About Us

Where your Story Begins…

York County Libraries is comprised of 13 full-service libraries and  two pick-up/drop-off locations. We have locations all over York County, from Dillsburg to Stewartstown, Hanover to Hellam, and we are proud to be active, present forces in the communities that surround our buildings. 

We strive to strengthen the York County community, and enrich individual lives by supplying information, providing recreation, promoting literacy, and encouraging life-long learning. We offer programming for children, teens, adults, and older adults, and provide over 534,000 print items plus one million more digital items for loan and use. Accessing and using our materials is easy- all you need is a library card, available at any of the full-service libraries, and accepted at all locations throughout York County. 

Purpose

York County Libraries transforms lives. 

Mission

York County Libraries’ mission and vision is to strengthen the York County community and to enrich individual lives.

History

The York County Library System was created in 1974 “to provide public library service to the residents and taxpayers of the county.” YCLS was established as an independent, private non-profit corporation with an appointed board of seven directors. At that time, system membership consisted of all the county’s existing libraries, namely, Dillsburg Area Public Library, Glen Rock Library, Hanover Public Library, Kaltreider Memorial Library, Martin Memorial Library, Mason-Dixon Public Library, New Freedom Library Center, Spring Grove Library, and York Haven Public Library. 

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, the System created new libraries in areas of the county previously unserved. These included Collinsville Community Library, Dover Area Library, Kreutz Creek Valley Library Center, and Village Library. By 1987 the original member libraries and the small branch libraries together, comprised the system of libraries known today, as York County Libraries. 

Core Values

Understanding who we are, and who we serve, has led us to make the following promise to ourselves, to each other, and to our community:

    • We will never be status quo; we will always be relevant. YCL understands that the community we serve is constantly changing and as a result, YCL must too. We strive to continually innovate and evolve to best serve the communities around us.
    • We inspire enthusiasm for creativity and learning. At our core, we nurture creativity and learning through all that we do. Whether we are planning a book club, an educational workshop, or a social event; or merely interacting with each other and our community, we find ways to inspire curiosity and knowledge.
    • We are a safe gathering place. YCL strives to create spaces that feel like home where all are welcome. Our libraries are safe spaces for our community to gather to learn, connect and inspire. We open our doors to all who need our services.
    • We connect and engage our members and communities. Through open dialogue and a continuous feedback loop, we engage our members and our communities. We offer services and programs that are engaging and thought-provoking to better meet the needs of our ever-changing population. Through intention and careful planning, YCL serves as an organization that helps build connections and relationships.
    • We respect all opinions and ideas. We understand that our colleagues and our community are a diverse group with varying opinions and ideas. We listen to understand, and respect each other’s opinions, even though we may not agree. Respect and trust are core values that we live by.
    • We transform lives. Based on our mission statement, we transform and enrich individual lives by supplying information, providing recreation, promoting literacy, encouraging life-long learning, and serving as the hub of our communities.