Cumberland County Library System

Library Card Services Policy

(Creation & revision: 1/27/1997; 4/21/1997; 1/24/2000; 2/26/2001; 7/1/2004; 7/19/2004; 1/26/2009; 5/21/2012; 11/18/2013; 3/21/2016; 11/18/2019; 3/16/2026)

People who have a valid Cumberland County Library System library card may borrow physical and digital library materials, use library computers, and use the library system’s online databases and services.  Some services may be limited.

People whose library card is suspended may not borrow materials.

In lieu of a full-service library card, which requires a parent signature, juveniles age 16 and younger may be issued a digital library card to use library web site services. 

Adults or institutions who are eligible for STAR homebound services may be issued a STAR digital services only library card to borrow digital materials and use library website services.

Who is Eligible

A library card is available at no charge to those who live or pay property tax in Cumberland County or in the Shippensburg Area School District.

Library cards are also available at no charge to Pennsylvania residents who visit the library.

Library cards are also available for a charge of $5 per month for those who do not live in Pennsylvania.  Non-resident cards must be purchased in person.  (If an individual who paid a non-resident fee permanently moves to Pennsylvania, any remaining months for which the fee has been paid will be refunded by the library at which the fee was paid.)

How to Apply

Applicants must provide identification and proof of current address. 

If the applicant’s identity is verified, but their current address is not verified, the applicant may borrow a maximum of two items until proof of current address is provided.

For juveniles age 16 or younger, written parent/guardian approval must be obtained as well as proof of parent/guardian identity and current address to obtain a library card with all privileges.  Adults who have co-signed for a juvenile card may obtain information regarding the juvenile’s library card account.

Juvenile card holders may use all library materials and services, including filtered Internet access.  To assist families with providing Internet supervision, parents have the option of blocking their child’s library card from using Internet Computers.  (Note: Children with blocked Internet access may still use the library’s Catalog and Database Computers.  These computers have restricted access to websites listed in the library’s catalog and reference databases purchased by the library system.)

If the parent/guardian is not a customer in good standing or is unable to provide written consent for a library card, a juvenile library card with all privileges may not be issued. However, a digital library card may be issued.

Expired Cards

Library cards expire after three years.  If there are no changes, expired cards may be reinstated by verifying account information over the phone, online or in person. Changes of address may require identification and proof of current address.

Policy Notice

This policy is subject to change at any time without notice.  Updates to the policy may be obtained from the Library System.