Press Releases

January 28, 2010

The Winds & Words of War: Posters and Prints from the San Antonio Public Library, a collection of 40 framed vintage posters bequeathed to the San Antonio Public Library by eclectic collector Harry Hertzberg, will be on display at Harford County Public Library beginning March 20th through May 31, 2010. Harford County Public Library (HCPL) is one of only 7 locations in the nation to house the exhibit.

During World War I, the U.S. Office of Public Information formed a committee chaired by renowned illustrator Charles Dana Gibson to create a line of posters to mobilize the American public on behalf of the war. Members of the committee included Haskill Coffin, Howard Chandler Christy, and the creator of “Uncle Sam Wants You,” James Montgomery Flagg.

These unique lithographs feature famous images of patriotic themes and messages, including several created for international groups interested in supporting the war by cultivating recent immigrants and new American citizens. The words and text used, as well as the powerful imagery, convey the sense of urgency as well as the mass marketing effect of advertising a war for the first time in modern history. These works provide a fascinating window into the era, and the beginnings of the American effort in support of the war known variously as the “Great War,” “the war to end all wars,” and “the war to make the world safe for democracy.”

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be on display at the Bel Air and Jarrettsville Branch of the Harford County Public Library on Monday, Friday and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 1 pm to 8 pm. Guided group tours are also available upon request. A full color, glossy 64-page catalog featuring the prints and posters in The Winds and Words of War collection will be available for sale at the Bel Air and Jarrettsville branches. The commemorative book includes essays by renowned authorities.

Trained docents will be available at both the Bel Air and Jarrettsville exhibits. Docents will provide interesting facts and details about the exhibit and the leading artists who were commissioned to create them. If you are interested in volunteering to be a docent please contact Susan Burdette, Program and Community Relations Specialist at 410 273 5600 x2243.

There are several events scheduled in celebration of The Winds and Words of War exhibit. A Preview Party will be held on March 19th at the Bel Air branch from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets for this sneak peak look at the exhibit are $20 each. The library’s annual Night Out @ the Library will feature the exhibit’s curator, Allison Hays Lane. This event takes place on April 30th from 7 to 9 pm at the Jarrettsville branch. Tickets for this event are $30 each. Tickets for both of these events go on sale on February 22nd and will be available online at hcploneline.info.

A film series, lead by Jack and Jan Hirschfeld, will take place at the Havre de Grace branch on March 24, 31, April 7, May 5, 12, 19 and will include pre and post-screening discussions of six films that capture different points of view during the World War I era. There will be two showings each day at 1 pm and 5:30 pm. Tickets are free but seating is limited. At the Whiteford branch, Michael Lasser will speak about popular songs of World War I and their social values, both comic and revealing of attitudes of the time. This program is on May 14 at 6:30 pm. Registration is required.

Bel Air, Edgewood and Joppa will also be hosting book discussion groups on WW I literature.
For more information about the exhibit, library programs, and sponsorship opportunities please visit us on the web at hcplonline.info/WindsandWordsofWar.

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

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Photo caption #1: The Winds and Words of War: Posters and Prints from the San Antonio Public Library, a collection of 40 WW I vintage posters will be on display at the Bel Air and Jarrettsville branches of Harford County Public Library from March 20 through May 31. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

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January 22, 2010

Harford County Public Library (HCPL) has released the HCPL Mobile app for iPhone, iPod Touch, Andriod and weOS devices. This feature allows for “touch” access to all services available on the Library website.

“I am really excited about the HCPL Mobile app, particularly on the iPhone. It offers a great user experience, with quick access to some of the library’s most used content,” stated Dave McLaughlin, Web Services Manager.

The HCPL Mobile app offers “touch” access to branch hours, phone numbers (touch to call), and addresses (touch for directions); upcoming programs that allows users to browse a list of featured upcoming programs and full program descriptions including registration phone numbers (touch to call); new releases and booklists, where users can browse lists of newly released and staff-selected materials and access to the catalog to request materials; submit a question to library staff; My Account and Catalog pages; links to the library“s social networking sites.

Harford County Public Library is one of the first public libraries in the country to offer customers a mobile app.

To access and install the HCPL Mobile app, go to hcplonline.info from your phone’s browser. For more information on the HCPl Mobile app and to view an informational video, go to hcplonline.info/hcplmobile.

The HCPL Mobile app was launched in conjunction with the library’s newly redesigned website, hcplonline.info. The new website offers a clean look with easy navigation created to match user feedback. The homepage highlights current news at the library including upcoming author visits, and new release lists for books, movie dvds, and music cds; a section to showcase multi-media such as photo slide shows and videos; plus a list of featured library programs.

The website also has sections that are targeted to specific users. This includes children, teens, seniors, educators, and business/job seekers. From the homepage you can also check out the library on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

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January 12, 2010



The Harford County Public Library (HCPL) Winter Reading Program saw a 23% increase in registration versus last year during the first week of the program with over 2800 adults and high school teens signing up. The program, themed Winter Without Books? Nevermore!, began on January 4th and participants who signed up received a commemorative pen, black with white graphics depicting a raven in celebration of Edgar Allan Poe and his infamous quote.

