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Welcome to the Baltimore County Public Library.
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Select a link from the following menu to browse the main pages of our site:

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Select a link from the following menu to access site services:

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About Your Library main page

• Administrative Offices
• Assistive Technology in the Library
• Bus Directions to the Library
• County-wide Library Closings
• Facts About the Library
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Getting a Library Card
• Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities at the Library
• Library Card and Account Help
• Library Catalog Help
• Library Hours and Locations
• Library Services
• Map of Library Locations
• Meeting Room Reservations
• Programs / Calendar of Events
• Public Computer Access / Computer Training
• Special Collections
• Teacher Loan Card
• What's New at Your Library?
• Wireless Internet Access / Wi-Fi

Administrative Offices

320 York Road
Towson, Maryland 21204
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm
410-887-6100
TTY/TICAL: 410-821-5705
bcpl@bcpl.info

Director
Has overall responsibility for the management of the library system, for strategic planning, serves as liaison to the County and State government and is accountable to the Board of Library Trustees. Oversees Facilities, Fiscal Services, Human Resources and Planning and Projects.
410-887-6100

Assistant Director - Public Services
Oversees all libraries and Mobile Library Services.
410-887-6121

Collection Development
Selects materials for all libraries, the mobile libraries and the County Detention Center. Materials selected include: children's, young adult and adult fiction and nonfiction print titles, large type, reference titles, Korean, Spanish and Russian language collections, music compact discs, books on tape and compact discs, DVDs, magazines and online research databases. Customer requests, demographic and consumer information, and the media are examples of major factors that influence the selection of titles.
410-887-6137

Facilities Services
Plans library layouts, library renovation and new construction, makes furniture, equipment and supplies purchases. Assists other departments in the library with the contract process.
410-887-6132

Graphic Production
Comprised of an Art section and a Print section. Art provides design and layout services and produces signage for the system. The Print section provides printing and finishing services for Baltimore County Public Library's Calendar of Events, booklists, flyers, newsletters and supply materials.
410-887-6175

Information Services
Develops online information resources, such as the Baltimore County Public Library website and databases of community information and local history resources. Supports branch reference services by creating information resources, coordinating reference training of librarians, and investigating trends in information services. Provides reference service to local government staff and online customers. Partners with government and community groups to develop local information resources. Oversees Interlibrary Loan.
410-887-6124
TTY/TICAL: 410-821-5705

Marketing
Ensures that services and products of the library meet the needs of Baltimore County communities and promotes these services and products as appropriate. Handles publicity and news directed to both customers and staff of the library through all media, including newsletters, newspapers, radio and television. Responsible for photography, print communications, and identifying and coordinating adult programming for branch libraries.
410-887-6196
TTY/TICAL: 410-821-5705

Planning and Projects
Coordinates system-wide planning processes and the initiation, execution, and control of specific strategic projects and activities, including the library's strategic plan and the annual workplan process. In addition, staff acts as a resource for project teams. The department also coordinates all surveys done in BCPL, as well as the creation and analysis of reports so that everyone in the library has the data they need to make timely and effective decisions.
410-887-3285

Technical Services
Orders, unpacks, catalogs, covers and labels all material for Baltimore County Public Library, both print and non-print. Enters and maintains the bibliographic records in the library catalog.
410-887-8630

• Client Services: Provides end user support for staff and system planning.
• Integrated Library System (ILS): Supports Baltimore County Public Library's Tandem mainframe circulation system providing library circulation, community information, phone circulation/phone notification, and the acquisitions system.
• Network Operations: Supports Baltimore County Public Library's networked computer system.
• Department Coordinator: Supervises each workgroup manager and manages all interdepartmental efforts, performs departmental budget and planning, facilitates the department Tech Council decision making body and acts as a project manager for larger system wide technology and business initiatives.

