Maryland Libraries Offer Webcam Meetings for Military Families

• Harford first among four systems
• Unlike Alabama project, libraries to use pre-existing equipment, software
• Access limited to military families

Harford County Public Library, (HCPL), Belcamp, MD, is launching a new service that connects people with relatives who are serving in the military overseas through the use of video webcams. The service, FACE TIME@ Your Library, has been developed in partnership with the state library agency, the Division of Library Development and Services. 

HCPL’s Aberdeen Branch, chosen to launch the service on Mother’s Day, May 9, is located near the Aberdeen Proving Ground army facility.

Four libraries to offer service
HCPL is first among four Maryland county libraries implementing the service. Also on board are Caroline County Public Library, Denton; St. Mary’s County Library, Leonardtown; and Washington County Public Library, Hagerstown.

Modeled after Alabama program
FACE TIME is modeled after the Connecting Families program launched in Alabama this past January. Like the Alabama program, it is designed to offer face-to-face contact for families who otherwise would not have access to high speed Internet and video webcam software (Skype). 

Unlike that effort, Maryland public libraries will not receive extra funds to support the program, HCPL marketing manager Janine Lis told LJ. (Many Alabama libraries didn’t have broadband access before the implementation of Connecting Families, which was part of a broader statewide effort, the Alabama Broadband Initiative, to upgrade connectivity.) HCPL and the others will use pre-existing equipment and software.

Available to military families
HCPL is striving to make the program as accessible as possible; no fee or library card is necessary, although the program is currently limited to military families. HCPL has reached out to Aberdeen Proving Ground to promote the service, said Lis. It also has distributed a press release and developed a flyer that is being handed out at the branches.

An appointment is necessary to use the service and a librarian guides the user through the first session. "Although HCPL has a Skype account," said Lis, "we are asking families to get their own." There is no charge to set it up. This configuration will enable people to keep their information confidential. People have up to an hour for their webcam meeting and can request a private area along with a headset.