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Guide for New Users

Welcome! Are you new to the Clayton County Library System, or do you need a quick overview of how to use the library? This page is for you!

1. Your Library Card
2. Library Locations
3. Books and Other Library Materials
4. Magazines, Newspapers, and Online Resources
5. How to Get Help
6. Library Computers and Equipment
7. Classes, Programs, and Special Events
8. Resources for Kids and Teens
9. How You Can Help the Library

1. Your Library Card

In order to make full use of the library’s resources and services, you must have a Clayton County-issued PINES library card in good standing. Your library card will allow you to check out books and other library materials, use the library’s public computers, use the library’s online resources (online books, research databases, language-learning classes, etc.), and log in to your account to request books from other PINES libraries, renew your books, and more.

• How to Get a Library Card
• Library Card Application Form
  • Online Library Card Application Form
  • English Library Card Application Form
  • Spanish Library Card Application Form
  • Vietnamese Library Card Application Form

2. Library Locations

There are six library branches spread throughout the county. All branches offer special events and programs, public-use computers, photocopy machines with scanning capabilities, and wireless Internet access.

• Branch Locations and Hours
• Library Policies

3. Books and Other Library Materials

Your PINES library card allows you to check out books, audio CDs, and DVDs from any of the Clayton County libraries. It also allows you to check out books from any of the other 280+ PINES libraries throughout Georgia, and return your Clayton County library materials to any of those libraries as well (electronic material must be returned to library of origin).  If a book you are interested in is checked out, or is not available from your local library, you can place a hold on it and have it sent to your local library when it is available.

All of the library materials are listed in the PINES Catalog, which you can access from any computer that has Internet access. You can log in to your account through the PINES catalog to renew your books and place holds.

• The PINES Catalog (external link)
  • How to Search the Catalog and Find a Book on the Shelf
  • How to Log In to Your Account to Renew Your Books
  • How to Place a Hold
  • List of PINES Libraries Throughout Georgia (external link)
• Check Out Policies
  • How Long You Can Keep Items You’ve Checked Out
  • Overdue Fines
• Other Book Resources
  • What to Read Next
  • Online or Downloadable E-Books

4. Magazines, Newspapers, and Online Resources

Each library branch has a number of popular magazines and newspapers that can be read inside the library branches only. Electronic magazines and newspapers may be viewed on GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library,  with your library card number and your account password that you can obtain by calling or stopping by any one of our library branches. 

Your library card allows you to log in to GALILEO, Georgia’s ‘virtual library,’ that provides access to over 100 databases containing full-text magazine and journal articles, newspaper articles, online books and reference materials for researchers and students on a wide variety of topics.

• GALILEO
• Library Databases
• Please Contact Us if you need help using GALILEO or any of the Library Databases.

5. How to Get Help

There is an enormous amount of information available through the library, and we understand it can be overwhelming at times — but we are here to help you! You can come into one of our branches in person, you can call us, or you can contact us using the online form on this web site. If you need in-depth help on a research topic, the Headquarters Library has both a dedicated Information Desk and Youth Services Desk with staff that can help you on a variety of topics.

You may also find the answers to some of the most common questions we receive on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

• Ask-a-Librarian Contact Form
• Branch Locations, Hours, and Phone Numbers
• Frequently Asked Questions

6. Library Computers and Other Equipment

Each library branch has computers that are available for public use, wireless Internet access, and photocopy machines that can print in black/white or color and also have the ability to scan to email.

When using the library’s public computers, please be sure to save your work. We recommend that you bring a flash drive to save your work. 

Read more about Library computers and technology.

7. Classes, Programs, and Special Events

The library has free special events, classes, and programs for all ages and a wide variety of interests at all six of our branches. The library also hosts an extremely popular Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults each summer with many special activities and reading rewards.

• Library News
• Library Calendar

8. Resources for Kids and Teens

The library has books, magazines, educational gaming computers, homework resources, college preparation resources, and all sorts of special events, crafts, and activities for babies, toddlers, children, and teens. 

We also have special sections of our web site designed just for children and for teens:

• Kids Resources
• Teens

9. How You Can Help the Library

Are you interested in supporting the library?