Our Mission
Provide resources, services, and expertise in a collaborative manner to and with the Member Libraries in order to effectively serve our communities.
Our Vision
The Library System of Lancaster County supports Member Libraries to be vibrant community centers where people and communities connect to what they need to achieve their greatest potential. Together with Member Libraries, we foster an environment of collaboration, trust and transparency that propels continual development. Member Libraries choose us as an integral partner in their strategy for success.
Organization Overview
The Library System of Lancaster County is a federated system with 14 member libraries, three branches and a bookmobile, which serves 519,462 residents. Established in April 1987, the Library System provides well-coordinated countywide services and cooperative programs to assist member libraries in meeting the diverse needs of its community residents.
The LSLC support and centralized services include, but are not limited to: public Internet access, shared OPAC system, subscription to database and online homework help research services, consulting services, continuing education training on internal library operations including budgeting and accounting, governance, business information services, youth services, public relations, assistance with countywide programs and services; technology support including WANs and LANs with servers for managing telecommunications, web hosting, email, calendars, the catalog, circulation, Headquarters and Library PCs and peripherals, with training and security as additional components. The Library System also provides services for ordering, cataloging and processing library materials with collection development, collective purchasing, managing catalog database, and negotiating vendor discounts and outreach services to special populations through the bookmobile and collection development.
Phone: 717.207.0500
Fax: 717.207.0504
How the Library System is used by our communities
In the last ten years, the libraries of Lancaster County have seen a 200% plus increase in the number of county residents using libraries. Today, 218,456 county residents have library cards. In 2014, 1,902,572 visitors used libraries in the county. In the same ten-year period, circulation has increased by 90% to more 3,996,056 items being checked out. The online catalog which the Library System maintains has over 909,968 library holdings that are shared throughout the county.
Additionally an explosive number of virtual visitors access the online catalog, databases and websites 24/7/365 through the Library System website. Most recent statistics show that 183,563 wireless connections were made at our public libraries, while Public Access Computers were used for 267,185 sessions and 456,586 items were examined in our Electronic Databases — the majority of those searches were accessed remotely from home, business, school or work.
The LSLC delivers direct services via a bookmobile that provides countywide service in the form of over 50 Bookmobile stops per month at primarily low- and moderate-income areas of the county, with special focus on children and older adults. The Bookmobile outreach efforts include providing services to traditionally underserved groups in Lancaster County, such as the Amish, retirement communities and daycare centers.
As an agent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and The County of Lancaster, the Library System of Lancaster County promotes the improvement of library services of member libraries by providing countywide planning; policy development; centralized and support services and access to core resources.
The Board of Lancaster County Commissioners appoints the Library System of Lancaster County’s seven-member board of directors. Board meetings are held monthly, usually on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Library System office.
The Library System of Lancaster County is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible, in full or in part, according to IRS regulations. Please contact your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your donation.
Certificate of Registration as a Charitable Organization