Three Years Later, Library at Lunch Proves Successful

  • By Baltimore County Public Library

Equity and access have always been the fundamental building blocks of the library. Recognizing customers come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, efforts are continuously made to ensure all can fully utilize our services. It’s all part of our strategic plan to connect customers to our offerings and reduce barriers to service. This is the premise behind Library at Lunch, a mobile program at local middle and high schools to provide students with materials for borrowing and browsing during their lunch period while fostering positive relationships between students and library staff.  

Group of women gathering around a laptop computer

This concept has proven very successful and has grown from one school in 2021 to over 10 middle and high schools across Baltimore County. From October 2023 to February 2024, library staff have engaged with 5,500 students during Library at Lunch with these students checking out over 3,200 books. Many of these students use their Student Account, a partnership with BCPS giving all BCPS students access to borrow up to five items with a BCPS student identification number.  

“Library at Lunch has been indispensable for connecting with tweens and teens who cannot visit the branch. It's done wonders for our relationships with students and school staff alike, and we've really been able to form a deeper partnership with participating schools,” said Laura McGee, a Pikesville Branch librarian. “One of the most exciting things is recognizing kids we've seen in the branch attending programs or volunteering on our Teen Advisory Board. Being able to meet them where they are drives home that the library is here for them for lifelong learning.”

Participating Schools 

The following schools participate in Library at Lunch:

  • Catonsville Middle School  
  • Deep Creek Magnet Middle School 
  • Dundalk High School 
  • Franklin High School 
  • Franklin Middle School 
  • Lansdowne Middle School 
  • Milford Mill Academy 
  • Overlea High School 
  • Owings Mills High School 
  • Parkville High School 
  • Patapsco High School 
  • Perry Hall High School 
  • Pikesville Middle School 
  • Southwest Academy 
  • Western School of Technology 
  • Woodlawn Middle School 

If your school is interested in the Library at Lunch program, we encourage the Library Media Specialist to reach out to your local branch.

Students Take on Library at Lunch 

Here’s what BCPS students have to say about Library at Lunch:

Small gathering of people waiting in line

“I like Library at Lunch because I love to read, and it allows me access to books even though the Catonsville Branch is closed for renovation. The librarians are super helpful by recommending some great books if you are looking for something to read. Library at Lunch has helped me get new books without buying all of them, which is amazing and has saved my bank account.”—Lizzie K., Catonsville Middle School 

“Every month, the librarians show up and are so excited about my interest in reading, which makes it easier to want to keep reading. Even during those periods of time when it gets a little difficult to keep reading the books I have checked out, they never make me feel bad about it. The staff is some of the nicest people who really like books and sharing books with us. They make it easy to feel comfortable and excited about finding new books to read and enjoy.”—Idedayo I., Western School of Technology 

“The manga selection is so much better than the selection at school. Library at Lunch helps me find books that get me through a long weekend.”—Childi, Deep Creek Magnet Middle School 

Other Teen Resources 

Our library branches are a welcoming place for all, and we want you to “Be All In” with us, including teenagers. We have several resources just for teens, including: 

  • A large selection of books, manga, DVDs, CDs, music and more. 
  • Streaming services Kanopy and hoopla offering movies, music, shows and comic books.  
  • Teen areas in each branch with gaming equipment and video games for borrowing.  
  • Teen Advisory Boards for volunteering and earning service-learning hours for graduation.  
  • Teen-specific programming. 

Visit the Teens page or head to your branch to learn more.    

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