How Do I…?

Any permanent Hancock County resident is eligible for a library card. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of current address (driver’s license, vehicle registration, current utility bill, etc.) to any HCPLibrary location. 

All ages are eligible for a card. An adult card is for persons 18 years of age and older. Juvenile cards are for persons younger than 18. Applicants 12 and under require the signature and valid identification of a parent/guardian. Teens ages 13-17 who show a valid ID may apply for a card without a parent/guardian present.

Vernon Township residents must have an active card with the Vernon Township Public Library.

To renew your library card, bring a valid photo ID and proof of current address (driver’s license, vehicle registration, current utility bill, etc.) to any HCPLibrary location. Applicants 12 and under require the signature and valid identification of a parent/guardian. Teens ages 13-17 who show a valid ID may renew their card without a parent/guardian present.

To access your library account, click the My Account button at the top of any library page. You will be asked to provide your library card number and PIN. Click the Log In button to access your account, where you can place holds, check the status of items, or pay library fines.

A PIN is set up or generated during library card registration. If you have forgotten your PIN or want to change it, call the Information Desk at (317) 462-5141, ext. 240. You may also click Forgot my PIN in the login box to reset your PIN via the email address we have on file for you.

To pay a library fine for overdue or lost materials, log in to your account using the My Account button at the top of the page. Enter your library card and PIN to access your account. Any current fines will be listed under the Checkouts and Holds tabs on the right side of the page. Click the Fines tab to select which fines to pay (all boxes are checked by default). Click Pay Your Fines and enter your information on the secure page. If you’d like a receipt, enter your email address. The library accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Click Submit ONCE. Your account should immediately reflect the payment. 

To pay with a credit card over the phone, call (317) 462-5141, ext. 240.

Please note that any items currently checked out on your account will not have fines associated with them until they are returned. Your total fines must be below $5 to borrow materials from the library.

To extend an item's checkout time, log in to your account using the My Account button at the top of this page. Enter your library card and PIN to access your account. Click the Checkouts tab to view your current checkouts and due dates. Select the check box(es) next to the item(s) you want to renew, then click Renew. Click Yes in the box that appears to confirm the renewal.

You can also renew over the phone by calling (317) 462-5141, ext. 240.

Please note that items past their renewal limit or on hold for another patron can’t be renewed.

Holds can be placed on most library materials and picked up at any library location. To place a hold, find the item in our online catalog and click Place Hold to the right of the item’s description. You'll be asked to enter your library card number and PIN if you're not logged in. Select your preferred pickup library. Click Place Hold(s) to finalize your selection. You will get a notification if the hold has been successfully placed. You will receive an email or text message (depending on your account preferences) when your hold is available for pickup.

You can also place a hold over the phone by calling (317) 462-5141, ext. 240.

Check out an eBook or audiobook from Libby or Hoopla from your phone, tablet, or laptop from the comfort of your own home. Visit our Online Resources page for more information.

Libby: Sign in with your HCPLibrary card number and PIN. Search by genre, title, or author to find the items you want to check out. If the item is available for checkout, you will see Borrow at the bottom of the entry. Click Borrow to check out the item. You can review your checkouts by clicking the Shelf icon at the top right of the screen (it looks like three books on a shelf). Click the title you want to start reading.

Hoopla: First, create a Hoopla account by entering your email address and creating a password. Search for Hancock County Public Library and confirm it as your library. Enter your library card number and click Sign Me Up. You can browse items or search for titles, authors, or genres. Click the item you want to check out, then click Borrow on its item page. Access your checkouts from the My Hoopla option to start reading or playing your materials.

If you want an item not currently in our collection, you can request that the library purchase it. This works best for recently published or released books, movies, etc. To request an item, enter the details on the Request Form. Select Request to Purchase at the top of the page. Include your email or phone number so we can notify you if the item is purchased for the library’s collection.

You may also request an item to be borrowed from another library. This works best for older, out-of-print materials. To request an interlibrary loan, select Check to see if this item is available at another library and enter the details on the Request Form. There is no charge for items borrowed from other Indiana libraries. Items from out-of-state libraries are subject to a $5.00 postage fee. Please allow at least two weeks for requests to be fulfilled. You will be notified when your item is ready for pickup.

