If you are a book lover traveling to Baltimore, then a visit to the Enoch Pratt Free Library in the city would be really enriching. The oldest free public library in North America, it was set up in the late nineteenth century, after it received a grant from Enoch Pratt, a renowned philanthropist who had a vision to have a reading center where there would not be a divide between people of all caste, creed and race. In 1971, the Maryland General Assembly proclaimed it as the State Library Resource Center.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Pratt_Free_Library

Over the years, the library authorities collected books and materials from the region, and rare collections from all over the world. Today it boasts of over 1.9 million books, educational resources and research material, pamphlets, CDs and tapes. It also has a large collection of children's books. The library has 20 branches all over the city.

Collections and catalogs at the Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://pac.epfl.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/5paeEpabLd/CENTRAL/173180064/60/1180/X

Unfortunately, the Enoch Pratt Free Library was suffering due to lack of funds for over a decade. However, in 2003, there was a major initiative to revamp its overall infrastructure after the federal government seriously looked into the matter. A new wing has been created that contains books and transcripts to promote the African-American language and culture. Currently, the budget kept aside for annual maintenance is $38 million. It runs with the help of both state and private funding.

Digital collections at the Enoch Pratt Free Library

http://www.prattlibrary.org/digital/

You can visit the library from 10:00am to 08:00pm from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday to Saturday from 10:00am to 05:00pm and 1:30 p.m to 5:00 p.m on Sundays.

Location and Library hours

http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/

Services at the Enoch Pratt Library

http://www.prattlibrary.org/services/

From prose to poetry, fiction to non-fiction, from aged manuscripts to modern computers, the Enoch Pratt Library has it all. Combining the conventional library system with state-of-the-art technology, this library aims to cater to the individual needs of a wide variety of audience. The Enoch Pratt Library is specially made for those who seek knowledge, education and culture. Among its noble endeavors is to provide easy accessibility and equal distribution of learning tools to people from different walks of life.

1) Services Offered by the Enoch Pratt Library

Promoting literacy and knowledge among children and adults alike, this library not only provides the public with a massive range of useful reference materials but also offers an individualized approach to people with special learning needs. For people with visual disabilities, there are large print fiction and non-fiction books, books-on-tape, magnifying glasses and computers with assistive software. For people who have hearing difficulties, sign language learning videotapes and caption films are available. The library also offers free classes and training opportunities for selected target audiences. It also allows free computer and internet access to visitors. Borrowing materials from the library is encouraged and it has public meeting rooms for conferences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Pratt

2) How to avail of the library's services

The Enoch Pratt Library has a website, which contains detailed information on the services offered. The library's location and contact number is also indicated. One may also go to the library to inquire personally, as the staff is more than willing to answer your questions. For tourists who wish to avail of the free services offered by Enoch Pratt library, a number of Baltimore hotels can be found nearby.

http://www.prattlibrary.org/

Hailed as one of the oldest systems in the United States, the Enoch Pratt Free Library Downtown Baltimore surely gives great access to numerous collections. This then became an essential part in the development of Baltimore's identity. This is not your typical library as it offers other services as well.

With innovative programs and events that are truly special, you surely would not want to miss these things:

1. All about the Collections

One will find here almost two million books including children's books, tapes and pamphlets. That is not all. This is where you can come across over one million of United States government documents, thousands of magazines, newspapers, maps, periodicals, magazine subscriptions, Maryland State documents and even 16 mm films.

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/attraction/enoch-pratt-free-library-400-cathedral-street-baltimore-md-21201-us

2. Other Services

They also offer assistance on the references so that one can easily find the materials for their preferred subjects. Plus, interested visitors can book with them for the videos and the films.

You can also contact a librarian online through this site:

http://www.prattlibrary.org/findanswers/email_question.aspx?id=3046

You also do not have to worry about where you are going to stay for the night because there are Baltimore hotels near this well known free library. Hence, all you have to do is to enjoy the experience.

Enoch Pratt Free Public Library in Baltimore is one among the oldest in USA. It was established in 1882 but made free for public reading in 1886. This was possible due to a grant issued by the great philanthropist Mr Enoch Pratt. It was the intention of Mr Pratt to see that people from all walks of life irrespective of their colour or race, poor or rich, interested in reading and capable of handling the books properly, can come in and engage themselves. Today it's a heritage and this heritage can boast of 20 branches all over Baltimore including Central Library.

1. Enoch Pratt Free Public Library and its possessions

Official Website

http://www.prattlibrary.org/

Information on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Pratt_Free_Library

At the Enoch Pratt Free Public Library or Central Library there are many selections you can choose from. At the 'African American Department' knowledge can be gained on the subject of the historical past of the African Americans and current information is available on the same. Business minded people looking for the development of their business has ample resources regarding small business, marketing, investing etc.

In addition to business, information on science and technology can be obtained too. Easy at hand are books on medicine & science, computers, agriculture & horticulture, naval & military sciences etc. Art and music are two of the most important categories. All relevant study materials related to sociology, education, politics, genealogy, history, women's studies, maps & travels and archaeology are housed in this free library.

Volunteers provide services according to your needs. It is not a facility that just comes and goes. It simply remains. So each time you are there, volunteers are available to be of help to you. At Enoch Pratt Free Library Children's department is full of events all through the week. You can give all kinds of fun to your children through events like "Mother Goose on the Loose", "Terrific Twos", "Preschool Storytime", "Golden Book Preschool" etc. Baltimore travel guide can be of real help when you are planning a visit to the city's best library.

2. Hotels near Enoch Pratt Free Public Library

On Wikimapia.org

http://wikimapia.org/305154/Enoch-Pratt-Free-Library

On Googlemap

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=enoch+Pratt+Free+Public+Library+baltimore+location&fb=1&split=1&ei=U_1wSp7VKaT26gP53MmnCw&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=5

You can easily get a job in Baltimore courtesy of the job and career information center. There are job material and services which can be gotten from this job resource.

The services include the reference service in person, access to computers and other job materials on topics like resume writing and resume reviews. The library also contains a database of jobs in Maryland which job seekers can come to match with their qualifications.

It is therefore possible to travel in Baltimore to search for a job because with resources like this it's not very hard to land your dream job.

http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/jobcenter/index.aspx?mark=jobs+in+the+enoch+pratt+free+library

The Enoch Pratt free Library

This is one of the oldest library systems in the whole of the America which for year has served Americans from all walks of life with dedication. Most of these services have evolved over the years due to the overall changes in the life of the American people.

A good example is the job advertisement and any other job related services which have come to be associated with this library.

http://www.prattlibrary.org/

Other services offered by the Enoch Pratt free library

There is a good collection of digital materials, books, internet access, free training classes, business center, and meeting places among other services offered by this library.

http://www.prattlibrary.org/services/