Montgomery County Library Board Minutes

January 14, 2026

Attendees

Bouie, Brier, Conlon, Johnson, Lighter, Manubay, Mohan, Montgomery, Romine, Schiff, Solomon, Van Puymbroeck, Wiggins 

Staff

Darcell Graham, Director, Montgomery County Public Libraries; Patrick Fromm, Assistant Director of Branch Operations; Angelisa Hawes, Assistant Director for Facilities and ADA; Steve Kapani, Assistant Director for Business Operations; Regina Holyfield-Jewett, Library Board Liaison; Mirna Turcios, Regional Manager; Dianne Whitaker, Regional Manager; Emily Levine, Regional Manager

Guest(s)

Claudia Deane, Chair, Connie Morella LAC

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Manubay at 7:00 PM.

Introductions

  • Two-minute exercise – one word to manifest 2026
  • Roll call of Board members
  • Introduction of guests 

Minutes and LAC Application Approvals

  • The minutes from the November 12, 2025, meeting were approved. Motion to approve made by Terry Romine, seconded by Tim Lighter. Unanimous vote to approve.
  • The following LAC applications were approved. Motion to approve made by Marilyn Schiff, seconded by Terry Romine. Unanimous vote to approve.
    • Gaithersburg – D’Amour
    • Olney - Partington
    • White Oak – Cellotto, Stewart, Wright

Chair's Report

  • Cancellation of Joint Meeting II
    • There were no plans made for the Joint Meeting II by mid-December and with the upcoming holiday season, the Chair conferred with the Legislative Affairs workgroup and the decision was made to cancel the meeting.
  • December Retreat – Thank you to the MCPL staff who presented. Feedback from the Board:
    • Most valuable take-aways
      • History of Sunday service hours
      • How operational and policy changes are made
    • Non-Helpful
      • Reviewing the role of the Board
    • What Board members wanted to know more about:
      • How to provide more support for MCPL.
      • How the Board can learn more about non-confidential plans.
      • Actions for the Board to explore in 2026.
      • Best way for Board and LAC members to provide feedback and recommendations.
    • What Board members wanted MCPL staff to know:
      • Their efforts to keep them informed are appreciated.
      • MCPL should be proud of the work done so far.
      • Staff is not taking advantage of the Library Board – the Boad members are happy to help.
  • FOLMC has two tickets to the screening of The Librarians at AFI Theater. The price is $15 per ticket. Email Ari Brooks if interested. 

Old Business

  • Reminder to complete the ethics training.
  • Send your workgroup selection to be added to the Library Board roster.
  • Input from the Library Board regarding the draft response to an email about the roles/responsibilities of the LACs:
    • After discussion and questions, a motion was made by Chair Manubay to approve the draft response. The motion was seconded by Marilyn Schiff. The vote was unanimous in approval of the draft response.
  • Draft letter to the Clarksburg Historical Preservation Commission regarding Clarksburg Library.
    • Call for questions, concerns or edits about the draft. With none being heard, a motion was made by Chair Manubay to approve the draft letter. The motion was seconded by Lindsay Bouie. The vote was unanimous in approval of the draft response.

New Business

  • Draft letter to the County Executive regarding the budget was discussed.
    • After discussion, questions, and review of suggested edits, a motion was made by Jim Montgomery to give Chair Manubay full authority to draft the letter on behalf of the full Board. The motion was seconded by Marilyn Schiff. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
  • Email from the mayor of Friendship Heights Village on behalf of the Friendship Heights Village Council which includes a request for a library to be included in the revised Friendship Heights sector plan.
    • Chair Manubay will send the correspondence to the Library Policy and Practices workgroup to review the request and formulate a response.
  • Training for LAC – there may be gaps in understanding the roles and responsibilities between the Board liaisons and LACs and how the LACs should communicate with elected officials.
    • In the past, the Board and LAC Activities workgroup has held training for newly elected LAC officers. The timing in holding this training is often delayed because not all LACs hold elections by the end of June.
    • There is a desire to convene LAC members across branches to network and to share a coordinated advocacy message from the Board and FOLMC.
      • Historically, this has been the intention of a joint meeting. The Board members and LAC members are all volunteers. If something is planned outside of the regular meeting schedules, we must make sure that the timing is efficient as possible.
      • Chair Manubay requested that a subset of the LAC and Board Activities and Legislative and Public Affairs workgroups organize an effort that meets both of these needs.
        • This will be something different than the current networking meeting.
        • The group will share their plan at the February Board meeting.
        • Volunteers: Lindsay Bouie, Kavita Mohan, and Steve Solomon.

