About the Foundation & the Library

The Harford County Public Library Foundation
The HCPL Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, was established in 1998 to augment the financial resources of the Harford County Public Library, promote awareness of its services, and facilitate its development as a creative environment within the county that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

Each year the Foundation initiates a number of fundraising efforts with its annual Gala serving as its largest fundraiser.

Harford County Public Library
The Harford County Public Library serves the residents of Harford County through 11 branch locations and two outreach vehicles serving the total population in a geographic area that ranges from suburban to rural. The mission of HCPL is to provide access, service and information to residents of Harford County anytime, anywhere. HCPL circulates in excess of 4.4 million items annually, including books, DVDs, music and video games and has more than 187,000 registered borrowers, equivalent to nearly 75% of the County’s population.

Gateway for Information
HCPL is a significant community resource for print, multimedia, and on-line electronic information and reference services, representing a broad spectrum of knowledge on a variety of subjects and in a variety of formats. Staff offer current, accurate, and timely answers to inquiries and help guide customers in finding the information that they seek.

Lifelong Learning Center
HCPL encourages the personal, educational, and professional interests of its customers. It recognizes that learning is a lifelong process that starts well before the formal education system in childhood and continues to the end of life. To this end, the library encourages the enduring habits of reading, learning and intellectual curiosity by facilitating the provision of formal and informal educational support on site and through outreach.

Popular Interest Center
HCPL features current, high-demand, high-interest materials in print and multimedia formats and via on-line electronic services for popular, recreational and leisure pursuits. It regularly provides multiple copies of materials most heavily in demand.

Small Business Center and Job Seeker Resource
HCPL plays an increasingly significant role for small businesses, start-ups and individuals seeking employment. The Library’s vast array of professional resources including high-speed internet, conference rooms, business materials and online subscription services are available at little to no cost.

Cultural Community Center
Harford County Public Library offers a wide variety of programs that enhance the cultural life of our local community. Programs--for children, young adults, and adults--include story times, book discussions, creative writing programs, author readings/presentations, reading incentive programs and musical performances. In addition, the library hosts locally developed and traveling cultural exhibits. The library collaborates with a diverse group of partners including Friends groups, arts groups, historical societies, community-based organizations, and writers groups.

A Partner in STEM Learning
The Library supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning through a variety of programs including its signature Learn, Explore and Play (LEAP) Program. The LEAP Program, a series of fun, free, educational programming and equipment kits, was developed to enhance interest and competence in these fields for elementary and middle school-aged children. Last year Gala proceeds were used to help launch “Little Leapers”, a new STEM initiative designed for the County’s youngest readers. Studies show that early interaction with science and math enhances interest and aptitude in these subjects later in life. Further, since part of learning science involves important skills that are relevant in other areas of learning, “science readiness” is key to a child’s early education.

Advocate for Summer Learning
HCPL’s Summer Reading Program is the cornerstone of our Summer Learning initiative. The incentive and theme-based reading program was developed to prevent the loss of academic skills that children experience in July and August. Offered in all branches, children are offered incentives to register, enjoy free programming including performances by musicians, magicians, story tellers, and authors, and receive a free gift upon completion. In 2012, over 16,000 children and young adults registered for the program. More than 18,000 children are anticipated to participate in the program this year.