Policies

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Eligibility & Use of a Library Card

  • Lancaster County residents age 5 and over are eligible to borrow materials from any public Library in Lancaster County after completing a short form and agreeing to accept responsibility for borrowed material.
  • Individuals holding Pennsylvania public library cards with an “Access PA” designation may apply for a free Lancaster County library card but a photo ID and application is also required. Children under 14 must have a parent or legal guardian provide proof of residency and co-sign the application with them.
  • Each person must use their own card to borrow library items and use library services.
  • If you do not live in PA, or you are not a member of an Access PA participating PA library, a $25 fee will be charged for borrowing privileges.

Acceptable proof of Lancaster County address:

  1.  Photo ID with current address, like a drivers license
  2.  Photo ID without address in the applicant’s name and one form of official paperwork with a pre-printed Lancaster County address on it.
    For example: a bill addressed to the applicant, a tax bill for a Lancaster County property, working papers, a current lease or deed, or pre-printed checks.

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Loan Period

Library items are typically lent for either one or two week periods. If a borrowed item is not returned by its due date, an overdue fine will be imposed.

  • Books: 2 weeks with up to two renewals
  • Audio Books: 2 weeks with up to two renewals
  • Music CDs: 2 weeks with up to two renewals
  • Magazine – 2 weeks with no renewals
  • Language materials – 2 weeks with up to two renewals
  • DVDs: 1 week with one renewal
  • Children’s educational backpacks: 1 week with one renewal
  • Museum Passes: depends on the museum

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Fines/Fees

Fine Per Day Maximum Fine
Adult/YA material $ .30 $5.00
Children’s material $ .20 $3.00
DVD $1.00 $5.00
  • If a borrowed item is not returned or is returned damaged, the replacement cost will be charged to the borrower.  Consult the lending library for costs.
  • Library borrowing and computer use privileges are suspended if $5.99 or more in fines and other charges accrue to an individual’s card.

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Renewing Library Materials

  • Books and audio materials may be renewed up to two times (2 weeks per renewal).
  • DVDs may be renewed once (1 week renewal).
  • Items must be renewed on or before the due date.
  • Items that have a hold on them will not renew and must be returned by the due date.
  • An item renewal due date is determined from the date the item is renewed, NOT from the original due date.

How to renew your materials:

  • Ask at any of the libraries’ circulation desks
  •  Call any member library
  • Telephone 717-653-1510 anytime (24/7)
  • Use your online library account

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Holds/Reserves

  • If a patron would like an item that is already checked out by another patron or is located at another Lancaster county library, the patron can request to have his/her name placed on the list and have the item sent to his/her library for pick it up.
  • A patron is able to have 5 holds on their account at any one time. A hold can be placed on almost any library with the exception of the following: New items at another library other than the patron’s home library (An owning library may keep the material new for between 3 to 6 months and may not send this item to another library, until the owning library has changed the items new status); Reference material; Local History collection materials; Missing or billed items; some electronic materials such as some video games and laptops; other materials determined by the owning libraries.
  • Patrons will be contacted via phone or email to inform the patron when their material has arrived for them to pick up. Patrons of the Milanof-Schock Library will have 7 days to pick-up their holds from the time the patron is contacted. If the material is not picked-up by the seventh day, the material will be returned to the collection.

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Replacement Cards

A lost or stolen card may be replaced for $1 with new application procedures applied.  Your library must be notified immediately of a lost or stolen card to prevent unauthorized charges to your account.

This is not a complete policy statement.  For specific details see a library staff member or visit the library system web site at www.lancasterlibraries.org.

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