[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6365985,"mediaKeyId","2159699-5b6b4f6a4a33910bcb1d330a88e75a1a","parentId",2159699,"title","Library seeks ARPA funds for mobile service, Lexington Park improvements; discusses digital-content law and RFID rollout","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",2463000,"endMs",3193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159699-5b6b4f6a4a33910bcb1d330a88e75a1a&start=2463&end=3193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159699-5b6b4f6a4a33910bcb1d330a88e75a1a/thumbnail_2463000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6365985/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Library-seeks-ARPA-funds-for-mobile-service-Lexington-Park-improvements-discusses-digital-content-law-and-RFID-rollout","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365985-17b34cc0ab6d600afe00caacd389a581/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195086&Signature=hdVosomQTdi9Gir5rTsvRfZ5Om4s0ziIpUO64f5K2VYdr8NB~~YDH-MYizufo1YHdKc-rJa5yY9rzSwD2ZTVekbREp2nIe616aVCXDQe7qxpACcuH1asNWDwsPt0LY8KMvvTsS7bmZIXAPOSNoJHaOYQcjFa~rql-CG-ZZaD~hKDZPi9h8779Q6bYLyM2QqtJ~-HUCfenvUsp9cIZ7PPO5nCZX2TzBtEgbQczEEScLvFCA4YpXBN4R-VlFUvIuGFcYvbWlF0psPK5h1CJOYzEUqByth61gVUw4T1dWrxU7m6xToJKgh1I~1L-k4LnXNno9Bx-DX3quBSS3L~AQx8jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-29T11:56:19Z","article","Library staff told trustees in June that they have submitted four ARPA grant requests that together aim to expand mobile and on-site services, improve safety at Lexington Park and add a covered outdoor programming shelter at Charlotte Hall.

Michael Dunn, who presented the report on grants and digital services, said the library requested roughly $370,000 for a mobile library including one full-time equivalent and infrastructure to keep the vehicle powered at its storage site. The library also sought about $50,000–$60,000 to redo the Lexington Park parking lot and add a drive-through, and roughly $40,000 to install a 40-by-24 covered outdoor programming shelter at Charlotte Hall. Dunn said the county supports the projects and that the library expects grant decisions in early July; the ARPA spending window is one year but the state has precedent for granting extensions when construction or procurement backlogs occur.

Dunn also described work with the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association (SMRLA) on technology and digital-content initiatives. SMRLA is funding an RFID rollout for St. Mary's and Calvert counties that will add RFID tags to items while preserving barcodes; the tags will be applied by a contractor so local staff do not have to tag collections. Dunn said SMRLA recently forgave longstanding fines in Charles and Calvert counties as part of a move toward a fine-free approach; SMRLA also allocated additional funds for digital-content platforms, including an extra $26,000 for Hoopla for each county on top of prior allocations and about $100,000 (plus $22,000 previously) for OverDrive.

On the system's app and digital-audio content, Dunn said SimplyE (the library app provider) earlier had costs covered by SMRLA but that SMRLA declined to pay the vendor this year; the trustees were told the library is discussing budgeting for the app next year. Separately, Dunn briefed trustees on recent state legislation concerning digital content: Maryland passed an ebook bill into law without the governor's signature; it will take effect Jan. 1 and requires digital content to be made available to libraries on \"reasonable\" terms. Dunn said libraries and the American Library Association will work with publishers to define \"reasonable,\" but cautioned they must avoid coordinated price-fixing. He noted that some audiobook content remains exclusive to Audible and that ongoing negotiations with large publishers and platform providers are expected.

Why it matters: A mobile library, if funded, would extend services to outlying neighborhoods, senior centers and day cares and require annual recurring costs estimated by staff at roughly $80,000–$90,000 for maintenance, fuel and one FTE. The Lexington Park improvements aim to increase pedestrian safety and provide a drive-through pickup service; the Charlotte Hall shelter is intended to increase outdoor programming capacity once an adjacent farmers market relocates.

Timing and next steps: Grant decisions from the state were expected in early July; trustees were advised that if partially funded the system could pursue foundation or friends-group fundraising to close gaps. Staff said they have prepared specifications and contractor cost estimates and have begun informal county discussions about ongoing operating support.

