Governance
The State Library Resource Center is overseen by the State Library Resource Center Oversight Commission, with guidance from the Maryland State Library Association.
Governance
The State Library Resource Center Oversight Commission was established in 2005 and advises the Maryland State Library Agency on all aspects of the State Library Resource Center (SLRC). The Oversight Commission makes policy recommendations, reviews grant applications, approves the SLRC Strategic Plan, SLRC Annual Plan and Annual Plan Updates, and the SLRC Annual Report as well as reviewing the development of budgets. The Oversight Commission works with SLRC administration to address key issues as they arise.
The Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA) is authorized by Section §23-105 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to provide leadership and guidance for the planning and coordinated development of library and information service in this State, including the development of resource centers to meet the library and information needs of this State, and to administer federal and State funds appropriated to Maryland State Library Agency by the State of Maryland for library purposes.
The State Library Resource Center was established in 1971 to provide and expand access to specialized materials and services necessary for coordinated, efficient, and economical library services in this State. Section §23-201 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, designates the Central Library of the Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) as the State Library Resource Center.
SLRC was established in Sec. 23-201 of Maryland Law with the following statements:a. Established. – The Central Library of the Enoch Pratt Free Library System is the State Library Resource Center.b. Purpose. – The State Library Resource Center shall provide and expand access to specialized library materials and services that are necessary for coordinated, efficient, and economical library services in this State. (An. Code 1957, art. 777-168; 1978, ch. 22-2.)Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Maryland State Library Agency contracts with the Enoch Pratt Free Library to manage and provide SLRC services to all libraries and, ultimately, to all the residents of Maryland.
The Enoch Pratt Free Library receives funding from two major sources to provide SLRC services: Baltimore City and the State of Maryland. In addition to state aid provided to all public libraries in Maryland, the Enoch Pratt Free Library receives funding from the state to serve as the State Library Resource Center. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EPFL and MSLA, EPFL provides SLRC services to all libraries and residents of Maryland.
Sailor Committees
Sailor is a project of Maryland’s public libraries that provides broadband Internet access, web hosting, and other IT and web services for public libraries, schools, and local governments in Maryland. Several committees oversee areas of Sailor including the Sailor Advisory Committee.