Our county has a great opportunity to make our library system even stronger than it is: The State of Maryland has provided a grant to the county to support the first phase of an expansion of the Kent Island library–an expansion that would provide additional meeting rooms, expand the children’s section of the library, and create more quiet spaces. These are needed enhancements to the almost 30 year old library building.
The state grant is contingent upon a matching grant from Queen Anne’s County in the coming budget year. The County Commissioners have supported this expansion project, and endorsed the application for funds from the state for the project. Debate is underway now among county leaders, however, about whether to include the funds in 2018 budget that is currently being finalized, or to wait until next year. Unfortunately, next year will be too late: The state funding requires a match from the county this year. If the county doesn’t provide the funds this year for this project that it supported, the grant from the state will no longer be available.
There is still time to encourage the county commissioners to support this pivotal project this year! Come out to public hearings on the budget throughout the county, thank the commissioners for their past support of the library, and let them know why you support an expanded Kent Island library!
The following meetings are open to the public, and we look forward to seeing rooms filled with library supporters!