Kathleen Teaze, CEO of Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), announced her retirement effective Aug. 1, 2017.

“This has been a difficult decision, but after 32 years in the library profession, seven of which have been with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, I believe that this is a good time to move to the next stage of my life. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to move our library system to such an exciting place in Maryland’s public library landscape,” Teaze said.

Among her accomplishments, Teaze increased the library system’s technology and digital services. All customers have access to the same information and services, regardless of the size of their neighborhood branch. Teaze equipped the library system with the tools needed to deliver library services in the 21st century. PGCMLS, for example, introduced 3-D printing to customers.

Teaze also spearheaded the development of LINK, Leap Into New Knowledge, the first-in-the-state program that automatically provides all Prince George’s County Public School students with a library account.

“Under the leadership of Ms. Teaze, the library system has expanded its reach in various areas, offering several new community-based services while remaining a central point for county residents to access vital information resources. On behalf of the board of library trustees, I wish Kathleen the best in her next chapter,” said Alease J. “Christy” Wright, president of the PGCMLS board.

Teaze strengthened the library system’s early literacy and youth programs. Last year, over 33,000 young people registered for the Summer @ Your Library reading program. In addition, the library system hired a youth services coordinator for early literacy support, added STEM programs for students and provided summer meals for youth at library branches.

During Teaze’s tenure, the library system responded to the need for a GED-testing site in Prince George’s County by creating one at the South Bowie Branch so county residents could take the test closer to home. Teaze also worked to build relationships with the county economic development agency and the One Stop Workforce Center as well as ensuring there was support staff for Spanish-speaking library card holders in all branches.

PGCMLS under Teaze’s leadership renovated older library buildings into creative, welcoming spaces accommodating the growing needs of customers as well as building beautiful state-of-the-art new libraries, such as those in South Bowie and Laurel. Prince George’s County has the most robust library renovation and construction program in the state.

Teaze is president of the Maryland Library Association, a professional organization that provides professional development, communications and advocacy in support of the libraries in Maryland. In addition, she serves on the Commission for Education Excellence, which advises the Prince George’s County executive on education-related matters, as well as the Early Childhood/Project LAUNCH Advisory Council, which helps young children and their families in Prince George’s County.

“Our library system is a large and diverse organization,” Teaze said. “Of the nearly 1-million residents of the county, there are 628,000 library customers. Using real data to support decision-making, we have inaugurated a measurement and evaluation system for business intelligence that is being emulated in libraries across the state and, above all, we deliver our services with a smile.”

Prince George’s County Memorial Library System provides materials and information for study and personal enrichment, offering strategies for lifelong learning through access to varied media and professional guidance. The library system consists of branches in 19 communities including Accokeek, Baden, Beltsville, Bladensburg, Bowie, Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Greenbelt, Hillcrest Heights, Hyattsville, Largo-Kettering, Laurel, Mount Rainier, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill, South Bowie, Spauldings, Surratts-Clinton and Upper Marlboro. (www.pgcmls.info)