Library Supports Families Returning to School

  • By Baltimore County Public Library

The sun-soaked days of summer are behind us, and the echoes of laughter and learning fill the halls once more as Baltimore County students and staff return to the classroom. We want to wish all of our families a warm welcome back. As your community connector, we are here for you to start this school year off strong. Let us help you navigate the year with several in-person and online tools, e-sources and engaging programs.

While all Baltimore County residents are able to obtain library cards in person or online, BCPS student identification numbers already serve as library cards. With a library card, materials and myriad e-sources are available instantly. Read below to learn more or explore our youth offerings.

Programs

The library holds in-person and virtual programs nearly every day. Programs include:

  • Anime and manga clubs
  • Anti-racism book discussions
  • Chess clubs
  • Nature clubs
  • STEM
  • STREAM demonstrations
  • Writers clubs

Search for programs by date, location and age group.

Free Snacks 

Starting Monday, September 11, eight branches will provide snacks Monday through Friday after school to youth ages 18 and under. The snacks are made up of a grain, fruit and juice, and may only be eaten in the branch—grab and go is not available. Branches distributing snacks include: 

  • Lansdowne
  • Loch Raven 
  • Parkville-Carney
  • Randallstown
  • Reisterstown 
  • Rosedale
  • Sollers Point 
  • Woodlawn 

Digital Library

Our digital library is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Download or stream using a computer, tablet, phone or smart TV. Options include:

Homework Help

Learn more about the following homework help resources:

  • Brainfuse—Get expert help from tutors through a live chat from 2 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Send a question and get an answer within 24 hours. Have your library card number and password available. Spanish-speaking tutors are available. 
  • SkillSurfer—Practice long division, improve reading comprehension and learn other key skills. 
  • Writing Lab—Submit a writing sample and receive feedback on structure, grammar, style and content to help you better organize and present your thoughts and information. 

Research Databases  

Use our online databases for research and school assignments. Many contain full-text articles from magazines, journals, current and historical newspapers, encyclopedias and more. A valid library card is required to access some databases. 

For the Little Ones

It is never too early to start learning! Parents can enroll their children younger than 5 in our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. There is no minimum age to sign up! Reading out loud with your child helps them develop important early literacy skills—such as speaking, listening and communicating—before they start kindergarten. Parents can sign up through Beanstack, or by downloading or picking up a paper reading log (PDF) at their home branch. For every 100 books read, children can collect a special sticker. When they get to 1,000 books, there is a completion prize.

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