Our Story

The Village Learning Place is more than just a library; it’s a testament to the strength and spirit of our community. Housed in a historic building that once served as Branch 6 of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, our doors first opened in 1896, thanks to the vision of philanthropist Enoch Pratt. When this beloved branch closed in 1997, our neighbors refused to let its legacy fade. Rallying together with passion and perseverance, they restored the building and established the Village Learning Place as an independent non-profit library.


Today, we proudly serve as a vibrant hub for learning and connection, offering educational programs, enrichment opportunities, and essential resources to Charles Village and beyond. Our story is one of resilience and commitment to community—a story that continues to grow with every patron who walks through our doors.

Built by the community, for the community.

Here's what we're about.

  • Our Mission

    The mission of the Village Learning Place is to promote literacy, cultural awareness, and lifelong learning through access for all ages to information, resources, and educational programs.

  • Our Core Principles

    The Village Learning Place strives to integrate its core principles commitment, compassion, honesty, and patience, into every level of its operations and throughout each program and service it offers.

  • Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Values

    The Village Learning Place (VLP) values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We will live out our commitment to advancing these values through our mission as a nonprofit service provider, as an employer, and also as an active partner in creating healthy Baltimore communities. 

  • Our Recognitions

    In 2007, the Village Learning Place was named as one of the nation's select 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) through the Maryland State Department of Education. This competitive, three-year federal grant has allowed us to launch a community-wide initiative, called Let's Invest in Neighborhood Kids (LINK).

Meet Our Team

Meet the dedicated individuals who make our mission possible. Their passion and expertise drive the work we do every day.

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A woman with braids and glasses is sitting on a bench.
A woman with glasses and gray hair is smiling for the camera.
A woman wearing sunglasses is smiling in front of a brick wall.
A woman is smiling in front of a bookshelf with books on it
A woman in a yellow jacket and leopard print skirt is standing in front of a bookshelf.
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A man wearing glasses and a yellow hat is smiling in front of a brick wall.
A brick building with a sign that says vlp library learning center

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and guidance. They are committed to advancing our vision and serving our community. If you'd like to connect with our board, please email info@villagelearningplace.com

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A man in a blue shirt is smiling for the camera
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A woman with curly hair is wearing a black and white striped shirt and smiling.
A woman wearing glasses and a black jacket is smiling for the camera.
A woman with curly hair is smiling for the camera
A man with a beard is wearing a suit and white shirt.
A woman wearing a red polka dot shirt and a black jacket smiles for the camera
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REports & Financials

We share achievements by the numbers.

We are proud to share our impact and financial stewardship. Explore our reports to learn more about our programs and sustainability.