HCPL offers five different types of library cards including 1) the full-service Knowledge Card available with application and proof of residency at all HCPL branch locations, 2) the iKnow Digital Access Card (signing up online for Harris County residents) that gives you instant access to all of our online resources like eBooks, and streaming video, 3) the Enhanced+ Library Card that is a full-service library card and verified photo ID in one, 4) Military Library Card for active duty military personnel and 5) Texshare Card. Visit our My Account & Library Cards page to find the card that is right for you.
Top Questions
Reserving materials or placing "HOLDS" is a free service provided by Harris County Public Library. You may request copies of items that are owned by HCPL but not currently available.
How to place a hold online Watch a YouTube video
- Using the search box on top of each page to locate the book or other item you want to check out
- Click on the “Place hold” button.
- Enter your library card or username and password.
- Select a pick-up location from the drop-down list.
- Click on “Place hold” button.
Other ways to place holds:
- Through catalog workstations in any branch
- Through Internet access to the Library's catalog
- Through a Holds request given to a staff member
- Through a phone request to a staff member
You will need:
- The barcode number from your Harris County Public Library card
- Your PIN (Personal Identification Number). You chose a PIN when you applied for your library card.
- Computer and Internet Access.
- You can access our system at any HCPL branches or from your own computer with Internet access
Username registration is a one-time process you will be prompted to do when first logging to this new system. It allows you to create an easy-to-remember login name, or username, that you can use instead of your barcode to check your account. Registration also allows you to get personalized recommendations and contribute ratings and reviews.
You can login with your username or your library card number. That’s up to you. The reason we require all customers to select a unique username is because the new catalog has additional optional functionality, like commenting on books and keeping track of your reading on shelves. And to support this, we need all customers to create a username.
Participate in the Summer Reading Program by creating an account on Beanstack.
Please call your local branch or contact us online. Staff will deactivate your account. Please note: you are responsible for all materials checked out to your account.
To receive a replacement card, please visit your local branch with a valid photo ID.
The time to receive a hold will vary depending on if copies are available immediately, or if there is a wait list on the item. HCPL makes all efforts to make your wait for your item as short as possible.
You can pay online using a credit or debit card, or you can visit any HCPL branch location in person with one of the payment methods below:
- cash
- personal and business check (with identification)
- cashiers check
- money order
- traveler's check
Pay library fines online here.
Or Log in to your account first. >> Fee
They are many possible reasons you may not be seeing notifications. If you suspect that you are not receiving email notices that you should be getting, please try the following:
1. Check your email spam folder and/or junk mail folder in case your email client is miscoding library email as junk mail or spam. Library email notification messages are sent from the sender circ@hcpl.net, opens a new window.
Below are sample notifications
Library overdue notifications have:
From: Library Central Circulation
Subject: Your HCPL item will be due on DATE
The request hold notifications have:
From: BRANCH NAME that holds your item
Subject: Harris County Public Library Email Notification
2. Check your email settings, allowing emails coming from circ@hcpl.net, opens a new window.
3. Check your Windows security levels, antivirus program, and firewall settings.
4. If you still are not receiving expected notifications, contact your Internet and email service provider. The emails sent from the library might have been filtered out by your service provider as spam and have never made it to your mailbox. Find out what they can do for you. Let them know that anything from the hcpl.net domain is important email and is not spam.
5. If everything you try fails, consider signing up for a web-based email service such as Gmail and use it to receive notifications from the library. To change your library email preference setting:
- Go to "Log In / My HCPL" on upper right and click on "My settings"
- Log in if you have not done so.
- Update Email Address used for library notification . You have option to use different email for digital items sent by eResources providers such as Overdrive.
- Save Changes
To set or change your preferred pick up location
- Login to your account
- Click on My Settings
- Click on Account Preferences
- Select your preferred Holds and Pickup Location.