Cecil County Public Library

The Cecil County Public Library is a public library system in Cecil County, Maryland. Cecil County, located in the northeastern tip of Maryland, is one of the fastest growing counties in Maryland¹.

CCPL is experiencing significant growth. Since 2000 materials circulation has increased 28%. Two new library branches were opened recently, including the new, state-of the-art “green” Perryville Branch Library. With a strong emphasis on customer service, the Cecil County Public Library provides events, classes, reference services, and materials for adults, teenagers, and children.

Infobox_Library
library_name = Cecil County Public Library
library_
location = Cecil County, Maryland
num_branches = 7
collection_size = 270,954 (FY 2008)
annual_circulation = 831, 827 (FY 2008)
pop_served = 99,506

Mission Statement

Cecil County Public Library provides access to educational and cultural resources for all and promotes individual and community success.

Vision Statement

Cecil County Public Library connects the entire community with innovative information services, high quality educational and cultural programs, state-of-the-art library facilities and highly skilled staff.

ervices

Library cards are free to Maryland residents and available to out-of-state residents for a nominal fee. The library offers books, magazines, newspapers, databases, audiobooks (including MP3 format), DVDs and VHS tapes, CDs, downloadable books and audiobooks, a large print collection, learning resource kits for children, copy machines, public meeting rooms, computers and internet access, tax forms, and community information. Wifi access is available in most branches.

Adult

Every branch is staffed with adult reference librarians who excel in assisting patrons with information questions, readers’ advisory services, material requests, and assistance with interlibrary loan. In addition to regularly scheduled book discussions and computer training classes, branches also host special programs that both enlighten and entertain. CCPL also participates in Maryland AskUsNow!, an interactive online service that connects patrons with information professionals. Patrons also enjoy microfilms of the local paper, the Cecil Whig, dating back to August 7, 1841.

Teen

Teen specialists are located in every branch to assist with reference questions, and lead teen book discussion programs and special programs.

Children

Every branch is staffed with children’s specialists. All branches offer a number of regularly scheduled programs, including BabyTime, ToddlerTime, StoryTime for 3-5 year olds, FamilyTime, Drop-In StoryTime, book discussions, and science programs in addition to special programs. All branches have a designated children’s section; the Elkton Central and Perryville Branch Libraries have enclosed children’s rooms.

mall Business Information Center (SBIC)

The SBIC is an information resource for local businesses that relies on books, databases, and the education and experience of its Small Business Librarians to help patrons find the best information available on any business issue.

Outreach

In addition to providing books and magazines to the Cecil County Detention Center, the CCPL Outreach Services also serves homebound or facility-bound patrons, daycare centers, children at after-school sites (such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Cecil County), and patrons in senior facilities throughout Cecil County.

Branches and History

Elkton Central

Although Elkton had several men’s only “reading rooms” dating back to the mid-1800’s, the Elkton Public Library had its real beginning in 1924, at which time it was organized as a subscription library by the Women’s Club of Elkton. Today, the Elkton Central Library serves as the hub of CCPL, housing the administrative offices, the processing department, and the Small Business Information Center.

Location: 301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921

Cecilton

For years, Cecilton residents were without a library. Neighbors exchanged books with each other or borrowed them by mail from the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. In 1939 a group of citizens began a subscription library in Cecilton with subscriptions beginning at $1 a year. Today, the Cecilton Branch is part of the free county-wide system.

Location: 215 E. Main Street, Cecilton, MD 21913

Chesapeake City

The Chesapeake City Branch began in 1976 through the efforts of the Women for Federal Restoration in historic Franklin Hall, occupying a back room that was once a dry goods store. After closing in December of 2003 due to structural issues, a new building was constructed in 2007 to meet popular demand.

Location: 2527 Augustine Herman Highway, Chesapeake City, MD 21915

North East

The library began as a project of the Young Women’s Civic League of North East in the early 1950s and was housed on the 2nd floor of the former Town Hall. Today the North East Branch is an official branch of the CCPL system in its own building.

Location: 106 W. Cecil Avenue, North East, MD 21901

Perryville

The original Perryville Branch was opened in the Perryville Town Hall in 1983 and then renovated in 1991. A brand new building was erected in 2008 and designed with many “green” features including geothermal energy and low e-glass. Perryville also boasts self-checkout machines, a café, and a drive-through checkout window.

Location: 500 Coudon Boulevard, Perryville, MD 21903

Port Deposit

Opened in 1986 on the 2nd floor of Town Hall (the former Jacob Tome School), the Port Deposit Branch was moved to its current location in 2004.

Location: P.O. Box 129, 13 South Main Street, Port Deposit, MD 21904

Rising Sun

The Rising Sun Community Library was first established by volunteers in 1942 and housed in Janes United Methodist Church. In 1947, Rising Sun joined the county library system. After several moves due to an increase in usage, the Rising Sun Branch opened in its current location in 1994.

Location: 111 Colonial Way, Rising Sun, MD 21911

External links

* [http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/ Cecil County Public Library]
* [http://www.ccgov.org/ Cecil County Government]
* [http://www.askusnow.info Maryland AskUsNow!]

References

¹ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24015.html