Facts & Policies
Maximizing Library Resources: A Strategic Plan for Harford County Public Library
Banner Year: Annual Report 2011
Materials Selection Policy (pdf)
Neutrality of the Library Policy (pdf)
History
In June 1945, Harford became the first county in Maryland to implement the new tax-supported Public Library Law. By January 1946, the first Harford County Board of Library Trustees was formed and the old Methodist Church Building on Main Street in Bel Air was bought to provide headquarters for the County library system.
In the 65 years since the founding, the system has grown prodigiously to include 11 branches, administrative offices, and 2 outreach vehicles. In 2006, annual circulation of materials surpassed 3 million. Today, the Harford County Public Library serves more than 227,880 registered borrowers.
The Harford County Public Library borrower’s card is free and available to a person of any age. Included in the services and materials that the library offers to the community are: books, recordings, cassettes, magazines, newspapers, DVD's, public meeting rooms, large-type books, compact discs, CD ROM's, puzzles, puppets, oral history, films, copy machines, audiovisual equipment, public access computer catalogs with printers, microfilm reader- printer, children and adult programs, information services, reading development materials, an online community information directory, Internet access, health information, tax assistance, and volunteer opportunities.
Information for Local Authors
Submitting Your Work for Harford County Public Library's Consideration
Local authors, publishers and producers frequently ask us to include their work in Harford County's Public Library collections. Our professional selection staff evaluates each published work or media production according to our Materials Selection Policy.
You may send either a copy of your work for evaluation or information (please include reviews, author information and ordering details) about your book to: Local Author Submissions, Materials Management, Harford County Public Library, 1221-A Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, MD 21017. Your book will be considered for purchase. The donated copy may be added to the Local Author Shelf. Please note that review copies will not be returned.
Harford County Public Library generally does not add books to the general collection that have been self-published or published with a book packager.
Harford County is home to many writers whose work may be featured on our Local Authors Shelf in the Maryland Room at the Bel Air Branch. A single copy of a book donated by a Harford County author may be added to the Local Author Shelf if the work is not selected for purchase or added to the general collection. If you do not want your donated copy added to the Local Author shelf, please indicate this when you send the item to us for consideration.
The following criteria are followed for books to be considered for the Local Author Shelf:
- The author or illustrator is a resident of Harford County
- Adult and juvenile books are acceptable
- The item meets basic criteria in the Materials Selection Policy including appropriateness for a public collection and appropriateness of format for circulation
- The library may add donated books to the Local Author Shelf, but does not purchase titles for the Local Author Shelf.
- The book is not added to the general collection or is already part of the general library collection.
What You Can Expect from the Library
Through inclusion in the collection (whether in the general collection or Local Author Shelf Program) the Library assists the author's efforts to make his/her work accessible to the larger community. On occasion, further promotion may take place.
For example:
- An author may be booked to present a program at one of our library branches;
- A branch library may include the item in a display or on a particular subject or genre list;
- Depending on the program, flyers and/or press releases may be issued;
- Information about the author or author's work may be included in the library publication Headlines and Happenings.
The Library bears no additional obligation for marketing an author's work. It is neither the role nor the responsibility of the public library to provide any of the following services for authors. Authors are fully responsible for securing these services:
- Literary agent
- Reviewer
- Proofreader
- Publisher
- Editor
- Publicist
Local authors may work directly with individual Branch Managers to plan an appearance at a specific branch. Should the local author wish to discuss holding programs at more than one branch, please contact the Harford County Public Library Programming Specialist to submit a program proposal at 410-638-3154.
Resources for Aspiring Authors:
Aspiring authors often ask for information on how to get a book published. The following resources may be helpful.
The Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore has produced a comprehensive web-based resource guide with lots of information about getting published that also includes resources for writers:
How to Get Published from the Humanities Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library:
http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/humanities/index.aspx?id=28594
Print Resources:
Harford County Public Library's collection includes many titles of interest that provide information about the publishing trade:
051 S The Songwriter's Market
051 W The Writer's Market
808.02 P The Poet's Market
808.068 C Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market
Each year these titles publish new articles of interest to authors and songwriters. Also included are directories of publishers and organizations, a calendar of conferences and workshops, and a list of contests and awards, on-line resources and more.
A variety of circulating books discussing the craft of writing are available for aspiring authors of magazine articles, children's literature, poetry, non-fiction and fiction. The library also owns books that include information on getting your book published. Ask your librarian for assistance, if needed.
Magazines and Websites:
Children's Book Council
http://www.cbcbooks.org/
This website has a substantial section dedicated to answering the question, "How do I get my book published?"
Writer's Digest
www.writersdigest.com
The Writer
Writer's Groups:
The Harford Poetry and Literary Society
http://www.harfordpoetrysociety.org/
The Harford Poetry and Literary Society meets at Edgeley Grove Farm, 864 Smith Lane in Fallston on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. to read and discuss all forms of poetry and literature. The group often hosts guest readers, conducts writing workshops, or holds critiquing sessions.
Writers' Critique Group in Havre de Grace Branch
A group of professional and amateur writers meets monthly at the Havre de Grace Branch to discuss writing, and to discuss member's works. Please contact the branch for meeting times:
Havre de Grace Branch
120 N. Union Ave.
Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
410-939-6700
Maryland Romance Writers
http://www.marylandromancewriters.org/
The Maryland Romance Writers is professional writing organization for aspiring and published writers, affiliated with the Romance Writers of America.
Maryland Writers Association
http://www.marylandwriters.org/
The Maryland Writers' Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art, business, and craft of writing. The Association brings writers together, serves as an information source, and helps members make contacts that may lead to publication. The web site has a wealth of information, including writer's resources, and access to small critique groups.
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators: The Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia Region
http://aseraserburns.wordpress.com/
The official blog of the Society provides all the latest news relevant to children's writers in the area.
Review Sources
For best results, select review sources that target your specific market in terms of genre and intended audience. Market guides such as Writers Digest and Writer's Market can assist you with your research. Be certain to read and follow the specific guidelines for each source before submitting your work.
Please note that professional review magazines may not accept older or self-published titles for review, and you may want to focus on getting your published book reviewed by local newspapers or magazines.
