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Library Cards and Borrowing Materials

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  • Benefits of a Library CardSCPL Library Card

    • free access to checkout books, movies, CDs, and more
    • free access to online databases such as DISCUS, Grolier, ReferenceUSA, HeritageQuest and more
    • free access to search the internet at the Libraries
    • access to materials from other libraries nationwide
    • the ability to request materials from your home computer
    • the ability to request meeting rooms for group and business meetings

  • How to Apply for a Library Card

      • Spartanburg County Public Libraries issues free cards to Spartanburg county residents. All card applicants must provide current proof of identity and residency. Applications for children under age 17 must be completed by the parent or legal guardian. The person signing and any additional cards they have signed for must be in good standing before any new cards will be issued. Also, library cards expire every two years. All fees and fines on the card must be paid in full in order to renew library privileges.

      What You Need to Bring

      • To receive a free full-privilege, resident card, you must show proof of current residence.
      • To be considered a permanent resident, you must live in Spartanburg county at least 6 months of the year.
      • College students living in on-campus housing do not qualify at this time.
      • A free library card is also available to anyone who lives in another county but owns property in Spartanburg County. Applicant must provide Spartanburg County tax receipt, proof of identity, and proof of current address. These accounts will expire on January 31st but may be renewed each year with proof of current tax receipt.

        • Acceptable identification and proof of residence:

        Current Picture ID with current address  OR Picture ID (with a non-current address)
        such as:   AND one of the following:
        South Carolina driver's license   Printed Checks with local address
        South Carolina Department of Highways ID
        *expired ID may not be used        		   Current tax notice
        Current Utility bill
        Voter Registration
         

      Non-Resident Cards

      • Non-residents, who own property in Spartanburg County, may also receive a free full-privilege resident card by showing proof of property tax payment within the last year. A new receipt must be presented each year.
      • Spartanburg County does have a reciprocal agreement with Greenville County which allows Greenville County residents to receive the same free card. The same requirements apply along with the requirement that the person’s Greenville County card is also in good standing.
      • Non-resident cards are issued for a fee of $32 per year for SC residents and $33 per year for out of state residents. This entitles you and one other family member a non-restricted card for a period of one year. If more than 2 family members get a card, the charge for the additional cards is $10 per year. Applicants must show picture ID with their correct address.
      • Any child, from birth to age 16 years old who is not a resident of Spartanburg County, may receive a free, restricted-use library card from Spartanburg County Public Libraries provided a parent or legal guardian signs the application, agreeing to be responsible for lost, damaged, and overdue materials. This card may be used for borrowing only circulating, print materials related to school assignments, as well as age appropriate materials for recreational reading. The non-resident student card may not be used for borrowing audio visual or other materials unless a note from the teacher substantiates that the material is for a bona fide school assignment.

      Lost or Stolen Cards

        Please notify the library immediately if you card is lost or stolen. We will put a stop on the card effective the day you let us know. Anything checked out before that date will be your responsibility.

        Replacement Cards: Cards may be replaced for a fee of $1.25. You must show proper identification to replace a card. The existing card must be in good standing before a replacement is issued.

  • User PIN information

      • What is a PIN?

        Every library patron has a PIN number assigned to their account. This PIN, together with your library card barcode number, is used to access your library card account both online or through our automated account information line at 864-596-3515. You will also need your PIN to login to the public use computers in the library.

      How do I get a PIN?

        Cards issued before 2003 were assigned a PIN of 9999. If you have not already changed your PIN, use the 9999 PIN when logging into your account. You may keep this number, or change your PIN to the number or letters of your choice.

        Cards issued after 2003 are assigned a PIN number at registration. If you don’t know your PIN, call or stop by any library location and give your library card number to get your PIN.

  • Material Loan Periods & Limits

      • Each user may have no more than 25 items checked out at any time. There is a limit of 4 items per subject for each card.
      Material Type Loan period
      (in days)      		 Limit per card
      Most books 28 4 per subject
      Bestsellers 14 no limit, except by subject
      Magazines 14 10
      Recorded Books
      (cassette, CD, MP3)       		28 6 total combination
      (cassette, CD, MP3)
      Music cassettes and CDs 14 10 of each
      Videos & DVDs 7 3 total combination (DVD,VHS)
      Kits 28 3
      Software 7 2
      Government Documents 28 4 per subject
      Interlibrary Loan Indicated on sleeve 4
      Playaways 14 2
       

      Forgetting a Library Card at Checkout

        You may check out 2 items by showing your driver’s license or other official picture ID. Children up to age 16 must provide correct address, telephone number and the parents name on their record in order to check out 2 items. The parent who signed for the card must provide picture ID and the child’s information.

  • Requesting Books and Other Items

      • Items that are checked out or located at another library location may be requested and sent to any branch in Spartanburg County for you. Requests may be made online, by telephone or at any service desk. We will need to know if you want to be contacted by telephone or email and will need the correct telephone number or email address to reach you. You will be notified by our automated system and have 2 business days to pick up your request.

      Request Items From Home

        Each library card account has a PIN number attached to it to allow you online access. With this access you may search our database, check your own account, place holds on your account, access research databases and download digital books. If you do not know your PIN number we can give it to you using your library card number either in person or by telephone. You must have your library card number available to receive the PIN number.

      Request From Another Library

        Interlibrary Loan is the process used to obtain materials or photocopies from other libraries when the materials are not available in the Spartanburg County Public Libraries system.

      Privacy

        All personal information is used only by the library. We do not give out any information to outside agencies. Only the patron or responsible adult in the case of a minor is allowed access to the library card account. This information includes what is checked out, on hold, or the account’s PIN number.

        For more information, see our Privacy Statement and our Confidentiality of Library Records Policy.

  • Renewing Books and Other Items

      • Items may be renewed for one additional loan period. If the item has holds on it, it may not be renewed. The renewal may be requested in person, online, or by telephone. In order to avoid late charges, the renewal must be requested by the due date.

      Materials may be renewed by logging in to My Account

  • Returning Books and Other Items

      • Where to Return

        Items may be returned to any branch location in Spartanburg County. All branches have both an inside and outside drop box for returning items. The outside drop at Headquarters is a drive-thru located in the service driveway on the lower level. The service driveway is located off of Kennedy Street. The Westside Library also has a drive-thru window for returning items and picking up previously requested materials.

      Damaged Items

        Damaged items may have partial or total damage. Partial damage indicates that the item can still be used. Totally damaged items are no longer able to circulate. Items returned with damages will be billed to the users account based on the extent of the damage. Users will be notified of the damage and items will be held for 2 week for the user to view the damage.

  • Fines & Fees

      • Overdue fees are as follows:
      Item Type Bill
      per Day      		 Grace
      Period       		Maximum Charge
      per Item
      Videos and DVD $1.00 2 days $5.00
      All other Items 15¢ 2 Days $5.00
       
      Items must be returned during the grace period to avoid fines. On the 3rd day, the user will be charged for all 3 days. The account balance must be at $10 or less in order to check out. Users will be notified of overdue items by the automated system on the first day an item is overdue. This provides the opportunity to renew or return the item within the grace period to avoid late fees. After this initial notice, we will send any future notices by mail. We do not send any bills, just overdue notices.

  • Change of Name, Address, or Telephone

      • Please notify the library if your name, address or telephone number changes. You may contact any library location. We can only contact you based on the information you have given us.