Maryland Public Library Services

MPOWER CARD
MPOWER CARD,  Maryland ’s state library card, allows residents of the state of Maryland to use library resources all over Maryland .  Customers in Western Maryland can travel to the ocean and use the library there with the facility of the state card.

MPOWER CAt
MPOWER CAT is the Maryland database that gives library staff and patrons access to a world-wide catalog.  Library resources which include books, DVD’s, journal articles, and e-Books are available.  A library patron can access this information over the internet, through a search engine or through their library home page.

ASK US NOW

 AskUsNow! is a 24/7 live online interactive service. It uses the expertise of librarians to provide the residents of Maryland and students of Maryland educational institutions with answers to questions, research guidance, and help navigating the Internet.

The Gale Science Resource Center

  The Gale Science Resource Center will provide unlimited access for students in school and public library systems in Maryland . This curriculum-oriented science database provides a one-stop electronic resource for all science needs and allows students, parents and teachers access without being on site at the library or school.

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this resource reflects curriculum trends and focuses on key concepts such as earth/space science, a history of science, life science, chemistry, physics, science technology, and much more. Featuring direct links from the topics to Science Core Learning Goals of Maryland , educators can identify articles aligned to specific standards highlighting lesson plan concepts as well as complementing textbooks.

Newsline®

NFB-NEWSLINE® is an automated, interactive audio-information service provided for persons who have visual disabilities.  Through a phone call, a patron can access news service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Library Associate Training Institute

  All library staff must complete a 90 hour orientation course which provides the overview of library work. Topics in the training are:

• How to answer a reference question
• How to use a search engine
• Visit to the State Library Resource Center
• Customer service and effective communication
• Community information
• Introduction to ebooks
• Reader’s advisory

Maryland INTER-Library Loan

  This project provides for the transportation of inter-library loan library materials on a regular basis throughout the state of Maryland .  All inter library loan materials are delivered to and received from the Pratt Library in Baltimore.

Summer REading

Summer Reading is a project of the Maryland Public Libraries.  Readers from birth through high school can participate by registering at their local public library.  Maryland is part of the National Summer Library Program, a collaborative program which includes 42 states.  The theme for Summer Reading 2008 is "Catch the Reading Bug".