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.   

eBooks and Audiobooks Now Available through OverDrive

Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines to read on your phone or tablet using OverDrive and the Libby app. You can even send and read your borrowed ebooks to your Kindle ereader (U.S. only)! It’s free and easy to get started for new users here.

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 now offer Grab and Go service. Patrons can 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. Fines for overdue items will resume on Saturday, October 10, 2020. 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.

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. 

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.