Library service in Carroll County began in 1863, when the Westminster Public Library was founded. The library originally operated using revenues collected through membership dues and overdue fines. In 1949, an endowment made the founding of a private corporation possible (Davis Library, Inc.) to provide library service. In 1958, by agreement with the Carroll County Commissioners, Carroll County Public Library (CCPL), a county-wide library system, was established.

Library services have expanded tremendously since the county-wide library system was founded. Five full-service library branches have opened: Westminster (1980), Eldersburg (1983), Taneytown (1989), North Carroll (1990), and Mount Airy (1994). Administrative and system-wide support staff are located at the Carroll County Air Business Center. Carroll County Public Library (CCPL) also provides services to family day care facilities; the bookmobile visits day care centers and remote areas of the county; and a collection is maintained at the Carroll County Detention Center. Service to nursing home residents is provided through Library Link. CCPL is the Internet provider for Carroll County Public Schools, Carroll County Government, and local municipalities, agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Internet accounts are offered to the public for an annual fee.

In fiscal year 2005 CCPL circulated 3,579,244 items. For the eleventh straight year, CCPL has ranked first among Maryland libraries in circulation per capita.