The Central Library Project
The existing Central Library was designed in 1978 and opened in 1981, nearly 50 years ago. At approximately 50,000 square feet in size, the Central Library is no longer the largest library in the County and is undersized to meet the service demands and growing population, particularly as the flagship central branch of Howard County Library System (HCLS).
The County is advancing plans for a new Central Library, which has been in the works for nearly 20 years. The new Central Library will be located at the Columbia Lakefront, creating new public space and educational resources for all.
History of the new Central Library
Planning for a new Central Library has been in the works for nearly 20 years. In 2008, Howard County Library System’s Master Plan called for a new Central Library. In 2010, the Downtown Columbia Plan was approved, which called for a new Central Library in Downtown Columbia that “could move the Howard County Library in the direction of an ‘Experience Library,’ an intellectual, interactive learning center combining visual exhibitions with interesting architecture and typical library elements.”
In 2016, the DRRA reaffirmed the plans to construct a new Central Library in Downtown Columbia. In 2019, Howard County Library System hired G4 Architecture, a firm that works with libraries across the country, to update its Master Plan. More than 4,000 people gave input through surveys and listening sessions, resulting in the prioritization of a new Central Library, noting that the new Central Library would “enable HCLS not only to maintain high-quality services, but also to expand its curriculum to meet current needs and emerging trends related to education, business, culture, and the arts.”
In Spring 2023, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Ball announced plans to fund a new Central Library branch in Downtown Columbia. That same year, the State of Maryland contributed $10 million in restricted grant funding to advance planning and design of a new Central Library.
Central Library Milestones
Since the 2023 announcement, Howard County has completed the following key milestones in the planning process:
2023
- March 2023
- County Executive Ball, alongside Governor Moore, announces plans for the Central Library project at the Lakefront in Downtown Columbia.
- April–May 2023
- Howard County Library System hires Due East Partners to facilitate community engagement through surveys and listening sessions, gathering input from more than 3,000 people.
- May 2023
- County Council approves the first $5 million in restricted State funds to advance planning efforts to review feasibility and financing options for Central Library branch locations.
- Fall 2023
- County hires Arcadis to support community engagement and planning efforts.
2024
- Spring 2024
- Arcadis hosts four public engagement sessions and conducts a survey. The County gathers public input on library project through survey.
- September 2024
- The County provides update to Library Board of Trustees on library planning process.
- December 2024
- Howard County hires MEDCO to complete parking analysis, advance planning efforts, and develop funding options to support the library project.
2025
- May 2025
- The County Council approves the second $5 million of State funding; endorses Central Library at Lakefront location; requests that the County Executive pursue acquisition of Lakefront parcel after resolving outstanding issues
Next Steps
In his FY26 capital budget, Ball requested the release of $5 million in State funds that were received in FY24 and previously held in a contingency fund. This request was approved by the County Council during the FY26 budget process. This funding will support Howard County’s efforts to finalize plans for the new Central Library in Downtown Columbia. The $5 million in State funds supplements $5 million in existing State funds that were previously approved by the Howard County Council in FY24.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s proposed legislation is expected to be heard by the County Council in November 2025. Should the legislation be approved by the County Council, the County will negotiate a purchase and sale agreement with HRD for acquisition of land at the Columbia Lakefront for the construction of a new Central Branch Library. As this land acquisition progresses, the County will also advance design of the new Central Library starting this Winter, with the goal of preparing a full budget for the project in our FY27 Capital Budget in April.
Public Engagement Process
During the community engagement process, in partnership with Arcadis, the County conducted a public survey in Spring 2024 that was completed by roughly 1,500 people. The survey sought information about preferences for the new Central branch location and the preferred timeframe for project implementation. More than 60% of respondents believe a new Central branch is needed within the next five years.
Public Feedback on New Central Library
The 2024 County survey found that:
- Nearly 70% of respondents visit an HCLS branch weekly or monthly;
- Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated they primarily use the library to borrow books;
- More than 90% specified checking out books and materials as the most important service a library can provide;
- The most important interior space for the new Central branch to feature is a children’s reading and activity area; and
- More than half of the respondents indicated that libraries are an important public amenity.
