Three of the four busiest libraries in Southern Maryland are the three St. Mary’s County branches. Lexington Park and Leonardtown are first and second and Charlotte Hall is fourth. The new and spacious Prince Frederick Library is third and all of Charles County’s aging libraries lag behind.
The St. Mary’s information was included in an annual report to the St. Mary’s County Commissioners by Library Director Kathleen Reif. The report on Tuesday came a day after the county commissioners decided to deep-six a new Leonardtown Library in favor of renovating the current library, which used to be a MD National Guard armory.
Reif thanked the commissioners for maintaining the county funding at $2.28 million in these tight fiscal times. The libraries also received $588,000 from the state. Reif says the library budget is very personnel driven and they have trended towards hiring more part-timers to save money. The system has 46 full-time equivalent employees of which 28 are full-time.
Because of budget considerations, the system suspended Sunday hours at the Lexington Park Library. Reif said a study showed that overall library circulation at that location dropped after Sundays were eliminated, telling her that for some people Sunday was the only day they had available to go to a library. She said she hoped to resume those hours “maybe not next year but sometime in the future.”
Reif says the libraries are heavily dependent on volunteers and fundraising. She said volunteers are put in responsible positions depending on their interests.
The Friends of the Library raised $32,000 last year through their book sales, the bulk at the annual sale at the fairgrounds. The money raised is used for needs such as replacement furniture. Donated books can be dropped off at the back room of the Leonardtown Library.
Seventy-five percent of county residents have a library card, compared to a 60 percent statewide average. The county system has the fourth highest circulation per capita, with systems in Carroll, Howard and Harford with higher per capita budgets leading the way. Operating cost per circulated item is the lowest in Southern and half that of Charles County.
Reif says the customers still prefer to check out books even though the libraries have moved towards e-books. Wi-Fi and computers.
The library director said their mission was “To create a place where people come together to learn and grow.” In fact libraries are included in the state code under the Education article.
Reif praised the cooperation she receives from county departments and all levels of county government. The library system is overseen by a volunteer Board of Library Trustees appointed by the commissioners. Many of the trustees attended Tuesday’s meeting.
