100 Years at Anne Arundel County Public Library
January 8, 1921
The first public library in Annapolis opens in the municipal building in downtown Annapolis. The library opened its doors three days a week for two hours a day. Books were loaned for two weeks, but borrowers first had to pay ten cents for an identification card.
1923
The Glen Burnie Free Public Library started in the Glen Burnie Masonic Temple. Library moves to various locations around Glen Burnie until opening in its current location in 1969.
1931
AACPL presents their first storytime for children.
1934-1936
Annapolis Library moved to the old Annapolis High School building on Green Street and then into Reynolds Tavern.
1936
The Library Commission incorporated in 1936, changing its name to The Public Library Association of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Inc.
1937
Fines raised to 2 cents a day for overdues.
1938
In an attempt to extend library service to the Black residents of Annapolis, a branch library was opened on Clay Street in 1938. It was open 20 hours a week. This branch was closed in 1950, and its Librarian, Mrs. Eloise Richardson, was added to the staff at the Reynold's Tavern.
1953
Bookmobile service begins in the Glen Burnie area.
1955
Severna Park Library opens in former Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad Station.
1958
Linthicum Library opens in old Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad station.
1959
Overdue fines raised to 3 cents.
1964
Riviera Beach Library opens in a rented store.
1965
Annapolis Library opens at current location.
1967
Linthicum Library opens in current location.
1968
Deale Library opens in current location.
1969
Glen Burnie Library opens in current location.
Odenton Library opens in a church building provided by the Soroptimist Club of Severn.
1971
Brooklyn Park Library opens in current location.
Riviera Beach Library opens in current location.
1972
Severna Park Library opens in current location.
Sunday hours piloted at Annapolis Library.
1976
Library Headquarters opens in current location.
Crofton Library opens in Crofton Centre.
1978
Maryland City at Russett Library opens in Maryland City Shopping Center.
1979
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library opens in current location.
1983
Broadneck Library opens in current location.
1986
Severn Library opens in current location.
1987
AACPL completes conversion to online circulation system moving away from card catalog.
1988
Library begins issuing plastic yellow library cards in place of cardboard cards.
1991
Edgewater Library opens in current location.
1994
Mountain Road Library opens in current location.
1995
Customers can reserve books and check accounts via the Internet.
1996
AACPL Kiosk opens in Annapolis Mall.
1998
Maryland City at Russett Library opens in current location.
2002
Crofton Library opens in current location.
2004
Odenton Library opens in current location.
2005
Maryland Digital eLibrary Consortium formed allowing customers to checkout eBooks, eAudiobooks.
2006
Library Foundation formed.
2009
Self-check machines first installed at four libraries.
2012
Library begins lending pre-loaded Kindles and Nooks, digital magazines.
2015
3D printers introduced at some AACPL locations.
2017
Library begins offering Kanopy streaming videos.
2018
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall opens at Westfield Annapolis.
2020
AACPL goes fine free for children's materials and forgives $754,637 in old fines from 33,000 people.
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall opens in larger space and signs long-term lease.
July 1, 2020
Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library opens.
