Maryland funds book grants and sets library service rules

The State Library Agency runs the renamed Young Readers Grant Program and awards grants to public libraries and affiliated book-gifting services. Public libraries and qualifying affiliated book-gifting services may apply for grants to support and help pay for their services. An affiliated service must be a book-gifting service run by a qualifying nonprofit or government unit in partnership with an early reader organization. Grant applications must include a plan with specific measures for serving children in low-income ZIP codes in the service area. The Governor must include $450,000 for the program in each annual budget bill. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. The $450,000 appropriation applies to each fiscal year.

The State sets per-resident funding schedules for regional resource centers and county public library systems. The schedules cover participating regional resource centers and county public library systems, based on the population they serve. County library funding remains subject to the minimum library program rules, including a written policy consistent with State library standards. The schedules set amounts for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 and later years where specified.

Each public library must offer at least one service from the revised list. The requirement applies to each public library in Maryland. A library may provide a service alone or with a government unit or nonprofit organization. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.