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Library

Show All Answers

1. How do I obtain a library card?

To obtain a card at no charge, you must show proof of identity and of residency or individual ownership of property within the town of Southern Pines. A valid driver’s license, utility bill, or tax notice with your name and current street address are acceptable. After an application form is completed, the card will be issued and may be used immediately.

2. What if I live outside the town of Southern Pines?

Southern Pines residents support the library through their taxes. Nonresidents pay a fee for a library card that approximates what residents pay annually per capita through taxes.

There are four choices (fees adjusted annually):

• Full Access Card - for use of the full collection and services
  • 12 months for $60
  • Six months for $30
• Limited Access Card - for use of the juvenile and young adult collection and services
  • 12 months for $20
  • Six months for $10

3. When can I check out library materials?

You can check out library materials immediately after obtaining your card.

4. How many items can I check out?

There is a checkout limit of two Book Club Kits and three DVDs, except for those DVDs in the special collection, which are limited to one at a time per cardholder. There are no limits on other types of materials, however, if you are working on a school assignment, please be considerate of others who may be researching the same topic.

5. How long can I keep the library materials?

All materials except for DVDs in the Special Collection may be kept for three weeks. The DVDs in the special collection have particular significance and check out is limited to one at a time per card holder, for a maximum of three days, with no opportunity to renew. Patrons may check out three regular DVDs along with one special collection DVD.

6. What if I need to keep the library materials longer?

All materials except for DVDs in the special collection may be renewed once unless another patron has requested the item or you have reached the fine limit. Each renewal period is three weeks. You may renew books by telephone when the library is open. Please be prepared to give your library card number and the titles of the books you wish to renew. You may renew online, also.

7. What if I don’t return the materials on time?

The overdue charge is $0.10 per item per day except for Book Club Kits which are $1 per item per day.

8. What if I can’t find the materials I want?

You may place a hold on items which are unavailable and be notified by email or text (there is a charge of $0.43 for the postage of the hold card, if you choose to be notified by mail.) Books may also be requested from other libraries through the Interlibrary Loan system. The charge per item is determined by the return postage cost.

9. In addition to checking out materials, how may I use my library card?

When you register for your card, you will be asked to choose a personal identification number (PIN) / confirmation number. Your card number and PIN are used to: sign up for computers in the library; put funds into an account to use for printing at library computers; view your account, place holds on items, and renew materials online; and access subscription online resources from the library’s website.

10. What if I forget my library card?

You must present your card each time you wish to check out materials or use a computer. We will be happy to hold items for you at the circulation desk until you return with your card.

11. May I loan my card to someone?

Only the person to whom a card has been issued may use that card.

12. Can I place a hold from home?

You can place hold requests via the Internet as long as you have a valid library card and a personal identification number (PIN). To place a hold, search for the title(s) of interest in the library catalog. When the title is displayed, select the “Place Hold” button. The request form will be displayed. After entering your library card number and PIN, select the “Submit Hold” button. To ensure that you get the next available item, make sure to keep the "I want the first available copy" option selected.

Please monitor your library account online, via the “Patron Review” button. Pick up your item within seven days after the status changes to "Arrived."

Patrons will be allowed to only place a maximum of five items on hold at any time.

For detailed directions on placing online holds, please see the flyer.

13. What is a PIN and how can I get one?

A personal identification number (PIN) consists of four numbers that have meaning for you and are easy for you to remember. Having a PIN will enable you to access your library account online, renew items, and place holds on materials. If you have never chosen a PIN, library staff must assist you the first time, either in person or over the telephone. Because your account information is confidential, you must provide your card number.

14. What else can I do with my PIN?

By selecting the “Patron Review” button, and entering your library card number and PIN, you will be able to:

• Renew checked-out items
• Change your PIN
• Change your email address
• Check the status of books you’ve placed on hold
• Cancel holds

15. I’ve forgotten my PIN. What should I do?

If you forget your PIN, you must call or visit the Library and choose a new four digit number.

16. What is email notification, and how can I get it for my library account?

The Southern Pines Public Library (SPPL) has a service that allows you to sign up for notifications for your library account. Cardholders can get these notifications via email or text. This means that cardholders will now have the option of having email or text messages sent to remind them when items are due or overdue, and to notify them when items on hold have arrived or been canceled.

If you are interested in these services, speak to a circulation specialist in the library, send an email, or call the Library at 910-692-8235.

17. Why am I not getting my email notifications?

There are several reasons why your email notifications may not be working. One reason may be due to your email provider. Some email accounts automatically place emails in a spam or junk folder. Check both of these folders in your email account if you are not getting your notices.

Another reason may be due to a technical glitch with Yahoo. Patrons using Yahoo as their email provider may have troubles getting email notifications due to this glitch between our email service and Yahoo. We have not found a solution for this issue at the current time.

A final reason may be because your email notices have been canceled. See "Why has by email notification been canceled?" below.

18. Why has my email notification been canceled?

When emails are returned or bounced, the staff puts a note into the patron's account. Once staff receive two returned email notices, notices are canceled for this account.

If you are no longer receiving email notifications, please see a Library staff member for help.

19. How do I authorize the OverDrive app with an Adobe ID?

"Authorizing" the OverDrive app allows you to download DRM-protected ebooks. The OverDrive app requires you to sign in when you first open the app, which automatically authorizes it. If you'd like, you can change your authorization (after you sign in) to use an Adobe ID instead. View the Overdrive help article.

20. Why am I getting an error when trying to download part of my e-audiobook on my iPad / iPhone?

If you've tried downloading an audiobook to the app Bookshelf, but you get a prompt saying part 1 isn't downloaded, use the steps in this Help article to manually start downloading its files. View the Overdrive help article.

21. What is the Southern Pines Public Library Strategic Plan?

The Southern Pines Public Library Strategic Plan 2020/2025 is a plan outlining methods to improve library services for patrons. The plan was created by library staff members and approved by Town Council in August 2020. It was submitted to the State Library of North Carolina in October 2020.

22. How do I send a print job to the Library's printers?

With our new MobilePrint Service™, you can use your personal computer or mobile device to print to the library’s printers from anywhere. Simply submit documents for printing and come to the library to release and pick up your document using your library card. If you do not have a library card, please see a library staff member to pay for your print jobs (.15¢ black & white and .25¢ color).

Instructions for Mobile Printing.