Frequent Questions

Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

1615 Laubach Ave.
Northampton, PA 18067

The Library is closed on the following holidays:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Jack Frost Parade (Close at 5:00)
Thanksgiving Eve (Close at 5:00)
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

Please check Channel 69 Stormcenter and the Library's Facebook for closing information.

Go to www.northamptonapl.org.

Click "What We Do" and then click “Catalog” in the drop down menu, which will take you to the Public Access Catalog (PAC).

Click “My Account” in the upper right corner of the screen.

Enter your library card number, which is the entire barcode on your library card, or Username and Password. Passwords are automatically set as the last four digits of your library card number when you first receive your library card. Click the green "Log in" button.

***If you cannot get into your account for any reason, please contact us to change your Username and Password back to the default settings.***

You should see "Hello [Your Name]!" near the top middle of your screen. Click “My Account” in the upper right corner of the screen.

If you would like to change your Preferred Name, Username, Password, Email Address, or Preferred Language, you can do so by clicking on "Preferences" at the bottom of the left-hand menu, then clicking "Personal Information." From this screen you can also Send a Test Email to make sure your notices and receipts will make it to your inbox rather than spam.

If you click on "Preferences" then click on "Notifications," you can click or unclick which way(s) it would be easiest for you to be contacted about holds. Should you never want another call from the library, unclick the "Phone" box. If you'd rather receive texts for everything, click the "Text" box, then select your "Default Mobile Carrier" from the drop down menu and type in your "Default Mobile Number" (no spaces!) in the box provided. As a note, you can also change your "Default Phone Number" and your "Default Mobile Number" and carrier from this page.

Clicking on "Preferences" and choosing "Search & History" from the drop down menu is where you can choose to "Keep a history of checked out items?" or "Keep a history of holds?" by clicking the checkbox to the right of either question.

***We highly recommend clicking both because staff has absolutely no ability to see your circulation history or hold history!***

Here you can also add friends or family who are allowed to pick up your holds and check out items on your account. When we open up to more local libraries in the future, there are other options here as well.

***In the meantime, please keep your options set to the Northampton Area Public Library!***

Clicking on "Items Checked Out" in the left-hand menu then clicking "Items Checked Out in the drop down menu will show you the current items you have out and their due dates. From here, you may also renew items by marking the check box to the left of the item(s) and clicking the large green "Renew Selected" button.

***Our system is now set to auto-renew items once. If you have provided your email, a notice will be sent to you regarding all items out on your account and their renewal status. Items will not renew if an item is on hold for another patron!***

To place an item on hold, search for an item, and click the green “Place Hold” button to the right of the item. You will be notified when your hold is ready to be picked up in every way that you selected to be notified including phone, email, and/or text. If you would like to cancel or suspend a hold, click "My Account" in the upper right corner of the screen, then click “Items on Hold.” Select the item(s) you wish to suspend or cancel by clicking the checkbox to the left of the item(s) and click the appropriate green button above. The system will ask you if you're sure you want to cancel the hold, so select either yes or no. Should you like to see your holds history, click "# Holds / # Ready" in the left hand menu then select "Holds History from the drop down menu.

To add an item to one of your lists (for example, if you are keeping a “To Read” list or an “Already Read” list, search for the item and click the green “Add to booklist” button next to the item’s title. If you don't already have a list you'd like to add the item to, you will be prompted to "Create Booklist;" otherwise, you will be able to choose from the lists you already have or create a new list.

From a search page or item page you also have the opportunity to "Add to bookshelf," which gives you option for "Completed," "In Progress," or "For Later." Another option is to "Add to basket." Baskets are nice because you can put multiple items on hold for yourself at the same time. You can find your basket at the top of the screen on the far right, it's a green basket icon with a number next to it. Once you click on it you can "View Basket," "Place Holds," "Print Title Details," "Email Title Details," or "Clear Basket."

Northampton Area Public Library card holders are allowed to utilize the public computers or tablets by signing in at the Help Desk.
A signed Internet Policy Form must be on file for you to use the computers. If you are under eighteen years of age your parent must also sign the Internet Policy Form.

Yes.

The Library offers all the above mentioned services.
Northampton Area Public Library card holders may print from the public computers and make copies from the copier behind the Help Desk.

Printing and Copy Prices
Black and White
8.5'' x 11'' - 20¢
8.5'' x 14'' - 25¢

Color
8.5'' x 11'' - 50¢
8.5'' x 14'' - $1.00

Card holders may scan papers and pictures to the computer free of charge. Printing rates apply.
Faxing is available - Local $1.00 for 1-5 pages; $1.00 per page after 5 and Long Distance $3.00 for 1-5 pages; $1.00 per page after 5. Cover page is not charged.

The Library staff is happy to help you on the computers when they can. For personalized help please make an appointment Tech Tutoring or by calling the library or visiting the Help Desk.

Books, Magazines, and CDs -- 25¢ per item/day
AudioBooks -- 25¢ per item/day
DVDs and Mobile Hotspots -- rented for $1.00 per item and fines are $1.00 per item/day

Come into the library with up to date ID to obtain a new card. There is a $3.00 charge for replacement cards.

Keep looking! Call or come into the library to let a staff member know you are still searching and to see if the item can be renewed. If the item is certainly lost you will need to pay the replacement cost of the item.

Bring the item into the library and a staff member will evaluate the extent of the damage. If the item is deemed beyond repair, you will need to pay the replacement cost of the item. Please refrain from attempting to fix the item yourself as this can create further damage.

Books (excluding Reference and PA Collection), magazines, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks.

Books, Magazines, CDs, and Audiobooks -- 3 Weeks
Reserve Books -- 2 Weeks
DVDs -- 1 Week

Magazines, DVDs, CDs, and Audiobooks all have a limit of 10 per card.

If an item you want is checked out, ordered or unavailable you may place a reserve on it at the Help Desk, by calling the library at 610-262-7537 or through your account online.
When your reserve arrives at the library you will be notified via a phone call. Once called you have three days to pick up the item. After three days the item will be given to the next person on the reserve list or put back on the shelf.

If the item is less than a year old it can be requested at the Help Desk in the library and it will be considered for purchase If the item is over a year old inquire at the Help Desk about Interlibrary Loan services. Check out the Request an Item page for more information.

If you live in the Northampton Area School District (Bath, Chapman, and Northampton Borough, Allen, East Allen, Lehigh, and Moore Township) you may get a library card at the Northampton Area Public Library. Come to the library with a current ID and proof of address, such as a bill to get started. If you are a teen in our service area you may use a student ID to sign up for a card.

Your first card is provided at no charge, replacement cards are $3.00.

Individuals living in the Northampton Area School District that are 12 years and older may apply online to receive a library card by mail. Patrons may use the card once received, for eBooks, eAudios, online magazines, and all other eResources provided by NAPL. Apply Now

Children, from birth to age 4 and living within the Northampton Area School District can obtain a My First Library Card. This service is only available to those residing in the Northampton Area School District and will only be accepted at Northampton Area Public Library. Parent/caregiver must also have an active, valid NAPL library card. The My First Library Card allows up to 10 books from our Juvenile print collection at a time. Items are checked out for three weeks and do not incur any overdue fees. Materials not returned after 6 months will be considered lost and the account will be charged for the price of the item.

Children age 5 to 12 can get a juvenile card.
Juvenile cards have a check out limit of 25 items and no DVDs.

Adult cards are considered from age 12 and up and follow regular borrowing policies.