Library Services – DRAFT

Access your account using the My Account link and enter your 13 digit library barcode located on the back of your library card and password. If you have not yet created a password, you can do so on the log-in screen.

From your account you can:

• view the items you have checked out
• renew any materials that are not on hold for someone else
• search our online catalog
• view and pay your fines (fine must be over $5, with a $1 processing fee)
• keep track of your reading history
• place a hold
• update your contact information
• save your favorite searches

Ask a Librarian

Pennsylvania’s statewide 24/7 live Chat reference service—free to all residents of Pennsylvania—is a quick way to get answers to your questions. Ask your question. A librarian is on hand to chat with you. It’s that easy. If your question involves lengthy research, we’ll get you started in the right direction or provide information about other resources.

Learn more about our automatic renewals by checking out our FAQ page!

The Upper Merion Township Library has large print books, books on CD, Playaways, and also has a low vision reader for use in the library.

Materials in large print, braille, and audio format are available from the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). For more information about these specialized materials, please call the library at 800-222-1754.

These Community Resource Guides have been created as a clearinghouse for information about the surrounding area for adults, teens, kids, families, seniors and more. This project was made possible through a partnership with the Economic and Community Development Committee and with the generous support of the Board of Community Assistance.

• Child Care Centers & Preschools
• Free & Inexpensive Things To Do in the Community
• LGBTQIA+ Resources
• Local Organizations
• Mental Health Resources
• Resources for Families in Need
• Volunteer Opportunities

Your gift of a book provides a meaningful and lasting way to remember or honor a loved one. You can do this with a donation of $25 or more to the Upper Merion Township Library. We will purchase a book(s) for you and place a book plate on the inside cover, acknowledging the names of the recipient and donor.

Fill out a Book Dedication Form, make check ($25 minimum) payable to the Upper Merion Township Library. It takes approximately 3-4 weeks once a book is ordered for it to be processed and ready to circulate. Please allow for this extra time when donating a book for a special occasion. The Library will notify the honored individual and you when the book is ready to circulate so you will have the opportunity to be the first to check it out.

The library is responsible for coordinating monthly displays in the library display case and the display cases in the atrium of the Township Building. If you have a collection or a talent you would like to showcase, call the library to reserve a month to display your items. You may reserve the display cases in the library, atrium, or both. The library does not support commercial or business endeavors. It promotes the interests of township residents and organizations.

Contact us at 610-265-4805 to reserve the display or for more information.

The Children’s Department accepts gently used children’s books. What cannot be added to our collection will be placed in the Junior Friends Used Book Sale. All proceeds benefit the Upper Merion Township Library.

The Upper Merion Township Library offers a fax machine for patron use during regular library hours. The fax machine is located in the Business Services Office, please ask a staff member for directions, if necessary.

The fax machine fees are:
$1.75 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page

The Library also offers a scanner for patron use, which is free to use with a flash drive.

Learn more about what our fine-free status means to you as our patron!

Learn how easy it is to Get a Library Card!

If the Upper Merion Township Library does not own a particular item, we may be able to borrow it from another library. This service is referred to as InterLibrary Loan (ILL). The Upper Merion Township Library participates in a countywide ILL system as part of the Montgomery County Library and Information Network Consortium (MCLINC). The Library also obtains library materials directly from other libraries in Pennsylvania through Access PA.

MCLINC Hold
Materials can be placed on hold through MCLINC directly through the catalog at home by logging into your “My Account.” You may also contact the library by phone or by visiting the library in both the Adult and Children’s Departments to place the hold. Please give ample time for materials to be transported across the system – usually 7-10 days.

Access PA Hold
To place an item on hold through Access PA, please stop by the library and ask for the ILL department. Individual patrons are unable to place materials on hold through Access PA, but you are able to see what is available.

Materials to Borrow
A variety of materials are available for check-out:

• Audiobooks (CD, Playaway, downloadable)
• Books (print and electronic)
• Book Discussion Sets (Children’s and Adults)
• DVDs
• Launchpads – tablet computers for children and teens with educational games and activities
• Magazines, Journals, Newspapers (print and electronic)
• Music CDs
• Museum Passes
• Toys
• Video games (Playstation, Wii, and Xbox)

Materials for Use in the Library
These materials are available for use within the library but are not available for check-out:

• Consumer Reports (also available online)
• Fax (credit card only)
• Newspapers
• Internet Computers
• Printer (15¢ – 8.5 x11 B&W; 25¢ – 8.5×11 Color; 30¢ – 8.5×14 B&W; 50¢ – 8.5×14 Color)
• Quiet Study Rooms – Reserve Now!
• Scanner (free to USB drive)
• Reference Books

eLibrary

Ask Here PA
Communicate online 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a librarian using Ask Here PA. This resource is designed to provide fast answers to your questions using information found on the internet and in proprietary databases.

Online Resources
View our extensive list of online resources on our eLibrary page!

Use our mobile printing service to print from home, the office, or on the go! Just stop by the library to print your documents. Printing costs 15¢ – 8.5 x11 B&W and 25¢ – 8.5×11 Color. The library is unable to accept debit or credit cards, cash only.

Learn more about our Museum and Attraction passes.

Notary Policy

Learn more about the Library’s passport services.

The Upper Merion Township Library’s Study Rooms are currently available.

Reserve a Study Room

Study Room Policy

Tax Services
During the tax season (January through April), the library maintains a limited supply of federal forms as a convenience to the public. If the library does not have the necessary form, it may be printed from the internet at a cost of 15 cents per page. Unfortunately, the state will not be providing tax forms to the library this year.

Resources

• Federal site
• State site
• Other states

There are both an IRS and a Pennsylvania Department of Revenue office a short distance from the library:

IRS Office
601 S. Henderson Rd.
King of Prussia, PA

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Office
Stoney Creek Office Complex
151 W. Marshall St.
Norristown, PA
610-270-1780

AARP Tax Aide
The Upper Merion Township Library is not offering AARP Tax Aide this year. Please visit the AARP website for other locations in the area that may be able to assist you.

CADCOM
This free service is offered on location to taxpayers with incomes up to $53,000.  However, other restrictions may also apply as certain types of income “out of scope” for VITA services.

Drop-off service is also available.

For service in Norristown during the regular tax preparation season (January through April 15th), please call 211 or (610) 277-6363, ext 115 for an appointment.

The Library will proctor written, emailed, or online examinations. Charges for this service include:

• $10.00 proctoring fee
• A $5.00 cost recovery fee for any faxing or scanning required by the exam
• A cost recovery fee for any postage/shipping required by the exam
• A cost recovery fee for any printing required by the exam

Appointments are required for this service. You must call the library to schedule an appointment. Students must schedule a time during library operating hours. The test must be completed 30 minutes before the library closes.

The student is responsible for ensuring that the exam and other required materials are sent to the proctor from the learning institution before arriving to take the test. Library computers will not be modified to accommodate online tests. Installation of any special software needed to take the exam will not be allowed.

The student must arrive for the test with a current photo I.D. that matches the name on the testing materials. The student must bring all supplies needed to take the test (i.e. scratch paper, pen, pencil, calculator). The proctor will not enter any personal information on the proctoring forms.

Proctors will enforce time limits or other rules set forth in the exam materials, however the proctor will not sit with the student for the length of the exam.

The Upper Merion Township Library now has Wifi Hotspots available to check out!