Frequently Asked Questions

Adults (ages 17 and older) living in Sampson County or counties adjacent to us (Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Johnston, Pender, and Wayne) simply need to bring a photo ID issued by a US governmental agency (driver's license, state ID, student ID) or a passport issued by any country.

Juveniles (ages 5 through 16) living in Sampson County and adjacent counties must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to be issued a library card. Children's cards are issued and linked to a parent or legal guardian who already has a library card with no outstanding account balances or long overdues. If the adult does not have a card, SCPL will issue him/her one before proceeding with the child's. 

To find out more about the perks of having a library card, visit the Request Library Card page.

If a patron does not know where his library card is, it is important to:

• Put a stop on the card by calling the library if you do not want to replace the card. This prevents anyone else from using the card. Staff will not knowingly check out something on your card to anyone other than you, but if we do not have a picture on file, this may happen. The items checked out will still be the responsibility of the owner of the card.

or

• Replace the card. It will cost $3 and any other fines or fees that are on the card at the time of we replace it.

By getting a library card, you will have access to books, audiobooks, DVDs and videos, magazines, E-books and e-audiobooks, and tons of online material.

To learn more about what you will have access to, visit the Library Card Information page.

Renewing items online

• Go to our card catalog.
• Click on the dropdown menu My Account.
• Click on Items Out.
• Enter your 12-digit library card number in the Barcode box (do not include spaces).
• Enter your 4-digit pin code in the Password box. If you cannot remember the 4-digit number you gave the library staff at registration, please call one of our libraries, and we will be able to change it to any 4-digit number you wish after you give us your library card number.
• Click the Log In button.

From there follow the step by step instructions. To see step by step instructions on renewing online, visit the Renewing Items Online page.

You can return your items to any Sampson County library :

• J. C. Holliday Library in Clinton @ 217 Graham St.
• Miriam Lamb Memorial Library in Garland @ 114 South Church St.
• Bryan Memorial Library in Newton Grove @ 302 Weeksdale St.
• Roseboro Public Library in Roseboro @ 300 West Roseboro St.

In addition, all libraries have drop boxes for patrons to return items when the libraries are closed, BUT:

• These items will be checked in upon opening the following day.
• Any items turned in after hours on the day the book is due will be considered late since it will not be checked in until the following day; a fine will be charged for each late item.

To reduce our paper consumption, SCPL does not mail notices for overdues. When patrons check-out, they receive a date due slip which lists all items and due dates for that check-out. Patrons are responsible for either returning or renewing all items by the due date. However, patrons can sign up for courtesy reminders via email.

Email Notices

As a courtesy, SCPL send email notices to remind patrons to return items before they are due and to notify patrons of items needing to be returned once they become overdue and are accruing fines. Patrons should keep staff notified of any changes to an email address in order to continue to receive current information about their accounts. Failure to receive an email notice will not mitigate overdue fines.

Billing Notices

If items become 90 days overdue, the items are automatically billed to the patron with a $2 processing fee. An automatic billing notice is printed and mailed to the patron. If the patron returns the items, the $2 processing fee will be waived for each item, and the overdue fee will be either $10 or the cost of the item, whichever is cheaper. In addition, there is a $50 cap for overdue fines on each account. This cap does not include replacement costs and processing fees for items not returned.

SCPL tries to keep a varied selection of books, magazines, DVD’s, and audiobooks on hand for our patrons. However, due to limited space, we may not have exactly what every patron wants. In these circumstances, Patrons can do one of two things:

1. Request an ILL (Interlibrary Loan) Our library can borrow books and magazine articles from other libraries in the United States through a service called Interlibrary Loan(PDF, 88KB). Most books published more than a six months ago may be acquired this way (within 3 days to 3 weeks usually depending upon availability at the loaning library). Patrons may ask for up to 4 ILL books for free during a 12-month period. Any more titles acquired through ILL will be done for a shipping/handling charge of $3. The patron’s account will be charged upon the library receiving the title, whether the patron checks the item out or not. Magazine articles may require a fee for the photocopies.
2. Request SCPL purchase the item SCPL purchases materials according to our Collection Development Policy(PDF, 100KB). We use review journals and online resources to help us pick purchases. However, there are instances when we miss something, and we rely on our patrons to tell us. If an item a patron suggests is suitable for the collection and would be enjoyed by a number of our patrons, we will be happy to purchase the title. Patrons should contact the Branch Manager of any library to request the title in question and ask to be put on reserve so that when the item is purchased they can be contacted. Orders for titles are usually placed during the last 10 days of the month, and depending upon fulfillment and processing times, are usually ready for checkout the following month.

Yes. You can download both from several sites. To visit these sites, check out the eBooks page.

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a four-digit number of your choice attached to your library account. Your PIN allows you to take advantage of these library services. You will choose your PIN when you register for your card. If you already have a library card but do not know your PIN, call your local library or talk to a staff member the next time you visit the library.