Policies

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Eligibility & Use of a Library Card

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.

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. (See Confidentiality)

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

Non-residents of Lancaster County should see the librarian to obtain a card.

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Institutional Card

An institutional library card is issued to a Lancaster County organization that assumes responsibility for all borrowed materials. The application must be accompanied by a letter on the letterhead of the organization applying for the card, accepting responsibility for all borrowed materials and signed by the director of the organization. Overdue fines will be incurred for any materials not returned by the due date. Special loan periods can be arranged upon request.

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Fines/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 materials with a maximum fine of $3 per item.
  • $1 per day for all Videos and DVDs with a maximum of $5 per item.

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Fine Enforcement

Library patrons and the parents of juvenile library patrons 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. However, a patron may incur a fine of $5.99 before borrowing privileges are suspended.

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Overdue Notices

First Notice

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.

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Lost or 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.

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Renewing Library Materials

Renewals can be done at:

  • any member library circulation desk
  • telephone
  • the Internet

Telephone renewal can be done by calling (717) 560-6441.

Internet Renewal is available from the Library System of Lancaster County Online Catalog.

Just click on the My Account tab on any page of the Catalog and input your name, barcode and PIN.

Note: Not all items can be renewed with the online renewal system. Some reasons an item may not be renewed are: another borrower has requested the item; that type of material is not eligible for renewal; you already renewed the item the maximum number of times; or, because of overdue fines on your record.

If you are unable to renew your items, please call the library at (717) 560-6441.

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Replacement Cards

Lost or stolen library cards can be replaced for $1.00 at the Manheim Township Public Library

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