FAQ

Library Cards

How do I get a library card?

Adams County Residents
All Adams County residents are welcome to apply for a library card. Please provide your current address and photo ID when applying for a card. Acceptable forms of identification include driver's license, state issued photo ID card, registered mail, lease agreement, legal document, car insurance registration, among other documents. 

  • Youth below 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian signature on the application form. 
  • Library cards are active for three years. Upon expiration, library cards may be renewed for an additional three years.
  • Library card applications may also be completed online.

Gettysburg College Students
Gettysburg College students with a student ID may apply for a library card. Students are asked to provide their campus box number and their permanent home address. Library cards are active for one year and may be renewed for an additional year after expiration.

Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania residents may apply for an Adams County Library System card. Those with a library card from their home library may use their home library card to access print materials from each Adams County Library System location. Upon filling out the library card application, simply provide the library card to the staff. Library cards are active for three years and may be renewed for an additional three years upon expiration.

 

I lost my card. What do I do?

To replace a lost card, please stop by any Adams County library location and provide photo ID. There is no fee to replace a library card.

What's my PIN number?

The PIN number is the last four digits of the library card number.

Finding Things

How do I locate a specific item at one of the library locations?

The Adams County Library System online library catalog features all items available in each library location. Each library location has catalog stations to assist in searches. Find items by title, author or subject. For searching assistance, contact your local library.

At the Gettysburg Library, library materials are found on two floors:

1st Floor

  • New Fiction
  • Hold Pick-Up Location
  • Fiction
  • Read and Returns
  • Audiobooks
  • Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
  • Juvenile Fiction and Nonfiction
  • Easy Fiction and Nonfiction
  • Juvenile DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks
  • Juvenile and Easy Spanish Fiction and Nonfiction

2nd Floor

  • Local History and Genealogy Research Center
  • Large Print
  • New Nonfiction and Biography
  • Biography
  • Nonfiction
  • Spanish Fiction and Nonfiction
  • DVDs
  • CDs
  • Reference
  • Magazines and Periodicals

Borrowing Things

Can I request my hold for a later date?

To suspend the arrival of a hold, speak with a staff member or use the online library catalog. The library card barcode number and PIN number are required to access your account through the online library catalog.

Can items be renewed? How? How many times?

Books, etc

  • All items not currently on hold for another patron may be renewed by speaking to a staff member or by accessing your library account through the online library catalog. The online library catalog requires the library card barcode number and PIN number to access your records. Effective March 1, 2018, the maximum renewal limit will be ten renewals.  

eBooks

  • eBooks cannot be renewed.

eAudiobooks

  • eAudiobooks available through Cloud Library cannot be renewed. eAudiobooks through RBdigital may be renewed one time.
How can I request items to place on hold?

Items may be requested to be placed on hold by speaking with a staff member or through the online library catalog. The library card barcode number and PIN number are required to access your account through the online library catalog. 

You may request to pick up your hold at any Adams County library location and can choose to receive an email or a phone call indicating the arrival of the hold. Upon receiving the arrived hold notification, you will have one week to pick up the item.

How do I cancel my hold request?

You may speak with a staff member or use the online library catalog to cancel a hold request. The library card barcode number and PIN number are required to access your account through the online library catalog.

How long can I keep the items I check out?

Books, etc.

  • All print and DVD, CD and audiobook materials check out for three weeks, with the exception of the Read and Return collection (90 day check out period) and book club selections for children and teens (four week check out period).

Downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks

  • eBooks and eAudiobooks through Cloud Library may be checked out for three weeks.
  • eAudiobooks through RBdigital may be checked out for two weeks.

Streaming Music

  • Using Freegal, you may stream three hours of music each day and may download permanently five songs every week. Music video downloads are also available under this service and cost two song downloads to permanently view.

Digital Magazines

  • Flipster offers viewing of current and back issues of magazines. If using the Flipster app, some magazines will expire in a week upon download. 
Is there a limit on the number of items I can check out?

Books, etc

  • There are no limits to the number of materials that may be checked out. 

