Borrowing from the Cambria County Library System

The Cambria County Library System makes borrowing books, audiobooks, and movies easy.

With our county-wide delivery service, items can be sent between libraries within a few days. Items can be picked up or returned to any public library in Cambria County.

How to request from any library in the Cambria County Library System

1. Find an item in the Online Catalog
2. Click the “Place Hold” button
3. Log into your Library Account using your barcode and PIN
4. Select any of the 14 libraries in the Cambria County Library System to pick up your book
5. Select How you would like to be notified – By email, phone call, or text.
6. Click “Place Hold”

When an item is delivered to your chosen pickup library, the library staff will notify you. Patrons have 3 days to check out the item. If an item is not checked out within 3 days, it will be returned. 

Your Online Account

Patrons of the Cambria County Library System have access to an online account in the SPARK Online Catalog. There are many benefits to accessing the online account.

Don’t have a card? Apply for one online! If eligible, we will email your library card number, and a physical card will be mailed in 7-10 business days.

Manage your items online

• To renew items that are checked out 
• View and manage holds
• View fines or fees
• Change Passwords
• Change Contact Information
• Create and manage Book Lists

Autorenewal

Our autorenewal feature makes it even easier to avoid books becoming overdue. If a book is eligible to be renewed, the system will update the due date automatically. The system will autorenew books up to two times, extending the original due date from two weeks up to six weeks. Patrons will receive an email to notify them of autorenewal status.

Note: Not all items are eligible for autorenewal. If a book has been renewed twice or has a hold placed on it, the system will not automatically renew. Other items like DVDs and CDs do not automatically renew.

How to borrow from our Partners

In addition to borrowing items from any library in the Cambria County Library System, Patrons are able to request items from Somerset, Lackawanna, and Blair Counties through the Online Catalog. Requested items will be shipped to their local library in Cambria County, typically within a week or two. When finished with an item, simply return it to any Cambria County Library System member and we’ll take care of the rest!

When searching the Online Catalog for books, simply select the following options from the dropdown screen to search their collections:

Somerset County Federated Library System
Mary S. Biesecker Public Library
Blair County Library System
Lackawanna County Library System

Please allow additional shipping and handling time for items requested from our resource partners.

Other Items

Looking for board games, technology, and more? Check out our Library of Things page.

Getting items from other libraries in PA

If an item isn’t available in the system or through our resource sharing partnership, a request can be submitted through the Access PA Interlibrary loan system. Ask your local library how to submit a loan request.

JLD Book Club Kits

As part of the Johnstown Library District, libraries are able to borrow book kits on behalf of book clubs. Each kit offers up to 15 copies of a book and frequently include a large print or audiobook version of the title. Items need to be reserved 1 month in advance of when they are to be distributed to a book club, and are due 6 weeks after the checkout date.

View our lists of our book kits here. Please contact your local library for assistance with reserving a book club kit.

Our Libraries

The Cambria County Library System consists of 14 independent libraries in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Each library in our federated system features its own programs, mission, and Board of Directors. 

One library card provides access to all 14 libraries. Patrons can use their card at any member library location to borrow items or enjoy programs. Our libraries work together to allow patrons to request an item from one library, and pick it up at another.

Our libraries are proud to work with the Cambria County Commissioners to provide outstanding services in our county. Our system headquarters are located in Johnstown, PA.