Lancaster County libraries to end passport services

Federal rules prohibit libraries from processing passport applications, forcing them to stop a key revenue source

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:55pm

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Lancaster County libraries will no longer be able to process passport applications after February 13th, 2026 due to a federal rule change that prohibits private, nonprofit institutions like libraries from providing this service. This will result in the loss of a major revenue source for many local libraries, forcing them to make budget cuts and adjustments.

Why it matters

Passport services have been an important community service provided by Lancaster County libraries for over 20 years. The loss of this revenue will significantly impact library budgets, forcing them to scale back services and staffing at a time when public libraries are already facing funding challenges.

The details

Several local library directors received an email from the U.S. Department of State this week informing them that passport application assistance services must end on February 13th. As a result, most Lancaster County libraries plan to stop offering passport services on February 12th. This includes Adamstown Area Library, Milanof-Schock Library, and Quarryville Library Center. Lancaster Public Library will extend its hours to process more passport applications before the cutoff date. Federal officials notified libraries last fall that they are legally prohibited from processing passport applications because they are private, nonprofit institutions and not government agencies.

  • Passport services at most Lancaster County libraries will end on February 12, 2026.
  • The federal cutoff date for libraries to stop processing passport applications is February 13, 2026.

The players

Corinne Brumbach

Director of the Adamstown Area Library.

Joseph McIlhenney

Director of the Milanof-Schock Library in Mount Joy.

Lissa Holland

Director of the Lancaster Public Library.

Lloyd Smucker

U.S. Representative from Lancaster County who introduced legislation to allow nonprofit libraries to continue offering passport services.

John Fetterman

Pennsylvania Senator who introduced a bill to allow libraries to serve as passport agencies.

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What they’re saying

“We're kind of winging it. We're trying to take as many as we can, but there's definitely a demand.”

— Corinne Brumbach, Adamstown Area Library Director (lancasteronline.com)

“We find it extremely disappointing that we can't do this anymore and, of course, it's a financial thing but it's also a service to our community.”

— Joseph McIlhenney, Milanof-Schock Library Director (lancasteronline.com)

“This is an example of the community boots to the ground telling Congress and telling representatives, 'This is not OK, please change this,' and I do think that's happened. There's been a lot of community support.”

— Corinne Brumbach, Adamstown Area Library Director (lancasteronline.com)

What’s next

U.S. Representative Lloyd Smucker and Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick have introduced legislation that would allow nonprofit libraries to continue offering passport services. If approved, the law would give the U.S. Secretary of State the ability to waive the nonprofit restriction for library passport services.

The takeaway

The loss of passport services will have a significant financial impact on Lancaster County libraries, forcing them to make budget cuts and adjustments at a time when public libraries are already facing funding challenges. This highlights the importance of these services to the local community and the need for legislative action to preserve them.