Montgomery County Public Libraries
| Established | 1950 |
|---|---|
| Location | Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Branches | 21 |
| Access and use | |
| Population served | 1,044,292 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | US$40,658,903 |
| Director | Parker Hamilton |
| Website | montgomerycountymd |
The Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is the public library system for residents of Montgomery County, Maryland The system includes 21 publicly accessible branches and a public kiosk, as well as a branch in the Montgomery County Correctional facility.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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. 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.
Today Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) consists of 21 branches. MCPL also provides services at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
MCPL is a Montgomery County government agency. The current Director of Public Libraries is Parker Hamilton.
The Public Libraries budget is included in the County budget process. The approved budget for fiscal year 2017 (July 2016–June 2017) is US$40,658,904. This includes money for facilities, physical and electronic collections and databases, staff, and programs. Public Libraries employees are County employees. For Fiscal Year 2017, the approved budget included 215 full-time and 209 part-time positions.
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