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Assistive Technology in Baltimore County Public Library

Assistive or adaptive technology equipment is available on a first-come first-served basis at Catonsville, North Point, Pikesville, Randallstown and Towson branches. Ask at the Information Desk to use the equipment which includes

• Optelec, a text/image enlargement system
• JAWS (Job Access With Speech) that speaks and reads word processed documents, websites, databases, email messages, etc.
• ZoomText to enlarge text
• OPENBook scans a printed documents or graphic based text into an electronic text format using accurate optical character recognition and quality speech.

Each library has a magnifying glass at the Information Desk for customer use.

Ask A Question
InfoEyes is a question and answer service for people with a visual impairment or other print limitation. Librarians from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and Maryland AskUsNow and across the country provide the service. You can use it from the library or from home, school or work. You can schedule an appointment to talk live with a librarian on the Internet or you can email a question to a librarian. Service is available during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, except holidays.

Baltimore County Public Library also offers these other ways for you to Ask A Question.

Meeting Room Sound Amplification Systems
The meeting rooms at the Catonsville, North Point, Randallstown, Towson and White Marsh Branches are equipped with Phonic Ear VocaLight, an infrared transmitter-receiver sound field amplification system.

TICAL, TTY Information and Communication Access for Libraries
You can speak directly to a librarian at any of our libraries or with the Administrative Offices using your TTY or computer modem. Our TTY number is 410-821-5705 or contact us through Maryland Relay.

The librarians use a computer telephone service called TICAL, which stands for TTY Information and Communication Access for Libraries.

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County-wide Library Closings:

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Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities at Baltimore County Public Library
Library Job Opportunities | Library Volunteer Opportunities

Job Opportunities with Baltimore County Public Library

• Current Job Vacancies and Employment Information

• Other part-time positions may be available at individual Baltimore County Public Library branches. Please call the library where you are interested in working and ask about part-time opportunities at that location. Or you may apply online. Your application will be forwarded to the branch where you are interested in working.

Volunteer Opportunities with Baltimore County Public Library

• Become a volunteer at a Baltimore County Public Library. If volunteer opportunities are available, a Volunteer Coordinator will contact you. The number of volunteer positions available are determined by each library.
• The Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library provides funding for projects that encourage children and young adults to cultivate a life-long enthusiasm for reading and learning, acts as advocates for the library to ensure that library services continue on into the future, and raises funds for specific programs or projects that enhance system-wide Baltimore County Library goals and objectives. If you like to work with a group of dedicated volunteers, become a Foundation volunteer. You can get a volunteer application or information by calling 410-887-3282 or sending email to foundation@bcpl.net.
• The Friends: Branch Support Groups are important volunteer support groups for Baltimore County Public Library. They provide community outreach and advocacy for their neighborhood library. They organize fundraising events and bring additional talent, expertise, and financial support to their community library. For more information or to get involved, contact your local Friends: Branch Support Group.
• Legacy Web Volunteers assist with the development of a digital image collection and descriptions of historic photographs of Baltimore County. Their primary responsibilities include use of a computer scanner and Windows software for scanning, cropping, improving image quality, and editing descriptions.
• Story Timers Early Literacy Volunteer Program. Story Timers serve in library branches offering developmentally appropriate stories and activities for young children. Training and mentoring are provided.
• Middle or high school student volunteers who need service learning hours and Summer Reading Club volunteers

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Library Hours and Locations

Select a link below for information about your local library; email address, including fax number, driving directions, and how to get there by bus.

TTY Information and Communication Access for Libraries (TICAL) is available at all branches and the Administrative Offices. You can speak directly to a librarian at any of our libraries or with the Administrative Offices using your TTY or computer modem. Our TTY number is 410-821-5705 or contact us through Maryland Relay.

Book Drops: All Baltimore County Public Libraries have Book Drops except the Loch Raven Library.

Book Drops: All Baltimore County Public Libraries have Book Drops except the Loch Raven Library.

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Library Services

Animal Licenses
Annual cat and dog license applications are available at Baltimore County Public Library branches. Fill out the application form, show the animal's current rabies inoculation certificate, and pay the appropriate charge for the license plus a $2.00 convenience fee per license.

