State librarian urges maintaining $12.8M library capital request as DLS recommends cut to statutory level

DLS told the subcommittee that the Maryland State Library Agency's FY27 capital request seeks $12.8 million in general‑obligation bonds for public library capital grants, exceeding the statutory $7.5 million annual allocation by $5.3 million and that requested out‑year funding could consume most planned funding through FY30.

Natalie Andrade of DLS recommended reducing the FY27 GO bond authorization by $5.3 million to align the program with the statutory baseline and preserve future capacity. She detailed a project list for FY27 covering eight projects across eight jurisdictions, some large new‑construction efforts that push total program costs well beyond the state share.

State Librarian Morgan Miller said the agency respectfully disagrees with the DLS recommendation and urged the committee to retain the governor's supplemental funds because construction costs have continued to escalate and the statewide backlog of needed repairs and new facilities remains large. Miller cited the agency's facilities assessment showing more than half of Maryland’s 193 public library buildings are over 25 years old and estimated general renovation needs of roughly $806.8 million over five years.

Miller highlighted projects that could be affected without supplemental funds, including a nearly $4 million construction need in FY27 for a new Clarksburg branch in Montgomery County and new libraries in La Plata (Charles County) and Williamsport (Washington County). She said deferring funding increases total project costs and impedes completion of projects already in design.

Next steps: the committee will consider DLS’s recommendation alongside agency testimony; Miller said she would provide additional follow‑up information to members on project status when requested.