Elected officials heard you; new Leonardtown library will be built

Friday, July 3, 2009

A project of this magnitude doesn't just happen. Just a few of the major milestones include: a countywide library facilities study was concluded in 2007 and the recommendations were approved by the library board and presented to the county commissioners; land was purchased by the county commissioners which provides a perfect location; a state funding bill to support library construction was supported by our state elected officials which we hope will help support at least $2.5 million of the costs; and the staff in public works, finance and procurement departments have spent countless hours calculating the costs and providing the necessary data.

Most importantly, however, have been the insatiable library customers in our county. They continue to use their library at a record-breaking pace (this fiscal year will see a 12 percent increase in items checked out from all your libraries) and they made their voice heard. Library customers know the 15,000-square-foot library is too small for their needs. They want, and deserve, a "Lexington Park library" in Leonardtown. Fortunately, constructive civic engagement has worked again in St. Mary's County — the elected officials heard you and a new Leonardtown library will be built.

The design work should begin in the fall. As part of the process, the architect will be required to get input from you, the county residents and customers of the library. We will post notices in the libraries, on the library's Web page, and in the media. The library board, staff and I look forward to hearing from you.

What an exciting time we have ahead of us — the opportunity to create a new Treasure Chest of Knowledge and Information for our county.

Please let us know what you want in your library.

Kathleen Reif, Leonardtown

The writer is director of the St. Mary's County Library.