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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a Library Card

What are the requirements for obtaining a library card? Photo identification verifying name is required. Identification of current address is also required. Acceptable identification is defined as a valid driver's license, state identification card, military identification, or school identification card, plus proof of address if it is not included on the identification card. Additional information and restrictions can be found on the Get a Card page.

Can I apply for a library card online? In response to COVID-19, we are offering an Online Library Card Registration Form. Visit our Get a Card page for instructions on how to request a library card online.

How much does a library card cost? Your first library card is free. A $1.00 replacement fee is required to replace lost, damaged or stolen cards.


 

Checking Out Materials

Do I need my library card to check out materials? You must present your library card or a picture ID to checkout library materials.

How long can I check items out for?

  Circulation period Renewals
Books and audiobooks 3 weeks 2 automatic renewals
DVDs 7 days No renewals
Magazines 7 days No renewals
Kits and Launchpads 7 days No renewals
Chromebooks 14 days 1 renewal

Can I renew my items? You may renew books, audiobooks and magazines twice. You can renew items over the phone, or by visiting your library account online. DVDs, Kits and Launchpads are NOT renewable. Items may also renew automatically if they are eligible. Items that are ineligible for renewals include DVDs, kits, Launchpads, items that are needed to fill a hold request, and items that have exceeded their renewal limit.

Is there a limit to how many items I can check out? Patrons are limited to 6 DVDs and 99 total books, audiobooks and magazines per card. Patrons are limited to 1 Launchpad per family, and 1 Chromebook per account (adult accounts only). 

Do you charge fines for materials? All Harnett County Public libraries are overdue fine free. Effective January 5, 2022, no overdue fines are charged for materials that are returned after their due dates. However, keep in mind that items that have been overdue for 30 days phase into "lost" status, and the responsible party is charged the retail price of the item and is barred from further checkouts until the item is either returned or paid for. There are no penalties for returning overdue or "lost" items. Items that are returned damaged may be charged a fee depending on the severity of the damage. 


 

Using Library Services

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept cash payments for all amounts, and credit/debit card payments for transactions over $1.00.

Do I need my library card to access the public computers? You need your library card and PIN numbers to use the computers. Your library account must also be in good standing (no excessive fines or lost items). Patrons without a library account can present a valid form of photo ID to receive a guest pass for the public computers. 

What applications and inputs are available on the public computers? The library's computers offer Internet browsing, Microsoft Office applications, headphone input for sound, and USB (flash drive) input. An external CD/DVD drive is available through the front desk.

Does the library offer free WiFi? Yes. The library provides a free wireless connection to public WiFi for mobile devices.

Can I make copies? How much do they cost? Yes. You will be charged $0.10 per page for black and white copies, and $1.00 per page for color copies. These prices apply to both Xerox copies and copies printed from the public computers.

Does the library offer mobile printing? Yes. You can send prints to the library from home or from a mobile device using Princh. Use these instructions to send a print job. You will be charged $0.10 per page for black and white copies, and $1.00 per page for color copies.

Can I fax at the library? How much does it cost? Yes. The library has a public fax machine. There is a $0.25 charge per page (including the cover page, if using) for local, toll free, and long distance faxes, both outgoing and incoming. The library's incoming fax number is (910) 893-3001.

Can I have a document notarized at the library? The library offers free notary services depending on availability. We recommend calling the library ahead of time to ensure that a notary is available. Notary services are only offered Monday through Friday before 4:00 PM.

What are your holiday hours? The library closes in observance of national holidays. Click here to see our holiday closings schedule.


 

Donations

Can I donate items to the library? The library accepts items for donation at our discretion. Please keep the following in mind when considering a library donation:

  • ● The library does not accept moldy or dirty items.
  • ● The library does not accept textbooks, encyclopedias or magazines.
  • ● Items cannot be copyrighted any older than 10 years
  • ● The library has limited space for housing and sorting donations. We ask that you bring no more items than can be easily transferred to the library in one trip.

Can I claim my library donations on my taxes? At your request, the library can provide a donation receipt that itemizes your donation for tax purposes. You are responsible for determining the value of your items.

Can I give a monetary donation or donate an item for the collection in honor of a loved one? A gift to the Harnett County Public Library provides a lasting tribute to someone special. Please fill out and return the Memorial/Honor Donation Form to place a memorial request.


 

Using the Library Online

Do you offer eBooks and audiobooks that I can download to my ereader? Yes. We have eBook and audiobook collections in our e-iNC Overdrive collection. We also have access to TumbleBooks and NC Kids for children. For a detailed list of e-resources please visit the Ebooks & More page on our website. You will need a Harnett County library card and PIN number to access electronic materials.

Do you have online access to scholarly research materials for work and school? Library patrons have access to NCLive.org, a free database of core digital content and services including academic journals, newspapers, research resources, test preparation, and more. You will need your library card and PIN number to access NC Live resources from home.

What is my PIN number? By default, your PIN is the last 4 digits of the phone number we have on file with your library account. For StudentAccess accounts using a Student ID, your PIN is the last 4 digits of your Student ID number. For PIN changes and inquiries, please contact the library at (910) 893-3446.

Can I manage my library account online? Yes. You can log into your library account to view currently checked out items, place holds, renew items, and view fines and fees.

Can I access electronic library resources with my Student ID number? Yes. Harnett County School students with a current Student ID number can use their number to login to services like NC Kids, TumbleBooks, and more! Just enter your Student ID number in the "Library Barcode" field and the last 4-digits of your Student ID number in the "PIN number" field.