The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 16 adopted a proclamation recognizing National Friends of the Library Week, Oct. 20–25, 2025, and heard a detailed account of programs, outreach and volunteer support from library and Friends of the Library leaders.

Highlights from the library presentation

Katie Townsley, identified as the county library’s community engagement manager and liaison to the Friends, described several upcoming events and services: a fall book festival, a March 17, 2026 Light of Carroll return, a May 28, 2026 Davis Day 75th anniversary celebration, and a planned inaugural Carroll Book Festival in September 2026 at the Farm Museum. Library staff said more than 35 authors have already expressed interest in participating in the book festival and that the Friends will be asked to provide volunteer support.

Outreach and practical services

Library leaders described a robust outreach effort: early-literacy programming for young children, a senior bookmobile that visits senior communities and nursing facilities every three to four weeks, free notary services at branches, and audio-described movie and music events for people who are blind or have low vision. Commissioner Tom Gordon cited a recent case in which a library branch’s notary service helped a resident secure paperwork required for emergency surgery.

Why it matters

Speakers said the Friends — more than 500 members, many lifetime sustaining — bolster programming, raise funds for library events and provide volunteers that increase the library’s reach into schools and senior communities. County commissioners praised the library’s high circulation per capita (noted as top in the state for most years in recent decades), outreach work and the role of the Friends in sustaining programming.

Speakers

- Katie Townsley, Community Engagement Manager and Friends liaison, Carroll County Public Library
- Library leadership and Friends representatives (multiple)
- Commissioner Tom Gordon and other commissioners

Authorities

- No statutes or ordinances were cited; the item was a ceremonial proclamation and program briefing.

Provenance

- topicintro: {"block_id":"s_2925.275","local_start":0,"local_end":90,"evidence_excerpt":"Okay. We've got 1 more proclamation this morning. Commissioner Gordon, I believe that's you. Right?"}
- topfinish: {"block_id":"s_3779.3918","local_start":0,"local_end":64,"evidence_excerpt":"Write that down. Thank you."}