This public engagement built upon efforts by the Howard County Library System, begun in 2019 and continued in 2023, to thoroughly engage the community regarding the new Central Library. In 2023, HCLS conducted listening sessions and a survey, which engaged more than 3,000 people. The results showed that the Central Library is visited more than any other branch in the county. The HCLS survey and listening sessions also found that:
- 94% visit the library in person;
- 77% visit a library branch daily, weekly, or monthly;
- 70% want a new library to have community event spaces; and
- 64% want a new library to have outdoor spaces.
In December 2024, Howard County hired the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) to prepare various studies related to the Lakefront site option, one of the five sites that were shared with the community during the engagement sessions and survey. Specifically, MEDCO studied options for satisfying the parking requirements associated with the use of Lakefront site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need to replace the existing Central Library?
The existing Central Library was designed in 1978, nearly 50 years ago, and is the oldest standing library in the county. Major building systems need replacement in the near future, including costly renovations for HVAC, plumbing, and elevators. The existing building does not lend itself to additions due to the sloped roofs, and the building envelope does not meet today’s energy standards. Furthermore, there is inadequate parking on-site to accommodate larger groups of visitors to the existing building, and the Howard County Library System must limit programming due to the building’s size.
Minor renovations to the building were completed in 2016 at a cost of $1.8 million, which supported interior alterations and interim fixes to ensure the continued use of the building. However, no major renovations have been completed in anticipation of the planned replacement of the Central branch.
Since January 2024, more than 350 facilities and maintenance tickets have been submitted for the Central Library, more than any other branch in the system. Many of these maintenance tickets have included elevator issues, which continue to persist due to the age of the building systems and contribute to deferred maintenance of the building. The existing Central Library has exceeded its useful life and needs replacement.
How long has the County been planning for a new Library in Downtown Columbia?
Planning for a new Central Library has been in the works for nearly 20 years.
In 2008, Howard County Library System’s Master Plan called for a new Central Library.
In 2010, the Downtown Columbia Plan was approved, which called for a new Central Library in Downtown Columbia that “could move the Howard County Library in the direction of an ‘Experience Library,’ an intellectual, interactive learning center combining visual exhibitions with interesting architecture and typical library elements.”
In 2016, the DRRA reaffirmed the plans to construct a new Central Library in Downtown Columbia.
In 2019, Howard County Library System again included a new Central Library in its updated Master Plan as a high priority, noting that the new Central Library would “enable HCLS not only to maintain high-quality services, but also to expand its curriculum to meet current needs and emerging trends related to education, business, culture, and the arts.”
In 2023, a new location for the Central Library was proposed at the Columbia Lakefront, and the State of Maryland contributed $10 million in grant funding to advance planning and design.
How much does this project cost?
Howard County will manage this project and conduct a competitive bidding and procurement process for design and construction. Through this procurement process, a project cost and budget will be proposed for approval by the Howard County Council in the FY27 Capital Budget.
Although project funding amounts have been estimated and proposed to the County Council in the past, the County intends to revisit all prior cost estimates as part of its planning efforts since the proposed design of the library has been modified and costs have increased due to inflation.
Where is funding for the Central Library coming from?
The Central Library will be paid through various dedicated funding sources. This includes dedicated Downtown Columbia-specific tax revenue, or revenue generated from the Downtown Columbia Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, which will largely finance the construction of the Central Library. Additionally, the State of Maryland has contributed significant funding to advance the Central Library project, and the Howard County Library System will raise additional funds.
The funding of this project comprises several sources over a period of 6-7 fiscal years (estimated FY24 – FY30). Anticipated available funding sources include:
- $80 million of funding from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) generated from the Downtown Columbia Tax Development Increment. This funding source is intended to create public spaces, community buildings, transit improvements, parks, and parking from the revenue generated by the area’s redevelopment.
- $20 million in grant funding from the State of Maryland, reflecting significant State funding and support of libraries in Howard County. Governor Moore has fully committed to this project, and $10 million has already been allocated by the State.
