Support Harford County Public Library:
Building a Stronger Community Together
Harford County Public Library (HCPL) is more than just books—it’s a cornerstone of learning, growth, and connection for our community. Every day, we provide vital resources, educational programs, and welcoming spaces that empower residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Our mission is to deliver information to anyone, anytime, anywhere, and your support is essential to sustaining and expanding this mission. Many of our programs, collections, and outreach efforts rely on funding beyond the County’s budget.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Harford County Public Library Foundation (ID#23-2987712) ensures that these services remain accessible and impactful for everyone. Together, we can create opportunities that inspire and transform lives in Harford County.
- Community Hub: HCPL is a welcoming space for connection, learning, and engagement, with over 721,000 visits annually. The Library hosts 483,000+ program attendees each year, offering a wide range of activities that spark curiosity, foster creativity, and inspire growth. HCPL also provides meeting spaces for individuals, community groups, and clubs.
- Free Gateway for Information: Harford County Public Library (HCPL) offers free access to a wide range of information, resources, and tools. Whether through books, multimedia, online formats, or access to technology and community spaces, the Library ensures everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. By removing barriers to information, HCPL empowers residents and fosters lifelong learning.
- Champion for Digital Equity: The Library reduces the digital divide by providing internet access in branches and offering internet hotspots for checkout. These efforts are particularly impactful for low- to moderate-income families, ensuring equitable access to technology.
- Small Business and Job Seeker Resource: HCPL is a lifeline for small businesses, contractors, and job seekers, offering professional resources like online subscriptions, professional databases, training and work force development, employment assistance, and access to essential tools such as computers and copiers.
- Leader in STREAM Learning: HCPL promotes science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math (STREAM) through signature programs like Learn, Explore, and Play (LEAP) and Little Leapers. The Abingdon Branch Innovation Lab and Bel Air Branch STREAM Works provide hands-on experiences that prepare individuals for a tech-driven world.
- Leader in Early Literacy: HCPL ignites a love for reading through programs like Storytimes, caregiver workshops, the Summer Reading Program, and early literacy initiatives. Partnerships with schools and daycares ensure broad access, while outreach efforts like the Rolling Reader bring books directly to underserved youth. In 2024, over 19,000 children participated in the Summer Reading Program, building skills that last a lifetime.
Your contribution ensures that HCPL continues to meet the evolving needs of Harford County.
Winter Reading Program
Harford County Public Library's Winter Reading Program encourages reading during the colder months and engages the community in a variety of literary activities. Each year the Winter Reading Program inspires individuals of all ages to embark on literary journeys that will broaden their horizons and enrich their lives. We anticipate 6,000 individuals will participate in this year’s exciting Winter Reading Challenge, “Cozy Up With a Good Book.”
Winter Reading Program Sponsorships offer outstanding recognition opportunities including recognition in 11 branches, on all promotional materials, our website, e-blasts, and on the collector’s mug given to participants who complete the program. The mugs are very popular among our registered borrowers and the release of their design is highly anticipated each year.
Sponsorship includes recognition on banners in all 11 library branches, our website, e-blasts, print materials, and bookplates in free books for children who complete the summer reading challenge.
Download the 2025 Sponsor Sign-Up Sheet
Summer Reading Adventure
Reading is a powerful force that colors a child’s world with endless possibilities, fueling dreams and expanding creativity. Studies show that children participating in library summer reading programs start the school year with stronger reading skills, less summer learning loss, and more confidence. From books and guest presenters to concerts, STEM activities, crafts, and more, our exciting lineup of summer events fosters a love of reading and lifelong learning.
In 2024, over 19,000 young readers participated, and we look forward to even more children exploring the library this summer.
Our dream is to provide every participating child with quality books they can call their own. By sponsoring this important initiative, you can help us make this dream a reality.
Summer Reading 2026 Opportunities coming soon!
Annual Harford County Public Library Gala: An Evening in the Stacks
Celebrate and support HCPL at our annual black-tie Gala at the Abingdon Library on Tollgate Road. The Annual Gala is the Library’s largest fundraiser and is crucial to our mission of providing essential resources, services, and programs to all citizens.
- Held on the first Saturday in November, the Gala transforms the library into an unforgettable destination with exciting décor, cocktails, fantastic food, live music, and more.
- The Library is proud to promote Harford’s local treasures, including musicians, artists, breweries, businesses, and the culinary community while raising funds for library initiatives.
