St. Mary’s County library board announces new CEO hire, approves routine business and COVID-era operations changes

The St. Mary’s County Library Board on an otherwise routine virtual meeting said it has extended an offer that was accepted for a new chief executive and discussed several COVID‑era operational changes, ballot box locations and a planned partnership with county agencies to serve people in a new community corrections program.

Board President Jim Hanley said the library system has “found someone” and that the person has accepted an offer; the board did not release the hire's name at the meeting and the start date was announced as Oct. 26. “We have found someone,” Hanley said. He asked for patience while the new hire notifies her current employer and completes transition plans.

The board also voted on routine business: members approved the August meeting minutes, accepted expense/approval lists (EALs) and accepted the treasurer’s report as presented. The board approved two holiday closings for 2020 — Saturday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Jan. 2 — and reviewed the 2021 holiday schedule.

Why it matters: the CEO hire sets leadership for the county library system as it adapts operations during the COVID‑19 pandemic; operational decisions discussed at the meeting — from material quarantine policies to extended parking‑lot Wi‑Fi — affect how residents access library resources while buildings remain partially restricted.

Most important items

• CEO hire: Hanley said an offer has been accepted and the new chief will begin Oct. 26; the board did not disclose the individual’s name because the hire had not yet notified her current employer. Hanley described the selection process as having produced three finalists, all female, and asked trustees to wait for a formal announcement.

• Ballot boxes: Michael Matthews (staff member) said the St. Mary’s County Board of Elections will place ballot drop boxes outside the Lexington Park and Charlotte Hall libraries to allow 24/7 access. “They’re…