New public library e-card provides free access to digital library resources
Anyone in Georgia can register for a PINES e-card. To apply, visit georgialibraries. org/ discover- pines
The Georgia Public Library Service is launching an e-card for all PINES public libraries, which represent 300 locations including branch libraries, bookmobiles, special collections, and more covering 146 counties. The e-card provides immediate access to all digital resources offered at your local public library, such as eRead Kids, Mango Languages, Learning Express, and much more. The e-card service reduces barriers to getting a library card when it might be difficult to visit the library in person. “We are so pleased to offer this service in a time when access to the information and resources in public libraries is more vital than ever. Services and programs at our libraries are so important to students, job seekers, families, and communities, and the ecard allows 24/7 access from anywhere,” said Julie Walker, State Librarian and Associate Vice Chancellor for Libraries.
Anyone who does not already have a library card can apply at georgialibraries. org/ discover- pines and you will be immediately issued a library card number online. Keep this number handy and visit ohoopeelibrary.org to get started with Overdrive, eRead Kids where you have access to thousands of books for free. Overdrive has thousands of ebooks, digital audio books as well as popular magazine titles you can read for free on your device. eRead Kids is all for kids with many popular titles and audio books to read along with. To use your account for GALILEO, you can call your local library or email them for the current password. Within GALILEO you will find free ebooks, learning tools, test preparation and Mango Languages to learn foreign languages. These are resources to help students who might be learning at home or in school this year. Remember these resources are free and available 24/7. If you already have a library card you already have access to these digital resources.
“The best thing about digital resources is that you cannot damage them, lose them or return them late. So you never get fines or fees. Who doesn’t love that? And the best part is you can get a library card from your home and start reading, “said Cameron Asbell Ohoopee Regional Director.
If you want to upgrade your e-card to a full library card to check out physical books and other materials later, all you have to do is bring your e-card and a photo ID to any PINES library and we can upgrade your account. Even if you do not have the ability to use the e-card account for digital resources at home, we do have many resources available and we are here to help.
The Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) empowers libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians by encouraging reading, literacy, and education through the continuing support and improvement of our public libraries. GPLS is a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. www.georgialibraries. org #georgialibraries.
Georgia Library Public Information Network for Electronic Services, or PINES, creates a statewide borderless library that eliminates geographic and socio-economic barriers, and the initiative is one way that Georgia Public Library Service provides a scalable service that strengthens access to information and saves taxpayer money. Over its 20 years, PINES has saved Georgia’s public libraries $12 million in one-time costs and more than $79 million in ongoing costs.
The Ohoopee Regional Library comprises 7 libraries in 4 counties and all funding for the operation of these libraries comes from local taxing authorities.
