland, United States

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North Potomac is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is located less than 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the Potomac River, and is about 20 miles (32 km) from Washington, D.C. It has a population of 23,790 as of 2020.

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Travilah is a United States census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is 17.28 square miles (44.8 km2) located along the north side of the Potomac River, and surrounded by the communities of Potomac, North Potomac, and Darnestown—all census-designated places. It had a population of 11,985 as of the 2020 census.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Branches and Hours". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Montgomery County Demographic Data". Montgomery College. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Public Libraries" (PDF). Montgomery County Office of Management and Budget. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Guide to the Records of the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES 1908, 1931-1989" (PDF). Montgomery County Historical Society. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Guide to the Records of the MONTGOMERY COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD 1949-1994" (PDF). Montgomery County Historical Society. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Library's Long History". The Noyes Children's Library Foundation. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "Library Leadership". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  8. ↑ DeVille, Taylor (April 14, 2021). "General Assembly approves legislation allowing Baltimore County librarians to unionize". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Strategic Plan". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  10. ↑ "Library Board". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  11. ↑ "Refresh Projects". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  12. ↑ "Newsletter". Urban Libraries Council. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Using MCPL's Public Computers". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  14. ↑ "Studio i: Digital Media Labs". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  15. ↑ "Help with MCPL's Public Computers". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "Calendar of Events". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  17. ↑ "Request for Visit from Outreach Staff Member". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "About Library Cards". Montgomery County Public Libraries. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
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