HCPL on the Go App FAQs

  • General Questions

    • Tap the menu icon in the top right of the screen (three horizontal bars) 
    • Tap Sign In  
    • Type in your library card number or use your phone’s camera to scan the barcode on your card 
    • Enter your PIN (Personal Identification Number).

    If you do not remember your PIN, visit our How to Reset Your PIN page.

    • Open the HCPL on the Go app 
    • Tap menu icon in the top right of the screen (three bars)
    • Tap Linked Accounts
    • Tap +Add in the upper right of the screen 
    • Scan the library card barcode or manually type in the card number using the keypad on the phone 
    • Enter your child’s PIN. 

    NOTE: You can link your app with multiple family members’ library cards. 

    Yes. You need an HCPL library card to use nearly all of the app’s most useful features like searching the catalog, placing holds, and self-checkout

    Get a library card 

    Not necessarily. Once you have logged into the app with your library card number and PIN, they will be stored in the HCPL on the Go App until you sign out.  If you ever sign out of the app, you will need to log in with your library card number and PIN. 

    Note: if you want to use the Self-checkout kiosks available at all HCPL branches, your library card barcode is also stored in the app. Simply tap the My Barcode button located just below the search feature on the app. You can then scan the barcode at the kiosk. It will then ask for your PIN.  

    Yes. When you open the app, you will see a carousel of book covers under the heading Popular Titles. To the right of the heading is a More button. Tap on that and you will see new titles arranged by age range. 

    When you type in your search term in the app search box, the results will be all relevant items in the HCPL catalog. If you want to see only eBooks or downloadable audiobooks, or any other specific format type, tap the Limit to button and select the desired format. 

    • Tap on the Hours and Locations button 
    • Select your HCPL branch from the list. 
    • Tap the Events @ [Your Location] button at the bottom of the branch page. 

    When logging in to the HCPL on the Go app with your library card number and PIN, the app generates a digital version of your library card barcode. To use your library barcode at any of the self-checkout kiosks at HCPL branches, simply tap on the MY Barcode button at the top of the screen. 
     
    Note: You will still need to type in your PIN to self-checkout using the kiosks. You cannot access your PIN through the app.  

    If you need to reset your PIN, see “What should I do if I forgot my PIN?" 

    No, the app will not work without a connection to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Please remember that all HCPL branches are equipped with free high-speed internet Wi-Fi. 

    • Open the HCPL on the Go app on your device. 
    • Tap the Self Checkout button  
    • Enable Location Services if you have not already done so 
    • Tap the green Check-out button 
    • It is best to place the itme to be checked out on a flat surface. 
    • Find the Harris County Public Library barcode on the item. It is usually on the top front of the item 
    • Line up the barcoade inside the white square on the screen. Your device’s camera will automatically scan the barcode.  
    • You can tap the green Scan the Library Barcode buttion at the bottom of the screen if you have more items to check out, or tap the Finish button in the top right corner of the screen. 

    Yes. Simply locate your item on the library’s hold shelf and use the self-checkout button on your device. 

    Yes, you can renew the items as long as your account and the item are eligible.

    • Tap the menu button (three bars).
    • Tap Checkouts
    • To renew all items that are checked out, tap the green Renew All button.
    • To renew only some of your items, tap each title you want to renew, then the renew button.

    For more information about renewals, see Renewals FAQs

    Use the search function in the app the item or browse the popular titles and new arrivals sections in the app to find items you would like to check out.  

    • Tap on the item 
    • Tap on the Place Hold button 
    • Select the location where you want to pick up the item when it is ready. 
    • Tap the green Place Hold button. 
    • You will receive an email notification when your item is ready for pickup. 

    Yes, you can.  

    While Harris County Public Library does not charge fees for items returned late. Fees may be assessed for unreturned, lost, or damaged items.   

    • Tap the Library Services button 
    • Tap the Pay Fines button. The Pay Fines button opens on the library website. You will need to log in to the site using your library card number and PIN. If you have not already set up your account on the library website, you will need to do so before you can pay your fines. [More information and step-by-step setup instructions] 

    NOTE: If you have more than $25 in fees outstanding, your account will be blocked. Once your balance is below $25, we will unblock your account. 

    The HCPL on the Go app has a search bar at the top of the screen. Type in a keyword, author’s name, book, CD, or DVD title, or a subject, and hit enter. It is that simple. Depending on your search term, you will see all potential matches in all formats, including eBooks and DVDs.