Maryland State Library Governance

Maryland State Library Board Overview

The Maryland State Library Board shall be the successor to the Maryland Advisory Council on Libraries, providing that this Act may not affect the terms of the current seven members of the Maryland Advisory Council on Libraries. The duties and responsibilities of the Maryland Advisory Council on Libraries will be transferred to the State Library Board.

The Maryland State Library Board (MSLB) consists of twelve members. The Governor appoints seven members, five of whom are selected from the public at large, one is a professional librarian, and one is a library trustee. The remaining five members serve ex officio representing the Secretary of Higher Education, the President of the Board of Trustees of Enoch Pratt Free Library, the President of the Maryland Library Association, the Dean of the University of Maryland College of Library and Information Services, and the President of the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL).

In general, the State Library Board represents the interests of Maryland citizens for better library services, advises all levels of government, and promotes the improvement of library services in the State. The Board is authorized to gather information on the needs of libraries, oversee the State Library Agency and exercise general direction and control of library development in Maryland. The Board is responsible for the adoption of rules and regulations, the establishment of library policies and procedures for the statewide system of libraries, and advises the Governor on library matters. Each year the State Library Board reports to the Governor and Maryland citizens on the support, condition, progress, and needs of libraries. They consider the State’s library needs and recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly desirable legislation. The State Library Board approves county public library capital projects for State funding.

Bylaws

​Maryland State Library Board Bylaws, Adopted June 10, 2020​

Information about Public Comment

Friday, September 11, 2020

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Monday, March 15, 2021

Tuesday, June 15, 2021​