Ask A Question
Our staff is here to help you find the answer just telephone, TTY, or stop by any of our branches. You can also send a question by email to our Ask A Librarian service. Responses to email are usually sent within two business days.

Get answers to questions from Maryland or nationwide librarians 24/7 with our AskUsNow! service. El servicio en espanol.

InfoEyes is a question and answer service for people with a visual impairment or other print limitation. Librarians from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and Maryland AskUsNow and across the country provide the service. Use it from the library or from home, school or work. You can schedule an appointment to talk live with a librarian on the Internet or email a question to a librarian. Service is available during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, except holidays.

Baltimore County Licenses and Permits
This service is offered by Baltimore County Department of Permits and Development Management and Baltimore County Public Library. You can apply for several Baltimore County permits and licenses at all library branches. The licenses and permits available are the annual animal license or renewal, electrical post card permit issued to licensed electricians and residents which allow work and generate inspections, and plumbing post card permit used by licensed plumbers to allow work and generate inspections. A convenience fee is charged for each license and permit.

Book Ahead (Placing Holds on Items that are On Order)
Is the book, talking book, or other material you want still "on order" and not yet received at your library? Do you want to be among the first to receive new materials? Then our Book Ahead service is the answer. You may place a hold on “On Order” titles that appear in the BCPL catalog for $1.00 each. You will be notified when they arrive at your branch. The items will be held for you for seven days. There is an additional fee of $1.00 on each item if you do not pick up the items within the seven day period following notification.

You may place a Book Ahead hold yourself through our online catalog or by calling or visiting your local branch and asking for assistance. You will need to have your library card number to use the online system.  Some items cannot be Booked Ahead and these include feature length entertainment DVDs, magazines, and video games.

If you're looking for materials not owned by Baltimore County Public Library, use Direct Loan or Interlibrary Loan.

Community Information Directory
An online Community Information Database listing thousands of non-profit organizations and agencies that serve Baltimore County residents. The organizations cover a broad range of topics such as business associations, community improvement groups, cultural, educational, governmental, health care, recreational, and tourism organizations. Individuals providing a unique service for example tutors, notaries public, interpreters and translators are included. The directory is searchable by name, subject, zip code or keyword.

Call the Information Services Department, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, at 410-887-6124 if you are interested in having your organization listed in the Directory.

Direct Loan or Interlibrary Loan
If Baltimore County Public Library does not own what you are looking for, Direct Loan is a way for you to have material sent from a participating Central Maryland public library system to the Baltimore County Public Library branch of your choice.

Interlibrary Loan expands your possibilities by having materials sent from beyond Central Maryland library systems.

Government Applications and Forms
Some Maryland and Baltimore County applications and forms, including Maryland Voter Registration forms, are available online and at all our branches.

Language Line Service
Baltimore County Public Library staff has access to over the phone interpreters or translators in over 140 languages to help any customer who may not be fluent in English. Please call or visit any of our branches.

Meeting Room Reservations
Hold a meeting for your organization in one of our meeting rooms. Meeting rooms at our branches are available for rent to non-profit organizations and commercial groups. All meeting rooms except Perry Hall Library and Loch Raven Library are accessible to people with disabilities.

The meeting rooms at the Catonsville, North Point, Randallstown, Towson and White Marsh Branches are equipped with Phonic Ear, infrared transmitter receiver sound amplification systems.

Mobile Library Services
Baltimore County Public Library's Mobile Library Services operates four vehicles to serve the citizens of Baltimore County. All four vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities and have a wheelchair lift.

• Library on the Go Senior makes neighborhood stops for convenient use of library services, and has computers with internet access.
• Library on the Go Junior visits senior centers and retirement homes.
• Read Rover and Read Rover Plus offer library services to licensed day care centers and home providers, and community sites geared to people with disabilities in Baltimore County. Children enjoy a story time with both stories and an activity; teachers or providers may select material to keep in their centers until the next visit.

Public Computer Access
We offer free Internet access through the public computers at all of our branches. Excluding the computers designated as Catalog Only, all public computers have the following software installed: Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Please read the information on the use of the public computer stations.

