Get A Library Card

Library cards are free to all residents of Allegheny County. A library card for any Allegheny County library may be used at all county libraries.

Children under age 18 require a parent or guardian’s signature to receive a library card.

To apply for a card in person, you will need a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, ID card, passport, visa) and proof of residence in Allegheny County. A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or identification card with an Allegheny County address counts as both. Alternate proofs of address include

  • A signed rental or lease agreement
  • A utility bill
  • A vehicle registration card

If you do not have a current official proof of address, please ask the front desk staff for assistance.

Anyone 18 and over can also register online for a card. If you apply for a card online and your registration is accepted, you can use it immediately to access Libby, Hoopla, and other electronic resources. If you apply for a card online, you should bring your photo ID and proof of address to the library before your first time checking out physical items.

Out-of-County Residents

Cards for people residing outside Allegheny County may be available. Please stop in at the library and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.


Borrowing Policies

There are no limits to the number of physical items you may check out at once. In the Libby app, you may have a total of 10 checkouts and 10 held items at any time. In the Hoopla app, you may check out 10 items per month.

Loan Periods

  • Books (including audiobooks): 21 days
  • Most DVDs and Blu-Rays: 7 days
  • DVD and Blu-ray box or season sets: 21 days
  • Music CDs: 7 days

Most items can be renewed up to 6 times. Items will renew automatically shortly before their due date; either 1 day prior to the due date for 7-day items, or 3 days prior to the due date for 21-day items. If another patron has a hold on an item, that item cannot be renewed.

Fines and Fees

Dormont Library is a fine-free library in that we do not charge daily overdue fees for our items. However, for items which are significantly overdue, you may receive a bill for the replacement cost of the item and a processing fee.

Bills can be reduced or waived in some cases. Please contact us at 412-531-8754 or ask at the front desk to discuss your billed items. Bills for items owned by Dormont Public Library are not reported to credit agencies or bill collection agencies. However, if the total of billed items or fees on your library card exceeds $10, you may be unable to borrow new items until your total is below $10.

Each library in the Allegheny County library system is free to set their own fine and fee policies, and items which are borrowed from other libraries are subject to those libraries’ fine and fee policies. Please contact the owning library for any items which are not owned by Dormont Public Library.


Interlibrary Loan

As a member of the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), Dormont Public Library cardholders have access to books, DVDs, and other materials from dozens of libraries within Allegheny County.

You can go to one of these libraries and check out materials using your card, but you can also place a request with us online through the catalog, over the phone, or in person. We will then locate the next available copy of the item and it will be sent to Dormont Public Library or a location close to you for pickup.

Interlibrary Loans Outside Allegheny County

If the materials you want are not available at any of the libraries in Allegheny County, you can place an interlibrary loan request and we will attempt to place the request outside the county. You can make an interlibrary loan request by using the online form, or by asking one of the library desk staff.

Items within the state of Pennsylvania can be borrowed free of charge. Items coming from out-of-state libraries may incur a fee. You will be notified if this is the case, and will have the choice to accept the fee or cancel the interlibrary loan order. We recommend that you have as much information on the desired book or item as possible: the title, author, and ISBN number are especially helpful. Interlibrary loan orders typically take 4 to 6 weeks to fill.

Catalog Search

Classic Catalog

A no-frills catalog for users who prefer a simpler experience.

Libby

eBooks, magazines, and audiobooks for your PC, smartphone, and e-readers.

Hoopla

Streaming movies, TV shows, comics, ebooks, audiobooks and more.

Interlibrary Loans

Out-of-county interlibrary loan services are provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.