Frequently Asked Questions

Online Catalog

• What is the Online Catalog?
• What is My Account?
• What can I do with My Account?
• What is a PIN and how do I get one?
• How do I change my PIN?
• How do I search the Online Catalog?
• How can I renew materials?
• How can I reserve (place a hold) an item that's checked out?
• Why wasn't I able to renew my materials?
• How do I know if a book is available at the library?

Policies

• How can I get a library card or eCard for the eBranch?
• How many items can I borrow?
• How long do materials circulate?
• How much are the fines for overdue materials?

Services

• What computer services are available at our libraries?
• Do I have to come to the library to do research?
• An item I want is at another library. Must I go there to get it?
• What services exist for special needs borrowers?

What is the Online Catalog?

The Lycoming County Library System online catalog is a powerful tool that will help you locate all types of materials quickly and easily. Materials in all public libraries in Lycoming County are in the catalog. You can also create a personal account so you can check your library account, renew materials, along with several other useful features.

My Account provides information about your Library account. You need to log-in to view your information. If you have a valid Library card you already have an account setup. To log into My Account you will need your Library Card number, which is the bar-code number on the back of your library card, and your PIN (Personal Identification Number). If you forgot or don't know your PIN, please read the information below about PIN or contact us online or call to get a new PIN. Please provide your Library card number if you call or email the Library.

Use Review My Account for information on outstanding fines, holds, any items you currently have checked out. Use User PIN Chage to change your PIN number. Renew My Materials will renew any items you currently have checked out, that are able to be renewed. Use Change My Address to provide us your new address information.
Use the "Find Info" drop down menu on any Brown Library web page to link to My Account. It is also linked on every page in the Online Catalog and on the Lycoming County eBranch

Top of Page

What is a PIN and how do I get a one?
When you received your library card a PIN (Personal Identification Number) was set up for your Library account, unless it was changed. It is the last 4 digits of the library card number. If that does not work you can contact or phone the Library.

How do I change my PIN?
- Go to User PIN Change to change your PIN to a 4 digit number of your choice. You will need to enter your Library Card number, which is the barcode number on the back of your library card, just the digits no spaces and your current PIN. When you received your library card a PIN was set up for the account, unless it was changed. It is the last 4 digits of the library card number. If that does not work you can contact or phone the Library during open hours.
- Type your new PIN in the Enter New PIN box. Verify your new PIN by retyping it in the Reenter new PIN box.
- Click on the Change PIN button. You should see a message telling you that your PIN was successfully changed.
- Click on OK.

To search the catalog, enter a term in the white Search For box and click the down arrow to choose, author,title or subject searches or you may search everything by not choosing an option. Click the Power Search link for more searching options.

If your search returns multiple items, you will see a "Search Results" screen. Click the Details link for more information about a specific item. Click on New Search from any Online Catalog page to begin a new search.

Top of Page

Library members can renew their own items online from the Online Catalog or by phone (326-0536) You can renew most Library materials. Some items such as popular videos (feature films) and bonus books can't be renewed. You can't renew an item if someone has reserved it (placed a hold) or if you have renewed the item the maximum three (3) times or if your account has been blocked due to fines that are owed. To renew items from the Bookmobile please see the information on the Bookmobile page.

Follow these simple instructions for placing a hold on Library materials. You can also contact us online, and we will do it for you. You can call the library at 326-0536, or you can visit the Library and have a reserve (place a hold).

Some items such as popular videos (feature films) and bonus books can't be renewed. You can't renew an item if someone has reserved it (placed a hold) or if you have renewed the item the maximum three (3) times or if your account has been blocked due to fines that are owed.

Check the Online Catalog to see if any of the public libraries in Lycoming county own the title. If you don't find it we can usually borrow books from another library using Interlibrary Loan. Can't find what you need? Get it from another library.( Just fill in our simple form and we'll do the rest) Also check the Access Pennsylvania an online catalog for the materials held by most libraries in the state of Pennsylvania.

Sign up online or go to any of the six libraries in the Lycoming County Library System, the Links locations, or the Bookmobile. Cards are issued free to Lycoming County residents. There is a small charge for replacing lost cards. Pennsylvania borrowers from outside Lycoming County may receive Guest cards by presenting their home library card with an Access Pennsylvania sticker on it. Pennsylvania residents from outside Lycoming County without a home library may purchase a card for $25 annually. Anyone who lives in Lycoming County may also sign up for an eCard, which gives users immediate access to almost all of the online resources available on the eBranch

Top of Page

There are few restrictions on the number of items you can borrow. Videos are limited to 6 adult and 6 children's titles. Young adult music CDs are limited to 4.  There may be restrictions placed on materials on certain subjects in connection with school assignments but usually you may borrow as many items as you like.

How long do materials circulate?

All adult books check out for 3 weeks. Except for New Items/Bonus Books for which are 2 weeks.
All adult audio books on CD or Cassette - 3 week except for "New" Items and audio Playaways - 2 weeks
Video games loan for 7 days and are not renewable. Limit 2 games per account.
MP3 Players preloaded with an audiobook loan for 2 weeks, with no renewals. Limited to 1 MP3 player per account.
All juvenile and Young Adult books, including new juvenile Books - 3 weeks
All juvenile and Young Adult Books on CD or cassette -3 weeks
Don’t forget that you have access to your library account and when items are due with the My Account link on every page.

Library Elf is an exclusive benefit for our members. It is a simple way to keep track of their borrowed items by email or browser. Receive email or RSS courtesy notices when items are soon to be due, overdue or ready for pick up. Text messaging for holds is also available. You can register multiple cards for your household. Library Elf Reminder Service - Sign up today !

• Overdue fines are 25¢ per day for adults.
• Children are charged 10¢ per day for overdue children's books and 25¢ per day for overdue adult books.
• Video overdue fines are $2 per day.

Every library in the Lycoming County Library System offers free internet and wireless WiFi access and computers for general public use. The Brown Library offers periodic free computer classes. Check the home page for any scheduled classes. The Library contains a computer lab donated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The lab contains 10 computers with Microsoft Office and other software. The Library also hosts a SeniorNet Learning Center. It is located on the fourth floor of the Library. Check their web site for current schedule and activities.

Top of Page

Do I need to come to the library to do research?

No, not at all. Today you can take advantage of a complete virtual library available to you online. You can use any of our online premium subscription resources from our eBranch. Here is a listing of all our online resources. Login using your Library or eCard. Use the Look it up NOW page to quickly locate full-text books, magazine articles, videos and much more. Take advantage of our A-Z Magazine Finder to easily locate thousands of full-text magazines and articles. Take advantage of NetLibrary with over 12,000 subject based books to do reasearch and find information.

Fast facts like addresses, phone numbers, correct spellings, dates and basic informational questions can be handled over the telephone 326-0536 by the reference staff or by live chat or e-mail. Try Ask Here PA for an immediate answer from a professional librarian using our Live Chat feature.

Top of Page

NO. The Lycoming County Library System has a shuttle service that picks up and returns items to all county libraries. Request and return library items, except videos, from one library at any of the other county libraries it will be delivered and returned for you.
Can't find what you  need? Get it from another library.( Just fill in our simple form)

Readers no longer physically able to come to the library themselves may join the BRAVO program. BRAVO volunteers will select and deliver library materials to readers in nursing homes, private residences or retirement communities. BRAVO also serves the short term disabled reader. Anyone interested in Bravo may contact the library.The Library provides bookmobile services to area retirement and nursing homes and senior centers, as well as to daycare and latchkey programs.

Top of Page