- $10 million to be funded by private philanthropy dollars raised by Howard County Library System.
- $6 million of dedicated, library-specific State grants to be pursued by Howard County Library System in the upcoming fiscal years.
- $665,000 in contribution from Howard Research and Development Corporation (HRD), an affiliate of Howard Hughes Communities, for planning and design work completed to date.
- $488,000 budget of Permanent Public Improvement Fund, allocated in the prior fiscal year.
- $350,000 in County Planning Dollars, from the Downtown Columbia Permanent Public Improvement Fund paid into by HRD.
While these figures are approximate and may be subject to change, they reflect significant available funding sources that are dedicated specifically to this project.
What is a TIF?
A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district is a designated geographic area where tax revenues are collected to fund economic development projects and public improvements located within the district. TIF districts are widely used to spur redevelopment, advance the construction of public infrastructure, and make significant community enhancements.
By creating a TIF district for Downtown Columbia in 2016, the Howard County Council dedicated future incremental property tax revenues generated within Downtown Columbia toward economic development projects and public improvement projects in the community. TIF revenues are not appropriated directly from the County’s budget but come out of the new development constructed in the TIF district.
The Central Library project is consistent with the intended use of the TIF funding, which provides funding for the creation of public spaces, transit improvements, parks, and parking from the revenue generated by the area’s development.
Can’t money for the library renovations go towards schools or other projects instead?
When the TIF was established in 2016, the tax revenue was intended to be invested in capital projects located in Downtown Columbia. TIF funding is intended to be spent on economic development projects and public improvement projects located within the boundaries of the TIF district.
The TIF model also includes funding for a future elementary school construction or renovation project in the Downtown Columbia area, which will be planned and programmed when needed by HCPSS.
What will happen with the existing Central Library Site?
The Central Library & Merriweather Affordable Housing plan builds on the foundation of the original Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA), while still adhering to its requirements. This approach comprises three parcels: the new Central Library site at the Lakefront, the Merriweather District site, and the existing Central Library site.
Under this plan, HRD will provide the Merriweather Affordable Housing site at no cost to the County. Additionally, once the new Central Library is completed, the existing Central Library will be demolished, and the site will be used to construct approximately 200 mixed-income housing units by the Housing Commission, as required by the DRRA. This will further advance the affordable housing goals and requirements of the Downtown Columbia Affordable Housing Plan.
The existing Central Library site has long been slated for demolition as part of the Downtown Columbia Plan (adopted in 2010 and updated in 2016), which recommended that a new library be built in Downtown Columbia. Symphony Woods Road and Little Patuxent Parkway may be partially realigned through the existing Central Library site.
Were other locations explored for the new Central Library?
After the County Council approved planning funds in the FY24 budget, the County underwent a community engagement process regarding plans for the new Central Library, gathering community feedback on multiple options. During this process, five locations in Downtown Columbia were explored for feasibility of the new Central Library.
After conducting public feedback and engaging with stakeholders, the County is moving forward with the new Central Library at the Columbia Lakefront.
During the FY26 Capital Budget, the County Council directed the County Executive to begin negotiations for the purchase of land at the Lakefront for the purposes of constructing a new Central Library.
How does this proposal differ from the Lakefront Library plan announced in March 2023?
Under the 2023 Central Library proposal, HRD would have constructed the new Central Library as the project developer on behalf of Howard County. The project would have included approximately 250 tenant and customer parking spaces within the Central Library complex to satisfy HRD’s existing tenant and customer parking requirements, which increased the total project cost.
Under this new plan in 2025, the County will purchase land from HRD at the Columbia Lakefront for a new Central Library with a visionary and architecturally significant design consistent with the Lakefront Library Concept presented in 2023. The County will manage and oversee the project. Furthermore, the County will conduct a competitive bidding process to select design and construction firms to deliver the Central Library project. Additionally, the County is working with HRD and other parties on alternative parking solutions, which could reduce the overall cost of the project.
The County will prepare a new cost estimate for the project after selecting a design firm and advancing planning efforts further.