There are two ways you can renew your items:
Telephone
Contact your local library over the phone and request to renew the items.
Online Renewal
- Go to our Online Catalog.
- Click My Account Login and fill out the forms to login.
- Your information will be displayed
- Click on the text, “[#] items checked out “
- All the items you have checked out will be displayed
- Click Renew all, or to renew individual items use the check boxes and click renew selected.
- The due dates for the renewed items will have changed if the renewal was successful.
Every library in Lancaster County has computers that are open for public use.
In order to use the computers you need to do the following:
- Get a Lancaster County Library Card
- If younger than 18, you need to have your parent’s signature for consent- upon signing up for a library card.
- When you sign onto the computer – you will have to agree to the Internet Use Agreement.
- In some libraries having fines will prevent you from using the computer.
The amount of time you are allotted varies for each library, as do time extensions.
Click on the link below with your preferred language to read the policy:
If the library book that you are looking for is not available at your local library. You can request the item, have it sent and held for you there.
A library staff person can help you out with this -either face to face or on the phone. You can also make this request online
Online Requests
Follow these steps to request an item and put it on hold:
- Go to our Online Catalog
- Click My Account Login and fill out the forms to login
- Once you login click New Search link on the upper right part of the page
- Use the search to find the item you are looking
- Once you found the item click on it
- You are now looking at the item record, click Request link above the search bar.
- *Please note- some items cannot be requested because they are newer.
(contact the library that has the item to see if any arrangements can be made to fulfill your request)
- Select a Pickup location from the drop-down menu
- If the request was successful you should reach a page that says, “Your Request for [item-name] was successful”
What if the book in not on our Catalog?
If this is the case then you can apply for an interlibrary Loan. Click here for more information.
You can pay for your fines at your local library at the front desk.
You can also make payments online.
- Go to our Online Catalog
- Click My Account and fill out the forms to login
- Click on the Fine/Fees link. Please note you need to have at least $3.00 in fines in order to pay online
- Click on the Pay Online Button
- A popup box will come up with a list of the fines currently on your account
- Make sure the fines that you would like paid are selected, and then click Continue
- Fill out the form in order to make your payment
- If the transaction was successfully completed you will see a payment confirmation page and be sent an email receipt
Fines and Fees
- 30 cents per day for Adult and YA (Young Adult) materials with a maximum fine of $5.10 per item
- 20 cents per day for Children’s material’s with a maximum fine of $3
- $1 per day for all Videos and DVDs with a maximum of $5 per item.
OVERDUE NOTICES
First Notice at 2 Weeks
The first overdue notice will be sent to the most recent address listed in the library records for the patron account when the item is 2 weeks overdue. The notice will include a list of overdue materials.
Failure to return the items listed in this notice within seven (7) working days of the date of this notice will result in a suspension of a cardholder’s borrowing privileges in each library in Lancaster County until the account is cleared.
Failure to return these items within 4 weeks after the original due date will result in a charge to the cardholder’s account for the replacement cost of the materials.
Second Notice: Bill for replacement at 4 weeks
The second notice is sent when the item is 4 weeks overdue. This is a bill for the replacement of the books. If the billed items are found, you need only pay the overdue fines.
LOST AND DAMAGED ITEMS
Lost item charges equal the price of the item. It is the responsibility of the library patron to contact the library to arrange for the payment of overdue fines. Any questions about an account may be directed to the cardholder’s local library.
ENFORCEMENT OF OVERDUE FINES
Library patrons of the parents of the juvenile library patron are expected to return library materials promptly and to pay any overdue fines incurred.
If an item is more than 14 days overdue, borrowing privileges are suspended until the materials are returned and the overdue fine is paid.
Fines must be paid and overdue materials returned before suspended borrowing privileges are restored.
In order to find out when your books are due, you can either contact your local library or check online.
Find out online
Follow these steps to check your due dates online
- Go to our Online Catalog
- Click My Account Login and fill out the forms to login
- Click on the link that reads “# items currently checked out”
- The items that you have checked out should be listed
- Under the status column the due date will be displayed.
Check Out Periods
- Videos, DVDs, High demand / Best Sellers need to be returned in 1 week
- All other materials need to be returned in 2 weeks
In order to find a book go to this link.
http://search.lancasterlibraries.org
And search for the item you want there.
A library card for the Library System of Lancaster County will be issued without charge to any resident of Lancaster County who is five years old or more.
In order to obtain a library card you will need to fill out and submit a library card application. You can print the form from the file below.
Applicants will need to produce proof of address from one of the following sources:
- A valid driver’s license
- A current identification card
- A bill from a utility company of retailer addressed to the person and dated in the last three months
- A tax bill for a Lancaster County property
- Working papers issued to a teenager
- A copy of a current lease or deed for a Lancaster County property
- Checks with a pre-printed Lancaster County address
- Valid Lancaster County college / university ID
A child under the age of 14 years must have the library card application form signed by a parent or legal guardian who agrees to assume responsibility for monitoring the materials borrowed by the child, as well as the child’s fines and the cost of any lost or damaged materials.
Library Card Application
Click here for a library card application. Print it out and complete the information. Take the completed form to your local library to obtain your library card!
Chasquido aquí para el uso de tarjeta de biblioteca. Imprímalo y complete la información. ¡Tome la formulario completada a su biblioteca local para obtener su tarjeta de biblioteca!
Click the links below for other languages:
Online Application
To apply for a temporary library card number online. Please visit https://catalog.lancasterlibraries.org/selfreg .
Where can I use my Library Card?
One library card is valid at all libraries throughout the Library System. Library cards are available free at all local libraries and the Bookmobile. All that is required is a valid form of identification. For children under 14, a parent or guardian signature is required. In addition to the standard type card that fits in your wallet, we also offer a key-ring card that will help ensure that your library card is always at your fingertips.
Welcome Cards
Some Libraries offer Welcome Cards to visitors. A Welcome Card allows patrons to check out items, place holds, use library computers, and access online resources and digital items, it does come with a few restrictions:
- The card expires after 3 months
- They can only check out 3 items at a time
- They can only place 2 holds at a time
- They are unable to place any interlibrary loan requests.
Contact a public library to see if they offer a Welcome Card.
https://lancasterlibraries.org/find-a-library/