The Library

Hampton Community Library (HCL) is the success story of a number of Hampton residents who worked hard to bring a library to the community. Open to the public in September 1990, it is supported by volunteers, as well as by generous individual contributors and businesses. HCL is a full-service ACLA public library, free of charge. HCL is a participant in the Electronic Information Network for Public Libraries in Allegheny County.

The Collection

HCL offers more than 28,000 volumes, including your choice of magazines and newspaper publications, audio books, VHS tapes, and DVDs.  Thanks to Hampton Township, we have a leased collection of popular current fiction and non-fiction, including many New York Times bestsellers.

Borrowing Items

Any item in our collection that is not available for immediate loan can be placed on reserve. Items not in our collection can often be obtained for you from other libraries. You will be notified by phone or by email when the item is available. These items will be held for seven days. Items checked out at HCL may be returned here, at any Carnegie Library, or at any of the forty libraries in Allegheny County participating in the Electronic Information Network.

Circulation

The newest New York Times bestsellers and all video tapes and DVDs may be borrowed for seven days. All other fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and audio tapes may be borrowed for 21 days and may be renewed as long as:

You may renew your items in person or over the phone.  Alternately, If you would like to renew your materials yourself, using the Internet, follow these steps:  

1. Go to www.hamptoncommunitylibrary.org
2. Click on Check My Account
3. Enter your name and library card number.  Then click on Submit.
4. From the next screen, you will be able to Search the Catalog, See what you have out on your card, See what outstanding requests you have, Update or add your email address if you want email notification when your items are ready for pick-up, and read the Frequently Asked Questions section about notification when your materials are in.
5. To renew items you have checked out, 
    --Click on Items Currently Checked Out,
    --Scroll down to see Title, Due Date, and Call Number
    --Click in the box to the left of any item(s) you would like to renew
    --Click on Renew All or Renew Selected Items
    --Scroll down again to see the new due dates.
6. If the date did not change, please note that items that are overdue, items that have a waiting list, or items that have reached the renewal limit may not be renewed over the Internet. In addition, if you owe more than $10.00, you may not renew your items. Call the library if you need assistance, or for other questions related to your library materials (412-684-1098).

Reference books cannot be checked out.

Fines

Fines will accumulate after the due date until the item is returned. Unpaid fines will be recorded in your account until payment is made.

A $2 processing fee will be added to the total owed for each lost item. Fines are not charged for Hampton materials for the days when we are closed – Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.

Computers

You may search the collection of HCL as well as most of the public libraries in Allegheny County at our public access terminals. Also available are numerous on-line databases provided to all system member libraries for your business, health or other miscellaneous searches.  There is no charge for using these terminals or accessing the databases.

Printing is 10 cents per page, payable at the Circulation Desk. Computers are also available to you for word processing, spreadsheets and desk-top publishing.

Volunteers

Volunteers are a valued asset to the library. A number of volunteers help the library during regular weekly hours by shelving, processing books, or assisting with special projects. We also need volunteers to help with fundraising.

Friends of the Hampton Community Library

This group supports and promotes the library through special events and fundraising programs. Please call the library for more details.

Gift and Memorial Books

A book donation is a wonderful way to create a lasting remembrance for a special birthday, as a thank-you, to celebrate the birth of a baby, or as a memorial. Forms for our gift/memorial program are available at the Circulation Desk.