Experience Passes give your family free or discounted admission to many Indiana museums, parks, and historical sites. These can be checked out at the Information Desk for one week with your library card. You may only have one pass checked out at a time.

Check out what Experience Passes are available.

Library computers are available to HCPLibrary patrons during regular operating hours. All computers have internet access and use Microsoft Office products. HCPLibrary cardholders can use their card number to log in for up to three hours of computer use per day. Guests and non-residents can present a photo ID to get a guest pass from the Information Desk for up to two hours of computer use daily.

Laptops can also be checked out from the Information Desk for in-library use. Present a valid library card and photo ID to borrow a laptop for up to three hours. Non-cardholders can present a photo ID to receive a guest pass for up to one hour with a laptop.

For more information, see our Computer Use Policy.

Our librarians are available for help. Contact us during library business hours via:

• Online chat

• Web form

• Phone: (317) 462-5141, ext. 240 for Greenfield, (317) 861-6618, ext. 311 for New Palestine

Schedule a Book A Librarian session for one-on-one help with one of our professional librarians. They can help you with research, set up your email, or navigate the library.

Need a reading recommendation? Let us help you pick Your Next Great Read.

Study rooms with a capacity of 6 to 12 people are available for free at the Main Library in Greenfield, and study rooms with a capacity of 6 people are available for free at the Sugar Creek branch in New Palestine. Rooms can be used for up to two hours. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance by visiting the Information Desk, by calling (317) 462-5141, Ext. 240, or online on our Room Reservation Calendar.

Meeting rooms for large groups are available for a fee. See our Meeting Room Policy page for more information.

Teachers may request teaching materials by contacting the Youth Department at (317) 462-5141, ext. 238, or filling out an online materials request form. You can pick up materials yourself or have them dropped off at your school.

Need a stack of books for your kids? Let us know what they like, and we will select books tailored to their interests and age group.

Your Stack of Kids Books can be found on the Holds shelf for pickup.

Visit the Information Desk of either library to send or receive a fax. The charge is $1.00 per page, up to a maximum of $5.00.

You can make color copies for $0.25 per page or black-and-white copies for $0.10 per page. Accepted paper sizes include 8.5x11” or 8.5x14”. Cash and credit card payments are accepted. See how to print from your device here.

Home Delivery: To request items for home delivery, call 317-462-5141, ext. 240, and let the staff know you would like holds delivered to your home. They will need to know the specific titles you want delivered. Alternatively, you may place these holds yourself through our catalog. Be sure to select Home Delivery as the pickup location. Items will be delivered within 5 days of availability.

Remote Hold Pickup Lockers: To request items for pickup at our Eastern Hancock lockers, call 317-462-5141, ext. 240, and let the staff know you would like your holds delivered to the lockers. They will need to know the specific titles you want delivered. Alternatively, you may place these holds yourself through our catalog. Be sure to select Eastern Hancock Pickup Lockers as the pickup location. 

Items are delivered to the lockers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You will receive a notice once your item is ready for pickup. 

Exams may be proctored at the library with your school’s approval. To schedule a proctoring session, you may submit a request online or call the Information Desk at (317) 462-5141, ext. 240.

For more information, see our Policy on Proctoring Exams.

The Friends of the Hancock County Public Library is a membership-supported, non-profit organization that raises money through the sale of donated books, CDs, and DVDs. Proceeds help fund concerts, events, and special programs for the library. Visit the Friends page for more information on how to join this charitable organization.

Contributions to the Hancock County Public Library Endowment Fund help ensure the library’s sustainability. Donations of any amount are appreciated, whether made once or at arranged intervals.

To make a non-monetary gift or special arrangements, please call Director Dave Gray at (317) 467-6663.

To donate books, CDs, DVDs, or video games to the Friends of the Library, check our calendar for designated donation days. Donations may be dropped off at the Bookmobile garage on the north side of the library in Greenfield. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment to donate, please call the Friends at (317) 462-5141, ext. 255.

Interested in donating your time? Visit our Volunteer page for more information on available opportunities and fill out our application form. Volunteers must be high school age or older.

For more volunteer opportunities, please consider joining the Friends of the Library.