Whiteford Branch
Library service to the Whiteford area has been available since 1948 via a bookmobile. In 1980 Harford County Public Library opened the 15 hour Whiteford Reading Center in a 729 square foot modular unit. This modular served many in the rural, farming community. The Whiteford Reading Center was closed in June of 1990 and the library was temporarily relocated to the Highland Commons building to make way for construction of a full-service facility on the same property.
In June of 1992, the Whiteford Branch opened to the public as a 7,300 square foot full-service branch. The area continued to grow steadily over the years and a need for a larger building to serve this population became apparent. To raise funds, the Library Foundation implemented a campaign with the support of the North Harford Friends of the Library and many local businesses. The campaign raised $69,000 that was used towards the renovation of the Whiteford Branch and in January 2010 the newly expanded, 13,278 square foot building was reopened to delighted customers.
The current building doubled in size from the original 1992 full-service building. Highlights of the expansion include a teen room with gaming system, interactive children’s puppet and play area, a quiet study room, self-checkout stations, 24 public access computers, Wi-Fi, and a meeting room which has the capacity to seat 96. Adjacent to the library is a Harford County Parks and Recreation playground “tot lot” which is frequented by preschoolers and their families after the weekly story times.
Since the branch reopening in 2010, the circulation has surged, averaging 25,000 items checked out each month and a collection size of approximately 64,000 items. The Whiteford Branch supports active teen, children’s and adult programming. The teen afterhours programming provides activities enjoyed by many of the teens in the community. The genealogy discussion group draws interested adults from throughout Harford County. In addition, the puppet play area includes early literacy activity kits. There have been over 250 programs this year with 9,000 attendees of all ages. And since the branch reopened in 2010, the Summer Reading participants have exceeded 1,000 in number each summer.
Upcoming Programs
Search for upcoming programs at the Whiteford Branch
Address & Contact
2407 Whiteford Road
Whiteford, MD 21160
Phone: 410-638-3608 or 410-452-8831
Fax: 410-638-3610
Branch Hours
| Mon & Wed | 10:00 am - 8:00 pm |
| Tue & Thu | 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
| Fri & Sat | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Branch Manager
Photos from our Renovation
The Whiteford Branch has been providing library service to the Whiteford, Cardiff, Pylesville and Delta, Pa. region since 1980. In 1992 a full service facility was opened. The branch has some 60,000 items for the public as well as storytimes, playgroups, drop-ins, and the extensive Summer Reading Program. In cooperation with Harford County Parks and Recreation a tot-lot playground was opened this past year on the library grounds. It is open to all even when the branch itself is closed. Whiteford is popular for its Friends’ Booksale each September, also the Quilt Raffle and Christmas Tree Lighting in December. Please call the branch at 410-638-3608 or 410-452-8831 for details and times or just to say hello.
Directions
From I-95: Take Exit 80 (Rt. 543).
Follow 543 north to Rt. 136 north.
Follow Rt. 136 for approximately 20 miles.
The library is on the right.
From Rt. 1: Follow Rt. 1 to Rt. 136 north.
