About Your Library - General Information

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.

Borrowing Materials

Carroll County Public Library offers a wide variety of materials for checkout, including books, magazines, audiocassettes, CDs, DVDs, feature and instructional videos, large type books and MP3 format.
CCPL takes its responsibilities very seriously, and we expect our borrowers to do so as well.

Fines and Fees

Daily Fine for Overdue Material
$0.20 - Adult, Young Adult, and Children's material (except feature videos and DVDs

$1.00 - Feature Videos, and DVDs.
Maximum Fine for Overdue Material
$5.00 - Adult, Young Adult, and Children's cataloged material and children’s videos (except adult feature videos).

$10.00 – Adult Feature Videos/DVDs. The maximum overdue fine charged will not exceed the replacement cost of the material.
Replacement Cost for Lost Material
The replacement cost for lost material will vary according to the purchase price. Exceptions are listed below.

The charge for magazines and materials not listed in the catalog is $4.00.

A processing fee of $3.00 will be charged for lost items, in addition to replacement costs.

You may arrange for exact replacement of lost material in lieu of payment. The processing fee will be charged.
Rental Videos
The charge to borrow a video from the rental collection is $1.50 plus tax (3 days).
Overdue charges and replacement costs apply.
Annual Borrowers Card for Out-of-State Residents
There is an annual charge of $20.00 for an out-of-state borrowing card. An exception is made for out-of-state employees of Carroll County Government. (Proper identification is required.)
Printing and Copying Fees
$.10 per side for Photocopies

$.10 per page printed from public access computers

$.10 per page faxed from other agencies
Partial Payments
If the total amount due is less than $5.00, the full amount must be paid at one time to continue the use of a library card. If charges total $5.00 or more, the first payment should be a minimum of $5.00, and 20 percent of the original total should be paid each time the card is used. All charges should be paid within six months. For an explanation of any information above, please ask at the Circulation Desk in any branch library.
Damage Fee
The damage fee varies for material according to extent of damage.

$5.25 - Rebinding of book.

$1.00 - Minor book repair.

$.50 - Damaged bar-encoded label on material or borrower's card.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the library have computers for Internet use?
Yes, all library branches have Internet accessible computers for public use.
2. Do you have word processor, spreadsheet or presentation software for public use?
Yes, all library branches have computers loaded with Microsoft Office software for public use.
3. Does the library have fax machines for public use?
All branches currently have fax machines for public use. Check out our Community Information Directory for a list of other businesses and organizations offering public fax machines.
5. Can I get someone to proctor an exam for me?
Please call 410.386.4488 so we may put you in contact with the librarian at your closest branch who can proctor exams.
6. When schools are closed do Library programs still go on?
Programs are held as long as the Library is open.
7. How do I make a suggestion for the Library to purchase?
You may make suggestions in person at any of our branch libraries or you may use our online form.
8. How do I find back issues of a newspaper or magazine?
You should first try looking through our Online Research Tools for a database that may cover what you are looking for. Or you may try calling 410.386.4488 and see if we carry back issues of the newspaper or magazine you are looking for.
9. What types of children's programming do you offer?
CCPL offers storytimes and programs for all ages. For infants and toddlers (with an accompanying adult): Snugglebugs and Story Pals. For children ages 4 through 6: Read with Me. Special programs are offered for school age children. The entire family will enjoy Year-Round Family Storytime, literature-based puppet shows and other programs for all ages. You may browse through our current offerings from our Library Events page.
10. How may I get a children's programming calendar?
All of our programming events are listed on our Library Events page or you can view and print our What's Happening publication.
11. Does the library provide photocopiers for public use?
Public photocopy machines are available in all branches.  The charge is $.10 per page.
12. Can I get tax forms at the library?
Many federal tax forms are available in a notebook of reproducible forms available at each branch; you may photocopy the forms for $.10 per page. If you prefer, branch Information staff will assist you in locating and printing the federal and/or state forms you need using electronic resources, also for a charge of $.10 per page.

Federal tax forms may be printed from the Internal Revenue Service's web site. This site also provides a link to individual state web sites for state forms. The IRS site provides a link for downloading Adobe Acrobat software necessary for printing the forms. All library computers have this software loaded.
13. How may I email a reference question?
You can email a reference question by filling out our online form or by clicking on the AskUsNow! logo from the home page. You should receive an answer to your question within 1 hour during the library's open hours. Of course, you can also receive assistance with your reference question by visiting any branch location, or by calling Telephone Reference at 410.386.4488 during open hours.
14. May I return library materials to any Carroll County Public Library Branch?
Yes, materials may be returned to any Carroll County Public Library Branch, or any Public Library in the State of Maryland.
15. Can I register to vote at the library?
All Carroll County Public Libraries have the forms required to register to vote.
16. Can I search the library catalog remotely?
You can search the library's catalog 24 hours a day from any computer with Internet access.
17. What Holidays does the library observe?
These are listed on our Calendar page. Also, one week before any holiday closing, we post it on the CCPL Home Page.
18. Do any of your libraries have a typewriter?
The following branch libraries have a typewriter for public use: Mount Airy and North Carroll.
19. Can I pick up a Dog License at the Library
No, the library does not offer this service. Licensing information can be found at the Carroll County Humane Society.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) enables you to view your library card account on the computer or to access the information by telephone (410-386-4456) at any time.
Using the barcode on the back of your library card and your PIN number, you can access:
A PIN also enables you to place holds on items yourself and to renew material you have borrowed.
PIN numbers are registered in person at any library desk. You will be asked to choose numbers which will become your PIN.
To check your borrower record:
Check the status of your borrower record and the due date of material you have borrowed by using your PIN number and a public access computer in any CCPL branch, or by going online.
Online
  1. From the CCPL home page, select Library Account from the top of the page.

  2. Type your barcode number from the back of your library card and press the Tab key.

  3. Type your PIN; press ENTER or RETURN.

  4. Select an option under Account Overview.
By phone
  1. Have your library card barcode number and your PIN ready.

  2. Dial 410.386.4456 or 301.829.5290.

  3. Our automated account access system will list options which will allow you to renew library material, to hear a list of items you have on loan, to hear a list of items you have on hold or to cancel holds, and to check the current balance on your library account.

Renewing Materials

Most CCPL material may be renewed.
Exceptions are rental videos/DVDs, books borrowed through Interlibrary Loan, and any item another customer has requested.
You may renew items:

Requesting Materials

Most circulating library material may by requested. Exceptions are rental videos/DVDs.
If needed, Information or Circulation Desk staff will assist you in placing a request.
Place requests yourself by computer in any library branch, or visit the CCPL library catalog from home. Have your library card barcode number and your PIN ready.
Our automated telephone notification system will call you to let you know that items you have requested are ready for pickup.