Suggest a Purchase
Before you submit a request, have you first searched the Harrison County Public Library catalog for the item?
Before you submit a request, have you first searched the Harrison County Public Library catalog for the item?
Don’t have an HCPL card?
Harrison County Public Library’s roots can be traced all the way back to 1820 when a public law library was formed for the State of Indiana at the Courthouse in Corydon. It was the first state library in Indiana. Since that time, various book lending organizations functioned in Harrison County, including the McClure Working Men’s Institute (1855-1858), the Harrison County Library (1839-1878), and the Indiana School/Township Libraries, which were small collections maintained and supervised by Township Trustees, often housed in their homes.
In December 1908, a public meeting at the Courthouse in Corydon was held to explore the feasibility of starting a community public library. As a result, a reading room was established. The next year, a new library opened on the second floor of the Luckett Building on Chestnut Street in Downtown Corydon and later on Elm Street where the present day Masonic Temple is located.
On May 4, 1914, the groundbreaking for the first-ever permanent library building in Corydon took place with significant help from the Carnegie Corporation. Georgia Stockslager Fisher, Rosamond Sample, Muriel Doolittle, Mary Rose Woods, Belle White Bruner, and Imogene Keller served as librarians from 1916-1983.
In 1983, Violet Eckart took the helm as the inaugural director. Under her tenure, many great strides were made in expanding the library’s footprint and impact. Soon after she began, the basement of the Carnegie building was remodeled and a separate children’s library was established.
In 1996, the library acquired the southern portion of the former Old Capital Bank building and renovation began in March 1997 for library use. Subsequent to these renovations, the library’s collection was installed in the new facility and extensive renovation of the Carnegie building began.
Up until this time, the library was known as Corydon Public Library, but in July 1999 the Harrison County Commissioners approved a provision that would transform the entity into a county library known as Harrison County Public Library.
In the new millennium, HCPL acquired the northern portion of the bank building and plans were made for an expansion of the library. In November 2003, the Carnegie building was rededicated as the Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy. By April 2006, renovation of the entire bank building was complete for the Corydon Branch.
Additional branches in Lanesville, Palmyra, and Elizabeth were constructed or renovated and opened in 2009, 2010, and 2012 respectively. In January 2019, Alisa Burch began her time as Library Director after working with HCPL for many years. HCPL is eager to continue the tradition of bringing resources and education to the current and future generations of Harrison Countians.
Youth Services offers a wide collection of books for every age group from infants to teens.
Among our collection are story bags and parent packs, easy reader books for young readers, toy & board books, elementary fiction, teen fiction, and an extensive collection of non-fiction books for research, learning, and study and MUCH more!
Youth Services also offers many services to young readers, parents, and educators, such as:
Youth Services offers a variety of programs intended to help children learn about themselves and the world around them. Programs widen youth experience with literature, relate to their physical, emotional and intellectual concerns and encourage the sharing of experiences with other children. Programs are available for children ages birth to 12th grade.
During summer break, the Harrison County Public Library offers a summer reading program, with themed activities, prizes, and special programs.
For more information about the programs offered by HCPL, please see the calendar below.
Computer workstations are available for use at each branch. All workstations are equipped with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, a color printer, Internet browser and CD & DVD drive/burner. Users are limited to one hour of usage per session. If no one is waiting or scheduled to use a workstation then the current user may continue to work on the computer, up to four hours per day. A flatbed scanner is also available for patron use.
Users must sign an Internet Agreement Form stating that they have read the Library’s Internet policy and understand their personal responsibilities while using the computers. Copies of the complete computer policy are available on request, and can be viewed online here. Patrons under 18 years of age are required to have a parent or legal guardian’s signature sign their user agreement form. This must be witnessed and also signed by a librarian.
We are thrilled to offer an option that allows patrons to effortlessly print documents, emails and web content from any internet enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer workstation at our Corydon Branch.
Users can send documents to your printers from any location– inside or outside of our facility.  Black and white copies are only $0.10 per page and color only $0.25 per page. Click here to begin printing. Once your print jobs are submitted, they can be claimed at any branch.
The Indiana State Library announced that Statewide Remote Circulation System (SRCS), though which Indiana public library patrons receive interlibrary loans, will end in September 2024. Given this unexpected news, HCPL began investigating replacement platforms for patron interlibrary loans in an effort to avoid a gap in ILL service.