Director's Report

  • County Executive’s press conference regarding the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is on January 15.
  • MCPL launched its new Sunday service hours this past weekend. Senior Managers were out in full force, visiting branches and joining in on exciting programs to connect with our community.
  • 2026 Winter Reading Marathon kicked off on December 21, 2025, and concludes on February 28, 2026. Readers of all age - children, teens, and adult - are invited to take on the challenge of reading for a total of 26.2 hours this winter. Sign up online or in person at any MCPL branch.
  • Join us this March as we celebrate 10 incredible years of MoComCon – MCPL’s epic celebration of comics, graphic novels, and all things fandom! Two days, March 20 and 21, of panels, cosplay, artists, and more – all free!
  • New video game collection unlocked@MCPL! Borrow games for Xbox, PS5 and Switch! As a young person I am so excited to see that you now carry nintendo switch games in MCPL. I feel that video games will attract more young people to the library! I will be sure to tell my friends to stop by the library. Alanah

Community Feedback – Patrick Fromm

  • Acknowledged the life and passing of Regional Manager Steve Warrick.
  • Acknowledgement of current regional managers.
  • Community feedback regarding adjusting space at Quince Orchard Library as the current layout is not serving the community.
    • Teenagers are in the library during school hours.
    • Central Programming team and branch management are working to connect teens with programs.
    • Adjusting the space to make it welcoming for teens and decrease the friction with other customers.
    • Reach out to LAC members to get feedback from customers/teens followed by listening sessions.
  • Library Board members provided feedback:
    • Where is the school system in the conversation?
    • Holly Van Puymbroeck, Supervisor for School Library Media Programs, can assist with connecting with MCPS.
    • How is success going to be measured?
    • Will there still be a quiet space available for others to use even when the teen space is open?
    • Gaithersburg mayor and/or council may be able to assist.
    • Send feedback to Patrick Fromm or Mirna Turcios.

Facilities and ADA – Angelisa Hawes

  • Brigadier General Charles E. McGee (refurbishment) – Construction delayed.
  • Damascus (refurbishment) - Keller Brothers is approximately 65% finished with the overall construction.
  • Noyes (rehabilitation/renovation) – A bid has been accepted for the project.
  • Twinbrook (refurbishment) – The Architect-Engineer (AE) Task Order to solicit bids for the preparation of the facility assessment and program of requirements are being finalized.

Business Operations – Steve Kapani 

  • Business Office
    • Prepared new Policies and Procedures for Fee Payment and Refunds due to POS elimination.
    • Reviewed and responded to two rounds of questions from OMB on the FY27 operating budget.
    • Attended meeting at Wheaton Library for new MCtime system demonstration.
    • Continue to work with ADs of Branch Operations and Business Operations to create a Staffing Analysis.
    • Distribute FY26 Budget Status Reports as of December to Programs and Units.
  • Human Resources
    • Review of training needs assessment
    • Partnering with Office of Human Resources on Applicant Tracking practices
    • Partnering with Branch Operations on HR compliance
  • Digital Transformation
    • New Marketing and Communication Manager starts Feb. 9.
    • eRate RFP has been submitted to procurement, a vendor will be selected in the early Spring.
    • Vendor interviews for door counters are almost done, and a vendor will be selected next week. Implementation will begin in February.
    • Free printing has gone well, a few small technical glitches but otherwise a smooth operation.
    • Winter Reading campaign contributed to significant growth in registrations. Campaign included original Instagram reels, TikTok's and "boosted" posts with FOLMC funding.
    • Looking forward:
      • RFP for new self-checkout machines

Branch Operations – Patrick Fromm

  • Branches
    • Kathie Meizner retired from White Oak Library after 43 years of service.
      • Recruitment for Branch Supervisor vacancies is underway.
    • Modified Sunday service started on Sunday, January 11.
    • From the initial press release until today, we have received 276 responses on our customer feedback form.
    • Assistant Directors Steve Kapani and Patrick Fromm visited Potomac Library with the electric outreach van to provide service to customers and collect feedback.
      • The outreach van will continue to rotate around closed libraries as available to provide some services and eventually programming (weather permitting).
    • Welcome to new Branch Supervisor Jherusha Lambert at Long Branch who started this week.
  • Central Programming Team
    • Clotilde Puertolas, Adult and Older Adult Program Manager, retired on January 1.
      • Recruitment is being developed for her position.
    • Hatchlings had 359 participants across 6 sessions (18 workshops); averaging about 20 people per workshop. MO will have sessions in January, QO/OL/DV/GB are scheduled for spring.
    • Winter Reading is off to a great start! We expect to break last year’s participation records. If you haven’t signed up to read a marathon, please do. Tell a friend.
    • MoComCon is scheduled for March 21 at Black Rock Center and Germantown. An event for teens and adults will be held the evening of March 20.
  • Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects
    • Developing internal workflows and documentation for these new positions.
    • Serving as Point of Contact with Friends of the Library, Montgomery County. Please include Adrienne Miles Holderbaum in correspondence with FOLMC that involves MCPL.
    • Adrienne is running our Sunday Service project and substitute management transition project.
    • Fruitful meetings with HHS and MCAEL regarding partnership opportunities with MCPL. 

