We're not just books anymore! 1000s of free apps, programs, activities, parenting resources, community contacts, internet & WIFI, online databases, plus (of course) books, audiobooks, eBooks & eAudiobooks. Greensburg Hempfield Area Library Social Media House Rules:
In keeping a positive environment and experience for our followers, Greensburg Hempfield Area Library (GHAL) reserves the right to remove content for any or no reason. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Offensive or violent language/behavior
• Disturbing photos
• Commercial solicitations or the promotion of a competitor
• Hateful or discriminatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or political beliefs
• Links or comment containing sexually explicit content material
• Violations of copyright or intellectual property rights
• Spam, link baiting or files containing viruses that could damage the operation of other people’s computers or mobile devices
• Attacks on specific groups or any comments meant to harass, threaten or abuse an individual
If someone persists in offensive behavior or continually violates any of our house rules, we may block that person from further participation. When providing your personal review or testimonial (positive or negative), please clearly and conspicuously disclose that your opinion is a result of your interaction with GHAL. It is our intention that any review truly reflect the unbiased opinion of the reviewer. Thank you,
Your friends at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
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Your library card unlocks 1000s of FREE resources! Check out what's free at the Library!
• Library cards
• eCatalog
• Apps
• Programs and classes
• WIFI and internet access
• Book clubs and more
FOR KIDS:
• Wonderbooks (read along)
• Launchpad Academy
• Early Literacy Programs
• AWE Computer Learning
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library
• BeeBots, Snap Circuits & Other STEM Materials
• and more! FOR ADULTS:
• Book Clubs
• Meeting Space
• Online Classes
• Local History Reference
• Life Enrichment Programs
• Genealogical Research Materials
• and more! PLUS EVERYDAY ACCESS TO:
Internet & WIFI:
complete applications for
· jobs
· college/ continuing-ed
· social services
· unemployment
· government services
Printing & Photocopying
print from your device or ours
· car registration
· mailing labels
· pay stubs
· insurance cards
· resumes
FREE APPS AND ONLINE RESOURCES:
• LIBBY (think "Audible" but even better) for online borrowing of eBooks and eAudiobooks as well as online reading anywhere at anytime on any device; includes additional channels: Craftsy, Quello Concerts, The Great Courses, Kovels, Law Depot, Method Learning and Indie Flix
• BEANSTACK for tracking how much and what you've read by setting goals, joining reading challenges, completing activties, unlocking virtual badges and earning prizes.
• GALE COURSES for online learning with more than 360 high-quality, instructor-led classes that you can complete at your own pace.
• PRONUNCIATOR is just like "Babble" or "Rosetta Stone" but it's free.
• POWER LIBRARY is a state-wide online catalog of safe, age-appropriate books, movies, classes, activities, research materials, databases, resources and much more!
• POWER KIDS includes age-appropriate learning resources in a safe online environment.
• POWER TEENS includes resources for completing homework, research for projects and presentation, live help, chat with a librarian, tool to find materials at a local library and more! Library Policies & Procedures: (as of 12/31/2022)
If you are unsure at anytime, we encourage you to ask our staff members for assistance. HOW TO BE A COURTEOUS LIBRARY PATRON:
• Food and drinks are not permitted unless pre-arranged.
• Painting, other crafts restricted to scheduled areas.
• Weapons, personal protection devices aren't allowed.
• We love them, but pets are not permitted in the Library.
• Take/make phone calls outside or in 3rd St hallway.
• Tutoring, meetings, get-togethers must be scheduled.
• 1 hour time limit for computer use unless no wait.
• Books should be re-shelved by staff. Place on cart.
• Photo sessions permitted by appointment only.
• Outside book drops are for books only- no movies. CLOSED FOR THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS/ DAYS:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr Day- 3rd Monday of January
Presidents' Day- 3rd Monday of February
Memorial Day- last Monday of May
Independence Day- July 4*
Labor Day- 1st Monday of September
State required staff training- 2nd Monday of October
Veterans Day- November 11*
Thanksgiving Day- Thanksgiving Thursday
Christmas Eve- December 24
Christmas Day- December 25*
New Year's Eve- December 31
(*Closed day coincides with Federally-observed holiday but may not be on actu holiday.) WHAT TO BRING TO GET YOUR FREE LIBRARY CARD:
(Anyone in Westmoreland Co. is entitled to a free library card.) (Replacement fee for lost cards)
Adults (16 years or older) have 2 options:
Photo ID with current address, another ID with name on it (credit card, etc) or if address on ID is not current, provide photo ID and piece of business mail with your name & address. Children (5-15 years old) must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian who lives with the child. THIS adult must:
· present same documents as above.
· sign registration card in addition to child's signature.