Due to the Indiana State Library’s decision, SRCS interlibrary loan requests will not be available to users after Friday, August 16th.
HCPL will post an update regarding interlibrary loan service as soon as one is available.
Join over 28,000 others and obtain your HCPL library card! Anyone may use the Library collection while at any of our branches, but a library card is required for borrowing privileges of materials.
An adult may get a resident or non-resident card, and children 5 – 17 may get either card with permission from their parents, legal guardians, or caregiver. Children must have their applications signed by their parents or legal guardians before they will receive their cards. Library cards may be obtained at any of our branches. After applying for a card in full, wallet card and key fob card will be immediately issued.
There are several options for those who would like to borrow materials:
Please be prepared to supply the information outlined below.
Harrison County Public Library cards are free to all Harrison County residents and property tax payers. It is necessary to verify a resident’s address in order to issue a library card. To register or renew a library card, residents are required to provide one of the following:
Applicants are asked to complete a short application form in person or online including:
For residents under the age of 18, a parent, guardian or caregiver meeting the above requirements needs to sign the application accepting financial responsibility for materials checked out on the minor’s card. An adult sponsor is required to have an existing library card in good standing or will apply for a library card at the time of application for the minor’s card.
Patrons who have a card at their home county’s Library may be eligible for this option. The Harrison County Public Library has reciprocal borrowing agreements with more than 150 libraries in Indiana. To find out if your Library is among them, ask a librarian at our front desk, or contact your home Library. If your home Library does have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Harrison County Public Library, please make certain that your home Library card is up-to-date. Bring your home Library card and at least one form of picture ID to the Harrison County Public Library and fill out a card application as described above. Reciprocal membership is valid for one year from issue of card. ** AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2010, A RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN NEW ALBANY-FLOYD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HARRISON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS IN EFFECT, WHICH ALLOWS HCPL PATRONS AND NAFCPL PATRONS TO OBTAIN RECIPROCAL BORROWING CARDS. **
HCPL offers Digital Access Cards to library website visitors interested in using the library’s databases and other digital content. There is no residency requirement for the card. The application is found at the bottom of the eResources page. The applicant will receive the Digital Access Card number by email. Digital Access Cards expire in three years.
HCPL offers Digital Access Cards + OverDrive to website users interested in accessing the Indiana Digital Library to download eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines from OverDrive, and using HCPL’s databases and other digital content. Applicants should be Harrison County residents as that is an OverDrive requirement. The application is found on the bottom of the HCPL Digital Content page. The applicant will receive the Digital Access Card + OverDrive number by email. The card number is valid for three years and may be used to access HCPL public computers.
The PLAC is recognized by all libraries in the state of Indiana . The charge for this card is currently $65.00, and you must have a current card at your home Library. This is an exceptionally good offer for any patron who wishes to use more than one Library. Harrison County residents must pay the $65.00 fee and fill out an additional application card. Residents of a county other than Harrison County must go to their county’s Library and apply for a resident card. They may then apply for a PLAC card at any Library. Once they have a PLAC card they may use it to check out materials from any Library in Indiana, including the Harrison County Public Library. PLAC cards expire after one year.
Patrons who live inside the state of Indiana and do not have a home Library with reciprocal borrowing privileges that would like to use the Harrison County Public Library may buy a one-year individual membership for $68.00. To apply, fill out an application card as described above and pay the membership fee. The $65.00 fee is mandated by state law, and is the minimum fee allowable for our Library by State Code.
Students grades K-12 who attend public schools in Harrison County have the opportunity to receive a Student Card from HCPL. There is no application to complete. Every student will receive a Student Card key fob unless their parent or guardian opts out. The Student Card allows:
Students do not have to be residents of Harrison County to receive a student card as non-residents attending a Harrison County school were given access to free library cards by board resolution in 2014.Â
A Student Card is good for one year.
HCPL Teacher Cards are reserved for teachers at public and private schools in Harrison County. Harrison County residents who teach in another county and homeschool teachers do not qualify for the HCPL Teacher Cards and are asked to apply for a resident card instead.Â
A teacher card allows teachers a loan period of 6 weeks for books, periodicals and audiobooks and a loan period of 7 days with one renewal (if there are no holds) for DVDs. Library staff will pull materials for busy teachers in advance so they can pick them up at their convenience.Â
To receive a teacher card:
 Teacher Cards are intended for classroom use only. Teachers who live in Harrison County are encouraged to apply for a resident card for personal use. Teachers who live outside of Harrison County may wish to apply for a reciprocal card if eligible but will be allowed to use their Teacher Card for personal use as approved by board resolution in 2014. Teacher Card numbers may be used to access OverDrive/Libby eBooks.
