Circulation

The following information will help acquaint you with the most important rules and regulations pertaining to materials circulation.

Our Service Policy is updated regularly to allow us to provide the best service possible for each patron. You can read the full policy here. Some commonly asked questions are listed below.

CHECK-OUT: A valid, current library card is required for check-out. Patrons with LCLC cards may use their wallet card or key tag for library services. As a courtesy, your card may be looked up upon presentation of a valid photo ID. After 3 account look ups (check out of materials with no card present), patrons will be required to replace their card for a $2 fee. A receipt is given to each patron with the borrowed items listed, showing the due date and title of each item, at the time of check out.

BORROWING TIME: Most items circulate for a three-week period. Movie DVDs circulate for one week; multi-disc series DVDs circulate for 14 days. Juvenile holiday books circulate for 14 days. New adult books marked as such circulate for 14 days. Current editions of periodicals and reference materials do not circulate. Reference Materials are available for in-library use only and may be duplicated in accordance with copyright laws.

LIMITS: During check-out, some items are limited by quantity: DVDs- 7 per borrower, Juvenile Holiday Books- 5 per borrower. We ask that you do not take an entire author or subject matter’s holdings.

RENEWALS: Items may be renewed at the library with your library card, or by telephone–call the library at 610-965-9284. Please have your library card number (found on your card under the Library bar code OR on the slip issued at check out) and titles to be renewed on hand. You may also renew on-line using your library card number and PIN number. Items on reserve by another patron & Juvenile Holiday books may not be renewed.

OVERDUE FINES: As of 3/1/2020, LCLC libraries no longer charge overdue fines on most library materials. Lost items are assessed at the cost of the item plus a $3.00 processing charge. Inter-Library Loan items are $1 per day. Overdue Wi-Fi Hot Spots are charged a $5 per day overdue fine with a maximum of $76 for a lost hot spot, cord and case. To learn more about our Fine Free Policies click here and for FAQs click here.

RESERVES: Any item in the library which circulates may be reserved. Items may be reserved in person at the library, by telephone at 610-965-9284, or through this website by clicking on the “Catalog” link at the top of the page. For reservations by phone, please have your card number and the title you are requesting available to help use serve you.

MOVIES AND MUSIC: Most DVDs may be checked out for 7 days. DVD sets (such as TV series or special events) circulate for 14 days and Music CDs circulate for 21 days.

OTHER CHARGES: Charges for damages will be assessed for each item that requires repair or replacement. This includes, but is not limited to, damages to barcodes, plastic cases, tapes, books, and any other part of a library item. The minimum charge is $1.00, the maximum is the cost of the item + $3.00 for processing. Inter – Library Loan items which are not picked up are subject to a $1 charge per title.

WiFi Access

Wireless access is available to all library guests during business hours. No library card or ID is required, though you must enter a password to connect. The password may be obtained at the Front desk. Starting in December 2022, adult library cardholders can borrow a Wi-Fi Hot Spot. Hot Spots are available on a first come, first served basis and are subject to a $5 per day overdue fee with a maximum cost of $76 for a lost item. Overdue Hot Spots may be disconnected from Wi-Fi services and will no longer allow devices to connect.

Guests are expected to comply with the Emmaus Public Library’s Internet Public Access Policies at all times and use the network in a legal and responsible manner. Use of the library’s wireless network is at your own risk. Our network is in compliance with and meets the requirements of the CIPA – it filters all internet usage and may block websites, links, or uploads & downloads. Read our full policy: Internet Access and Acceptable Use Policy.

Library of Accessible Media for all Pennsylvanians (LAMP)

The Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP), is a program funded through the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries and Administered throughout the state of Pennsylvania by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Free Library of Philadelphia. LAMP offers people who cannot access the printed word a way to restore their love of reading by shipping materials in accessible formats like braille, audio, described movies and large print directly to patrons across Pennsylvania. In addition to physical content, LAMP also provides digital access to downloadable audio or braille to hundreds of thousands of titles. If you cannot read standard print due to blindness, a visual disability or because you can’t hold a book or turn pages or, if you have a reading disability such as dyslexia – then this service is for you. LAMP is made up of two National Library Service network libraries in Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Free Library of Philadelphia. Get more information and learn about eligibility requirements online, call 1-800-222-1754 or email [email protected].

Emmaus Public Library is part of the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative

In January 2019, after many years of coordination and cooperation, Emmaus joined with 11 other libraries to form the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative (LCLC). The LCLC gives patrons access to 12 libraries’ collections with one barcode, including the options to reserve and pick up or return materials, renew their library card or register for a new LCLC card at any participating library. LCLC libraries have coordinated borrowing policies, billing standards and card registration procedures to create a seamless experience at any of the libraries. To upgrade to the new LCLC card, please bring your existing library card & photo ID in to upgrade to this new resource. If you need assistance, please feel free to stop by the front desk. You can find the full policies and rules below.

For all EPL policies, please click here.