A library card is required in order to check out materials. An applicant for a new card is required to provide a picture ID and proof of current local address. Acceptable ID includes valid driver’s license, valid voter registration card, checks with pre-printed addresses, a utility bill, tax receipt or other piece of mail that shows the user’s name and present address. The registering library is responsible for ensuring that a correct address is obtained.

There is no minimum age for a child to receive a PINES card. A parent or legal guardian must sign the application for all children under 18, and must show proper ID to register a child.

Any resident of Georgia may obtain a PINES library card even if their home library system does not participate. Go to the closest participating library to apply.

Property owners who do not reside in Georgia may be required to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill or deed. Persons employed in Georgia or attending school in Georgia may be required to show proof of employment or enrollment.

Free temporary cards are available for patrons who live out of state but will be working in Hall County for 6 months or less.

Out-of-state cards are available to persons living outside Georgia who do not meet the above criteria for a $25 annual fee, payable at the time the card is issued.

Signing a PINES card application denotes acceptance of responsibility for lost or damaged materials.

Applicants for a card must complete and sign an application form, available at any PINES participating library’s circulation desk.

Check Out Materials -- To check out materials, bring them to the circulation desk and present your library card.

At the Gainesville and Blackshear Place locations, staff will be happy to show you how to check out your own materials on the Self-Check machine. It is easy, quick, and fun.

Items checked out may be returned at any PINES library.

Due Dates -- Materials (books, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, and videotapes) circulate for 14 days and may be renewed twice, as long as no one has placed a hold on them. When you check out materials you will receive a receipt listing the items you checked out and the dates they are due.

For your convenience, the library provides at most locations book and AV drops for returning items when the library is closed.

Renewals -- Some items may be renewed twice, as long as no other patron has requested them. You may renew items over the telephone. Simply tell the staff person your library card number. They will give you a new due date. You may also renew items through your account on PINES.

Overdues --Overdue charges for all materials are ten cents per item per day up to a maximum of $5.00 per item. Other PINES libraries' policies may be different.

Anyone with outstanding fees over $10.00 will not be allowed to checkout items or use our Internet services.

Loss and Damage -- Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy after 1 and 2 weeks. If the items are still overdue after 2 more weeks, we assume they are lost. To recover the cost of replacing these materials we ask that you pay the replacement cost plus a $10.00 processing fee per item. Failure to do so could result in your account being referred to a collection agency and incurring associated fees. Please respond promptly! If you think there has been an error, contact us right away.

You may be reimbursed for materials that have been paid for but subsequently found if they were paid for less than 1 year from the current date. The processing fee is forfeited. Overdue charges still apply.

Request/Place Hold -- You can request or put items on hold three ways. You can call the circulation department, give them your card number and the item title, and the staff will put the item on hold for you; or you can come in to any Hall County Library Branch and ask the Staff to place a hold for you; or you may place them on hold yourself through the PINES catalog with your user name and password.