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Frequently Asked Questions **FAQ**
 

1. Where can I find library branch hours and phone numbers?
2. How do I place requests (or reserves) for Library materials?
3. How do I access the Library's subscription and research databases from home?
4. How can I borrow an item if the Library does not own it? OR What is Marina?
5. How can I borrow an item from a library that does not participate in Marina OR is out of state?
6. What is Direct Loan? Or Is there any other way to borrow a specific title from a specific library system?
7. Some titles are owned by HCC... what does that mean?
8. How can I find an article in the Baltimore Sun or other newspaper; How far back does HCPL have of the Sun and/or the Aegis?
9. How do I search for movies in the Catalog and how can I tell if they are videos or DVDs?
10. How do I search for audio recordings of books (talking books) in the Catalog and how can I tell if they are on cassette or CD?
11. What is my PIN?
12. Why am I getting this error message: "current search expired."
13. How do I renew my books or other materials?
14. How do I change my notification from telephone messages to e-mail?
15. Does the library provide ISP (Internet Service Provider) service for the general public to access the Internet via dial-up?

1. Where can I find library branch hours and phone numbers?
To find branch hours, directions to the branch and other information about branches, click on Branches & Hours on the left side of the Library Services page. Select a branch by clicking on the branch name.
 
2. How do I reserve a book from my home computer to be picked up at my home branch?
  • Log onto our web site: www.hcplonline.info
  • Click into Find Books, Movies, Music & Catalog
  • Search for the title or author. Click on the title of the book to get the detailed information.
  • Once you have found the correct book, and can see that there are copies available you click on the link: Request Title
  • At this point, you will be asked for a library card number and your PIN (the default PIN for everyone is the last four digits of your phone number).
  • Once you have logged in, you will get a screen with this heading: Request Confirmation.
  • Use the "drop down box" to select your branch. Then click on the "Requestt" button. You can also Cancel a Request here or Log-out and cancel.
  • If the submission is successful, you will get a screen that tells you it is successful. From here, you can either return to the search screen or log out and return to the record where you were.
  • If you get a screen that says your submission was unsuccessful, you should contact Telephone Reference: 410.638-3151.
  • Your library account must be current and in good standing in order to reserve materials.
 
3. How do I access the Library's subscription and research databases from home?
All of the library's subscription and research databases can be accessed from our Online Resources link. To view all of the databases, simply click on the link to "All Research and Reference Databases." All of our databases are highlighted with a blue or white library card logo. The blue logo titles can be accessed from home with a HCPL library card. The white library card logo titles can only be accessed when you are sitting at a library computer.
4. How can I borrow an item if the Library does not own it? or What is Marina?
If you have searched the HCPLonline catalog and were unable to find the title or subject you need, you may want to try our Maryland statewide service called Marina. With your HCPL library card, you can reserve or request books, and occasionally other formats, from any participating public library in the state of Maryland. You will be notified in the same way that you are currently notified that materials are waiting for you for pick up. Click here to learn more about our special online services.
 
5. How can I borrow an item from a library that does not participate in Marina OR is out of state?

You may request materials not owned by HCPL and other Maryland Public Libraries through ILL (Inter-Library Loan). Complete an ILL form, which is available in Microsoft Word Format or PDF Format. Complete your ILL request by filling out the form in either format. If using Word, send the completed ILL form as an attachment to ILL Services Department. If you prefer to use the PDF format, print the form, fill in the requested information and bring it to any HCPL Library for processing. ILL loan items are not renewable. In addition, some ILL loan items have a limited loan period of 2 weeks.

 
6. What is Direct Loan? Or Is there any other way to borrow a specific title from a specific library system?
Yes! HCPL also participates in Direct Loan (a service of the Cooperating Libraries of Central Maryland). The following libraries participate in Direct Loan: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County Public Library, Carroll County, Cecil County, Frederick County or Enoch Pratt Free Library. DIRECT LOAN applies only to materials that are available when you call the library.· Call any public library listed above. Tell them you are looking for a DIRECT LOAN. Give the title, author, and that library's call number, as you found it in their library catalog. A librarian can help you with this. If the material is available, you can go to that library and pick it up OR have it sent to any branch of a participating public library system for your pickup. Allow 5-7 days for delivery, excluding weekends and holidays. You will not be notified of the arrival. The material will be held for only 5 days. We suggest that you call the library to see if your material has arrived. Best Sellers are generally NOT sent. After reading the material, it may be returned at ANY public library or branch in the above listed systems. Note: Phone numbers to the participating library systems could be long distance for you.
 
7. Some titles are owned by HCC... what does that mean?
Harford County Public Library shares its catalog with Harford Community College Library (HCC). These titles can be distinguished by the call number (Library of Congress, often beginning with 2 letters and a long string of numbers) as well as the location code of HCC. However, although you can search the college catalog, materials cannot be checked through Direct Loan or Marina. If you are a county resident, you can request an HCC library card and check out materials in person. Since the HCC Library is primarily designed to serve its student body, many items are restricted.
 
8. How can I find an article in the Baltimore Sun or other newspaper; How far back does HCPL have of the Sun and/or the Aegis?
There are a several ways that you can search for newspaper and magazine articles. If you are specifically looking for articles in the Baltimore Sun, you can either go directly to their web site: http://www.baltimoresun.com/ for recent articles or you can use a more comprehensive newspaper search through one of our databases. See Newspaper Indexes to Articles. The Bel Air Branch has the Sun back to the 1959 and Aegis back to 1857 on Microfilm. For more information about onsite access, check with a librarian.
 
9. How do I search for movies in the Catalog and how can I tell if they are videos or DVDs?
One of the best ways to find specific formats in our Catalog is to use our new Advanced Search. Here you can limit your search by format or media. You can also click on the tab for "just movies" to search movies only.
 
10. How do I search for audio recordings of books (talking books) in the Catalog and how can I tell if they are on cassette or CD?
One of the best ways to find specific formats in our Catalog is to use our new Advanced Search. Here you can limit your search by format or media. You can also click on the tab for "search audiobooks " to search talking books only. Note: all tiles show if the title is in either CD or Cassette.
11. What is my PIN?
Your default PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number. If you change your phone number, please be sure to let us know. If you have changed your PIN, we do not have a record of the PIN. Just contact us or and we will reset your PIN to the default and then you can change it later.
 
12. Why am I getting this error message: "current search expired."

You should no longer be getting this message with our new system!

 
13. How do I renew my books and other materials?
Most books and other items can be renewed at least once unless there is a list of requests (people waiting to check this item out). To renew online, go to My Account, key in your library card number and then your PIN (last 4 digits of the phone number we have on file). From there, you should be able to follow the on-screen instructions to renew. If the renewal is not successful, it could be because your card is expired (they are updated each year), you have outstanding fines, or the book or item is not eligible for renewal. Call our Central Telephone Reference Service for additional information: 410-638-3151 or Ask the Library by e-mail.
 
14. How do I change my notification for reserved materials from telephone messages to e-mail?
The default notification is my telelphone. However, if you would like to be notified by e-mail instead, simply update your preference in My Account - My Profile. Please note, you must choose one form of notification. You cannot have both.
 
15. Does the library provide ISP (Internet Service Provider) service for the general public to access the Internet via dial-up?
Sorry, no, the library does not provide ISP service to the public. You may be eligible for a Sailor cruise account if one of the participating libraries (not HCPL) is a local call for you.

Back to Questions
Updated February 15, 2005