In addition to these public computers, the branches are now hotspots, providing wireless internet access to customers who bring their own wifi-capable laptop computers to the library.

Several branches provide free basic "what-you-need-to-know" hands-on computer training. Required registration begins one week in advance. Check your local branch listing for dates and times.

School Assignment Alert Form
Teachers and Media Specialists are encouraged to submit a Baltimore County Public Library School Assignment Alert Form to help us prepare for students' projects and assignments. Advance notice about the assignment will assist the branches in providing your students with as many library resources as possible, based upon the details you specify on the form.

Shelf Help
The automated Shelf Help phone service provides library hours, holiday information, access to your library account information and renewal of material.. Call 410-494-9063 to use the Shelf Help service.

Storyline
Children can listen to pre-recorded stories over the phone, 24 hours a day, by calling 410-887-6116. Stories are geared for children ages three to ten.

Tax Forms
Baltimore County Public Library participates in both the Federal and State tax form programs. A limited assortment of basic forms is available for pick-up during the tax season. Branches provide reproducible sets of both Maryland and Federal forms. Visit our web page for online access to tax forms and information.

Wireless Internet Access/ Wi-Fi
Baltimore County Public Library branches offer free wireless Internet access to library users with personal wireless-enabled devices such as laptop computers, PDAs and cell phones. Your use of the Baltimore County Public Library wireless network implies acceptance of the terms of service and the Baltimore County Public Library Internet Acceptable Use Statement.

You are responsible for understanding how to configure your own wifi-enabled device. Because there are many different types of wifi devices requiring many different configuration methods, library staff are not able to assist you with the configuration of your wireless device.

What's New @ Your Library
Find out What's New @ Your Library via links to Baltimore County Public Library press releases, news, vacancy announcements, and featured library programs.

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Map of Library Locations

Library locations map

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Special Collections

Books on Tape and Books on Compact Disc
Listen to a book on cassette or compact disc in your car, while you're out for a walk, or when you're relaxing at home. "Talking books" provide an alternative format for both fiction and non-fiction titles. Talking books on audiocassettes and CDs include both unabridged and abridged titles. These "talking books" may be checked out for 21 days and may be held / reserved or renewed. They cannot be Direct Loaned or sent through Interlibrary Loan to other library systems.

Braille books for children
A small collection of Braille board and picture books suitable for children from birth to five years and a few titles for the six to eight years old child are available at the Towson branch. Text is in both Braille and English which helps the sighted child learning to read assisted by a parent who is blind or for a child who is blind learning Braille.

Downloadable Audio Books, eBooks and Videos
To download an audio book, ebook or video you must have a valid library card registered at Baltimore County Public Library or at a participating Maryland library. Information about downloading materials available from BCPL can be found in the Audio Books, eBooks and Downloadable Videos section of the Books and More page.

DVD and Video Collections
Check out current releases available on DVD for both adults and children.
BCPL currently offers:

• Entertainment DVDs for adults and children -  two day loan period.
• Entertainment videos for children - two day loan period.
• Instructional videos or DVDs for adults and children - twenty one day loan period.

Please note the policies, loan periods and fees differ for entertainment and instructional DVDs and videos.

Foreign Language Collections

• Korean - Cockeysville and Towson have fiction and non-fiction for adults and children.
• Russian - Russian materials for adults and children can be found at Pikesville, Randallstown and Reisterstown. A small collection of entertainment or feature two-day videos in Russian for adults are available at Pikesville and Reisterstown.
• Spanish - Children's books, mainly picture books, in Spanish and bi-lingual Spanish and English, can be found at all branches. Catonsville, Essex, North Point and Towson have collections of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children in Spanish.
• Learning Foreign Languages - books, tapes and CDs for learning languages are available to check out at all branches.

