Athens Regional Library System

Please visit your library branch's website for the latest curbside service hours for holds and printing. 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.   

2020 Census Deadline is September 30, 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 September 30, 2020. Read the statement on the Census from U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham, dated Aug. 3, 2020, here.

Need to use a computer?

We’re excited to announce that selected branches of Athens Regional Library System will offer Internet computer sessions by appointment starting Monday, August 24! Reserve your one-hour session by calling your local branch library. 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. For Athens-Clarke County residents, got your own device but want to work in the library? You can reserve a one-hour session for that, too! For more information, including details on what to do when you arrive at the library for your appointment, click here.

Library announces expanded 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.

Curbside Holds Service: We’ve expanded our curbside service hours! Visit your local library branch’s webpage here. Place holds at our website, through the PINES mobile app, or by phone. We’ll notify you when your items are ready for pickup.

Book Drops: Our book drops are now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note, 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 at this time. Please note, our libraries are not accepting donations for the time being.

Print Pickup: Need to print something but can’t do it at home? We’ve got you covered! Our libraries now 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! Printouts will be available the next business day during curbside service hours. We also offer curbside pickup of tax forms, which can be requested by calling your library. Learn more about print pickup and find your library’s printing email here .

Athens-Clarke County Library: Passports Beginning Monday, Aug. 10, the Athens-Clarke County Library will begin accepting passport applications by appointment. Please call the library at 706-613-3650 to set up your appointment. Saturday appointments will be available!

Due to limited staffing at U.S. passport facilities, please note that passport applicants will experience a significant delay in receiving their passport and their original documentation due. Please check their website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for the most current information.

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

More information will be available soon!

One-on-One Virtual Sessions: Heritage Room and Computer Tutorials

Heritage Room virtual one-on-one sessions: Are you working on a research project or genealogy question? Need access to materials and support? Email heritageroomref@athenslibrary.org or call us at 706-613-3650, ext. 350, to request a 45-minute one-on-one virtual research session. The Heritage Room staff will be available electronically or via telephone, to assist with genealogy research.  These 45-minute one-on-one sessions are by appointment and are designed for those working on research projects, those with genealogy questions, and those who need access to materials. (Starting the week of 6/22)   

Virtual One-on-One Computer Tutorials and Online Computer Classes: Need a little extra help with a computer skill? We now offer virtual one-on-one computer tutorials! These free, 45-minute interactive sessions cover basic computer skills like creating a Word doc, accessing the Internet and navigating Facebook. We also offer virtual computer classes on a range of topics from keyboard skills to Google Docs to Internet privacy and security. Patrons can register for computer classes or tutorials on our library’s virtual events calendar and can join in using Google Meet.

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.

Message from the Director

UPDATED: July 31, 2020

Dear Library User,
Many thanks to our patrons for all the kind words that we have received as we make every effort to provide library services that are safe for you and our staff. Unfortunately, due to the spike in coronavirus cases throughout our region, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone our in-house internet services. We are determined to open this service just as soon as these case numbers begin to flatten. While we cautiously wait for the coronavirus to level in our counties, we are expanding library services. Please read the full Message from the Director here.