Frederick County Public Libraries: All You Need to Know!

If you haven’t been to any of the 9 Frederick County Public Libraries lately you are totally missing out on a multitude of amazing, free resources!

In this post, I’m giving you a list of all of the FREE and helpful resources that FCPL has to offer.

In addition, I’ve highlighted and given you at least one stand-out feature for each of the 9 Frederick County Public Libraries.

Frederick County Public Libraries

For most people, when they hear the word ‘library’, they immediately think of school-age children and book reports.

Although there’s nothing wrong with that description, Frederick County Libraries have SO much more to offer!

When I was asked to write a blog post about the Frederick County Libraries, my thoughts were that I would highlight one demographic of library users.

For example, I could highlight all of the teen programs, or the programs geared toward DIY and home decor projects or how the Bookmobile helps to reach our elderly community.

However, after visiting all 9 libraries, I didn’t think focusing on one demographic would do them justice.

So I decided to go on what I call, a ‘Library Trail’.

It’s kind of like the ‘Ice Cream Trail’ or the ‘Winery Trail’ but for libraries.

Frederick County Libraries stretch all the way from Emmitsburg down to Urbana and everything in between.

So I filled up my car with gas and set out on my road trip.

Frederick County Public Libraries Free Resources

But before I tell you about each of the libraries, I’d like to give you a list of what ALL of our Frederick County Libraries have to offer for FREE to their visitors:

  • No overdue fines.
  • No limits on the number of items that can be checked out or put on hold.
  • Auto renewals.
  • Several Adult Programs
  • Children’s Programs
  • Teen Programs such as coding workshops, a Hack-A-Thon – Teens can volunteer at any library to count toward service hours for school.
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Winter Reading Challenge
  • Special Events such as their Hello Holidays and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
  • Digital Resources such as downloadable magazines, music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, eBooks, Student Success Card, & Student Resources.
  • Bookmobiles
  • Book Bike
  • Passport Services
  • Some branches offer notary services.
  • Quiet Study Rooms offered in 6 of the branches.
  • Wireless Internet Access 
  • Wireless Printing offered at 5 of the branches.

See what I mean?

WAY more than book reports!

So now that I’ve peaked your interest even more, I’m going to take you on a tour of each of the 9 libraries, in alphabetical order. 

What I found as I ventured out on my ‘Library Trail’ is that each Frederick County Library has it’s own unique character and strengths.

1. Brunswick

Brunswick Branch Library
915 N Maple Ave
Brunswick, MD 21716
(301) 600-7250

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am-5 pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm

Stand out features:

  • Very modern building (opened in 2011) with lots of big windows, open space, a fireplace, plenty of comfortable seating.
  • 15,000 square feet with 2 study rooms and 1 community room (capacity 50).
  • 16 adult computers, 4 teen computers, & 4 children’s computers.
  • Occasional teen programs that include video games, such as Smash Bros. tournaments.

2. C. Burr Artz

C. Burr Artz Public Library
110 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 600-1630

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

Stand out features:

  • Opened in 2002.
  • 60,000 square feet.
  • The rotunda has a lovely ‘look up’ spot that is a key part of the architecture.
  • 4 meeting rooms, 3 study rooms
  • 34 adult computers, 8 children’s computers, 1 ADA computer station
  • The Maryland Room (dedicated to MD History) is very unique for being a critical storage of local history & genealogy; people from around the country, especially reporters and researchers, use this archive.
  • Designated Library patron parking spaces are available in the parking garage. 
  • Free parking when you validate your ticket in the library.

3. Edward F. Fry

Edward F. Fry Memorial Library at Point of Rocks
1635 Ballenger Creek Pike
Point of Rocks, MD 21777
(301) 874-4560

Days/Times:
Mon, Tues & Saturday: 10 am – 3 pm
Wednesday: 3 pm – 8 pm
Thursday, Friday & Sunday: Closed

Stand out features:

  • The collection in this library was donated by Edward & Gertrude Fry.
  • Edward, who was raised in Point of Rocks became a very successful businessman.
  • Edward’s wife Gertrude was successful in her own right, working in the White House as Staff Assistant to Presidents Nixon, Ford, & Carter.
  • It was their dream to create this small satellite library as part of the Frederick County Library system.
  • Although it is the smallest branch at 1,500 square feet, it was recently renovated and has beautiful large windows for lots of natural light.
  • Contains a significant collection of Civil War history, books for toddlers through 8th grade children, a rotating group of McNaughton Collection books, a powerful reference collection, magazines, and educational & recreational DVDs & videos.
  • Beautiful portraits of the Frys hang over the information desk.

