Library board and patrons ask council to restore funding to reopen Sunday hours

Grace Manubet, chair of the Montgomery County Library Board, told the council that simply restoring positions slated for abolishment would not be enough to bring back Sunday service countywide. She urged restoration of funds beyond the proposed $624,864 cut and highlighted two enhancement requests: $27,690 for security and $275,500 for children’s collections and renovation work.

Youth speakers also addressed the hearing. Eleven‑year‑old Karina Chad said she collected more than 200 signatures supporting restored Sunday hours and asked the council to ensure libraries are open seven days a week. A number of patrons later reiterated that the closures were implemented without meaningful engagement with local advisory committees and argued the cut runs counter to the library mission.

Library leaders asked the council to reduce MCPL’s proposed lapse rate so branches have operating flexibility and to consider the library system’s 75th anniversary programming when weighing cuts. Council members will consider whether to reinstate the funding request during the budget review process.