Library News

Learning to avoid driving accidents in a library

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Becoming a safe driver is an essential part of many young people's lives. But it's a challenge that can present several hurdles.

Now, the Anne Arundel Public Library Foundation has a way for new drivers to get some practical experience behind the wheel. WMAR got an inside look at the library's solution to this issue.

Annapolis library opens new driving simulator

Usually, libraries offer more than just free books — you can often find free tools and other educational resources. But this Maryland library wants to teach you how to drive without leaving the building.

Lactation Pod Now Available at AACPL Branch

First-ever Resource Located at Mall Library 

(July 9, 2024 – Annapolis, MD) The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) Foundation held a ribbon cutting today for the new, donor-funded Mamava nursing pod at its mall’s library.

Moms have a new place to breastfeed in public

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Mothers needing to breastfeed their children in public have a new option in Anne Arundel County. Today at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Westfield Mall, they had a ribbon cutting for a new Mamava Lactation pod.

Anne Arundel County Public Library to Adjust Branch Closing Hours

(June 21, 2024 – Annapolis, MD) In an effort to better allocate resources, officials from Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) today announced a change to branch closing times during the week. Starting September 3, all libraries will close at 8 pm, Mondays-Thursdays instead of the previous closing time of 9 pm. The hours for Friday and Saturday remain the same at 10 am – 5 pm.

Anne Arundel County Public Library Hosts Annual Summer @ Your Library Quest 

Program Expands with Adult Bingo Challenge, Airline Tickets 

(May 31, 2024 – Annapolis, MD) Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) recently announced the return of its annual Summer @ Your Library (S@YL) program with the theme, “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” The campaign aims to prevent seasonal learning loss among students and encourages reading, and social and library

New Riviera Beach Library Set to Open April 25

Events, Giveaways Planned for Opening Weekend 

(March 13, 2024 – Annapolis, MD) Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) officials today announced April 25 as the opening day for the new Riviera Beach Library. After the invite-only ribbon cutting, the branch will open at noon to customers.

AACPL Expands Access to Grant Research Databases to All Branches

Program Funded by County’s Nonprofit Center 

(January 17, 2024 –Annapolis, MD) Officials from Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL), in partnership with County Executive Steuart Pittman, today announced the expansion of its popular grant research tools by Candid to all 16 library locations.

AACPL Announces Special Events as Part of 9th Annual Maryland STEM Festival

(October 11, 2023 – Annapolis, MD) Officials from the Anne Arundel County Public Library today announced a series of special events as part of the 9th annual Maryland STEM Festival, a family-friendly statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering and math that runs from October 13 to November 11.

Events include:  

Anne Arundel County Public Library Foundation to Host Annual Gala Fundraiser

Check Out Curiosity is Theme for Busch Annapolis Library Event

(August 14, 2023 – Annapolis, MD) Officials from the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) Foundation today announced the date for their annual fundraising gala, For the Love of the Library, set for Friday, September 22 at 6 pm at the Michel E. Busch Annapolis Library.

Malls across the U.S. transforming amid rise of e-commerce

Across the United States, some malls are undergoing big changes. Businesses such as animal shelters, trampoline parks and movie theaters are filling the spaces that have been left empty in recent years. NBC News’ Brian Cheung has the story.

Anne Arundel County Public Library hosts oyster reef-building program

Rebuilding healthy local waterways is a team effort. The Coastal Conservation Association and the Anne Arundel County Public Library recently hosted their second annual oyster reef-building program and FOX 5 photojournalist Ama Arthur-Asmah was there! “Coastal Conservation Association is a nationwide organization.

Volunteers make artificial oyster reef balls to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay

Families are cleaning the Chesapeake Bay, one oyster ball at a time. Today's rain couldn't stop this group at the library in Annapolis from helping the environment. Kids and parents mixed concrete to make reef ball molds. Tomorrow, they'll be put on to trailer and sent to a warehouse, where they'll cure for a year. Then, they're covered with baby oysters and sent off to the

Library Announces Annual Summer at Your Library Challenge

Program Aims to Reduce Seasonal Learning Loss 

(June 5, 2023 – Annapolis, MD) Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) recently announced the return of its annual Summer @ Your Library (S@YL) program with the theme, “All Together Now” to promote kindness among youth.

