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Library

Show All Answers

1. How do I obtain a library card?

A photo ID and proof of residency or property ownership within the town limits of Southern Pines are required to obtain a card at no charge. 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 limits 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. Four options exist for purchasing a membership (fees adjusted every October):

• Full Access Card - for use of the full collection and services
  • $60 for 12 months
  • $30 dollars for 6 months
• Limited Access Card - for use of the juvenile and young adult collection and services
  • $20 for 12 months
  • $10 for 6 months

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 not a limit as to how many books, audiobooks, or magazines may be checked out to a borrower. Only 2 Book Club Kits and 3 DVDs may be checked out by a patron at one time. 

5. How long can I keep the library materials?

All materials may be kept for 3 weeks with the exception of Book Club Kits, which may be kept for 6 weeks.

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

All materials may be renewed 1 time unless another patron has requested the item or you have reached the fine limit. Each renewal period is 3 weeks. You may renew materials 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 using the library catalog too.

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. The library is not charging fines for late items while operating at limited hours and services during the pandemic. 

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. Books may also be requested from other libraries through the Interlibrary Loan system. The charge per item is determined by the return postage cost and the lending library’s fee.

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). Your library card number and PIN may be used to: 

• Sign up for a computer in the library.
• Place monetary funds into an account to use for printing at library computers.
• View your account, place holds on items, and renew materials online using the online catalog.
• Access subscription online resources from the library 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?

A hold request may be placed online using your library card number and 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. You will receive a test message or email notification, depending on your notification set-up, once the item(s) arrives. The item(s) availability will also display on your online account as "Arrived" once it is ready to be picked up. Holds will be available for pick up for up to 7 days, and a patron may only place 5 item(s) on hold at a time.  

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, place holds on materials, or access subscription databases from home. 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. 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.

15. How do I receive email or text notifications 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. Library staff members may help you set up your notification preferences, or you may do it yourself by logging into your online library account.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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. View Mobile Printing instructions.

19. What is the Southern Pines Public Library's 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.