Large Type Books
All branches have a wide variety of large type books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Legacy Web - Historic Photographs
Browse our fascinating collection of local historic photographs on the Web. The collection contains at least 15,500 images! All aspects of life in Baltimore County for the last 130 years are contained in LegacyWeb, Baltimore County Public Library's photo archive. Included are most aspects of rural living, including photographs of people, buildings, sites, and events in the Baltimore County area. Search or browse this growing archive of annotated, digitized photographs of Baltimore County as well as Baltimore magazine from 1917 to 1928. You can even buy copies of most of the photos.

Local History Room Collections
Arbutus, Catonsville, Reisterstown and Towson branches have historical archives on the local communities they serve. The local community history information consists of rare and out-of-print books, newspaper clippings, and historical prints of local sites. These materials are non-circulating and in some cases are accessible by appointment only. Please call the library to determine whether you need an appointment to view their historical collection.

A few branches have historical newspapers and magazines on microfilm that are geared to their local Baltimore County communities and Maryland in general.

Check out our online genealogical databases and newspapers. All you need is a library card to use most of these database from home, office or school. They can also be used from the public computers in our libraries.

Search or browse our growing archive of annotated, digitized photographs of Baltimore County as well as Baltimore magazine from 1917 to 1928.

Maryland Collection
Whether planning an excursion, delving into history, locating government information, answering school assignment questions, or just browsing for photographs, sports, and more, this collection includes abroad spectrum of material. All libraries have a wide variety of materials about Maryland and Baltimore County.

Check out our online research databases of historic newspapers. All you need is a library card to use this database from home, office or school. They can also be used from the public computers in our libraries.

A few libraries have historical newspapers and magazines available on microfilm that are geared to their local communities and Maryland in general. Don't forget our Local History Room Collections and Legacy Web.

Newspapers and Magazines
All libraries have current subscriptions to a few newspapers and a wide variety of magazines. To find out if a specific title is owned visit or call your local library.

Check out our online research databases of newspapers and magazines. Most will give you the full text of the articles appearing in the magazine or newspaper. Note there are online databases to specialized magazines, for example business or health, as well. All you need is a library card to use these databases from home, office or school. They can also be used from the public computers in our libraries.

Only a few Baltimore County Public Library branches carry older newspapers and magazines on microfilm and have microfilm readers.

Research Databases
We provide you access at no charge to a variety of online databases, including automotive and engine repair, biographies, test and exam practice tests, health, business, community, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias and more. They are useful for research, schoolwork or simply pleasure. Databases are available at Baltimore County Public Library branches and most are available from home, work or school through the Baltimore County Public Library home page. All you need is a library card.

Sign Language Videos
The Robert Joseph Wortman American Sign Language Video Collection of more than 200 adult and children's videos is housed at the North Point Library. This collection covers many issues of interest to the deaf community, including teaching or learning Sign Language as well as information for the hearing parents of a deaf child. The videos from this special collection can be checked out, placed on hold / reserved, and renewed.

Video Games
A small collection of video games for children and adults is available at all branches. There are video games for Nintendo Game Cube, Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation II and Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360 game systems. Baltimore County Public Library purchases video games that are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board from EC, Early Childhood which may be suitable for ages 3 and older through T, Teen which may be suitable for ages 13 and older.

• Video games may be checked out for a 7 day loan period at no charge.
• Video games may not be renewed, or placed on hold / reserved through the BCPL catalog.
• Can hold for a $1.00 fee per game until the end of day by calling any branch.
• Please note the policies and fees for this collection.

Zines Collection
Zines, pronounced "zeen", like "bean", are self-published magazines usually written by one person or a few individuals. Zines can be informative, obsessive, hilarious, sad, rude, inspirational, hand-scrawled, or neatly typed. They can be on any topic often representing points of view missed by mainstream media or publishing houses. Our collection of over 300 zines covers a wide range of topics with an emphasis on local zine authors. It is currently located only at the Cockeysville Library. If your not near the Cockeysville branch, you can get any Zine title sent to the branch of your choice at no charge. You can do this by using the online "Place Hold" option in either of the BCPL catalogs, calling any branch and asking a librarian to place a hold for you, or visit any branch and ask at the Information Desk.

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This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 29 April 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 29 April 2008.
You are welcome to provide feedback.