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Fiction to Nonfiction, Bestsellers to Classics

Whether you’re looking for the newest fiction books and bestsellers, classic titles, or nonfiction books, York County Libraries has you covered. We have children’s books, teens’ books, and books for adult readers. Our collection of over 500,000 print books includes items in Large Print, graphic novels, illustrated books, and CD Audiobooks. Some libraries also have print newspapers and magazines (newest items do not circulate).

Of course, we have eBooks and eAudiobooks too—visit our eBooks page for more information on these items!

If we don’t have an item you are searching for, you can request it using our Can’t Find It? Form.

Search the catalog here!

Local Authors: Want to donate your book? Click here!
Connect with other book fans at a library book club! See our calendar
Meet the author! See upcoming author events here

Check out our newest items!

Get a York County Libraries card!

Click here to request a card

Library Account FAQs

Click any question below for additional information about accessing your library account, searching our online catalog, and getting library items.

Our online catalog is called ChiliPAC! Using ChiliPAC, you can search for books in any York County Library. You can search by title, author, subject, or keyword. If you find an item that is not at your ‘home’ library, you can place a hold and have it delivered for pickup. Click to learn more about searching the catalog.

Catalog Search Tips

You can access your library card information in the “My Account” section. Update your contact information, check on due dates, or request renewals* of library items, all in one convenient online location.

*Renewals may be denied if other members need the item or if no renewals are left
.

Learn more about using your library account

Yes! After logging into “My Account” on the website, you can request renewals* of library items checked out. Click to learn more.

*Please note: Renewals may be denied if other members have requested the item or if no renewals are left.

How to Renew an Item

Most York County Libraries items use the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) to provide “addresses” for their books. These addresses are written on the spine labels of each book, and they indicate what shelf the book belongs on in the library. The DDS organizes nonfiction items by subject (such as History or Science) and the author’s last name. It organizes fiction items by genre (such as Mystery or Romance) and the author’s last name.

If you need help finding something, ask our library staff! They are happy to help you!

Yes! We call this a “hold.” Holds can be placed online through your library account, or a staff member can help you place a hold at the library. If an item is popular and has several holds from other members on it, it may take several weeks until your hold is ready for pickup.

When the item is ready for pickup at your library, we will notify you by email, phone*, or text. If you have not received a message from us, your item is not yet ready. Items must be picked up within one week of being notified.

In our catalog, you can also place holds on items that we’ve purchased but are not yet on our shelves (or released to the public). This is a great way to save your spot in line for a book by a popular author or a highly anticipated new release!

*Some libraries do not support phone call notifications, including Martin Library.

How to place a hold online

Sometimes the item you want is in a different York County Library building. You are more than welcome to travel to that library and pick up the book—your library card will work at all 13 of our libraries.

But if it’s not convenient to drive to another library, you can place a hold on the item through the catalog. Our great delivery crew will bring it to your ‘home’ library (or other library of your choice). When it arrives, your home library will contact you to let you know your item is ready to be picked up and enjoyed!

Learn about placing holds here!

If you are searching for an item but can’t find it in our catalog, you can request it by submitting our online form! You can ask us to borrow it from other PA libraries outside York County for you (called an InterLibrary Loan). Or you can recommend that we purchase the item—we will add it to our collection when possible.

Request an item here!

Scroll to the bottom of this page for our Local Author Donation Guidelines and Submission form. Please read the Guidelines carefully before filling out the form.

Jump down to: Local Author Guidelines

Featured Booklists

Browse topical booklists chosen by the experts—librarians!

History Of York County Booklist Graphic Vintage Photos
Our Local History: Books about York County
Staff Picks
Pa One Book Booklist Graphic Child Reading With Parent
PA One Book Early Literacy Books
PA Librarian Picks
Quick Reads Booklist Graphic Close Up Of Book In Hands
23 in 2023 Quick Reads
Staff Picks
Award Winning Books Booklist Graphic
2023 National Book Award Finalists and Winners
Award Winners

I didn’t know the library had that!

York County Libraries is always innovating new ways to meet the needs of our members. Check out three examples below!

Little Boy Reading Book With Mother
Books that Talk

VOX Books

are great for beginning readers! A VOX Book™ combines a print book with an audiobook – no equipment is needed! Children can listen and see how sounds match the words on the page. Then they can try reading it themselves! Available in picture book, early reader, and chapter books.

Find VOX Books here!
Birder Looking At Sky Through Binoculars Outside
Look to the Sky

Birding Backpacks

let you get outdoors and listen, look, and identify the different birds around you! Backpack kits include real binoculars, ID books, and even an app that will let you know just whose song you’re hearing while you’re enjoying the fresh air. Check one out today! Provided courtesy of the York Audubon Society.

Find Birding Backpacks here!
Painted Map Mural Of Pennsylvania On Wall
Find your way

Atlases and Reference Items

Want to pore over some good old fashioned large books? Seeking local history books? Ask your library what they have—you’ll be surprised! Note: most reference items cannot be taken out of the library.

Explore your local library!
Beanstack Promotional Graphic Full Flex Size

Track your Reading & Participate in Challenges through Beanstack!

Beanstack is a super-useful, super-easy mobile app that York County Libraries uses to offer our members reading challenges throughout the year.

Beanstack Reading Challenges for Everyone

This app makes it easy to track your reading, books, and overall progress in programs such as 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and SummerQuest. Throughout the year, we also offer themed reading challenges that include book suggestions, things to think about, or just some fun facts and activities! And yes, we have Challenges available for ALL ages.

While Beanstack can be used for participating in Challenges, you can also log your books, track reading minutes, and write book reviews at any time!

Download the App

For Apple Devices: App Store
For Android Devices: Google Play Store

Don’t have a mobile device? Create an account online from York County Libraries’ Beanstack page.

Ever wonder…

…what it takes to get a library book on the shelf? It’s way more than just putting a barcode on it!
Watch the behind-the-scenes video celebrating the work of our Technical Services staff!

Local Author Donation Guidelines

York County Libraries welcomes the opportunity to support and promote the creative and literary expression of our community. The following guidelines apply to works created in any format:

  • Authors and creators must live in South Central Pennsylvania, or their work must be based in South Central Pennsylvania.
  • YCL will accept one copy of each title. Authors may donate up to three titles per year.
  • Materials must be bound and formatted in a way that enables circulation, ease of use, and durability. The library will only accept physical formats, i.e. bound books, CDs, and DVDs. Items must be in new condition.
  • YCL will review donated materials but does not guarantee their inclusion in our collections. Once donated, items become the property of York County Libraries and will not be returned. Items not included will be repurposed in accordance with our gift policy.
  • As with all library materials, the library will apply the same inclusion and retention guidelines as stated in the YCL Collection Development Policy. The library reserves the right to include or exclude any title from the collection for any reason. Materials provided to York County Libraries may be removed for any reason, at any time.
  • The library cannot acknowledge receipt of your work, nor can we notify you of our final decision. We cannot meet with individuals to discuss their work.
  • The library will not provide professional reviews, promotion, or marketing of an author’s work, whether the materials are included or excluded.

Local Author Submission Form

Name(Required)
Address
Intended Audience
By clicking this checkbox, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms in the Author Submission Guidelines, as written above.
I am interested in participating in the biennial York Author Fair.