Ending note: Trustees and staff described the ARPA requests as competitive—statewide requests exceed available funds—and said they would proceed with contingency planning depending on eventual award levels.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/21/2021 St. Mary's County Library Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Library staff described ARPA grant requests for a mobile library and facility improvements, an RFID tagging rollout with regional partners and developments in state ebook law and negotiations with publishers and app providers.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6365990,"Trustees approve FY22 budget with 1% COLA, wipe minors' fines and adopt policy updates",2461,3939000,6400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159699-5b6b4f6a4a33910bcb1d330a88e75a1a&start=3939&end=6400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159699-5b6b4f6a4a33910bcb1d330a88e75a1a/thumbnail_3939000.jpg","/articles/6365990/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Trustees-approve-FY22-budget-with-1-COLA-wipe-minors-fines-and-adopt-policy-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365990-a83f4477e77de3650c4e96394e3a440d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195086&Signature=aRLtja8CnQSyEzi9pKwCN6d8UL93yOCttRA0q-nhiCrhZMoZAATFqSN3q8k6-mYHdP1qcsiXtuLe37WHDGObXrOkrZkPL0S2dPXajplpOlHr4OHDJbF22lqY0yqWIlnCCc5mW1C738pJiQC3a4Yia7kgff1ZfaiwEgJ5YXejxHk7G0uVc-GyUplYl~7V3cxoQTLkxHBySH4FzH4JGD-eRoT7fNvJdcmhcTEgW~i~UiPFw0yrq9JHxFZ2YWaUtW9HmglIMYL-NBYngGfSeyTNnxUwD88qDpI2I4eZta~pmfLhRcTzCTNjTnrHDPwYGVDMFawgPlBPcefbt~hI3-GbDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At their June meeting, the St. Mary's County Library trustees voted to adopt a proposed fiscal 2022 budget that includes a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and approved several administrative policy changes, including formal adoption of Maryland's law eliminating overdue fines for minors.

The board approved the budget after discussion about using $33,000 from fund balance to cover the 1% COLA and related step increases for staff. Michael Dunn, who delivered the director's report, said the county and state contributions cover a 2.5% step increase and that the 1% COLA would be paid on July 1. \"I do think that our staff have shown resilience, creativity, and perseverance during the pandemic, and I strongly recommend that we consider that,\" Dunn said during debate on the budget. Trustees also agreed to fund additional hours to restore Sunday library service at Lexington Park, described in the meeting as \"additional hours\" rather than new full-time positions.

The board also approved a set of budget adjustments totaling about $47,163 to reallocate funds between lines where spending was below or above expectations. Belinda Lloyd, who answered finance questions during the meeting, confirmed that a quarterly payment to an asset strategy consultant listed on the expense ledger was billed as Q1 of 2021 and comes from the library's contracts/accounting budget lines.

In a separate, statute-driven change, trustees adopted updates to the library's loan, fees and lost-items policy to comply with the recently enacted Lifelong Learners Act. The board formally forgave outstanding fines and balances for patrons under 18, effective July 1, and updated procedures so that minors will not be charged overdue fines going forward. During discussion, trustees clarified that fees for lost or damaged materials may still be charged and that interlibrary loan (ILL) items remain an exception in which the library may assess charges when necessary. \"On July 1st, all young people are getting their slates wiped completely clean,\" Dunn said.

Trustees also approved several nonfinancial manual updates with voice votes: shortening the public meeting-room reservation window from 120 to 90 days, adjusting the inclement-weather staff-comfort temperature threshold to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and adding language that the library is not responsible for loss or theft of unattended items. The board voted to move the treasurer's report from a monthly to a quarterly schedule.

Votes at a glance
- Approve May meeting minutes — motion carried (voice vote).
- Accept EALs (expense approval list) — motion carried (voice vote).
- Accept treasurer's report — motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve budget adjustments (approx. $47,163) — motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve policy change: meeting-room reservation window (120 → 90 days) — motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve policy change: inclement-weather temperature threshold (to 85°F) — motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve policy change: rules of behavior adding lost/unattended-item disclaimer — motion carried (voice vote).
- Adopt loan/fees policy changes to comply with Maryland law removing juvenile fines; forgive past fines for patrons under 18 — motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve proposed FY22 budget including 1% COLA and additional hours to restore Sunday service — motion carried (voice vote).
- Move treasurer's report to quarterly — motion carried (voice vote).

Why it matters: The budget vote sets staffing and service levels for the coming year and the policy change implementing the Lifelong Learners Act immediately affects families and minors who borrow materials, removing overdue fees and clearing past minor balances. The decision to restore Sunday service and to allocate the modest COLA were presented as measures to support staff retention and to expand access to library services.

The board set the next schedule for treasury reporting to quarterly and said it will review the year-end audit in early September. Several trustees and staff said they expect donation and friends-group revenues to exceed conservative budget estimates and will monitor whether that reduces use of fund balance later in the fiscal year.

Ending note: Trustees and staff said they will continue to monitor operating costs (including utilities and contracts) and will present any necessary budget adjustments following the audit and evolving county funding decisions.","At their June meeting the St. Mary's County Library trustees approved a proposed FY22 budget that includes a 1% cost-of-living increase and approved several administrative policy changes, including adoption of state law that eliminates overdue fines for people under 18 and forgiveness of past balances for minors.","actionData","errors"]

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Library seeks ARPA funds for mobile service, Lexington Park improvements; discusses digital-content law and RFID rollout

Trustees approve FY22 budget with 1% COLA, wipe minors' fines and adopt policy updates