Frequently Asked Questions

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, or pick one up in-person. To apply for a temporary library card number online, please visit https://catalog.lancasterlibraries.org/selfreg.

English Library Application
Spanish Library Application

Along with a completed application, residents will need to produce a photo ID and 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. Minor applicants may have their parent or legal guardian provide the proof of address.

Patrons must have their library card or photo ID to access library services in person. Patrons will need their library card number to access account information by phone. Patrons can access their online account from “My Account” on the Online Catalog.

Visit our Online Catalog to search the catalog, place holds, renew items, and access their reading history. Or use the MyLibrary! app, available for Android and iOS.

The privacy of library account information is protected by state law. Patrons may appear in person to sign an account release to designate someone to pick up holds, renew items, and pay fines.

Library cards are set to expire every three years. Visit in person with your Photo ID to update your account. For those who cannot appear in person, please call or email info@mtpl.info and your library card can be renewed for 6 months.

If your items need to be renewed, you can call us at 717-560-6441 or login to “My Account” on the Online Catalog. Please have your library card number ready.

Each library card account can now have 200 items checked out at a time. This is an update from our usual 100. Beware, fines can accumulate quickly when you have this many checkouts! Patrons may place 5 holds at a time.

Due dates depend on the item type, with books and audio materials circulating for 2 weeks, and DVDs circulating for 1 week.

At checkout, you may opt for a printed slip with your due dates, an email with the information, or no slip. To look up your items due dates or renew items, can call us at 717-560-6441 and have your library card number ready. Or login to your account on the Online Catalog.

1. Open the Online Catalog.
2. Click the “MY ACCOUNT” link in the header.
3. In the first box, enter your last name.
4. In the second box, enter your library card barcode number. This is the 14-digit number that appears on the back of your library card. Please enter the entire number, with no spaces.
5. In the third box, enter your PIN. (If you do not have a PIN, leave the field blank. You will be prompted to create one after you click SUBMIT.) See“How do I create my PIN?”for more information. If you forgot your pin, see “What if I forgot my PIN? Below to reset it.
6. Click the SUBMIT button. You are now logged in to “My Account”.

You will be prompted to create a PIN when you use My Account on the Online Catalog for the first time or when your PIN has been reset.

1. Go to the Online Catalog and open the “My Account” Login page.
2. On the “My Account” Login page, type in your last name and barcode only (leave the PIN field blank).
3. Click the SUBMIT button.
4. You will be prompted to create and confirm your new PIN.
5. Enter the same PIN in each of the two spaces provided.
6. Click on the SUBMIT button.
7. You are now logged in to “My Account”.

PIN Requirements:

• You may use a combination of numbers and letters.
• Do not use capital letters.
• Do not use special characters, such as punctuation or other symbols.
• You may not repeat a character 3 or more times (aaa, aaaa …).
• You may not repeat a set of 2, 3, or 4 characters 2 or more times (abab, abcabc, abcdabcd…).

1. Go to the Online Catalog and open the “My Account” Login page.
2. Click the Forgot Your PIN? Link.
3. In the PIN Reset Request Form, enter your Last Name and library card barcode number.
4. Click SUBMIT. Note: This form will not work if there is no e-mail address in your patron record.
5. The following message will appear, “A message has been sent to the e-mail address we have on record for you. Please follow the instructions in that message to reset your PIN…” Click START OVER.
6. The e-mail you receive should have the subject: Request to reset your library PIN from: library-noreply@lancasterlibraries.org.
   Click on the provided link to go to the PIN Reset Form. (This link is valid for 3 hours)
7. In the PIN Reset Form, enter your Last Name, Barcode and your new PIN. Re-confirm your new PIN by entering it again. Click SUBMIT.
8. You receive the message “Your PIN has been changed.” Click START OVER.

Thank you for your interest in donating your gently used books and media items!

Donation Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 9 – 11 am.

Large Quantity Donations

We accept large donations within our donation hours on Tuesdays & Fridays 9 – 11 am.
At these times you can drop off multiple boxes of items and get help from volunteers to move and unload boxes from your car.

Small Quantity Donations

For donations of a few items that you can carry in one trip, you may donate outside of our Donation Hours by either placing items in the Donation Station in the Book Spot, or by carrying the items to the staff at the Circulation Desk.

Carts are not provided outside of Donation Hours.

We CAN accept:

• Books in good condition
• DVDs
• Music CDs
• Audiobook CDs
• Puzzles
• Board Games

We CANNOT accept:

• Books with yellowed or torn pages
• Books that are water damaged, mildewed, moldy, or musty
• VHS/Cassette Tapes
• Records & Albums
• Encyclopedias
• Dictionaries
• Reader’s Digest & Condensed Books
• Magazines

We appreciate your interest in donating with us. If these donation options do not meet your needs, another organization may be able to provide the additional support you need.

Passport Services are available by appointment only.

To schedule an appointment, use our online Passport Calendar or call 717-560-6441.

For more information about passport services and requirements, see our Passports page.