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Howard County library leaders urge council to release $5 million in state funds for Downtown Columbia central branch
Summary
Howard County Library System and supporters urged the County Council to release $5 million in restricted state funds from contingency to support planning and design of a new central branch in Downtown Columbia and to advance other branch projects, citing space constraints and early-education needs.
Tonia Akins, president and CEO of the Howard County Library System, told the County Council during the FY26 capital budget public hearing that the county executive’s proposed budget moves $5,000,000 in restricted state funds out of contingency to the central branch library project and asked the council to release those funds so planning and design can continue.
The request, Akins said, is driven by the county’s need for more early-learning space and for dedicated teen and adult meeting and program space. “Our current central branch only has one small classroom for children's classes, and we…
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