FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9.29.2026

Press Contact: Ashley Littleton
Charles County Public Library
301.452.4065
alittleton@ccplonline.org

CCPL PARTNERS WITH CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO EXPAND BOOK ACCESS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN

(La Plata, MD) The Charles County Public Library (CCPL) is collaborating with the Charles County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) to provide books to children and families visiting the DSS office in La Plata.

This partnership will enhance a new children’s reading area that CCDSS created to offer a welcoming space for children under the age of 7 and their families. Children can enjoy reading books during their visit and take home any stories they love. CCDSS initially designed this space for young children, beginning with a small collection that will expand as needed.

CCPL supports this initiative by providing about 100 children’s books in good condition from its collection, ensuring these books reach new readers beyond library 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 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.”

The collaboration began when CCDSS asked CCPL for assistance in stocking the children’s area. The goal is to improve the experience for families visiting the department by allowing children to take books home instead of limiting the collection to 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.

CCPL will continue to work with CCDSS to replenish the collection as books are taken home. The Citizens for the Charles County Public Library (C4CCPL) will also support the effort by contributing children’s books, helping ensure the reading area remains stocked for young readers.

The new reading area is located at the Charles County Department of Social Services, 200 Kent Avenue in La Plata.

About Charles County Public Library

The Charles County Public Library creates opportunities for our community to engage, discover, and learn. CCPL consists of four library branches, a Mobile Library, the Discovery Lab, a 24-Hour Library Kiosk at the Nanjemoy Community Center, and a location inside the Charles County Detention Center. CCPL has over 80 full- and part-time employees. Our branches house over 200,000 volumes of printed materials, audiobooks, films, and other documents. We also have an online branch at www.ccplonline.org, where we regularly add new resources. Currently, over 75,000 county residents hold library cards, and this number continues to grow daily. 

About the Charles County Department of Social Services

The Charles County Department of Social Services (CCDSS) operates under the Maryland Department of Human Services and is committed to administering social and financial assistance programs that support the well-being of children, families, and individuals throughout Charles County. Through a comprehensive network of services, CCDSS works to strengthen families, promote self-sufficiency, and respond to the diverse needs of our community with compassion and professionalism. Our work is grounded in a deep commitment to service excellence and community impact. We collaborate with local partners, government agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure that residents have access to the resources and support necessary to thrive. We invite county residents to explore our programs online at https://charlescountydss.com/.

About the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc.

Citizens for the Charles County Public Library (C4CCPL) is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that supports and promotes the Charles County Public Library system. Since 2002, the group has contributed more than $250,000 to fund programs, resources, and special initiatives that enhance library services for the community. Learn more at https://ccplonline.org/about/citizens-for-charles-county-public-library/. 

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