Downloadables

  • Cloud Library and RBdigital limit the number of checked out titles to ten.
What happens if I damage an item?

If an item is damaged, the Adams County Library System assesses a fee based on the purchase price of the item.

What happens if I lose an item?

If an item is lost, the Adams County Library System assesses a fee based on the purchase price of the item.

What if the library system doesn't have a book that I want?

Items currently not available through the Adams County Library System may be available through Inter-Library Loan (ILL), or a Purchase Request may be placed.

For ILL, speak with a staff member or use the ILL Request Form on the website. Provide as much detail as possible about the item. Please note that ILL requests do take several weeks to process.

For a purchase request, speak with a staff member or use the Purchase Request Form on the website. Purchase requests are appreciated and are considered but not guaranteed to be purchased. Consideration for purchase is based on item popularity, item availability and adherence to guideline outlined in the Collection Development Policy.

Fines & Fees

Does the library system charge fines for late items?

When items are returned past the due date, fines are charged based on the following:

  • Late Juvenile and Easy items accrue a $0.05 per day fine charge. 

Adults and YA

  • Late adult and YA items accrue a $0.10 per day fine charge.
  • Inter-Library Loan items borrowed from York County accrue fine charges based on Adams County Library System fine charges (children's items $0.05 per day; adult and YA items $0.10 per day).
  • Items borrowed outside Adams and York Counties accrue $1.00 per day fine charge.
Is there a fee for printing, copying or faxing?

Each library location charges the same rate for printing, copying and faxing.

Printing

  • $0.10 per page for black and white
  • $0.25 per page for color

Copying

  • $0.10 per page for black and white
  • $0.25 per page for color

Faxing

  • $1.00 for entire transaction to send out a fax
  • $0.10 per page to receive a fax
What happens if I damage an item?

If an item is damaged, the Adams County Library System assesses a fee based on the purchase price of the item.

What happens if I lose an item?

If an item is lost, the Adams County Library System assesses a fee based on the purchase price of the item.

Computers & Printing

Do the libraries offer printing, scanning, faxing, copying?

Each Adams County Library location offers printing, scanning, faxing and copying services. While there is no charge to scan a document, the charges for the other services are:
Printing

  • $0.10 per page black and white 
  • $0.25 per page color

Faxing

  • $1.00 for fax transaction
  • $0.10 per page for received faxes

Copying

  • $0.10 per page black and white
  • $0.25 per page color
Do the libraries offer wireless printing?

Wireless printing is not available at this time. Please bring a USB stick with you to transfer any needed documents onto one of the libraries' computers for printing access.

How do I gain access to the libraries' computers?

At Gettysburg, those interested in using a library computer may register for one at the Computer Sign-In Kiosk, located next to the 2nd Floor desk. Patrons must use their library card number and PIN number to register for a computer. Those without a library card may inquire about a guest pass at the 2nd Floor desk. Computer use is limited to an hour per day. Should additional time be needed, patrons may inquire at the 2nd Floor desk.

The Local History and Genealogy Research Center includes a computer which features Ancestry.com, Newspaper Archives, and other genealogical resources. To access this computer, patrons must inquire at the 2nd Floor desk. While there is not a set time limit for this computer's use, patrons may only use this computer for genealogical purposes.

Those wishing to use a library computer at the Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library should inquire at the staff desk. A USB stick will be issued, which allows the patron an allotted amount of time on the computer.

For other Adams County Library locations, stop by the staff desk to register for a library computer. Computers may be checked out for an hour's time. Should additional time be needed, patrons may inquire at the staff desk.

Is there a fee for printing, copying or faxing?

Each library location charges the same rate for printing, copying and faxing.

Printing

  • $0.10 per page for black and white
  • $0.25 per page for color

Copying

  • $0.10 per page for black and white
  • $0.25 per page for color

Faxing

  • $1.00 for entire transaction to send out a fax
  • $0.10 per page to receive a fax
What time do the library system's computers shut down every day?

