Double your donation!
Thanks to a generous matching grant provided by Anne and Chris West, every dollar donated on May 19 will be matched up to $50,000. Make your gift go even further.
Outcomes & Results
Greatest Need/Annual Fund
Here at Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library, we’re as passionate about the library as you are. We think libraries are one of the last truly free places to learn, gather and exchange knowledge — an instrument of democracy.
Building Fund
While libraries have evolved, our spaces have not kept pace. The average age of our branches is 48 years old. Today's library offers a myriad of literacies, including early childhood, digital, financial, media and information.
Storyville
Storyville is our award-winning, interactive early literacy and learning center for children ages birth to 5 and their caregivers. There are two locations, each a child-sized village that includes developmentally appropriate books and activities.
Summer Reading Challenge
Summer Reading Challenge is a free program that encourages children and teens to read over the school break in order to prevent summer reading loss, when students who don't read can lose up to three months of reading achievement.
Digital Equity
Digital Equity is a growing concern in our post-pandemic community, and the library is actively addressing this need. While the pandemic didn't cause digital inequities, it did bring them forcibly into the national conversation by highlighting...
existing inequities. The issues of the underserved and those mired in poverty were even further exacerbated by the changes the pandemic brought. One of the largest indicators of economic success is access to an affordable, stable broadband connection. The lack of access to this type of internet connection especially impacts families with school-aged children. These families need access for regular schoolwork and research, especially when school buildings close and classes are virtual.
Even before COVID, libraries around the country were actively engaged in shrinking the inclusion gap by offering Wi-Fi hotspots to customers. While short-term hotspot and device lending is useful, it's not a long-term viable solution for customers without access to a stable Internet connection. Baltimore County Public Library is working to create a long-term Wi-Fi router and device lending program to ensure customers can participate effectively in society and the economy on an extended basis.
This program provides reliable, high-speed internet access to customers in need. A loan term is up to six months per item with a limit of one device and/or one router, depending on need. Customers would be required to have a library card to apply and would need to stipulate that they do not have any other means of internet access or device availability.
Bookmobiles
Baltimore County Public Library's fleet of mobile engagement vehicles, better known as bookmobiles, are an integral part of our services in Baltimore County. These mobile libraries allow us...
Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library is proud to fund these vital community centers on wheels.
Thank You to Our Donors
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Make an Impact
Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library provides additional resources to enrich the library’s commitment to empower the citizens of Baltimore County to explore, learn, create and connect. In recent years, we successfully funded and launched the Social Worker in the Library program, helping connect folks in need with the proper resources. We also fully funded our brand new, first-of-its-kind Mobile Library Law Center — a vehicle that provides free legal services directly in underserved communities. In the past, we’ve fully funded projects like the original Storyville and provided funding (in part or in whole) for systemwide programs like Summer Reading Challenge, Battle of the Books, Read Rover and much more.
The Foundation’s support of the library is made possible by contributions by individuals, businesses and other foundations. Your donation provides funding for a range of activities to promote a love of learning, the development of early childhood literacy and to continue lifelong learning for children and adults.
Donate $100 or more to automatically become an All In Crowd member and receive a BIG mug!
Closing Concert
As the sun sets on the BIG Give, join us for a block party and free sunset concert featuring Starlight Anthem outside the Towson Branch (320 York Rd.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with giveaways, prizes, food vendors, beer from BC Brewery and activities for the entire family.