Montgomery County Public Library Sees Major Increase in Community Engagement and Utilization

The Montgomery County Public Library has seen substantial growth from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026, according to a report from the Library Board during their quarterly meeting on April 15.

According to a report delivered to the Board by Matthew Stambridge, the library has seen a 120 percent increase in program attendance year-over-year, from 762 in 2025 to 1,673 in 2026; an 84 percent increase in total annual patron visits, from 3,345 in 2025 to 6,170 in 2026; a 91 percent increase in total circulation, from 4,107 checkouts in 2025 to 7,843 checkouts in 2026; and an 11 percent increase in computer usage, from 1,043 sessions in 2025 to 1,160 sessions in 2026.

“Right now, y’all have the best, as far as growth, all across the region,” said Stambridge.

Many Board members attributed the library’s recent growth to Library Manager Kelly Stephens. However, the increased program attendance also resulted in a noise complaint levied against the library.

 According to Library Director Cameron Asbell, a patron with social anxiety was disturbed by the noise from a large number of children in the library’s main area, and thus called local police with a noise complaint. In understanding of the patron’s condition, Asbell asked Stephens to focus future library events outside the main area.

“It was not a huge deal, but in a public setting we need to be mindful and aware of everyone around us and respond,” said Asbell in her report to the Board. 

In action items, the Board considered which members to elect to serve as Board Chair and Vice-Chair. Rather than alter the current structure, the Board voted to reelect Jean Kinney as Board Chair and Haley McKie as Vice-Chair in a unanimous decision.

The Board also reviewed a new draft of their bylaws intended to resolve quorum issues. The amendments were proposed by Chairman Kenney during the board’s meeting on Nov. 13, where not enough members were in attendance to have a quorum, which allows the board to take official action on business items. 

The amended bylaws lower the number of members on the Board from nine to five members. Other amendments include lowering the number of Montgomery County Board of Commissioner appointees from six to three, lowering the number of Montgomery County Board of Education appointees from two to one, raising the number of terms a board member may serve from two to three, changing the designated election meeting for officers from January to April and changes to the treasurer role.

After reviewing the amended bylaws, Chairman Kenney suggested raising the Board size up to six members, as well as raising the Board of Commissioner and Board of Education appointments up to four and two respectively. Director Asbell agreed to the revisions, and the Board will vote on the bylaws during their July meeting.

The Board also adopted a temporary budget for fiscal year 2026, until Asbell can draft a proper budget to be voted on in July.