​What is PINES?

Georgia Library PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) is the public library automation and lending network for 300 libraries and affiliated service outlets in 53 library systems serving 146 counties in Georgia.

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How do I start looking for a book to check out?

1. Visit prlib.org

2. Click on Library Catalog in the menu

3. Select My Account in the upper right corner 

4. When asked for your library card number, type your school's prefix in all caps, followed by your student ID number (or if you're a Jefferson student, your 3- or 4-digit lunch number.) Barrow County uses BCS, Commerce City uses COM, Jackson County uses JAC, and Jefferson City uses JEFF.

EXAMPLES:

Your student ID (or lunch number) is 12345. So your PLAY card number is JAC12345.

5. When asked for your password, type your 2-digit birth month and 4-digit birth year with no spaces.

EXAMPLE:

Your birthday is June 30, 2012. So your password/PIN is 062012.

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How much does the PLAY Card Program cost?

The account is free and library resources and services are free.

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What about overdue fines and fees?

There are no overdue fines, but users are responsible for fees on lost or damaged items.

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What schools are included?

PRLS currently partners with the Barrow County School System, Commerce City Schools, the Jackson County School System, and Jefferson City Schools. The Banks County School System may be added in the future.

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Where is my closest library location?

There are ten libraries in the Piedmont Region. Click here to be taken to the Piedmont Regional Libraries map for a library near you.

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What are the library’s hours?

Hours vary by location. Visit the your library's website for current hours.

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Am I limited to only using libraries in the Piedmont region?

You can visit any PRLS library location or any of the 300 PINES partner library across the state.

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What content can my child access with their PLAY card?

For resources in the library, your children have the same access with the PLAY card as they do with your physical library card. Parents/caregivers have the right and responsibility to guide their children's reading. We ask that you assist your child in selecting material that is both age-appropriate for them and appealing to their unique interests. 

 

For electronic resources, the PLAY card can access our educational resources, such as ABC Mouse, World Book Online, and ERead Kids, which features ebooks and audiobooks curated for preK-4th grade. The PLAY card cannot, however, check out materials from the Libby collection of ebooks and audiobooks, which features content meant for teens and adults. We realize it is more difficult for parents/caregivers to monitor online reading. Out of an abundance of caution we blocked the majority of PLAY cards from checking out those materials. When requested directly by a school system, we may unblock Libby for certain age bands (mostly high school students) on a school-by-school basis.  

 

What if I want my student to have full access to the library collections?

The PLAY account allows students to borrow 5 items at a time and have full access to most online resources. If you want your child to borrow more items, you can apply for a free Piedmont Regional Library System PINES library card at any time. Visit your local library and bring your photo ID.

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Will parents/caregivers have access to see what the student has checked out?

Parents/caregivers have the right and responsibility to guide their children's reading. Parents/caregivers will have the ability to see what is checked out on the account of a minor by using the student's information to log into their account. 

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What if a student already has a library card?

You can continue using the existing library card. Your PLAY account is separate and does not accrue fines.

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What happens when a student changes schools?

Students maintain the same PLAY account until they move outside of the school system or graduate. The schools will update us on any changes that happen regarding a student that leaves the system, or switches schools.

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What happens when a student graduates?

The PLAY account will remain active until October 15th of the graduation year.

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What about homeschool students?

A student can apply online for a library account for digital access only. Click here to visit the PINES website and apply online, or visit your local library in person to apply for a library card. If under the age of 18, a parent/guardian's contact information and consent are required.

 

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Is the information shared with the library confidential?

Yes, per Official Code of Georgia § 21-12-30(a) Confidential Nature of Certain Library Records.

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