State Librarian Defends Funding for Young Readers, Opposes Pension Cost Shift to Counties
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Summary
State Librarian Morgan Miller told the subcommittee MSLA needs additional funds to absorb rising per‑book costs in the Young Readers program and warned that shifting FY27 pension cost increases fully to counties would harm local library operations.
State Librarian Morgan Miller told the House Education & Economic Development Subcommittee that the Maryland State Library Agency's proposed fiscal 2027 allowance will sustain statewide library services and expand early literacy, but that a proposed cost shift of pension increases to local jurisdictions would do disproportionate harm.
DLS presented a fiscal 2027 allowance of $112.6 million for MSLA, a $2.4 million (2.2%) increase from fiscal 2026. DLS highlighted major components of the allowance including $54.3 million in public library aid, $28 million for local library employee fringe benefits and $24.1 million for the state library network. DLS asked the agency to explain the use of additional funding for the Baltimore City Young Readers program and to justify a $722,000 contingent general fund reduction tied to proposed legislation about retirement cost sharing.
Miller said the Young Readers Early Literacy Program enrollment rose 41% since December 2024 to more than 55,000 children statewide and that effective Jan. 1, 2025 the program's partner, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, increased per‑book costs by 50¢. She said the additional state funding (described as a roughly 30% program increase) will be used to absorb higher costs and support program expansion. Miller also explained that county public libraries manage many local purchasing decisions and that MSLA does not centrally collect some county‑level procurement data.
On the DLS recommendation to shift 100% of the FY27 increase in the state share of library retirement costs to local jurisdictions, Miller said MSLA disagreed. She warned that the shift would impose significant burdens on counties already facing flat or reduced budgets, noting that on average public library systems receive 10–15% of operating funds from the state while K–12 and higher education receive larger state shares.
Committee members asked about trends in the State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Miller said declines in some metrics reflect changes in format and distribution (larger capacity media reducing the counted number of physical items), not necessarily less access, and she urged better data capture for outreach and bookmobile programs.
The committee thanked Miller and MSLA staff; members said they valued the agency's statewide role in literacy, digital access and workforce support.