Here's a list of great public libraries for families in the Central Maryland area. If your favorite isn't listed, please add it in the comments section:

--Storyville at the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library is hard to beat. Even the Web site is awesome. If you haven't been, here's a virtual tour, which shows you around the "town square" where kids can play and listen to stories; the "construction zone"; the theater where kids can put on a puppet show; and more.

--The East Columbia branch of the Howard County library in the village of Owen Brown gets kudos from Nina, who likes the great selection and helpful librarians.

 --There's a kids' kingdom at the main Towson branch of the Baltimore County Library, a favorite of Baltomommie. It has a special gated area for kids under 3.

--A couple of favorites in the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore:

The Roland Park branch reopened at the end of last year with an expanded children's section and a nice, airy look. Kayris and her family like the Southeast Anchor branch, which opened last year. (She's got a good point about the doors that fit a double stroller; that' alone will keep any mom of two young ones coming back.)

(Photo at the Rosedale library's Storyville by Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor)