Library Services
Library Visits
Stop by any Dauphin County Library System location to browse books, use computers, attend events, and find your next great read. The Library is a welcoming space designed to help you explore, learn, and connect.
Looking to visit with an organization? Please submit our make a visit, request a visit form >
Reserve a Room
The Library is pleased to offer community meeting spaces to our community at the locations listed below. The Library provides meeting room spaces as a public service and does not endorse the views or opinions of groups utilizing these facilities. Meeting room use is free, except for the purpose of private meetings or events.
Our community meeting spaces are available for use during regular library hours and can be reserved up to four times for one month. Rooms can also be used on a first-come-first-served basis by checking availability at the library’s customer service desk.
Please note, as of April 15th, 2025, The Library updated their Meeting Room & Spaces Policy and Meeting Room Guidelines.
Room Reservation Timing
Room reservations are accepted on a 60-day rolling schedule. For example, on June 15 you will have the ability to reserve rooms through August 14. This is a permanent change to our room reservation system. If you have any questions or concerns please email roomrequest@dcls.org.
Steps to request a meeting room reservation using our new meeting room software
1) Please read the Meeting Room & Spaces Policy and the Meeting Room Guidelines before you reserve a room.
2) Book a space
3) Choose the location that you’d like to reserve and click the “Go to Date” link to navigate to the day you want to reserve.
4) Use the bottom slider to find your start time, then click on the grid at this time. The software will automatically reserve a 4-hour block of time. You can change the ending time for your reservation by using the dropdown menu below the grid. (Be sure to include set-up and clean-up time as part of your reservation.)
5) Click the “Submit Times” link and proceed to fill out the “Booking Details” on the next page.
6) Submit the “Booking Details” by using the link at the bottom of the form. You will be taken to a reservation confirmation page and and will receive a reservation confirmation in your email. A personal email from a library staff member will follow with your reservation approval and any fee details.
Walk-in Meeting Room Use
Rooms can also be used on a first-come-first-served basis by checking availability at the library’s customer service desk.
Meeting Room Maximum Occupancy
William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
Anna M. Rintz Community Room (Room A)
Maximum Occupancy – 30
Anna M. Rintz Community Room (Room B)
Maximum Occupancy – 12
Anna M. Rintz Community Room (Room A & B)
Maximum Occupancy – 42
The Solarium
Maximum Occupancy – 3
Conference Room
Maximum Occupancy – 10
East Shore Area Library
Room A
Maximum Occupancy – 45
Room B
Maximum Occupancy – 30
Room A & B
Maximum Occupancy – 75
Elizabethville Area Library
Maximum Occupancy – 60
Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
H. B. & Grace Alexander Community Room
Maximum Occupancy – 30
McCormick Riverfront Library
Community Learning Center – T. Morris Chester Welcome Center
Maximum Occupancy – 65
Kunkel Foundation Community Room – Haldeman Haly House
Maximum Occupancy – 30
Alexander Community Room – Haldeman Haly House
Maximum Occupancy – 8
Northern Dauphin Library
John P. Nestor Community Room
Maximum Occupancy – 30
For questions regarding The Library’s community room spaces, dial 717-652-9380×1011 or email us.
Computers & Internet
Access free public computers and high-speed internet at all Library locations. Whether you need to research, write, or read online, we have the tools to keep you connected.
Assistive Technology
The Library is committed to making reading accessible to everyone. We offer assistive technology, including screen readers, magnifiers, and adaptive devices, to ensure all visitors can enjoy our resources.
All Ready Access
This special program ensures that students in partnering schools have automatic access to Library resources, helping them read, study, and succeed without needing a traditional library card.
Ask a Librarian
Have a question? Our librarians are here to help! Whether you need book recommendations, research assistance, or tech support, just ask—we’re ready to help you read and learn.
Email or Text us:askalibrarian@DCLS.org
Call us: 717.652.9380
Chat with a Librarian sponsored by: POWER LIBRARY
Outreach
The Library takes reading and learning directly to our community with MARCO, our innovative mobile library vehicle. MARCO is designed to bring the library experience to those who may have limited access, ensuring everyone can enjoy books, educational programs, and library services no matter where they are.