Harrison County Public Library offers delivery of materials through Outreach Services to Harrison County residents who may otherwise not have access, such as those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, shut-ins, and patrons with limited mobility. Materials are selected based on patron preference, request, and availability. Residents wishing to participate in the Outreach Services should contact the library to be registered for an Outreach Card. Outreach Cards are only for use through the program. Those patrons wishing to come into the library and select their own materials should be directed to apply for a resident card. Outreach Cards are valid for 2 years.
Each of our branches offer spacious, public meeting spaces that can be reserved upon request. At least 24 hours in advance of a meeting, please include in your room reservation request any HCPL equipment [listed below] that will be needed so that staff may accommodate your group.
Who is eligible to reserve a room?
What is equipment is available for use with rooms?
To reserve a room, please download, review, sign, and return the below form to your local branch or click on the link below to register online. To check availability of a particular room, please call your local branch.
Online registration is available for the Corydon branch only.
There are lots of ways you can help the Harrison County Public Library remain a vital and growing part of the community. You may choose to volunteer your time to assist the Library, by shelving books, or through literacy outreach programs. You may be interested in making a donation of books, or media, or by making a monetary contribution. You may also be interested in joining the Friends of the Harrison County Public Library.
The Library gladly accepts donations of gently used books and other materials. In the event that the materials cannot be used by the Library they will be sold in a future book sale to raise money for new materials, or donated to a local literacy organization. The Library is especially seeking donations of the following:
Visit the Friends of the Harrison County Public Library website.
The Library is no longer seeking donations of the following materials:
Please contact the library.
Please contact the library.
The purpose of the Friends of the Harrison County Public Library is to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries; to focus public attention on the Library; to stimulate the use of the Library’s resources and services; to receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the Library; to support and cooperate with the Library in developing Library services and facilities for the community and to encourage cultural activities.
For more information about the Friends program, please visit their website.
Monday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
ADDRESS
7340 E. Pennington Street NE
Lanesville, IN 47136
PHONE
812-952-3759
FAX
812-952-3864
EMAIL
lanesville@hcpl.lib.in.us
Monday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
ADDRESS
689 Haub Street
Palmyra, IN 47164
PHONE
812-364-6425
FAX
812-364-6431
EMAIL
palmyra@hcpl.lib.in.us
Monday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Thursday: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
ADDRESS
5101 Main Street, Suite 109
Elizabeth, IN 47117
PHONE
812.969.2899
FAX
812-969-2987
EMAIL
elizabeth@hcpl.lib.in.us
Click here to view the Harrison County Public Library Circulation Policy.
Click here to view the Harrison County Public Library Card Policy
The computers are available until 15 minutes before closing. Complete all printing and saving before that time.
You may be asked to leave the library and/or denied Internet privileges if you are unable to follow these rules.
Harrison County Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of Internet services.
Library Patrons are expected to respect both the rules of the Harrison County Public Library and other patrons. Failure to follow these rules and all other policies of the library will result in loss of user privileges.
The following behavior is not permitted:
Appropriate attire is required while in any HCPL branch. It is the policy of the library that all patrons, staff, and other persons on library premises shall be appropriately dressed. Appropriate dress, for the purposes of this policy, includes adherence to local requirements, as well as the wearing of some sort of shirt or top, and wearing of shoes, sandals, or some other form of foot covering. Anyone on library premises who is inappropriately dressed shall be asked to leave the library premises until they are dressed appropriately.
Soliciting is not permitted except in support of the Library and sanctioned Library activities. Soliciting includes:
Patrons may not bring any animals, except those trained to aid the disabled.
Weapons of any kind are prohibited in the Library.
For their safety and security, children under 6 years of age must be directly supervised by a caregiver 14 years of age or older. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by a caregiver 14 years of age or older that remains in the Library building.
The Library staff will notify Child Protection Services or the Police if a parent or guardian cannot be reached at closing time or at any time a child is injured or causes harm to another child.
Computer Usage
Educational game computers are available for children in the Youth Services department.
Internet use and Microsoft Office are available on our adult public computers. Please refer to the Internet Use Policy for details.
Click here to view the Harrison County Public Library Community Room policy.
