The North Carroll Branch will be closed for renovations Monday, October 13 through Saturday, November 8, 2025. The bookdrop will remain open during the closure.
Carroll County Public Library
Infinite Possibilities
North Carroll Branch
2255 Hanover Pike
Hampstead, MD 21074
Darrell Robertson, Branch Manager
Branch Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Friday - Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Directions
Programs and Events
Check Currents or the Calendar of Events site for more events.
Family Storytime
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
North Carroll Writers Group
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Mini Musicians
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Ages: 3 - 6
Registration and more information
Come join us for a creative and exploratory first introduction to music! This program will incorporate piano playing, boomwhackers, and rhythm instruments while teaching children the basics of pitch, patterns, and rhythm. We will learn skills that are beneficial for future piano lessons and other musical instruments too!
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Ages: 3 - 6
Registration and more information
Come join us for a creative and exploratory first introduction to music! This program will incorporate piano playing, boomwhackers, and rhythm instruments while teaching children the basics of pitch, patterns, and rhythm. We will learn skills that are beneficial for future piano lessons and other musical instruments too!
Crazy for Crafting
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for some fun and easy craft projects each month. No experience or creative skills are needed. Bring a friend or meet new people who also enjoy crafting. We will be making wine bottle luminaries.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for some fun and easy craft projects each month. No experience or creative skills are needed. Bring a friend or meet new people who also enjoy crafting. We will be making wine bottle luminaries.
Read and Play
Friday, October 24, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Friday, October 24, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Read and Play
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Alphabet Train
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 3 - 6
More information
Climb aboard each week to explore a different letter of the alphabet through books, songs, and activities. All adult caregivers are welcome.
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 3 - 6
More information
Climb aboard each week to explore a different letter of the alphabet through books, songs, and activities. All adult caregivers are welcome.
North Carroll Book Discussion Group: The Measure
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
This month's selection is The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
This month's selection is The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
Move and Learn
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
A theme-based storytime featuring an age-appropriate story, songs, and learning activities, with a concentration on creative movement.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
A theme-based storytime featuring an age-appropriate story, songs, and learning activities, with a concentration on creative movement.
North Carroll Writers Group
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Family Storytime
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Family Fun Night
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas and listen to stories before bed. Join us for family fun, featuring stories, music, crafts, play, and time with friends.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas and listen to stories before bed. Join us for family fun, featuring stories, music, crafts, play, and time with friends.
Family Storytime
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
North Carroll Writers Group
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Mini Musicians
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Ages: 3 - 6
Registration and more information
Come join us for a creative and exploratory first introduction to music! This program will incorporate piano playing, boomwhackers, and rhythm instruments while teaching children the basics of pitch, patterns, and rhythm. We will learn skills that are beneficial for future piano lessons and other musical instruments too!
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Ages: 3 - 6
Registration and more information
Come join us for a creative and exploratory first introduction to music! This program will incorporate piano playing, boomwhackers, and rhythm instruments while teaching children the basics of pitch, patterns, and rhythm. We will learn skills that are beneficial for future piano lessons and other musical instruments too!
Boo Bash
Friday, October 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Join us for fun, not-too-scary stories followed by a costume parade.
Friday, October 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Join us for fun, not-too-scary stories followed by a costume parade.
Robot Pumpkin Smash
Saturday, November 1, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ages: 4 - Adults, Adults
More information
Join the Robo-Lions, a team of students, as they fire up their robots for Robot Pumpkin Smash! Find out how long it takes a robot to crack open a pumpkin. This program is a collaboration between PIE3 (Partnership in Inspiration for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship), Robo-Lions, and Carroll County Public Library.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ages: 4 - Adults, Adults
More information
Join the Robo-Lions, a team of students, as they fire up their robots for Robot Pumpkin Smash! Find out how long it takes a robot to crack open a pumpkin. This program is a collaboration between PIE3 (Partnership in Inspiration for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship), Robo-Lions, and Carroll County Public Library.
