Library system reports 7,164 programs and 156,000 attendees in 2025 but flags material-budget decline and staffing constraints

The Education and Workforce Development Committee reviewed the Prince George's County Memorial Library Systems 2025 performance report on Sept. 28. Caleb Callender, EWD budget and policy analyst, said the system ran 7,164 programs in 2025 with approximately 156,000 attendees and modest growth in total attendance compared with 2024. "There was 7,164 programs, with an attendance of 156,000 roughly," Callender told the committee during his overview.

Library director Catherine Hallerbach and deputy director Megan Sutherland expanded on the report: the county provided a $407,000 collection enhancement in FY2026 that lowered hold ratios and improved wait times for requested items; the systems per-capita collection expenditure was described as approximately $2.50, reflecting limited materials purchasing power and a materials budget that has fallen about 42% since 2020. Staff flagged operational challenges including 34 frozen positions that reduce the systems capacity to run programs, and capital needs for public computers and cybersecurity. Committee members asked about summer reading outreach and corporate partnerships as potential supports to increase participation.