Where can you travel the world without leaving Southern Maryland? Go back in time without a time machine? Learn something new for free?
Your local public library!
With branches throughout Southern Maryland, you’re really missing out if you don’t have a library card or haven’t visited one of our local libraries lately. Modern libraries go way beyond books; they offer free WiFi, access to computers, educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages, research help, job resources, and much more.
Plus, you can get books and resources from any library from Southern Maryland without even leaving your local branch.
How?
The Southern Maryland Regional Library Association (SMRLA) connects the libraries in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Your library card for your home county gets you access to all of the other branches in Southern Maryland, no matter the county. Through interlibrary loan, you can borrow resources from another branch and have them delivered to your closest branch. And, when it’s time to return that item, you can bring it back to any library branch in the three counties.
The association also manages the libraries’ online catalog, COSMOS, which gives you access to physical books and DVDs as well as ebooks, recommended reading lists, and other online research, classes, and resources. The SMRLA also helps the local libraries with marketing, training, and other services for which they may not have the resources.
Let’s get to know your local library!
Calvert County
The Calvert County Library has been open since 1959 and has four branches in Prince Frederick, Owings, Chesapeake Beach, and Solomons. Its work is supported by the Friends of Calvert Library, which hosts book sales, and the Calvert Library Foundation.
Website: http://calvert.lib.md.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalvertLibrary/
Charles County
The Charles County Library consists of four branches: Two in Waldorf and one each in La Plata and Indian Head. Citizens for the Charles County Public Library supports the library’s work and operates a used bookstore each week and book sales twice a year.
Website: https://www.ccplonline.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccplonline/
St. Mary’s County
The St. Mary’s County Library operates branches in Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, and Lexington Park. Two organizations help the library with its mission, the St. Mary’s Library Foundation and Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library, which hosts an annual book sale.
Website: https://www.stmalib.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryslibrary/
Get a Library Card!
What are you waiting for? Library cards are free to Maryland residents. You’ll need to apply online or in person. Applicants over age 16 will need an ID and proof of address; a parent or guardian will need to sign for anyone under age 16. There’s no minimum age to get a library card! Special cards are available for children.
Library cards are valid for three years before they need to be renewed. Got questions? Ask at the desk at your local Southern Maryland library branch.
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