County Health Dept. Gun Safety Lock Pilot Expands to Three Additional Libraries

More than 1,000 Safety Locks Already Distributed

(June 1, 2023 – Annapolis, MD) Officials from the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health announced today the expansion of their successful pilot program to distribute gun safety locks to three additional county library branches.

Skip Auld and Steuart Pittman: There’s more to the story — of Anne Arundel County Public Library and its workers | COMMENTARY

 

Tuesday was National Library Workers Day. This is traditionally a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s hardworking library employees.

In these divisive and challenging times, librarians and other library staff deserve extra praise as they perform the duties of social worker, business coach, IT professional, teacher and advocate for the marginalized.

Library and Maritime Museum Partner to Offer Free Passes for Customers

 (April 4, 2023 – Annapolis, MD) Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) officials today announced a new addition to its Library of Things catalog available to all library customers. Family passes to visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park are now available for checkout with a library card.    

Annapolis woman authors book on history of hat industry on Main Street

In 1950s Annapolis, one would not be caught dead walking down Main Street without a hat. It was a key piece of the ensemble. Luckily, there was Mrs. Musterman’s shop.

Opened in 1921 at 197 Main St., L.P. Musterman Hat Shop sold the finest in hat couture, outfitting legislators, Naval Academy personnel and local leaders.

Library Adds Historic Annapolis Passes for Customers

(July 6, 2022–Annapolis, Md.) – Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) officials today announced a new addition to its catalog of items available for library customers. The newly added Historic Annapolis group passes allow admission to both the Museum of Historic Annapolis and the William Paca House and Garden located in downtown Annapolis.

Library Adds Hammond-Harwood House Museum Passes for Customers

(April 1, 2022–Annapolis, Md.) – Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) officials today announced a new addition to its catalog of items available for library customers. Family passes to visit the Hammond-Harwood House Museum in Annapolis are now available for checkout with a library card.

All Programs for Preschoolers Paused Through January 31, 2022

(January 5, 2022) Effective, January 6, the library is suspending all in-person programs for preschoolers through January 31. This action results from rising COVID-19 numbers, the inability of children under age 2 to mask, the lack of vaccines for kids under 5 and staffing shortages due to staff illness. 

Anne Arundel County Public Library Unveils New Logo, Website

Annapolis, Md., (December 7, 2021) –Officials from the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) today unveiled the system’s new logo and website in a ceremony at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library. Two local families also put a lid on the library’s centennial anniversary celebration by closing a time capsule.  

AA County Library Meeting Rooms Now Open for Booking

(August 3, 2021–Annapolis, Md.) – Meeting rooms will reopen for public use starting Tuesday, September 7, officials for the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) today announced. Community groups and other organizations can now begin making reservations for the month of September.

 AACPL, County Executive Break Ground on New Riviera Beach Library

Annapolis, Md., (March 26, 2021)-- County Executive Steuart Pittman joined Library CEO Skip Auld and area elected officials to break ground on the new Riviera Beach Library at 1130 Duvall Highway in Pasadena. The 20,000 square foot building will double the size of the former facility and is expected to open in Summer 2022.

A Century of Reading

Bay Weekly

Colbert, Judy

I was a wide-eyed 12-year-old when I saw a book in my local library with my last name on the spine. The book was by Marvin Mudrick, a distant relative. We never met, but he definitely influenced my life as I promised myself that one day, I’d have a book with my name on the spine.  

Romance in the pages and online

Romance in the pages and online: Anne Arundel County Public Library celebrates 100 years of evolution from book repository to broad public resource

Capital Gazette

Sanchez, Olivia

Frances Smith has only lived five of her 77 years without knowing William Smith Jr. — the first five.

Statement on Racism By Library CEO Skip Auld

(June 3, 2020) So another black person was killed. This time, protests by diverse groups erupted and have enveloped our nation. Why it’s happening now after George Floyd’s killing, rather than last month after the video of Ahmaud Arbery’s death went viral, or in March when Breonna Taylor was shot in her home is not the point. Enough is enough. It’s time to speak out.