Click here to view the Harrison County Public Library Collection Development policy.
Click here to view the HCPL Interlibrary Loan Policy.
Harrison County Public Library permits individuals to comment on library posts and they are invited to share opinions about library-related subjects, resources and programs. Public postings do not indicate library endorsement of the ideas, issues, or opinions expressed on its social media sites.Â
The purpose of HCPL’s social media sites is to inform library users about educational opportunities, library programs, events (including those co-sponsored with other organizations) and materials, and to encourage dialogue and the exchange of information and knowledge between users and staff about these programs, events and materials. HCPL reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed to be in violation of this policy or any applicable law. Content shall not be allowed that is deemed not suitable for posting because it is not relevant, or is deemed prohibited based on the criteria defined below:
Individual Participation
By joining, utilizing and/or posting on Harrison County Public Library’s social media sites, an individual agrees to comply with this policy, and the library’s policy on internet and computer use. The Social Media Policy applies whether or not an individual chooses to post comments using a computer at the library or when posting from any other device to any HCPL social media site. While HCPL encourages dialogue, it respectfully requests that commenters be mindful that its social media sites are open to the public and that commenters be courteous and civil toward one another.Â
Individuals are personally responsible for their commentary and should be aware that they may be held personally liable for commentary that is defamatory, obscene, proprietary or libelous by any offended party, not just the library. Harrison County Public Library, its employees, agents and officials assume no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from participation in library-sponsored social media.
If the Library Director decides to suspend a person’s Library privileges, the patron will be informed in person if in the library, and/or the person will be informed by letter. A copy of the letter will be kept on file at an appropriate location. If the person has a Harrison County Public Library card, he/she will be blocked from the Library for the duration of the suspension.
For information about library cards, please click here.
For information about non-resident library cards, please click here.
The Library reserves the right to restrict the circulation of materials in high demand, such as school project materials and best-sellers.
Books – Generally, a patron may borrow as many circulating books as he or she feels they can read within the 3-week check-out period. Non-circulating books (in the Reference section) cannot be checked out, and may be used only in the Library. There is a per-card limit of 35 items total at any given time.
DVDs – Limit 10 per adult card (These may be checked out only by cardholders 18 and older.)
Youth Books – During the Summer Reading Program ONLY there is a limit of ten books per child.
Books, books-on-CD, magazines, & most other materials – The check out period is three (3) weeks, unless specified otherwise by a librarian.
DVDs – DVDs may be checked out for 7 days. These items are due back by 8:00pm Monday through Thursday, and by 5:00pm Friday and Saturday. DVDs may be checked-out by adults 18 & older only, and there is a limit of 5 per card.
All materials can be renewed via the online catalog, in person or over the phone. To renew materials in person, present your Library card to the librarian on duty and ask to have your materials renewed.
To renew materials by phone call the Library during business hours at 738-4110 and please be prepared to provide your Library card number and/or the items to be renewed. To renew items via our automated phone attendant after hours, call 812-738-1673. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ITEMS RENEWED AFTER LIBRARY HOURS WILL DEFAULT TO THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
The Library will renew your materials and will inform you of the new due date. Please keep track of your new due date.
Books may be renewed two (2) times for a total of three (3) checkout periods. The Library will NOT renew any book that is on hold for another patron, and reserves the right to restrict renewals for items in high demand.
DVDs may be renewed one (1) time.
Materials may be returned at any Library desk during normal business hours. After hours materials may be returned at one of the Library’s drop locations:
Corydon Branch:
Elizabeth Branch:
Lanesville Branch:
Palmyra Branch:
All materials returned through the book drops after hours will be counted as returned the PRIOR day and no penalty will be accrued.
DVDs must be returned in the MEDIA DROPS, not BOOK DROPS. Hotspots must be returned to a circulation desk during business hours. Do not place donated materials in the book and media drops.
Please do NOT return DVDs or HOTSPOTS in the bookdrop. Doing so may result in the revocation of certain library privileges.Â
For more information about interlibrary loan, please click here.
For more information about checking out a hotspot, please click here.
Black and white computer printouts and photocopies are 10 cents each. Color computer printouts are 25 cents each. Faxes are $1.00 to send. For received faxes, $1.00 for the first 10 pages and $0.10 for every page after. Fax coversheets are provided for free.
For a step-by-step guide to making an online payment, please click here.
For information about public computer use, please click here.
For information about public computer use, please click here.