Workgroup Reports

  • Library Policy and Practices (Lighter, Romine)
    • Will begin reviewing the Library Board Manual.
    • Scheduled to meet the first week of February.
  • Legislative and Public Affairs Workgroup (Bouie, Montgomery, Schiff, Solomon)
    • Drafted a workplan which includes a letter to the County Executive which will be shared with FOLMC for input/feedback.
    • Share advocacy efforts with LACs and other groups such as the Children’s Opportunity Alliance (childhood literacy and kindergarten readiness).
    • Advocate with County Council
    • Review the DC legislation regarding ebooks publishing fees.
      • Marilyn Schiff shared a chart showing spending by Los Angeles libraries – how much for ebooks and how much for hard copies.
  • LAC and Board Activities (Manubay, Brier, Mohan)
    • Met last week and will meet again on January 20.
    • Draft workplan includes:
      • Revision of the LAC Handbook
      • Continue to create networking opportunities for the LAC members
      • Support Library Lovers Month (LLM)
      • Ensure strong and stable LAC participation
    • Encouraged Board liaisons to reach out to LACs regarding LLM tabling.
    • Next LAC networking event is being planned. 

Liaison Reports

  • Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) – In February, the MCPS team is meeting with MCPL Central Programming Team members, Maranda Schoppert and Tyler Chadwell-English, to catch up and discuss current projects. Four meetings have already been scheduled for May to promote summer reading.
  • Montgomery College – Just returned from winter break last week. Currently in the process of transitioning the Rockville campus library to its temporary space.
  • Noyes – Met on January 8. First meeting with new Regional Manager Kirstra Otto. Discussion about the renovation and plans and the potential opportunity to engage with the community during the Labor Day parade.
  • Chevy Chase – Reached out to the Regional Manager to confirm if the LAC is active.
  • Aspen Hill – Last met on November 17, did not have a quorum. Next meeting is scheduled for January 26. Met the new Branch Supervisor Marisa Strakovsky.
  • Marilyn Praisner – Branch Supervisor Tina Deifallah introduced herself. There concern was expressed regarding the new cashless policy – not everyone has a bank account or a credit card. Discussed free printing. Will meet again on February 26.
  • Long Branch – Did not meet in December. The next meeting is scheduled for January 20. Has a new branch supervisor.
  • Kensington Park – Last met on November 13; scheduled to meet on January 29.  
  • Damascus – Under renovation. Introductions have been made with LAC members who have been keeping in touch during the renovation.
  • White Oak – Met on January 6. They are sad that Branch Supervisor Kathie Meizner has retired after 43 years of service but are happy to have Dianne Whitaker as the regional manager. Very happy they will be open on Sundays and about the free printing.
  • Rockville Memorial – There was no quorum but it was a good meeting anyway. Had a program about self-publishing versus traditional publishing; there was great attendance. Very happy with the video games. Discussed the diversity of the LAC.
  • Little Falls - Met on January 6. Sad about the Sunday closings.
  • Davis – Met on January 5. There is a conflict with attending the meetings in person on Mondays; able to exchange information with the group. Voted in a new secretary. Kirstra Otto introduced herself. Planning a membership drive in the spring.
  • Maggie Nightingale – Not able to find an active member of the LAC. Meeting with the branch supervisor next Wednesday.
  • Potomac – Remains concerned about the loss of Sunday hours. Still concerned about the display cases.
  • Connie Morella – Meets on January 13.
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee – Scheduled to meet in March.
  • Olney – Maintenance at the library included putting up stanchions and painting the fire lane lines. LAC is very excited about the Library Lovers Month activities.
  • Brigadier General – Met on December 15. There are no updates on the purple line. They are advocating for and interested in the refresh. Recruiting new members; they are down to five now. Hosted a guest from the Maryland Writers’ Association.
  • Quince Orchard – Chair could not make the last meeting. Only two people on the LAC. The meeting was cancelled. It was not on the calendar and there was no agenda. Scheduled to meet on February 10.
  • Gaithersburg – Did not have a quorum.
  • Germantown – Did not meet during the holidays. Scheduled to meet next week.
  • Wheaton – Met on November 17. The new branch supervisor was introduced. Words of appreciation were shared for Dianne Whitaker who worked with the Wheaton LAC for over 13 years. They are looking for a new secretary. The Local Author Showcase was there in November. The next meeting is January 20.

Public Comment

  • None

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.