Marco, The Library’s Exploration Station
What is MARCO?
MARCO is a state-of-the-art exploration station on wheels, dedicated to expanding access to library resources and services. By traveling to various locations—like shelters, elder care facilities, parks, and community events—MARCO brings The Library to YOU.
Why MARCO?
Named after the legendary explorer Marco Polo, MARCO symbolizes discovery, exploration, and learning. Like the fun game of “Marco Polo” played in the pool, MARCO is all about finding new things and engaging with the world around us.
MARCO’s features:
Smart TV & Digital Media
MARCO has a large smart television and digital media player so we can offer on-the-go programming, movie screenings, and free e-resource demonstrations. We have tables, chairs, and waterproof floor mats so you can comfortably gather outdoors to engage with our interactive programs and media.
Wifi & Laptops
Equipped with ten laptops and a Wi-Fi hotspot, MARCO provides:
• Computer and digital skills classes for adults
• Access to library resources, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, magazines, and music, for those unable to visit our physical locations.
Bubble Machine & Shaky Eggs
For our youngest explorers, MARCO features a bubble machine and shaky eggs to enhance storytime programming. These fun, interactive elements bring joy to children and adults alike!
Request The Library to attend your event today!
Teacher Materials Request
Use the Teacher Materials Request form to request that The Library gather materials for you to pick up and use with your students.
Bookadvisor
Not sure what to read next? Try BookAdvisor, our personalized book recommendation service. Tell us what you love to read, and we’ll suggest your next great book.
Interlibrary Loan
Looking for a book that isn’t in our collection? Use The Library’s interlibrary loan service to borrow materials from other libraries, expanding your reading options.
Exhibits & Displays
Enjoy rotating exhibits and displays at The Library, featuring books, local history, artwork, and more. These curated collections are designed to inspire new reading interests and learning opportunities.
Print From Anywhere
Need to print a document? Use our Print from Anywhere service to send print jobs remotely and pick them up at your nearest location.
Click the location below where you’d like to send your documents for printing when you arrive:
- William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library – Hummelstown
- East Shore Area Library – Colonial Park
- Elizabethville Area Library – Elizabethville
- George & Hettie Love Memorial Library– Harrisburg
- Johnson Memorial Library – Millersburg
- Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library – Harrisburg
- McCormick Riverfront Library – Downtown Harrisburg
- Northern Dauphin Library – Lykens
Printing Information:
- Printing is $.20 per side for black and white and $.50 per side for color
- Print jobs not released within 72 hours will be deleted
- iPads/iPhones have the ability to print photos and documents. To enhance the experience, download the Princh app (iTunes) to print documents as well as photos.
- Android devices can print web pages, documents and photos using the website or the Princh app (GooglePlay)
- To print secure websites requiring a login and password (boarding passes, bank statements, emails, etc.), save the page as a PDF, then print the saved file.
Looking for quick pick-up of books and other materials? Let us bring them to your car.
Curbside Pickup* is available – all materials that are placed on hold through our catalog or Book Advisor can be picked up.
*Curbside Pickup is not available at McCormick Riverfront Library or Johnson Memorial Library.
Know someone without computer access? They may call any of our local libraries to reserve their books for Curbside Pickup.
Books you had on hold before we closed can be delivered to one of our open libraries. Call your local library for help with changing the delivery location
Please return all borrowed items to a book drop. Staff cannot accept items handed to them at curbside.
Grants Information
Visit any one of our eight library locations locations for free access to Candid’s Foundation Directory Online Professional database.
Things to know about this resource:
- The Foundation Directory Online Professional database offers comprehensive, up-to-date information about grants, grantmakers, and grant recipients.
- It is a searchable online database that helps nonprofits research and identify potential funders.
- It contains over 315,000 grantmaker profiles, over two million recipient profiles, and contact information for the key decision makers.
- Access is free inside any of our eight locations.
Candid’s GuideStar database is also available from within our libraries.
What can you find using GuideStar?
- Quality information about nonprofit organizations – information like IRS filings, mission details, and contact information.
- Tools for analyzing data.