Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries Sunday Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Libraries defend Sunday consolidation and seek funding for security and reopening needs
Summary
Montgomery County Public Libraries told the committee Sunday service was consolidated to nine branches for staffing sustainability; the committee supported placing one-time funding for Noyes Library and enhanced security hours on the reconciliation list.
Council staff told the committee the county executive’s FY27 recommendation increases the library operating budget by roughly $2.0 million (about 3.65%) and that two reconciliation-list items were presented for committee consideration: $275,000 for Noyes Library reopening collection updates and $207,000 to expand security-guard hours at five branches.
MCPL Director Darcelle framed the Sunday-service change as a staffing decision informed by a nine-month analysis and post‑pandemic vacancies. “This change was made with libraries identifying the 9 branches that would remain open on Sundays selected due to a combination of factors including number of patrons, circulation on Sundays, capacity to withstand increased usage,” the director said. MCPL staff said restoring the former model (13 branches at 1–5 p.m.) would require substantially more FTEs and that the county’s proposal to abolish some vacant part‑time positions means full restoration would need additional hires beyond those vacancies.
Patrick Fromm, MCPL assistant director of public services, said the department received more than 370 responses to a feedback form about Sunday changes and that the department will continue to evaluate phased restorations in consultation with labor partners and the public. For security, council staff cited 190 disruptive-behavior orders in county facilities during calendar year 2025, with 65 issued at McGee Library; staff recommended the $207,000 security item be added to the reconciliation list to expand private security hours at five branches.
Committee members expressed concern about staff strain and about the tradeoffs between Sunday service and weekday programming. The committee placed the Noyes Library one-time collection funding and the enhanced security-hours item on the reconciliation list for full-council consideration; both were presented as one-time or limited-term additions requiring reconciliation.