4. Emmitsburg

Emmitsburg Branch Library
300A S Seton Ave
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 600-6329

Days/Times:
Monday & Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Friday & Sunday: Closed

Stand out features:

  • Renovated in 2003.
  • 2,500 square feet.
  • 1 meeting room (capacity 40)
  • 8 adult computers, 2 children’s iPads, 1 copy/print/scan/fax machine, 1 AWE early literacy computer station. 
  • This branch has a beautiful mural in the children’s area.
  • There are some great hiking trails just outside of the library.

5. Middletown – Brand new building to open Spring 2024!

Middletown Public Library
101 Prospect St
Middletown, MD 21769
(301) 600-7560

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday: Closed

Stand out features:

  • Built in 1991.
  • 2,500 square feet.
  • Dedicated children’s area.
  • 5 adult computers, 2 children’s iPads, 1 copy/print/scan machine, 1 3D printer.
  • Small branch but has beautiful wooden rafters which are a key architectural element.
  • Musical story times each Friday at 10 am are a fun, active, and well attended program (always kids jamming out, dancing and having a good time).

6. Myersville

Myersville Community Library
8 Harp Place
Myersville, MD 21773
(301) 600-8350

Days/Times:
Monday & Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Friday & Sunday: Closed

Stand out features:

  • Opened in 2019.
  • 7,000 square feet
  • 2 study rooms, 1 community room (capacity 50)
  • The full-size trolley #150 was one of the original trolley cars in service in Myersville. It has been beautifully restored and is a permanent attraction at this library.
  • This library has a plaza of donor bricks from the dedicated community of Myersville, which helped to fund the building of the branch.
  • A well-attended, adorable Tiny STEM program on Wednesdays at 11:15 (complete with tiny lab coats)

7. Thurmont

Thurmont Regional Library
76 E Moser Rd #1807
Thurmont, MD 21788
(301) 600-7200

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

Stand out features:

  • Opened in 2008.
  • 25,000 square feet.
  • 3 meeting rooms, 2 study rooms.
  • Drive-thru service window & book returns
  • The outdoor deck is a great quiet, peaceful spot you can enjoy a picnic lunch on a nice day, summer concerts, & programs.
  • Thurmont’s branch has some great hiking trails just outside of the library.
  • 16 adult computers, 1 ADA computer station, 2 teen computers, 8 children’s computers, 5 AWE early literacy computer stations, 2 children’s iPads, 1 copy/print/scan/fax machine, & 1 3D printer.

8. Urbana

Urbana Regional Library
9020 Amelung St #7006
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 600-7000

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday: 1 pm – 5 pm

Stand out features:

  • Opened 2006.
  • 25,000 square feet.
  • 3 meeting rooms, 1 study room.
  • Teen Zone.
  • Quiet adult reading area.
  • Children’s play area.
  • Children’s section has a ‘World Market’ play area to reflect the multicultural backgrounds of the community the branch serves.
  • 2 children’s iPads, 18 public computers, 1 copy/print/scan/fax machine, 1 3D printer, 1 ADA computer station.

9. Walkersville

Walkersville Public Library
2 S Glade Rd
Walkersville, MD 21793
(301) 600-8200

Days/Times:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday: Closed

Stand out features:

  • Opened 2018.
  • 15,000 square feet.
  • 1 meeting room, 4 study rooms.
  • ‘The Loft’ Teen area.
  • 22 public computers, 8 children’s iPads.
  • Beautiful ‘Discovery Meadow’ children’s area: Very popular story times for infants & preschoolers.

Wow! 

How lucky are we to have so many free resources throughout our county?

And I’ve just skimmed the surface of what each library has to offer their patrons.

To get even more information, go to the Frederick County Public Libraries website.

And be sure to go on your own ‘Library Trail’ to see what’s available to us free of charge.

Plus, it’s fun to visit the different libraries and see the different towns of Frederick County.

Gives you a chance to kind of be a tourist in your own town.

For more free things to do in Frederick County, click on over to our posts on:

35 Places Kids Eat Free in Frederick, Md: Save Your Money

Free Christmas Events in Frederick, Md: Tis the Season!

Frederick County Public Libraries: All You Need to Know!
Pam
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