At Harris County Public Library, we have always been committed to providing outstanding service to our communities, no matter what challenges come our way. That means we continually seek new ways to meet the ever-evolving needs of our patrons while maximizing efficiency, and doing our best to make the most of the resources entrusted to us by the county's taxpayers.
In keeping with that focus, HCPL is making several system-wide improvements to better serve Harris County, to help our staff focus on the services that matter most to our patrons, and to ensure that our libraries remain vibrant, welcoming, and responsive to our community.
Self-Checkout: Fast, Private, and Convenient
Using self-checkout is a fast and private way to manage your loans, and it helps library staff stay focused on essential services like programming, research support, community outreach, and maintaining the collections you count on.
While every HCPL branch is now equipped with self-checkout kiosks, we strongly recommend downloading the HCPL on the Go app that in addition to many other helpful features, offers fast and easy self-checkout right on your phone or tablet. With the HCPL on the Go app you never have to wait in line at the circulation desk again!
Download HCPL on the Go App: Apple iOS, opens a new window | Android, opens a new window
Of course, HCPL staff will always be available when you need assistance, but every time you use self-checkout, you’re helping the library run more efficiently.
WATCH VIDEO: Using the HCPL on the Go App for Self-Checkout, opens a new window
Self-Checkout FAQs
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Contact the HCPL on the Go app vendor at support@sol.us, or reach out to any HCPL branch. Please note that HCPL staff can assist with basic app functions and issues with your account. We generally cannot help with problems related to your device’s hardware or operating system.
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If you know your card number and PIN, you can enter them manually at the self-checkout kiosks.
Once you have installed the HCPL on the Go app, your library card number and PIN will be stored in your phone or other device, so you will not need to carry your library card if you intend to self-checkout with the app.
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Yes. Any library user can use the app if they have access to a supported device. Parents and caregivers can also link their children’s cards to their own apps to check out and monitor items.
To link an account in the HCPL on the Go app. Tap on the menu icon (three lines in upper right of screen). Tap Linked Accounts, then Add. You are given the option to scan the library card barcode or manually enter the library card number and PIN.
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Contact your local branch by phone, email, or chat.
A Better Way to Welcome New Cardholders
We’re introducing a new onboarding system that helps new library cardholders get the most from their HCPL experience. Based on card type—whether full-service or digital-only—new users will receive a series of brief, friendly emails that explain all the services available to them. From eBooks and streaming media to programs and meeting spaces, these messages offer a clear, personalized guide to everything HCPL has to offer.
Best of all, the system connects new users directly with upcoming events and programs at their local branch—so their library journey starts close to home.
Stay Up-to-Date on Events at your HCPL Branch with our NEW NEWSLETTERS, opens a new window
Access Beyond Branches: Book Lockers and Outreach
Library access shouldn't depend on your ZIP code. That’s why we’re rolling out HCPL Book Lockers in areas of Harris County that don’t have a nearby branch. These secure, self-service lockers allow cardholders to request books, DVDs, and CDs online and to pick them up at their convenience. Each locker also includes a curated browsing collection of popular titles and a drop box for returning items from any HCPL location. With Book Lockers, we’re bringing the library to more people and more places,
In a similar vein, HCPL’s Outreach Department, including our Mobile Outreach Librarians and Curiosity Cruisers, is a prime example of the library “thinking outside the branch,” so to speak. Outreach distills in-demand library services to their essentials and makes them portable, bringing them directly to where people gather. From educational programs for seniors at community centers, to visits to schools across the county, to engaging families at special events, the HCPL Outreach Department, like HCPL Book Lockers, make big impacts even in hard-to-reach areas of the county.
New Commitment to Finding Fresh Avenues of Support
The Harris County Public Library Foundation, opens a new window is continuing to step into its role, alongside the Harris County Friends of the Library, opens a new window as the library’s fundraising partner, working closely with private donors, corporate supporters, and other stakeholders. Their work helps ensure that vital services, from the annual Summer Reading Program to early literacy to adult educational programs, can continue, even as public resources fluctuate.
Safeguarding the Services that Matter Most to You
None of these changes happens in isolation. They are part of a broader, ongoing effort by HCPL leadership to adapt to shifting resource demands while remaining excellent stewards of public funds. By embracing technology and innovation, we’re finding ways to protect what matters most: free and equitable access to knowledge, imagination, and opportunity.
As always, we are grateful for your continued support, and we look forward to growing, adapting, and thriving—together.