For information about public computer use, please click here.
Each branch of HCPL offers fax service. The fee to send a fax is $1.00.
The fee to receive up to 10 pages is $1.00; after 10 pages it is 10 cents per page.
Each branch of HCPL offers notary service. You are strongly encouraged to call and make an appointment with a notary as one may not be available at all times.
For information about meeting space, please click here.
Monday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
ADDRESS
105 North Capitol Avenue
Corydon, IN 47112
PHONE
812-738-4110
FAX
812-738-5408
EMAIL
hcpl@hcpl.lib.in.us
Corydon Branch
Center for Genealogy and Local History
Elizabeth Branch
Lanesville Branch
Palmyra Branch
Calendar Key:
Corydon Branch – CÂ Â Â Â Â Elizabeth Branch – EÂ Â Â Â Lanesville Branch – LÂ Â Â Â Palmyra Branch – PÂ Â Â Â Genealogy – G
Youth Services is proud to offer books, programs, activities and educational resources in a nurturing environment for you and your child to read, play and explore.
If you have a question that you would like us to research for you, please fill out the following form and a librarian will email you with an answer.
Harrison County Public Library’s roots can be traced all the way back to 1820 when a public law library was formed for the State of Indiana at the Courthouse in Corydon. It was the first state library in Indiana. Since that time, various book lending organizations functioned in Harrison Count, including the McClure Working Men’s Institute (1855-1858), the Harrison County Library (1839-1878), and the Indiana School/Township Libraries, which were small collections maintained and supervised by Township Trustees, often housed in their homes.
In December 1908, a public meeting at the Courthouse in Corydon was held to explore the feasibility of starting a community public library. As a result, a reading room was established. The next year, a new library opened on the second floor of the Luckett Building on Chestnut Street in Downtown Corydon and later on Elm Street where the present day Masonic Temple is located.
On May 4, 1914, the groundbreaking for the first-ever permanent library building in Corydon took place with significant help from the Carnegie Corporation. Georgia Stockslager Fisher, Rosamond Sample, Muriel Doolittle, Mary Rose Woods, Belle White Bruner, and Imogene Keller served as librarians from 1916-1983.
In 1983, Violet Eckart took the helm as the inaugural director. Under her tenure, many great strides were made in expanding the library’s footprint and impact. Soon after she began, the basement of the Carnegie building was remodeled and a separate children’s library was established.
In 1996, the library acquired the southern portion of the former Old Capital Bank building and renovation began in March 1997 for library use. Subsequent to these renovations, the library’s collection was installed in the new facility and extensive renovation of the Carnegie building began.
Up until this time, the library was known as Corydon Public Library, but in July 1999 the Harrison County Commissioners approved a provision that would transform the entity into a county library known as Harrison County Public Library.
In the new millennium, HCPL acquired the northern portion of the bank building and plans were made for an expansion of the library. In November 2003, the Carnegie building was rededicated as the Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy. By April 2006, renovation of the entire bank building was complete for the Corydon Branch.
Additional branches in Lanesville, Palmyra, and Elizabeth were constructed or renovated and opened in 2009, 2010, and 2012 respectively. In January 2019, Alisa Burch began her time as Library Director after working with HCPL for many years. HCPL is eager to continue the tradition of bringing resources and education to the current and future generations of Harrison Countians.
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has rootsin piece of classical Latin literature from old. Richard McClintock, a Latin profes sor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up.
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Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has rootsin piece of classical Latin literature from old. Richard McClintock, a Latin profes sor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up.
Aenean mattis suscipit ipsum gravida cursus. Aliquam varius, nisl sollicitudin viverra pellentesque, felis velit dapibus velit, non lobortis dui metus quis turpis. Fusce et turpis vel leo dignissim.
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has rootsin piece of classical Latin literature from old. Richard McClintock, a Latin profes sor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up.
Aenean mattis suscipit ipsum gravida cursus. Aliquam varius, nisl sollicitudin viverra pellentesque, felis velit dapibus velit, non lobortis dui metus quis turpis. Fusce et turpis vel leo dignissim.
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has rootsin piece of classical Latin literature from old. Richard McClintock, a Latin profes sor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up.
Aenean mattis suscipit ipsum gravida cursus. Aliquam varius, nisl sollicitudin viverra pellentesque, felis velit dapibus velit, non lobortis dui metus quis turpis. Fusce et turpis vel leo dignissim.