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Leonardtown library construction advances; trustees discuss strategic plan, mobile services and census outreach
Summary
Trustees received a construction update for the new Leonardtown library with a Sept. 24 closing‑in ceremony, reviewed tri‑county strategic planning work, discussed a possible bookmobile and agreed to help with census outreach as the Census Bureau emphasizes online completion.
Library leaders reported construction progress at the new Leonardtown Library, set a closing‑in ceremony for Sept. 24, discussed strategic planning across the three Southern Maryland counties, and reviewed plans to support the 2020 census and explore mobile library services.
Mary Anne, deputy director, said contractors were finishing drywall and exterior metal panels and expected most work complete enough for a "closing in" ceremony on Sept. 24; shuttles will run from the government center. She said switchgear delivery had been delayed but other interior work — tile, grout, restroom fixtures and lighted exterior bollards — was underway. "We're hoping to have most of that done by September 24th, which is coming right up, when the closing in ceremony happens," she said.
Trustees reviewed a tri‑county strategic planning process led by consultant the Ivy Group. The library has four focus areas under study: services (collections and programming), organizational culture (training and inclusion), facilities (including possible mobile services) and community outreach/partnerships. The board expects each subcommittee to finish and combine findings into a draft strategic plan by the end of October and a final plan by December.
Trustees discussed a mobile library/bookmobile as a way to reach rural areas and underserved neighborhoods. Board members estimated a turnkey vehicle with programming and Wi‑Fi could cost roughly $125,000 and suggested pursuing grants such as IMLS and state competitive grant opportunities for capital work. "A bookmobile concept would really work... for regular stops at Coltons Point, Brandywine and other remote areas," one trustee said.
Library staff also described preparations to support the 2020 decennial census, focusing on online completion. Staff plan bookmarks with the census website and staff training to direct patrons to the online form without completing it for them. Director Michael Blackwell noted county funding tied to population counts and urged library involvement. "For every person who doesn't take the census, we're told, Maryann, it's $1,800 — the county is out federal funding per year," he said.
The board heard the Foundation had raised additional money for furniture and "maker space" equipment; library leaders reported the foundation raised roughly $75,000–$80,000 toward extra furniture and maker‑space computers not covered in the construction budget.
No formal policy or funding vote was taken; trustees directed staff to incorporate board feedback into the strategic plan and to pursue funding options for mobile services and additional equipment.
