Maryland State Library Resource Center

Enoch Pratt Free Library

Maryland Department - Maryland State Library Resource Center

Maryland Department

Maryland DepartmentThe Maryland Department collects and organizes books and other types of material on every subject about, or relating to, the State. Many of the sources in the collection are primary sources. Material in the department is research oriented and most of the items, such as newspapers, maps, local/county history and genealogical indices, campaign literature, ephemera, photos/prints, etc. do not circulate.

Subject Areas:

  • Arts
  • Biographies
  • Business
  • Education
  • Genealogy and family history
  • History
  • Literature
  • Politics and government
  • Religion
  • Sciences (medicine and health)
  • Social Issues
  • Transportation

Collections of Note:

Query/Biography Files
360,000 cards that date from the 1930’s that direct users to specific information in books or vertical files about people, places and events in Maryland.

Vertical Files
Clipping files on 7000 topics related to Maryland and its people.  Mounted news articles generally date from the late 1920’s to the early 1980’s.

State Documents
As a depository in Maryland’s State Publications Depository & Distribution Program, the Department receives copies of state government publications still available in paper copy.  The collection of documents actually predates the current program, with legislative material back to the late 18th century.

Map Collection
More than 2000 historic maps and atlases of the state, counties and municipalities in a variety of political and topographic formats.  The earliest maps in the collection date from the 18th century. Maps are available in the Maryland Reading Room.

Photograph Collection
A collection of black-and-white images depicting life in Maryland and places across the state.  Includes street views, buildings and individuals.  The majority of items in the collection were created in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  These images are useful for illustrating 20th century life in Maryland.

Periodicals
Magazines and serial publications held separately from the Library’s Periodicals Department.  Both current magazines and historical titles that date from the early 19th century, with strength in business and professional literature.

Ephemera
More than 6000 items that serve as primary source material document events that date back to the 18th century.  Programs, brochures, menus, advertisements and invitations are just a sampling of this eclectic collection that documents life in Maryland.

Yearbooks
High school and college yearbooks from across the state.  Yearbooks are frequently added so check for new holdings periodically.

Genealogy
The Department collection includes indexes and family history information for Maryland, its counties, towns and regions.  Most genealogy publications pertaining to the state or its jurisdictions are purchased and made available for reference.

Legal
The Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) are supplemented by legal encyclopedias and case law.  References pertaining to legal subjects and forms are maintained.

Broadsides
Images of Maryland and its people are represented by prints, articles, sketches, photographs and drawings.  Almost 1000 pieces are available for viewing and librarians can search the contents by subject.

Telephone Directories
A large collection of phone directories for counties and Baltimore City dating from the World War I era to the 1970’s. Recent directories are also held on microfilm/microfiche.

Theater and Music Programs
Programs from many of the events held at theaters and music venues (primarily in Baltimore) which date back to the early 19th century.

Statewide Training & Events

Calendar

From Merlin, the learning community for Maryland library staff