Children who come with their families to the Charles County Department of Social Services in La Plata can now pick up a book, read it while they wait, and take it home. This comes through a new partnership with the Charles County Public Library.
The library is supplying books for a new children’s reading area that the Charles County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) created at its La Plata office. The space is designed to give children under 7 and their families a welcoming place to spend time during their visit. Children can read while they are there and keep any stories they love.
CCDSS started the area with a small collection that it plans to expand as needed. To help stock it, the Charles County Public Library (CCPL) has provided about 100 children’s books in good condition from its own collection, getting those titles to readers beyond the library’s branches.
“Libraries are about connecting people with books and resources, and that doesn’t have to happen only inside a library building,” said Ashley Littleton, marketing coordinator for the Charles County Public Library. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to help create a welcoming space for children at Social Services while putting books directly into their hands to take home, enjoy, and hopefully inspire a lifelong love of reading.”
Books that go home, not just to the waiting room
The collaboration began when CCDSS asked the library for help stocking the children’s area. According to the release, the goal was to improve the experience for families visiting the department by letting children take books home rather than keeping the collection in the waiting area.
“Our partnership with CCPL to bring books to our children’s area demonstrates the strength of our joint efforts to enrich and support the younger members of our community. We appreciate CCPL’s dedication and support in this shared mission,” said CCDSS Director Dr. Tanisha Sanders.
Sanders was named director of the department in October 2024. She began her career with the agency as a foster care worker in 2001 and later served as its deputy director for service programs.
Keeping the shelves full
Because the books are meant to go home with children, the collection will need regular restocking. CCPL will continue working with CCDSS to replenish the shelves as books leave.
The Citizens for the Charles County Public Library (C4CCPL) will also contribute children’s books to keep the reading area stocked. The nonprofit, all-volunteer friends group raises money for the library system largely through its used-book store on the lower level of the La Plata branch. It also helps fund the Imagination Library of Charles County, which has mailed more than 100,000 free books to local children under 5.
The partnership is the latest in a string of efforts by the library to deliver services outside its branch walls. Earlier this year, CCPL added private telehealth booths at its Waldorf and Indian Head branches. It has also teamed up with the county’s recreation department to lend free RecPASSes to library users.
If you go
The children’s reading area is inside the Charles County Department of Social Services, 200 Kent Avenue in La Plata. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except state holidays, and its main number is 301-392-6400.
Residents who want to support the library’s work in the community can find ways to give through the library’s annual giving campaign or by donating gently used books to C4CCPL.
