For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced today that Darcell Graham will become the new director of Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). Ms. Graham brings a wealth of leadership experience from her tenure at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, where she most recently served as interim president and CEO, managing one of Maryland's largest and most diverse library systems. She will officially begin her duties in Montgomery County on Monday, Nov. 4.
“We are excited to welcome Darcell Graham as the new director of Montgomery County Public Libraries,” said County Executive Elrich. “Darcell’s experience leading one of Maryland’s largest library systems and her dedication to advancing diversity and equity make her a perfect fit for our County. Libraries are at the heart of our community—they provide essential resources, promote lifelong learning and bring people together. I am confident that, under Darcell’s leadership, our libraries will continue to grow and serve our diverse community in new and meaningful ways.”
In her previous role, Ms. Graham directed strategic planning for the 22-branch Enoch Pratt Free Library system, overseeing budgets, capital projects and staff development. She has extensive experience advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She has served on multiple statewide committees including the Maryland State Library Board and the Maryland Library Association. Ms. Graham’s ability to foster community partnerships and champion the role of public libraries in promoting lifelong learning and access to resources aligns with Montgomery County’s goals for equitable library services.
Ms. Graham holds a Master degree of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. She also has earned recognition for her contributions to the library field including the William G. Baker, Jr. Award from Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Emerging Leader Award from the American Library Association.
“While the joy of reading is still at their core, our libraries are also where community members go for programming and for community meetings, for help using a computer and for help accessing social services,” said County Councilmember Kristin Mink, the Council's lead for MCPL. “Ms. Graham brings a wealth of experience capitalizing on the opportunities and addressing the challenges that come with libraries’ modern roles as all-encompassing community hubs. She has concrete strategies and a deep-seated determination to advance our goal of equitably serving the breadth of our diverse community. And she recognizes that central to all of this is open, substantive and ongoing dialogue with both the public and our hard-working library staff and their labor union. Our libraries are a point of pride in Montgomery County, and I look forward to this new chapter with Ms. Graham at their helm.”
The MCPL director leads the Montgomery County Public Library system, which is comprised of 22 branches across the County—including the correctional facility—and boasts an extensive collection of more than two million items including books, e-books, audiobooks and other resources. In the past year, the library recorded a total circulation of 8,583,021 items, with adult materials accounting for 2,731,112, young adult materials totaling 325,295 and children's materials reaching 5,450,383. Currently, there are 425,361 active users of the library, which also hosts more than 7,000 programs annually, attracting nearly 200,000 attendees.
“I am thrilled to join Montgomery County Public Libraries and look forward to working with the talented staff to continue enhancing library services for our diverse and growing community,” said Ms. Graham. “Libraries play a critical role in shaping the future, and I am eager to build on the strong foundation Montgomery County Public Libraries has established to expand our impact and reach.”
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