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Howard County Library leaders seek funding; library employees say board has delayed ratifying contract
Summary
Howard County Library System leaders asked the council to fund the executive's FY26 request for staff cost‑of‑living and step increases. Library employees said they ratified a tentative collective bargaining agreement but the library board has not signed it, citing funding approval concerns.
Howard County Library System officials and staff urged the council to fully fund the county executive’s FY2026 proposed operating request for the system and to allow the board to finalize a recently negotiated labor agreement.
Tonia Akins, president and CEO of the Howard County Library System, told the council the proposed operating budget request included cost‑of‑living and step increases for staff and modest increases to support training and technology. Liz Banach, chair of the library board of trustees, described library programs supporting early childhood, teens and adult learners and asked the council to “invest in the thousands of children, teens, adults, and seniors who value and use our libraries every day.” She cited system usage metrics including more than 7.4 million items borrowed last fiscal year and the system’s high per‑capita borrowing rate in Maryland.
Library union and contract delay
Library staff and union leaders said they voted to ratify a tentative collective bargaining agreement after about 10 months of negotiations. Jessica Lee, a system administrator and bargaining‑team member, said members voted unanimously on April 24 to accept the pact, which included wage increases, a sick‑leave bank and other workplace protections. Lee asked the council to “unequivocally stand with us” after the library board’s counsel indicated the board could not ratify the agreement immediately because of county executive sign‑off or concerns over funding availability.
Library employees represented by Howard County Library Workers United, AFSCME Council 3, said they have roughly 200 eligible staff with about 70% membership in the bargaining unit and called on county leaders to ensure the agreement is implemented. Union representatives said they would provide written communications to the council in advance of a Monday work session to clarify the board’s position and timeline.
Why it matters
Library testimony framed the library as a core educational and workforce resource that depends on competitive salaries to retain staff and deliver services. Library leaders tied their request to the county executive’s proposed funding and said that modest staff increases were necessary to recruit and retain trained instructors and maintain high levels of programming.
Ending
Library leaders asked the council to support the executive’s requests and urged the trustees to ratify the agreement once funding questions are resolved. Union representatives said they would forward written communications about the board’s legal counsel opinion before the council’s upcoming work session.
