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Harford County Public LibraryHarford County Public Library is a public library serving Harford County, Maryland. It has 11 branches, an administrative office, and 2 outreach vehicles.[1] The library has an annual circulation of over 4 million materials and serves more than 174,000 registered borrowers.[citation needed] HistoryIn June 1945, Harford County became the first county in Maryland to implement the new tax-supported Public Library Law. By January 1946, the first Harford County Board of Library Trustees was formed and the old Methodist Church Building on Main Street in Bel Air was bought to provide headquarters for the County library system. ServicesIncluded in the services and materials that the library offers to the community are: books, eBooks, sound recordings, audio books, eAudiobooks, Playaways, magazines, newspapers, video games, public meeting rooms, large-type books, DVDs, compact discs, STEM kits, puzzles, puppets, oral history, films, copy machines, public access computer catalogs with printers, microfilm reader- printer, children and adult programs, information services, Internet access, health information, tax assistance, and volunteer opportunities.[citation needed] AwardsIn 2023, Harford County Public Library received an American Inhouse Design Award from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) for the design of the graphics on its Traveling Library outreach vehicles. This is the third time the Library has received an honor from GDUSA since 2018.[2] BranchesThe library has eleven service outlets, listed here by collection size. Bel AirBel Air Branch Library (Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland) has been the largest branch in the system since its beginning in 1947. The building was constructed in 1960 and renovated and expanded in 1967. A second renovation and expansion occurred in 1998. The Children's Section was renovated in 2016. The Bel Air branch also houses the Learning and Sharing Center. AbingdonAbingdon Branch Library (Abingdon, Maryland) opened May 17, 2004. AberdeenAberdeen Branch Library (Aberdeen, Maryland) opened in its present location in 1974. EdgewoodEdgewood Branch Library (Edgewood, Maryland) opened in 1962 and was renovated and expanded in 1979. A second renovation and expansion occurred in 2001. FallstonFallston Branch Library (Fallston, Maryland) opened in December 1984 as the Fallston/Jarrettsville Branch, now serving primarily the Fallston area. JoppaJoppa Branch Library (Joppa, Maryland) opened in 1980. JarrettsvilleJarrettsville Branch Library (Jarrettsville, Maryland) opened May 1, 2006. Havre de GraceHavre de Grace Branch Library (Havre de Grace, Maryland) opened in its present location in 1987 and was rebuilt in 2015. WhitefordWhiteford Branch Library (Whiteford, Maryland) opened on June 23, 1992 was renovated and expanded in 2010. NorrisvilleNorrisville Branch Library (Norrisville, Maryland) opened at its present location on February 1, 2003. DarlingtonDarlington Branch Library (Darlington, Maryland) moved to its present location in 1979. A new location is under construction. Other servicesRolling ReaderThe Rolling Reader is one of many outreach services the Library provides to Harford County residents. The Rolling Reader promotes reading for pleasure, visiting after school programs that target at-risk children in grades K through 8. Silver ReaderThe Silver Reader, a mobile library vehicle, visits senior centers, senior housing, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes throughout the county.
The vehicle is equipped with a lift so customers in wheelchairs can board the vehicle and choose materials for themselves, with help from library staff if they like. At facilities where some customers may need more assistance, the Silver Reader staff can take materials inside for customers to review and check out. Harford County Detention CenterFY07 Circulation: 18,825 References
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