F.A.Q.

See our About Us page for contact information, hours, and more. Below are some of our frequently asked questions.

Library Cards

How do I apply for a library card?

What you need depends on where your home library is. The Whitehall Township Public Library part of a resource-sharing group called the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative (LCLC). If you already have an LCLC library library card, that works with us, too. Click here to find your home library.

  • Whitehall or Other LCLC Home Library: Bring in official photo ID (such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID) with your current address.
    • If your current address isn't on your photo ID, you must also bring proof of address (temporary license, passport, lease, utility bill). 
    • You can also request a library card online through our My Account page. If your application is approved, your card will be mailed to you, and you'll need to show your ID the first time you check out books in person.
  • Other PA Home Library: If you live in an area that's not served by our cooperative, you'll need to bring in your home library card as well.
  • No Home Library: Some municipalities in Pennsylvania do not support a home library. If you live in one of these locations and you would like to get a card with us, you will need to pay $40.00 per household per year.

How do I sign my child up for a library card?

You (the parent, guardian, or other responsible party) need to have a library card first, and then you can register a child of any age for their own card. As with adults, children who live in an area outside our cooperative will need to get a card from their home library first. Children have some borrowing restrictions; you can ask at our front desk for details.

How do I renew a library card?

Bring your driver’s license and library card to the front desk. We will update our records and renew your card. If you don't live in an area served by our library cooperative, you'll need to show us the library card from your home library as well.

Library Materials

How do I access eBooks?

Whitehall Township Public Library subscribes to eBooks and eAudiobooks with OverDrive. You can use the OverDrive website or their Libby app to read eBooks on your phone, tablet, or other device. You can find kids' books through TumbleBook Library. Adult residents of Whitehall can check out 7 items a month from Hoopla's large collection, which includes books, movies, and music.

How do I renew library materials?

  • Items will be renewed automatically if there are renewals available. You can either check your account on the My Account page or call the front desk to check on your renewal status or renew an item early.
  • You can renew most items two times, unless that item is on hold for another patron. There are a few special collections, like Museum Passes, that can't be renewed.

How do I return an item to the library?

  • You can return most items in our yellow parking lot drop boxes or at any LCLC library. We have two drop boxes: One for books and one for audiovisual material (DVDs, recorded books, etc.).
  • You may drop items off at our circulation desk during open hours. There are a few special collections, like Museum Passes, that need to be returned at the circulation desk, and they'll be marked.

How do I get books from other libraries?

  • When you're trying to find something in our collection, the fastest way is to search our online catalog, selecting “Multi-District Lehigh Valley Pocono” from the library pull-down menu. You can place a hold from there. Most materials can be sent here for pickup, though you may have to go to the owning library to pick up new items and certain special collections.
  • If we don't have what you're looking for and you're a Whitehall resident, you can fill out an interlibrary loan (ILL) form. Then we'll try our best to get the material from somewhere else in the state. If no libraries will allow the item to circulate, which is especially true for newer materials, we may not be able to get it for you. If you don't live in Whitehall, you'll need to request an ILL from your home library.

How do I recommend the library purchase a book?

Ask our front desk staff for a purchase request form.

Other

Can I donate books to the library?

The library accepts clean books, DVDs, and other media that are in good shape, besides textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, and VHS tapes. All useable items that are not added to the collection are sold in our book sale. We can take up to three bags or boxes at a time. They need to be in bags or boxes for transport and storage.

Where can I find parking?

The library has a spacious parking lot, located at our building at 3700 Mechanicsville Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052.