FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
The Frederick County Public Libraries Board of Trustees Meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. on February 4, 2026, at the C. Burr Artz Library – Community Room.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Sheppard, G. Mayfield, T. Lancaster, J. D’Agostino, D. Grisgraber, M. O’Leary, M. Richmond, J. Donald
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: J. Kelly, Director; C. Hall – Associate Director; B. McDermott, Finance Manager; A. Archibald, Personnel Supervisor; C. Brohawn, Project Coordinator; J. Marshall – Systems Manager; B. Heltebridle – Branch Services Manager; M. Currens, Library Collections Manager; K. Cambrel, Communications Manager; C. Krogh, Facilities Coordinator; J. El-Zeftawy, Development Officer; B. Hissong, Community Engagement ManagerS. Yates, Branch Administrator – C. Burr Artz Library; L. Branson, Branch Administrator – Walkersville Library; D. Spurrier, Branch Administrator – Emmitsburg Library; A. Knight, Branch Administrator – Middletown Library; B. Brannen, Branch Administrator – Thurmont Regional Library; J. Diaz, Branch Administrator – Brunswick Library; R. Reeves, Branch Administrator – Urbana Regional Library and Point of Rocks Library; C. Lingrel, Communications Specialist; M. Redden, Information and Technical Materials Manager; and C. Smith, Executive Assistant and Recording Secretary.
CITIZEN REMARKS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: J. D’Agostino motioned to approve the Minutes of the January 7, 2026 Board Meeting and the Minutes of the January 22, 2026 Board Finance Committee Meeting; seconded by M. Richmond. No further discussion.
VOTE: Unanimous.
CHAIR’S REPORT: The Chair reflected on the winter season as a time to pause and reset. She shared her continued optimism and excitement for the year ahead as well as her gratitude for dedication of the staff, leadership, and her fellow Trustees.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
J. Kelly shared recently received feedback. FCPL has been busy anticipating, listening, and responding to customers by offering services at multiple branches, as well as by strengthening and expanding our longstanding partnership with the Literacy Council.
FCPL supports sustainable growth by creating a Resource Guide listing local agencies and partners. Another way we are growing sustainably is by supporting succession planning ensuring that new managers can easily access past project work and insights.
FCPL is fostering belonging by the continued use of ILA translation devices, the availability of which has increased to 4 more branches and the Community Engagement team, assisting staff when interacting with customers for whom English is a second language. Another way we are fostering belonging is possible through a partnership between the Emmitsburg Library team and the Seton Center: FCPL is now able to be an additional support site for community members experiencing homelessness or personal difficulties. These temporary response kits are given to customers in need and are a compassionate way for library staff to respond to urgent needs while maintaining dignity and respect.
Pivoting to statistics, the December dashboard shows service measures are holding strong over last year’s averages. The Q2 report highlights outreach efforts, and shows an increase in eContent usage, new library cards, and social media engagement.
BUDGET/CIP UPDATE:
J. Kelly shared that the next steps once the draft budget is approved are to present it to the County Executive at a meeting later this month. FCPL leadership has been asked to report on current trends in library use, updates on the current year’s approved appeals, and their pitch for the FY27 appeals. On the capital side, there has been an increase in the budget, in the amount of $2.3 million - an award that will go toward the West Frederick project - from the Governor’s budget at the State Library’s recommendation.
Important dates to note include the Library Legislative Day in Annapolis on February 10th and the next Board meeting on March 4th.
NEW BUSINESS
Financial Report:
B. McDermott shared FY26 budget numbers tentative as of December 31, 2025.
Budget Presentation:
J. Kelly presented the proposed draft of the FY27 operating budget for the Board’s consideration and highlighted exciting initiatives in the upcoming year, as well as the three budget appeals that have been submitted to the County.
J. D’Agostino provided the recommendation from the Finance Committee to accept the budget as proposed and made a motion to approve; seconded by T. Lancaster. No further discussion.
VOTE: Unanimous.
Thurmont Library Update:
B. Brannen shared highlights from Thurmont Regional Library over the past year. The staff anticipated needs by intentionally noticing patterns and gaps before they became barriers, listened to customers through regular conversations with families and caregivers to identify areas of need, and responded by adjusting quickly to make the space and programming more accessible to the community. Examples of this include filling the gap when there were school closures, early dismissals, and religious holidays being observed by adding evening and weekend storytimes, as well as offering adult adaptive programming.
Growing sustainability, Thurmont staff introduced high impact, low-cost methods to streamline promotional materials, they carefully chose strategic partnerships to ease staff strain, and they focused on quality programs over quantity to engage more patrons.
The staff fostered belonging especially in terms of accessibility and inclusion. The Thurmont library made efforts to reflect the community they serve, which resulted in strong gains in program attendance, as well as summer challenge participants and completions, which reinforces the importance of representation not just symbolically, but practically.
M. Richmond commented on the accomplishments of the Thurmont library staff.
J. D’Agostino asked how they provided the books to The Mount.
D. Grisgraber inquired about the methods of gathering data and feedback.
M. O’Leary asked for more information about the added programming during evenings and weekends.
Board questions and comments: None.
Other Citizen remarks: None.
The next FCPL Board of Trustees meeting will be held at the C. Burr Artz Library – Community Room at 7:00 p.m. on March 4, 2026.
T. Lancaster made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by G. Mayfield. No further discussion. VOTE: Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Signed by,
S. Sheppard
Chair, Frederick County Public Libraries Board of Trustees