- The Gala attracts a sold-out crowd of 650 attendees. The event sells out quickly, so call the HCPL Foundation to confirm your sponsorship today. Individual tickets typically go on sale the first week of September.
- HCPL’s multi-media sponsor recognition opportunities offer an outstanding return on investment, including recognition at the event, online, in all 11 branches, and in eblasts and social media posts to our millions of website visitors.
- The HCPL Foundation has earned a reputation for developing sponsor and auction packages that showcase participating businesses. If a business is not sure what to contribute, the Gala Team can help them create a package to best highlight their products and services.
More Information About the Gala
Imagine a gift that continues to inspire, educate, and empower generations to come—a gift that transforms lives and strengthens our community far into the future. By providing a major gift or including Harford County Public Library (HCPL) in your estate plans, you can create a lasting legacy that ensures the Library remains a vital resource for all.
How to Include HCPL in Your Estate Plans
- Including HCPL as a beneficiary in your will or living trust.
- Designating HCPL as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or financial account.
- Establishing a charitable gift annuity or trust to provide income for loved ones while supporting the Library.
To learn more about how your planned gift can sustain the Library’s mission, please contact Amber C. Shrodes, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, at shrodes@hcplonline.org or call 443.907.3860.
Harford County Public Library’s Game Changers Business Series is a dynamic initiative created to empower local professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Harford County Public Library offers a wealth of resources for professionals to take their ambitions to the next level.
The Game Changers Business Series continues January 8, 2026 with renowned economist Anirban Basu, who will provide expert insight into economic trends, strategies, and actionable advice for navigating today’s complex business environment.
Click here to view sponsorship opportunities.
Make a lasting impact while celebrating the special moments and people in your life. By giving a monetary gift to the Harford County Public Library Foundation, you can honor a loved one or commemorate a milestone, such as a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, in a meaningful way.
You have the flexibility to direct your donation in a way that’s most meaningful to you. Choose to support your local branch, fund the purchase of books and materials, or allow your gift to be used where it’s needed most. Every contribution helps strengthen our Library’s mission to serve and inspire the community.
Books funded by your gift will feature a personalized bookplate, acknowledging your generosity and tribute.
Memorials & Tributes Donation Form (PDF)
For more information please contact Amber C. Shrodes, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, at shrodes@hcplonline.org or call 443.907.3860.
The HCPL Foundation will continue to provide opportunities for individuals and businesses to contribute to specific campaigns. To that end, we have established funds for each of our 11 branches to allow donors to designate their dollars to their local branch.
You can designate your gift in two ways
- Memorials & Tributes: View information in the section above.
- Unrestricted Gifts: Individuals and businesses may elect to give a monetary gift to the HCPL Foundation without restriction for use at their local branch. This allows the Foundation, working with the Branch Manager, to identify an appropriate use of the funds.
HCPL Foundation is an essential component of the library’s strategic plan: Libraries Without Limits.
There are wonderful opportunities to contribute to our annual initiatives, which are outlined under Giving Opportunities. Those initiatives include the Summer Reading Challenge, Winter Reading, Silver Reader and our annual Gala event.
The Harford County Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, and all gifts to the organization are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Information under the Maryland Charitable Organizations law can be obtained from the Secretary of State at (410) 974-5534. Gifts can be made to the HCPL Foundation in a variety of formats.
- Monetary gifts may be made through check, cash or credit card. Credit card payments may be placed through a secure server via our website.
- Gifts of stock may be transferred to the HCPL Foundation. Stock gifts will be sold within 24 hours and the gift will reflect the amount of the sale. All stock transfers and sales are handled through a partnership with Morgan Stanley. Please contact our office for details.
- In-kind services may also be donated to the HCPL Foundation. Typically these donations are event-related and may include food service, music performances, design, print and advertising services. Please contact our office for details, 410-273-5600 x6513.
All donations to the HCPL Foundation are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. We acknowledge all monetary, stock and in-kind gifts in writing to the donor within 30 days of receipt of the gift.
Donations made in connection with an event, including ticket sales, auction purchases and donated services, are also tax-deductible within the appropriate guidelines. Acknowledgement letters for these gifts will be issued within 60 days of the event.
The HCPL Foundation includes the names of all donors in its annual report, on the Foundation page of the HCPL website, and in all reporting required to the State of Maryland.
Sponsorships made through a specific campaign may also be recognized in press releases, print advertising and promotional materials.