Athens Regional Library System

Please visit your library branch's website for the latest hours and services. Call us or contact us at http://athenslibrary.org/homepage/regional-information/contact-us if you have any questions regarding library service during this time. For more information about the libraries' phased re-entry plans, please click here.   

Message from the Director

UPDATED: September 20, 2020

Dear Library User,
I am very pleased to announce that in addition to our current services, most county libraries will be moving to the next phase of the libraries re-opening plan.  Those libraries will be welcoming patrons back into our facilities for “Grab and Go” service beginning September 28, 2020.  

Due to the recent spike in Coronavirus cases, the Athens-Clarke County libraries will not be participating in Grab and Go service at this time.  We will, however, continue the services that are currently being offered:  Extended curbside hours, computers by appointment, document delivery, reference chat, and passport services.  The active cases and infection rates in Athens-Clarke County will be reviewed weekly with the hope of opening for Grab and Go service in early October.  Please read the full Message from the Director here.

2020 Census Deadline extended to October 5, 2020

Time is running out to complete your 2020 U.S. Census! The Census directly impacts resources allocated for healthcare, education and infrastructure. It’s important to ensure everyone in our communities is counted. Completing the census is safe, secure and easy. It only takes about 10 minutes at my2020census.gov. Don’t forget: our libraries offer wi-fi access in our parking lots in case you need it, or call us to set up a computer session. The deadline to respond to the Census is October 5, 2020. Read the statement on the Census from U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham, dated Aug. 3, 2020, here.

Library will soon offer digital collection through OverDrive

Starting October 1, 2020,  the Georgia Download Destination (of which Athens Regional Library is a participant) will transfer its digital eBooks and audiobooks to OverDrive and the Libby platform from RBDigital. Learn more about how the change will affect the way you read digital ebooks and audiobooks here.

Starting October 1, 2020, the library’s digital collection will transfer to OverDrive and the Libby platform from RBDigital. What does that mean to you? 

• You will use OverDrive’s Libby app to download and enjoy our large collection of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks
• Your current holds, checkout history, and wish lists will NOT transfer over to the Libby app. We suggest you record those titles elsewhere so you do not lose them.
• The checkout of magazines is not a part of OverDrive’s Libby app at this time, but should be in the future. Magazines will still be available through RBdigital until they are transferred over to the Libby app. You will be notified of this prior to the transfer. 
• All of our ebooks and audiobooks will transfer to the new platform.
• Kindle Paperwhite users will now be able to check out items from the digital collection!
• Making the transition is easy. Just enter your library name and library card number in the Libby app (available free in both Apple and Google stores), and you're on your way!

You can find more information here: https://resources.overdrive.com/rbdigital-acquisition-faqs/

This transition is scheduled to happen on or around October 1, 2020. Patrons who currently use RBDigital should see messages on your RBdigital screen with further instructions as they are available. Got questions? Call your library or use our interactive Reference Chat at our website. You can also email recommend.gadd@gmail.com.

Voter Registration Deadline is October 5, 2020

Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register for the November General Election is October 5, 2020. Please visit our Voter Information page for detailed nonpartisan information, including important dates related to elections, lists of candidates by county, statewide candidates, current officials, and other voter information.

Updated Services

As part of its phased reentry plan, the Athens Regional Library System continues to expand its available services while protecting the health and safety of patrons and staff.

Grab and Go: Many Athens Regional Library System branches will open for Grab and Go service starting Monday, September 28, 2020. Patrons will be able to visit their library branch to browse parts of the collection, place and pick up holds, and check out items. Unvented face masks are required. Visits are limited to one hour or less. Some branches will limit visits to 30 minutes or less. Check your local library branch’s webpage for hours here.

Curbside Service: Place holds at our website, through the PINES mobile app, in-person at your library, or by phone. We’ll notify you when your items are ready for pickup. Our libraries also offer curbside print pickup. Email your document to your local Athens Regional Library System branch, and we’ll notify you when it’s ready for pickup! Learn more about print pickup and find your library’s printing email here

Concierge Service: Not sure what to read next? Do you or your child want to learn more about a particular topic? Want to discover a new favorite author based on books you know you already like? Try our concierge service! Call us, and our friendly, knowledgeable staff will gather titles for you based on your interests for curbside pickup.

Book Drops: Please return checked out items to our outdoor book drops only. We’ll hold all returned items in quarantine before checking them in, which means your return won’t show up on your account right away. Don’t worry! No fines will be charged if you’ve returned items by their original due date. Please note, our libraries are not accepting donations for the time being.

Computer Appointments: Selected branches of Athens Regional Library System offer Internet computer sessions by appointment. Reserve your one-hour session by calling your local branch library.  Appointments are available for adults, teens and caregivers with children (PC for adult paired to a computer just for children). You can reserve one session per day and up to two sessions per week. Please note you will be required to wear an unventilated face mask while at the library, and limited staff assistance will be available. Printing services will be available. Athens-Clarke County Library also offers one-hour appointments for patrons who would like to work at the library using their own device. For more information, including details on what to do when you arrive at the library for your appointment, click here. 

Athens-Clarke County Library: Passports:  The Athens-Clarke County Library accepts passport applications by appointment. Please call the library at 706-613-3650 to set up your appointment. Saturday appointments are available! 

• Please note appointments must be made via phone.
• Masks must be worn.
• Only the applicants should be present.

Please check their website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for the most current information.

Crafts to Go: Stop by your library during curbside service hours to pick up everything you need for a fun craft activity designed for children ages 2-11. A new craft is available every two weeks while supplies last, and each branch has different crafts.

Share your family's experiences as part of our library's community archive

Are you keeping a journal of your experiences during the coronavirus pandemic? Did you post a photo on social media of empty shelves at the grocery store? Whether you’re writing in an old school diary or recording voice memos, everyone's experience is unique. The Heritage Room at Athens-Clarke County Library wants to help preserve our community’s story of this unprecedented time in our collective history. We are interested in stories from everyday people. No story is too small! How you collect your thoughts is up to you: write in a journal, take photos or videos, record voice memos or even save social media posts. Full details are available here using a Google account. If you don't have a Google account, use this link.

Resources That Promote Equity

The Athens Regional Library System embraces diversity, inclusion, and social justice. These are a part of our organizational values and at the heart of our public services. We support the members of our communities who are in pain, those who are on a quest to educate themselves around the issues of race, and those wondering how to talk with children and young people about these issues. To help with those endeavors, we have developed the following list of resources. We will be adding to this list as the days go by. Much like the challenging events our communities have experienced over the last three months, the Library believes that we are in this together, and together we will see our way through. Visit our resources here.