The Edgewood Branch of HCPL will hold a special program on January 20th in honor of Edgar Allan Poe and his birthday. He was born on January 19, 1809. The discussion will center around the life of Edgar Allan Poe and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. The program will be presented by Jeff Korman of Maryland’s State Library Resource Center. The program begins at 6:30 and registration is required. Call the branch at 410 612 1600 to register.

The Winter Reading Program runs through March 6. Adults who read or listen to at least five books and teens who read or listen to at least three books will receive a commemorative mug upon completion of the program. All incentives are while supplies last.

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

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Photo caption #1: Program on the life and death of Edgar Allan Poe to be held at the Edgewood Branch of Harford County Public Library on January 20.

January 8, 2010

The Harford County Public Library Board of Trustees has begun a search for candidates to be considered for appointment to the Board to begin in FY11. The available positions will represent the Aberdeen and Fallston areas of Harford County. Anyone interested in serving as a board member is encouraged to apply.

An application form and information about qualifications may be obtained from any Harford County Public Library branch, the Library website at www.HCPLonline.info, or by calling 410-838-3749. Completed applications, together with a resume, must be returned by Wednesday, March 3, 2010 to the Office of the Director, Harford County Public Library, 1221-A Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, Maryland 21017.

The Library Board of Trustees operates under the Laws of Maryland, Title 23, and Harford County Code, Article 21. The county executive appoints a trustee to a five-year term from a list submitted by the existing Board of Trustees. The County Council must confirm the appointment. A trustee may be reappointed for a second term. Trustees receive no payment for their service.

Among the duties of trustees as set by State and County law are these: to establish and operate the library to provide free service, to set library policy, to employ a director, to advise in the preparation and approval of the budget, to control the spending of funds, to adopt rules and regulations for use of the library, and to select locations and approve plans for branch buildings.

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

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Donors to the Whiteford Branch Campaign attended a special reception on Monday, January 4 at the newly renovated Whiteford Branch giving them an opportunity to celebrate their success with Library staff and members of the Board of Trustees.

"I would have never dreamed we would have something like this in North Harford," exclaimed North Harford Friends President, Sara Robinson. "This library adds to the quality of life for the residents of North Harford, and the Friends group is very proud of its accomplishments in helping to make this expanded branch a reality," further stated Mrs. Robinson. The North Harford Friends donated $25,000 to the Whiteford Branch campaign.

The Whiteford Branch Campaign, a collaboration between the North Harford Friends and the HCPL Foundation, had a goal to raise $50,000. Funds were raised from local businesses, philanthropic leaders and area families. The campaign ran from April 2008 through December 2009 and with the community's support raised $69,000. Major donors of the campaign included the North Harford Friends, Exelon Corporation, Klein's Family Foundation and the HCPL Foundation Board of Directors. The funds were donated to the Library to purchase materials, enhance the teen room and build an interactive play space for children.

Richard Kinard, HCPL Foundation Board and Library Board of Trustees member commented on the success of the campaign. "This is a perfect example of what the community, Library system and government can do working together with a common goal. This is a perfect result."

Sentiments of the success of the Whiteford Branch campaign were equally shared by Audra Caplan, Library Director. "We are so grateful for the many contributors to the Whiteford campaign. This branch is truly a community center for the area and thank you to all that made this possible."

The new building has increased in size to 13,278 sq. ft; a capacity to hold 70,000 items in the collection; 24 public access computers; meeting room with a 120 person capacity; teen room including a flat screen television with gaming system; children's area with an interactive play space; and local history room.

In response to being asked how she felt about the campaign and the support of the many donors throughout the community Terry Troy, Vice President, HCPL Foundation Board stated, "We are all very excited to be here today, to share in the wonderful success of the campaign and expansion of this branch. It is a new decade and a new beginning for North Harford!"

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

The Harford County Public Library Foundation is a 501© 3 charitable organization established to raise funds to augment the financial resources of the Library and to promote awareness of library services. For more information call 410 273 5601 x 2283.

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Photo caption #1: Harford County Public Library Foundation presents check to the Library in the amount of $69,000 for the Whiteford Branch Expansion during a special donor reception on January 4th. Pictured from left to right: Audra Caplan, Library Director; Vanessa Milio, HCPL Foundation Director; Sara Robinson, North Harford Friends President; Bill Nicodemus, Library Board of Trustees; Kathy Wajer, HCPL Foundation Board Secretary; Chad Shrodes, County Council and new born daughter, Madelyn Grace; Richard Kinard, HCPL Foundation Board & Library Board of Trustees; Heidi Richardson, Branch Manager; Terry Troy, HCPL Foundation Board Vice President.

Labels: HCPL Foundation

December 23, 2009

The Whiteford Branch of Harford County Public Library will reopen to the public on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 1 pm, following a complete building renovation. The building has increased in size to 13,278 sq. ft and includes capacity to hold 70,000 items in the collection; a 1,047 sq. ft. meeting room; 24 new public computers; self checkout; children’s area with play space for puppet shows and performances; designated teen area and quiet study room.

“Harford County Public Library is very excited about the opening of the newly renovated Whiteford Branch,” stated Audra Caplan, Library Director. “This branch expansion is something that we felt was important in supporting the needs of Whiteford and the surrounding area community.”

A grand opening celebration will take place on February 2, 2010 at 10 am.

Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 200,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 5,000,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to providing access, service and information to the citizens of Harford County anytime, anywhere and creating an environment that encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the love of reading.

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