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Carroll County Public Library
Infinite Possibilities

Westminster Branch

Westminster picture

50 East Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157

Christina Ogle, Branch Manager

Branch Hours

Monday - Thursday:  9 AM - 8 PM
Friday - Saturday:  9 AM - 5 PM

 Phone 1    410.386.4490

Fax    410.386.4497

 Email    Email

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Directions

Programs and Events

Check Currents or the Calendar of Events site for more events.

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Diverse Voices Book Club: Only This Beautiful Moment
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a monthly book discussion focusing on a diverse author's work. Each month, we will select a young adult or adult title written by an author from a diverse background so we can learn from others' perspectives. Our March selection is Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian. Attendees are welcome to attend in person at CCPL's Westminster Branch or virtually through Zoom.

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Pajama Party Storytime
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas, bring your favorite stuffed animal, and listen to stories before bed. This storytime introduces stories through books, songs, and activities appropriate for young children.

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Read and Play
Wednesday, March 26, 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.

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Twos and Threes Together
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

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Demystifying Senior Living Options
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Wondering about retirement living options? Learn about different types of communities, prepare yourself with the questions you need to ask both yourself and potential facilities, and explore related topics like downsizing and financial planning. This program will be facilitated by Kevin T. Jones, who has over 15 years of experience in Senior Living.

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Westminster Book Club: Pint of No Return
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: Adults
More information
This month's selection is Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink. Books will be available for pickup at CCPL's Westminster Branch.

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Spring Paint Party
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 13 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Help us celebrate spring by joining us for a fun evening of painting!

The paint we use can stain clothing, so please wear old clothes to this event. Materials will be provided. No prior experience is necessary.

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Twos and Threes Together
Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

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Family Storytime
Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
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. 

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Westminster Branch Chess Club
Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 11 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Whether you are a chess newbie or an expert, you will find a community here in Westminster Branch's Chess Club and walk away having learned something new from our personal instructor. All pawns, bishops, knights, rooks, queens, and kings are welcome! Our club sessions consist of 30 minutes of instruction and one hour of open play. Boards and pieces will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own set(s) from home.

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Preschool Science: Animal Tracks
Friday, March 28, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: 3 - 6
More information
Join us as we investigate animal tracks! There will be a variety of hands-on learning activities for kids. We will read a book, sing, and have a messy time. Please wear clothes that are good for painting! 

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Family Storytime
Monday, March 31, 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. 

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Read and Play
Tuesday, April 1, 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.

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Twos and Threes Together
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

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Needle Little Klatch?
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
More information
Klatch (noun): a gathering usually characterized by informal conversation.

Join us for a casual, bi-weekly stitching club. All needle-crafters are welcome!

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Pajama Party Storytime
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Ages: Birth - 8
More information
Wear your pajamas, bring your favorite stuffed animal, and listen to stories before bed. This storytime introduces stories through books, songs, and activities appropriate for young children.

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Read and Play
Wednesday, April 2, 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.

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Twos and Threes Together
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

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Westminster Wednesdays
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: All Ages
More information
Come downtown to enjoy live music in our park. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair and stay awhile. Check out the many restaurant and retail specials happening while you are on Main Street. 

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Twos and Threes Together
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

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Family Storytime
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
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. 

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Nintendo Afternoon
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 11 - 17
More information
Join us in our Young Adult Area for gaming on our Nintendo Switch. Bring your friends and take turns playing Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and more. Games will be provided. 

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Mah Jongg 101
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Ages: 13 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this introductory class, you will learn the basics of this ancient and challenging tile game. We will follow the National Mah Jongg League rules of play. Exercise your brain while having great fun!

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Play Baby Play
Friday, April 4, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages: Birth - 3
More information
You're invited to a morning playgroup just for little ones! Enjoy a warm and inviting space where you and your child can play with our toys, practice gross motor skills on our baby obstacle course, enjoy music, and socialize with others.

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Read with a Furry Friend
Saturday, April 5, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 4 - Adults, Adults
More information
Every dog enjoys a good story! Trained "reading dogs" provide a relaxed, informal atmosphere for kids to practice reading. Research shows that reading to animals can boost reading skills in children and help with emotional and social skills.

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Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot
Saturday, April 5, 2025 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 11 - 17
Registration and more information
Welcome adventurers! Join the Westminster Branch Teen Advisory Board for a fun-filled, self-contained one-shot of Dungeons & Dragons. We will have pre-made character sheets built specifically for this adventure for you to pick from.

Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. © 2015 Wizards. All Rights Reserved.

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It Starts with a Seed: Make and Take Flowers and Vegetables
Saturday, April 5, 2025 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 4 - 12
Registration and more information
April showers bring May flowers! Get a head start on those vegetables and blooms by planting tiny seeds in this make-and-take program. 

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Family Storytime
Monday, April 7, 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. 

program229498
Read and Play
Tuesday, April 8, 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.

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Twos and Threes Together
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 2 - 3
More information
This lively, fast-paced storytime for young children includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are available for public use Monday through Saturday, excluding library-observed holidays.

We have 1 meeting rooms available for public use:

Small Meeting Room - Capacity: 10

Book by Room

Branch History

Library service in Carroll County began in 1863, when the Westminster Public Library was founded by Reverend J. A. Monroe and Dr. Charles Billingslea. The library was supported by membership dues and fines, and was open to the public on Friday afternoons. Relocating over the years from the Odd Fellows Hall to the new Times Building and then to the second floor of the Wantz Building, Westminster Public Library was still a one-room library in the 1940s.

In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis announced that they would give a public library building to Westminster and provide an endowment for its support. At that time, the Westminster Public Library turned over its operation and assets to the Davis Library. The Davis Library, housed in a former Methodist church building, was formally dedicated as a library in May, 1951.

In 1958, after ten years of lobbying, a county-wide library system was established, with the Davis Library operating as the central branch. Carroll County's first modern library facility, the Westminster Branch, opened at 50 E. Main Street in March, 1980.

A major interior and exterior renovation to the building and park began in 2008. The interior renovation included a complete redesign of interior public space and features a train-themed children's area. Improvements to the Mary Lou Dewey Park in front of the branch included a redesigned entrance, new landscaping and walkways, and the Booth Memorial Stage, a performance platform for concerts and educational programming. Private funding made the addition of Wild Imaginings, a library-inspired sculpture by world-renown artist Bart Walter, possible.