· accept responsibility for overdue, lost or damaged
materials caused by the child. College students/ temporary residents must provide local AND home address. BORROWING TIMELINES:
FICTION AND NON-FICTION BOOKS
may be borrowed for 21 days. As long as no holds are placed, it auto-renews twice. DVDs AND BLU-RAY MOVIES
may be borrowed for 21 days by cardholders who are 16 years old or older. Please do not return DVDs and BLU-RAYs in the outside book return. AUDIOBOOKS, BOOKS ON CD AND LANGUAGE CDs
may be borrowed for 21 days. ONLINE or eMATERIALS
(Libby/Overdrive's eBooks, eAudiobooks and downloadable materials) may be borrowed from your choice of 1 to 3 weeks. Please note: all items disappear from your device when due and do not auto-renew. REFERENCE, PERIODICAL AND PA ROOM MATERIALS
may be used in the Library but are not able to be borrowed. Materials with a limit on the number of items borrowed at one time are as follows:
Launchpads (2 items);
Wonderbooks (2 items);
Nature Backpacks (1 item) and
eMaterials (10 items)
PLACING HOLDS AND REQUESTING LOANS:
HOLDS- If an item you would like to borrow is not available, you may have a hold placed on the item. Names are added to an item's hold list in the order in which they are received. Once item is available, the next person on the list is notified by phone or email and has 5 days to pick up the item. If not picked up within 5 days, the hold is removed from that person's name, and the next person on the list is contacted. Please note: If an item you have borrowed has a hold placed on it while you have it, the item will not auto-renew nor can be it renewed online, on the phone or in the Library. eMaterials cannot be renewed. IN-NETWORK LOANS- GHAL is part of the Westmoreland Library Network (WLN) consisting of 24 libraries across the county that loan books to each other's patrons. If an item you would like is not available at GHAL, a loan can be requested in person or online as long as the cardholder is in good standing. Please note: The item requested will be delivered to the Library where the cardholder signed up for a library card (primary library) depending on availability and lending library's policies. INTER-LIBRARY LOANS (ILL)- If materials are not available from GHAL or WLN, library staff can try to borrow items via ILL from other libraries in the state and country as long as the cardholder is in good standing. If obtainable, the materials will be sent to the Library that placed the request. ILL items may take AT LEAST 2 weeks to arrive, depending on lending library's policies, demand, number of copies available and other factors. Please note: ILL items must be returned to the circulation desk. Do not return ILL items in outside book drop. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
FINES are no longer being issued for returning materials past their due dates. Refer to BORROWING TIMELINES for more information. REPLACEMENT FEES will be issued for lost items or those returned with damage that is beyond repair. NON-PAYMENT of fees may result in the loss of borrowing privileges and/or use of library computers at all facilities within the WLN. LOSS OF PRIVILEGE applies to the cardholder's entire household indefinitely at all libraries within the WLN. RETURNING BORROWED ITEMS:
As a convenience to patrons, two curbside book drops are available for the return of SOME (not all) library items. Return the following items inside the Library at the circulation desk (not the inside book drop):
DVDs
BLU-RAYs
AUDIOBOOKS
BOOKS ON CD
LANGUAGE CDs
LAUNCHPADS
WONDERBOOKS
NATURE BACKPACKS
INTER-LIBRARY LOANS
Please note- Cardholders may be financially responsible for damage to items returned in book drops. USING OUR FREE WIFI AND INTERNET:
Select the LIBRARY WIFI connection and enter your library card number for WIFI access within range inside or outside. INTERNET ACCESS is free to cardholders in good standing by reserving a workstation at the Help Desk. Refer to COMPUTER USE for more information. COMPUTER USE/ PRINT FROM COMPUTERS:
Computers are issued on first come, first served basis, limited to 1 hour. If there's no wait, Help Desk can extend time. Food AND drinks are not permitted at computer workstations. Headphones are to be worn if sound is required during your session, including those with personal computers/ devices. In addition to Library computers, you may print black & white or color documents (letter, legal, ledger) from all laptops, tablets and mobile devices using the Library's Princh mobile printing app. Payments are made online using credit card or cash at the Help Desk. Print jobs are not released until paid in full. Jobs older than 24 hours are automatically erased. FEES: 25¢ ea B/W 8.5x11 sheet; 50¢ ea color 8.5x11 sheet
PARKING AT OR AROUND GHAL:
Parking spaces (2 free) are located in front of the Library on South Pennsylvania Ave and are reserved for library patrons. Metered parking (6am-5pm) is available on the 3rd Street side of the Library and Post Office and along Pennsylvania Ave. Handicap spaces are conveniently located on the 3rd Street side with direct access to the ramp and Library entrance. Evening and weekend parking is free at all meters and unrestricted across the street at the Post Office, unless otherwise noted by signage. The parking lot next to the Library is reserved for staff only. Please do not park in this area. You will be asked to move or towing service called. Likewise, the church parking lots are reserved for their clergy, staff and parishnors. We understand that parking may be an issue. We are working with the City and our neighbors to find a suitable resolution.
