What to expect at your library:

To visit the library, you don’t need anything special – in fact you can stay all day if you would like. Please continue to follow all current health and safety guidelines. You may bring a covered beverage, but please don’t bring any food. Emmaus Public Library is open during most federal holidays including MLK Jr Day and President’s Day Holiday. You can find our current operating hours and any special updates online via our website or WFMZ’s StormCenter. Our parking lot is located off of Ridge street, with accessible parking near the door. Please park within the lines and do not park on the grass or blocking the book return. We have public access restrooms that are ADA-compliant and have changing tables as well as a filtered water drinking fountain/ bottle filler.

General Layout: Each library is unique, and what makes Emmaus Public Library special is our open floor plan with plenty of space to find your next favorite book, movie, or research tool. The Library includes space for adult fiction, non-fiction, and biography collections as well as new releases, large print, paperback, and books on CD near the circulation desk. We also have a small foreign language collection (books written in a primary language that is not English), music on CDs and Great Courses selections. The photocopier, public fax machine, scanner, and computers are all available with no library card required. The Young Adult area is just beyond the circulation desk with seating areas for studying and public access computers. There are two restrooms near the Friends’ of the Emmaus Public Library Book Sale Nook and the Margaret Knoll Gardner Lecture Room with changing tables.

Our most recent addition to the building is our Children’s Wing which houses our Children’s materials including, books, DVDs and BluRays, music CDs, magazines, and more. The creative play area (nearest Ridge St) is home to a train table, blocks, puzzle games, space to read and materials to color. There is a small study room in the children’s wing, public access computers and tablets, and two ADA restrooms with changing stations and full sinks.

Need a Library Card? Since forming the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative, getting a card is easier than ever. You can start your application online or in person at any participating library. There are a few residency and age requirements: You must live in an areas served by one of the 12 participating libraries (check the list below); If you are under 18 years old, you will need a parent or guardian present when we issue your card; If you live outside the service area, you will need a library card from your home library first and then we can grant you borrowing privileges through the AccessPA program; If you live in an area that does not have a home library established, you can choose your own home library by paying annually for a Non-Resident Card (currently $40 per year, per household). You can read all of the policies online or ask at the front desk.

Borrowing Materials: Your 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. You can choose to have your check out receipt emailed to you or printed. As of Spring 2023, LCLC patrons have access to over 500,000 pieces of physical material and most are available within 72 hours.

Digital Books & More: In addition to physical items, the Library maintains a collection of digital resources including eBooks, eAudioBooks, Digital Magazines, Music, Movies, Research Tools, Standardized Test Prep and more. Libby by Overdrive has a large collection of digital books, audiobooks and magazines with similar borrowing rules as physical library materials. Hoopla Digital offers on-demand titles from some of the most popular authors as well as movies and music. Kanopy is our newest digital service offering critically-acclaimed movies, documentaries, foreign films and more. (Some services may be limited by residency). You can find more information and instructions online or in person at the desk.

Reserves (also known as Holds): After all that browsing, the item you want isn’t immediately available? Consider placing a hold or reserve. Items may be reserved in person at the library, by telephone at 610-965-9284 (please have your card number and the title you are requesting available to help us serve you), or through this website by clicking on the “Catalog” or “My Account” links at the top of the page.

Overdue Fines: Beginning 3/1/2020 LCLC libraries will no longer be charging overdue fees 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. Museum passes and WiFi Hot spots do incur overdue fees when they are returned late or are marked lost Museum Passes will be charged $1 per day when returned late and be billed at the museum’s current yearly membership rate for a lost pass. WiFi Hot spots will be charged $1 per day when returned late and be billed at the replacement cost of $66 for a lost To learn more about our Fine Free Policies click here and for FAQs click here.

Returning Materials: You can return any LCLC material to any LCLC book drop or library. Inter-library loan materials must be retuned to the library that obtained them for you, as indicated on the wrap or band on the material. Emmaus Public Library has book drops at Macungie Borough Hall and at the Upper Milford Township Building as well as a Silver drop box in the parking lot and a drop slot on the library wall near the front door.

Wireless internet access is available to all library guests beginning one hour before opening and ending 15 minutes before closing each day the library is open.  No library card or ID is required, though you must enter a password to connect. The password may be obtained at the Front desk. Depending on your device, you may have access in the parking lot and on the lawn at the library.

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.

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 online. 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.

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