Montgomery County Memorial Library System: Winter News

MONTGOMERY, TX -- As the Montgomery County Memorial Library System charges headlong into 2025, we can look back to last year and see the growth that the county’s growing population has had on the library system, and how the entity is responding to the challenge. The adjustments being made are positive and innovative allowing library patrons of any age to enjoy in-house or away digital options to bring about the most fulfillment into their lives. Increased acquisitions have been made to accommodate the increased numbers.

In 2024, the Library welcomed over 25,000 new users to the system, which has increased demand for resources and programs offered at the county’s eight locations. Library staff responded by adding over 80,000 items to their circulation last year, increasing their already extensive collection. The digital portion of the library has seen an increasing electronic download of books, audiobooks, streaming videos, and digital downloads of popular magazines, and newspapers. Approximately digital 32,000 items were downloaded last year, with increasing numbers expected in 2025.

“Our programming has truly flourished this year,” said Library spokesperson Anne Neidinger. “With approximately 713 additional programs offered to our community.”

Neidinger went on to say that the programs served more than 61,000 attendees, enriching lives through educational opportunities, entertainment, and personal growth. “We are particularly proud of our outreach efforts, which grew by an impressive 36%, reaching over 22,000 community members.”

There are also opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the library without even having to set foot in a building. With their ‘E Pop Up’ program, the library has displays across the country to help spread the word about services through fun reading and watching opportunities, and with a simple library card it can transform boredom of waiting at the doctor’s office to excitement in one's mind with a passage in a book. For sure it gives participants a taste of the library’s collection of titles and an opportunity to try out something new while on the go.

The Digital Catalog allows library users to borrow eBooks & audiobooks as well as stream video via the Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy apps or via a website on any mobile phone, tablet or computer. There are even opportunities to read digital magazines or newspapers. Of course, for those who enjoy the touch and feel of books, there are new additions being added to the library to allow for reading enjoyment and research opportunities for students and adults.

Through the library efforts, events, programs, or library visits, it continues to strengthen the connection with the people of Montgomery County. And even with the huge weather events this past summer that caused havoc around the region, the summer reading program saw a modest increase of 5% in overall completion rates. The MCMLS staff are passionate and committed each year to seeing that the citizens of Montgomery County are afforded the best library experience possible from such a dedicated crew.

One department that made great strides in 2024, is the Genealogy and Local History Room located at the Central Library. It was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, of which the funds will enable the department to enhance its resources, including the acquisition of updated equipment for digitization and preservation. The grant, over the next five years, will allow for greater search and success opportunities for patrons. The financial shot in the arm will allow the genealogy room to become a premier research hub, and the MCLMS is excited upon completion of the to welcome the newly transformed and reinvented space.

The New Year brings a ‘Lineage Society Fair,’ to the Central Library’s Genealogy Room, on Thursday, January 23rd, from noon until 3pm, and will offer a chance for library patrons to visit with representatives of more than 20 of groups to learn about their activities and how to trace family lines from the past. In Willis, the R.F. Meador Branch has joined the ‘Family Place Libraries’ national network and will be opening their newly designed welcoming space for families with young children. The Family Place Library has the resources families need to nurture their children's development during the critical first years of life, helping to ensure all children enter school ready and able to learn. There are librarians specially trained in child development and family support, who are partnering with local family-service agencies and professionals to help parents of young children build foundations for early learning. The program will start on February 5th at 9am at the Willis library branch located at 709 W. Montgomery St., and will join the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library in The Woodlands, which already has a program in place.

Each branch of the Montgomery County Memorial Library System has something going on weekly whether it be Storytime for kids, Lego activities, teen activities, computer classes, rock painting, baby social clubs, family storytime, preschool playdates, pre-teen to adult book clubs, afternoon movies, reading to dogs, teen movie night, computer program classes, writers groups, etc. There are so many activities to mention, so go to the MCMLS website and click on their Event Calendar to choose the activity of your choice.

MCMLS website: countylibrary.org