The Odenton location of Anne Arundel County library is one of my favorite locations. First, it's close to home. Second, wide selection. Third, friendly staff. My daughter got her very first library card today and she was so excited to use it. I love the "teen" area that they have filled with tables and YA books. I love that the teens have a specific area all to themselves. read more

Anne Arundel County Public Library - Odenton - My daughters first library card! - Libraries Near Me - Odenton, Maryland

A great place to take the kids... Love the children's area! There is a decently-stocked play area with toys and games appropriate for kiddos ages 6 months-5 years. There are usually coloring and activity pages available near the children's librarian's desk as well. The staff in the area is helpful and courteous. There is a children's restroom in the kids' area complete with toddler-sized potty and changing table. There is a changing table in the lobby women's room as well. There are usually plenty of parents around, and if you're a nursing mom, you'll never get the evil eye here (though you shouldn't get it anywhere, y'know?). Throughout the year, the library offers programs for children of all ages. These range from Babies in Bloom (newborn-24 months) to teen classes and workshops. I'd love to give the West County Area Library five stars, but I just can't get past the modern architecture and the somewhat sterile vibe. I guess that I just like a library to have some character (and no, that doesn't mean cobwebs and card catalogs; just a more traditional look). read more

See all

I don't want to write a long review on a library, so i'm not. This place is probably the best equipped and staffed library I have ever been to. Just living down the street from this place makes me want to do a book report for the fun of it. It makes the one down the street in Severn look like a [Insert any place with meager conditions, and far less desirable] read more

People have strayed away from the library when in fact they are still of use to us all. Not everyone is tethered to a tablet or phone. Some still enjoy the age old ability to be a page turner and the occasional use of a piece of mail to keep our spot in the book we're reading. I make it a point to keep my child involved in the use of the library. When's the last time you even made mention of the Dewey Decimal System. Ask a kid nowadays and they'll look at you sideways. This location is right off of Annapolis Road and if you're going too fast you'll miss your turn. There is plenty of parking and the librarians there were pleasant and didn't mind lending a hand when I was researching some titles. You can check out magazines as well as DVDs and CDs. Getting a library card is easy peezy so don't procrastinate; get your butt out to your local library and see what they have to offer. If you pick up books from another Ann Arundel County library, you can return them to another AAC location without stressing. After checking out materials, the return date is printed on a receipt for you and if needed you can extend your items online. I hope you read this and ponder, when's the last time I actually sat down and read a book? Getting kids to read is a good way to have conversations and help them articulate what they read and how it made them feel. Trust me, its okay to untether occasionally. read more

I like is library has plenty of computers it's big, up and downstairs great location staff was friendly and nice they even had a teen room how cool will recommend and found a new library read more

Like the previous reviewer, I agree that this really an outstanding library for children. My daughter loves to come here as often as possible. She is natural when it comes to talking to other children and makes friends at every corner and it is no different here. I get to keep an eye on her while spending some time on the one of their many available computers and if she needs to go to the bathroom, the toilet is just her size. It is kind of cute... as far as toilets go anyway. Outside of this, they offer an immense amount of services from studying resources to job hunting. If they don't have what you are looking for bookwise, you can always request it and will usually get it pretty quickly. read more

This library is open on Sundays, which I am always grateful for. The naturalized parking lot and green roof boast environmental stewardship. Personally I like the sterile, sunny interior which is a refreshing contrast from the dark, moldy atmosphere of the Severna Park and Annapolis branches. The layout has more corners and nooks for sitting in privacy with a book. read more

Nice facility. Awful unfriendly staff. Esp the large ladies that check you out. They act like they can't even say hi...

Friendly staff, tons of books, and a nice DVD selection make this a great library. Plus, if you use their online services, you can have booked shipped from other libraries around the state. As a MARC commuter, I've borrowed countless books saving me a bundle. I've read through the entire Harry Bosch series, Walking Dead comics, and almost anything else that randomly caught my attention. This is a great library for families or those looking for a quiet area to study. Computers are always available for those who need them. And they keep a decent stock of DVDs for rent. It is not exactly Blockbuster quality, but they have at least 1 movie for everyone. You might just have to dig for it. Or you can specially request the newest and greatest, just be prepared to wait a while. read more

I will always support my local library. It's the best place for free resources and the staff has always been so kind and helpful. I would love to see more programs for children at the library that help children develop a love for reading. My daughter, for example, is great at reading, but doesn't like to. It's almost summertime and I feel like the library would be a great place for her to have fun and learn to enjoy reading. read more

Numerous computer terminals, friendly staff, and very good children's section. Auditorium available. Be careful when leaving library, there is NO merge lane, there is one when entering library. I use the computers and copiers regularly. read more

The Severna Park branch is wonderful!! It is always so organized, and is filled with many resources. Love going to this library!

They've recently renovated their children's area. The staff is always helpful. A really nice place!

Customers are at risk of fraud. Use at your own risk. I had an overdue item. While they were still accruing late fees for the item, they also declared the item lost and were charging me for the price of the item. I was not contacted before the charge was placed on my account. Thankfully, I had the item and was able to call them on it. When I did, they refused to give me written proof that the item was turned in. They gave me a receipt only for the late fees, not for the alleged lost item which was never lost. There is no proof that I ever turned the item in other than the emails where I have requested a receipt from them. They said the computer does this automatically and that it is not there policy to write receipts. Customers have no protection against being charged full price for an item that they turned in late as if they never turned it in. They have no proof the item was turned in. There is nothing to protect them if the library wants to come back at a future date and falsely claim the item was lost, and demand payment. Late books happen and late fees happen. We all know this, but policies like this leave the consumer open to fraud. When I asked for written documentation that the item was turned in, the librarians became very rude to me and spoke down to me as if I was from Mars. Just like any other business, they should be able to explain their charges without an attitude. Just like any other business, they should be able to provide written proof that accounts are paid in full. Just like any other business, they should be able to provide receipts. What I was told today is that it is not their company policy to do so. read more

I love the library. But the days of this being a nice, peaceful environment where you can come, sit and read are gone. In efforts to cater to EVERYONE at the Severn branch many, including myself, feel like it has become a free for all. Teenagers are loud and disrespectful and can be found playing video games at 9-10am during the week when they should be in school. Parents allow their small kids to run around unsupervised, screaming and disrupting patrons who are studying, reading or working and it is of no surprise the computers have recently been infected with a virus. People are visiting sites that they should not be. Front desk personnel run hot and cold. Some are friendly while most never smile or say a kind hello. Additionally, the facility is always cold. In the summer it is so cold that you are unable to sit and read materials. In the winter it is a bit warmer but they turn on fans when it is 30-40 degrees outside making the facility colder. The Severn location fails to meet the needs of its patrons and the community. I recommend the Odenton branch which offers a separation of the children's area from the adult area and quiet space for reading. read more