Save a Story: DIY Oral History
Saturday, November 1, 2025 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Save a story of someone you love or a history you would love to know. Learn how to create an oral history, from start to finish. Learn the lingo and practices for a successful process. Get the skills you'll need to choose your narrator and theme; master effective interview techniques; and learn about production methods and equipment to record, preserve, and share your interviews. We'll consider the ethics of interviewing, and how to honor the right to privacy and dignity of the people you interview. You will watch interviews of the famous, under-recognized, and unfamiliar to learn effective and ineffective ways to save history.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Save a story of someone you love or a history you would love to know. Learn how to create an oral history, from start to finish. Learn the lingo and practices for a successful process. Get the skills you'll need to choose your narrator and theme; master effective interview techniques; and learn about production methods and equipment to record, preserve, and share your interviews. We'll consider the ethics of interviewing, and how to honor the right to privacy and dignity of the people you interview. You will watch interviews of the famous, under-recognized, and unfamiliar to learn effective and ineffective ways to save history.
Read and Play
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 24 Months
More information
Join your little one at a storytime featuring interactive books, rhymes, music, and movement, followed by playgroup activities that allow children to practice skills and socialize.
Alphabet Train
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 3 - 6
More information
Climb aboard each week to explore a different letter of the alphabet through books, songs, and activities. All adult caregivers are welcome.
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 3 - 6
More information
Climb aboard each week to explore a different letter of the alphabet through books, songs, and activities. All adult caregivers are welcome.
North Carroll Knitters Group
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Knitters and crocheters are welcome to join this group gathering to share tips, projects, and patterns.
Monday, November 3, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Knitters and crocheters are welcome to join this group gathering to share tips, projects, and patterns.
Move and Learn
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
A theme-based storytime featuring an age-appropriate story, songs, and learning activities, with a concentration on creative movement.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
A theme-based storytime featuring an age-appropriate story, songs, and learning activities, with a concentration on creative movement.
Glow Nerf Party
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - 15
More information
Join us for a glow Nerf party.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - 15
More information
Join us for a glow Nerf party.
North Carroll Writers Group
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
More information
Bring your writing, works-in-progress, or works-in-thought. This writing group allows beginners, unpublished, and published writers to network, learn, vent, and feel inspired to move to the next level. All genres are welcome: novel, short story, essay, poetry, memoirs, spiritual, sci-fi, fiction, and nonfiction. This group is led by Barbara D. Duffey, an experienced writing workshop leader and author of five books.
The Dahlia Survival Program
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Come learn how to harvest, divide, and store your dahlia tubers to make sure they survive the winter. Get hands-on experience and instruction from a local dahlia farmer with years of experience. Please join us for this evening of fun and learning.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Come learn how to harvest, divide, and store your dahlia tubers to make sure they survive the winter. Get hands-on experience and instruction from a local dahlia farmer with years of experience. Please join us for this evening of fun and learning.
Family Storytime
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
We’ll share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children.
Family Fun Night
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas and listen to stories before bed. Join us for family fun, featuring stories, music, crafts, play, and time with friends.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas and listen to stories before bed. Join us for family fun, featuring stories, music, crafts, play, and time with friends.
Passport Services
The North Carroll Branch accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State to better serve our customers and to respond to the needs within our communities. We process new passport applications and provide photo services on site. Please note that we cannot accept or process passport renewals, however, we do provide forms and assistance.
Passports services are available on a first come, first served basis, with no appointment necessary. Hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Friday and Saturday: 10 AM - 3 PM
Sunday: No passport services
For more passport information, please visit our passport page.
Meeting Rooms
Meeting rooms are available for public use Monday through Saturday, excluding library-observed holidays.
We have the following meeting rooms available for public use:
Large Meeting Room - Capacity: 50
Small Meeting Room - Capacity: 10
2 Study Rooms - Capacity: 1 - 4 per room
Services
- 24/7 book drop access
- Children's learning games
- Citizenship Resource Center
- Copy machine
- EV charging
- Free Wi-Fi access
- Notary Services
- Passport services
Branch History
The Hampstead Library was established in 1955, through the efforts of the Junior Woman's Club of Hampstead. The club won a Federation Prize for its library project. With the establishment of a county system in 1958, the Hampstead Library became the Northeast Branch of the Carroll County Public Library. The present North Carroll Branch, located between Hampstead and Manchester, opened as a full-service branch in February, 1990.
The 2011 renovation to the branch included improvements to the interior and a reworking of the parking lot entrance to alleviate unsafe conditions.