Baltimore County Public Library officials presented an overview of current and planned capital projects to the Planning Board subcommittee, describing renovations already completed, projects in design or procurement, and funding challenges.

Sonia Alcantara Antoine, speaking for Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL), said the system has 19 facilities, about 12 of which "need to be brought up to date" and that the average building age is about 50 years. James Cook, BCPL chief operations officer, said the library system currently has about half the square footage per capita recommended by state guidelines and that equity, access and sustainability drive design choices.

Why it matters: BCPL leaders said routine annual capital allocations are modest historically, and their project pipeline depends on securing state grants, county funding and private donations. Justin Hartsell, BCPL capital projects manager, described five major initiatives: a Woodlawn branch renovation and expansion (architect: Quinn Evans; $22,000,000 project funded by Baltimore County with construction expected 2025–2027 and a temporary branch secured), Randallstown renovations at 8212 Liberty Road (50,000 square feet of the renovated building to be dedicated to the branch; presenters said $31,000,000 in state funding has been secured and construction is planned 2027–2029), a new Essex branch on 4.5 acres at 1517 Old Eastern Avenue (about $6,000,000 in state and county funding secured for design at roughly 30 percent), Lansdowne planning (current facility described as "54,100 square feet" in the presentation and under review for expansion), and a potential new Middle River branch in partnership with St. John Properties where the developer would build a 45,000‑square‑foot facility and lease it to the county.

Other completed work includes a $7,000,000 Catonsville renovation that opened in August 2024 and a roughly $3,000,000 set of improvements at the Pikesville branch, including restroom upgrades and forthcoming HVAC and elevator work. Cook and Hartsell said Catonsville now features two recording studios, the first in the BCPL system, and that the studios are heavily used; staff reported many appointments are booked and that seniors make up a substantial share of users.

Funding and capacity: When asked about capital funding, presenters said historical county allocations for library capital have been modest (a board member cited about $1.9 million annually) and that BCPL supplements county allocations with state capital grants and other outside funding. Several board members urged attention to equity and to placing new facilities where community need is greatest.

Ending: BCPL closed by noting the system’s capital program focuses on equity, access and flexibility to meet changing demands and that many projects will proceed only as additional funding is secured.