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Maryland State Libraries Receive Federal Grants
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds will support literacy programs, mobile services, strategic plans and other efforts
BALTIMORE — The Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA) is pleased to announce the awarding of $404,715 in federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to public library systems across the state.
These competitive grants, funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and administered by MSLA, support locally developed initiatives such as improving reading skills, bolstering workforce development efforts, developing strategic plans, providing access to mobile libraries and telehealth booths, and other important library services.
“Maryland public library systems work hard to serve the evolving needs of their communities, and these innovative new projects are a direct result of those efforts,” said Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller. “We’re grateful to our federal partners at IMLS for continuing to support public libraries and the millions of Marylanders who rely on them.”
MSLA distributes approximately $1.7 million annually in LSTA funds through the Grants to States program to all county public library systems. The following library systems received funding in the latest LSTA competitive grant cycle:
● Baltimore County Public Library — Be In Tune: A Sollers Point Music Series
This series brings community and musicians together for three concerts focused on delivering joy, fellowship and cultural events to Sollers Point, and raising awareness of all the Sollers Point Branch and Baltimore County Public Library have to offer.
● Calvert Library — Mobile Library
This grant provides funds to outfit a second mobile library for Calvert Library Mobile Services (CLMS) — a replacement for an SUV, currently in use, that will result in efficiency for staff and improved access to the library for mobile service customers.
● Cecil County Public Library — Reading Buddies
Funding will support the development of a toolkit to support the statewide expansion of the Reading Buddies literacy program, which will address the state’s literacy crisis, train community volunteers in the science of reading and connect them with elementary students in need of reading support.
● Charles County Public Library — Telehealth Booths
The purchase of two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant booths will address significant healthcare access gaps in the Charles County community by offering free, private and technology-equipped spaces for virtual medical appointments.
● Dorchester County Public Library — Anytime Access
The Rural Book Locker Project will expand access to library materials by offering 24/7 pickup of requested books and other materials in weather-resistant lockers, providing around-the-clock access to knowledge for Dorchester County library card holders.
● Enoch Pratt Free Library — Library of Libraries
Enoch Pratt Free Library will transform the former passport space in the Central Library into a welcoming area that contains popular international titles for all age levels in their language of origin — a project that will foster cross-cultural awareness and facilitate intergenerational programming.
● Harford County Public Library — Workforce Empowerment and Sustainability Initiative
With this grant, every library branch will become a hub for job seekers, students and underemployed workers by funding software that trains and certifies trade workers.
● Howard County Library System — Bridging Language Gaps
As part of an effort to serve Howard County’s diverse population, Howard County Library System will purchase and pilot translation technology at two branches and the Library on the Go mobile service.
● Kent County Public Library — Connecting with Incarcerated Loved Ones
This project will host three themed events leading up to Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's Day to provide families with the opportunity to create and send meaningful mail to incarcerated loved ones, reducing barriers to connection, easing emotional strain and offering families meaningful ways to stay in touch during the holidays.
● Queen Anne’s County Library — 24/7 Hold Pickup Locker
A 24/7 Hold Pickup Locker system will be installed at the Centreville Branch to provide additional access to library materials outside of the library’s operating hours.
● Southern Maryland Regional Library Association and Calvert Library — Facility Master Plan
This funding will support the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association and Calvert Library as they aim to develop two facility master plans (one for each organization), which will support future applications for capital funding and grants.
● St. Mary’s County Library — Closing Reading Gaps
To address low reading achievement in an underserved community, St. Mary’s County Library will collaborate with three after-school programs, training volunteer tutors in the evidence-based Story Champs program and providing students with quality reading materials and essential technology.
● State Library Resource Center at Enoch Pratt Free Library — Lending of Objects
The State Library Resource Center (SLRC) will add portable history exhibits to the continuously expanding Maryland Statewide Lending of Objects program, which provides technology education, general technology and general education support for libraries across Maryland by sponsoring platforms, devices, curriculum support and staff training.
● Talbot County Free Library — Strategic Plan
Talbot County Free Library will undertake a new strategic planning process for the years 2027 through 2029, surveying users and non-users, running listening and engagement sessions in multiple languages, and conducting focus groups of key stakeholders — all to assist the library in prioritizing community and library needs.
● Western Maryland Regional Library — Facility Performance Study
This project will provide Allegany and Garrett counties with a real-time evaluation of their libraries’ infrastructure and engineering needs and the costs associated with maintaining safe, efficient and welcoming libraries.