Computers at each Adams County Library location will shut down ten minutes before closing. Staff will inform those working on the computer as the time approaches. Once computers shut down, information and/or work in progress cannot be retrieved.

Acceptable Behavior

Can I drop my child off at the libraries?

Each Adams County Library location follows an Unattended Child Policy. Those aged seven or younger must be accompanied by an adult or a caregiver. For more information, please view the Unattended Child Policy, located at any Adams County Library location.

Can I have food or drink at the libraries?

Food and drink may be consumed at each Adams County Library location. Drinks should be in a cup with a lid. Those who partake of food in the library must throw away any debris and trash into an appropriate trash can.

Can I take photos in the libraries?

Unless you receive permission from the Adams County Library System Administrative offices, you may not take photographs in the library. Please see the Behavior Policy for more information.

Can I use my cell phone in the libraries?

Cell phones are allowed at each Adams County Library location. Please move into a lobby area or a spot away from others if conducting a phone conversation.

Do the libraries have an acceptable behavior policy?

Yes. The Behavior Policy may be viewed at any Adams County Library location. Staff will notify those in violation of the Behavior Policy.

Supporting the Library

Can I donate books as gifts in-kind?

Yes! The Friends of the Library accept book donations for their book store (located in the Gettysburg Library) and for their annual summer book sale. You may drop off books during normal business hours of the Gettysburg Library. Please ring the garage doorbell during normal business hours and someone will greet you. Thanks!

Can I make a donation in memory of a loved one who has passed away? Or in honor of someone?

Yes! You can make a donation of any amount in memory or honor of someone and the ACLS also accepts donations of $35 per book (for most books) to expand our collection. The ACLS staff will take into consideration the subject and preferred genre and provide a "name plate" in each book with wording approved by the donor. We can take your Memorial/Honor Book Request Form in person at any of our six convenient branch locations or you can make the request on line.  An acknowledgment can be sent to the family of the loved one or the person you are honoring.

Click here to access the Honor/Memorial Book Form.

Can I make a donation online?

Yes! To make a simple credit card donation, please visit our donation page. Please note, donations made by credit card are non-refundable.

Can I make donations to a specific library branch in Adams County?

Yes! Simply write the name of your preferred library branch on the memo line of the check, or in the notes section while making an on-line donation.

The ACLS branches are as follows:

  • Carroll Valley
  • Gettysburg
  • Harbaugh-Thomas (Biglerville)
  • Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin
  • Littlestown
  • New Oxford
How do I submit a matching gift form from my company to the Adams County Library System?

Please send the form to Dawn Smith, Development Officer at dawns@adamslibrary.org, fax it to 717.334.7992, or mail it to Adams County Library System, Attention Dawn Smith, 140 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Questions? Just call Dawn at 717.334.0163.

I would like to mail a check. To whom do I make it out and where do I send it?

Please make the check payable to the Adams County Library System.

Mail to: 
Adams County Library System
140 Baltimore Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325

I would like to mention the Adams County Library System in my will. How can I do this?

Thank you for considering us! A charitable bequest is a distribution from your estate to a charitable organization through your last will and testament. There are different types of bequests and they can be made in the form of cash or property, or a percentage of the remainder of an estate.  We encourage you to work with an expert to create a charitable bequest. If you would like to let us know of your intent, please contact Dawn Smith, Development Officer, at DawnS@AdamsLibrary.org or 717.334.0163. Thank you! Together, we can create a vibrant space for lifelong learning!

I would like to talk with someone at the library about my donation. Who can I talk to?

Please contact Dawn Smith, Development Officer at 717-334-0163 or dawns@adamslibrary.org. She will be more than happy to talk to or meet with you.

I'd like to sign up for a monthly gift. How can I do this?

Wonderful! Please contact the ACLS Financial Administrator, Beth Cool, at 717.334.0163.

Is the donation amount stated in the letter received by the honoree?

No, the actual donation amount is NOT included in the letter to the honoree.

Will I receive a receipt for my contribution?

Yes! As a nonprofit 501c(3) organization, the ACLS relies on donors like you and we are happy to provide a letter for tax purposes.