Following the announcement of Baltimore County's $5.2 Billion FY26 budget, which did not include money designated for the expansion of the Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) to Middle River, County Executive Kathy Klausmeier was quoted in a recent WYPR article as saying it "broke her heart that we couldn't do it."

 Now is the time to tell CE Klausmeier that we don't want heartbreak, we want investment in Middle River. We encourage you to email CE Klausmeier directly at KathyK@baltimorecountymd.gov to let her know you support a library in Middle Rivertoday!  See below for a sample email you can send.

What Happens Next 

While not yet reflected in the County's proposed budget, representatives of BCPL state that they "continue to explore a unique public-private partnership to bring a new Middle River Branch to life." Supporters of the project, including Councilman David Marks who represents Middle River, note that funding isn't needed in the FY26 budget to move the project forward. However, it is imperative to get the County's support for future investment in this project and talks between the library foundation, local representatives, and the developer of the Greenleigh neighborhood are ongoing.

County Executive Klausmeir's office pointed to renovation projects at other BCPL branches throughout the County in response to emails from voters expressing support for a Middle River branch.  While we applaud those efforts and know those communities will benefit from continued investment in their local libraries, these projects will not benefit Middle River and we don't want to be left behind. 

Over the next decade, Middle River is expected to gain over 10,000 new residents. Existing and incoming members of our community deserve to be heard by County leadership in Towson.  In the future, the expansion of public amenities will totally fall on taxpayers while the current proposal relies on significant private contributions. 

What You Can Do

1) Email the County Executive KathyK@baltimorecountymd.gov to let her know you support a library branch in Middle River. 

2) Continue you to share the petition and encourage your friends and neighbors to sign too!

Sample Email 

Dear County Executive,

I am writing as a proud resident of Middle River to urgently request your support for the establishment of a new library branch in our community. As our area continues to grow, so does the need for resources that will support education, personal development, and community development.  A new library is not just nice to have—it is a necessity for the future of Middle River.

In the past few weeks, over 1,000 residents have signed a petition expressing their support for this project. This overwhelming response highlights a profound need within our community for access to educational tools, technology, and enrichment programs that a new library would provide. Our families, students, and neighbors of all generations and backgrounds are asking for a space where they can connect, learn, and thrive which should be a priority-especially in an area that is rapidly growing but still underserved in terms of public resources.

I respectfully urge you to prioritize this important initiative in the upcoming county planning decisions. Together, we can ensure that Middle River’s growth is met with the resources it deserves.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your support in making this vision a reality.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]