Click here to access your account. Or you can select "My Account" from the online Catalog here.

Library cards are free if you live, work, attend school, or pay property taxes in Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell or Edgefield counties.

• An ABBE card can be used at all member libraries.
• Cardholders are responsible for items checked out on their cards.
• Cards need to be renewed every four years.

To receive a card, individuals ages 18 and older must bring proof of residency or employment and a valid picture ID to one of our libraries. Once you register at the library, an ABBE library card is issued immediately.

Juvenile Cards

For children ages 17 and under, a parent or legal guardian must meet the eligibility requirements and accept responsibility for materials borrowed by the child. If a parent or legal guardian is an ABBE cardholder, his or her library card must be in good standing in order to sign for the child's card.

Non-Resident Cards

An annual fee of $20 is charged to non-residents for an ABBE library card.

Organization Cards

Organizational cards are issued to certain businesses, such as daycare centers, nursing homes, and recreation departments. These cards are not intended to be used by teachers to check out materials for classroom use.

If your library card is lost or stolen, notify the library immediately to prevent its unauthorized use. There is a $2 charge to replace a library card. You must show a valid ID.

In order to check out materials, you must have your library card, you cannot have overdue materials, and you cannot owe $5 or more in fines.

Library managers may limit the number of items on a particular subject that may be checked out, may shorten loan periods, or place circulating items on reserve due to high demand.

Special Loan Periods: All materials checked out on the Bookmobile or through Outreach Services have a 14-day loan period.

Items that are currently checked out or that are available at other branches may be requested and sent to any ABBE library when they are available. You can place holds on these materials in person, over the phone, or online. In order to place a hold online, click "My Account" on the Catalog page here.

A  maximum of 10 holds may be placed per account. Holds must be checked out within 7 days of becoming available. You will be notified via automated telephone call or email once the hold is available. (The method by which you are contacted depends upon what you selected when you registered for your card.) Patrons can only check out 4 DVDs at a time, even if 10 are on hold.

To place an item on hold, you must:

• Be a valid library cardholder
• Have no current overdue materials
• Have fines totaling no more than $5

Reference materials may not be placed on hold.

All items may be renewed for up to two additional loan periods. The length of each renewal depends upon the type of material checked out. For example, a DVD can be renewed for an additional 7 days, new books can be renewed for 14 more days, and other books can be renewed for 21 more days.

However, if the material has been reserved by another patron, they cannot be renewed.

After the second renewal, each item must be returned to any ABBE location. If there are no holds on the item at that time, you may immediately check it back out.

Renewals can be requested at any ABBE library, not just the original check-out location.

Renewals may be requested in person, by telephone, or online. Manage your account online by clicking "My Account" on our Catalog page here.

Renewals on specific items may be restricted due to heavy demand at the library manager's discretion.

The ABBE Regional Library System encourages library users to return materials and to pay fines on time.

If you are:

7 days past due:
A computer-activated courtesy email is attempted.

14 days past due:
A second computer-activated courtesy email is attempted.

28 days past due:
A final computer-activated courtesy email is attempted.

42 days past due:
Overdue items are converted to "lost" status and replacement costs and processing fees are added to your account.

43 days past due:
The library forwards your account to a collection agency if you owe $25 or more in overdue fines or lost materials fees. A $10 service fee is added to your account.

44 days past due:
The collection agency begins a series of phone calls and letters to you.

Overdue fines

Lost or Damaged Materials

Charges for lost ABBE materials will be the replacement cost of the item plus a processing fee of $5 per item. Replacement costs vary according to the material type. Overdue fines will not be charged for lost materials. Damaged materials will be assessed a fee based on the extent of the damage.

Bad Checks

A charge of $25 will be assessed for each bad check.

Bookdrop Fees

Any audio or video item returned to a book drop (instead of the AV drop) will result in a $1 charge.

ABBE participates in an interlibrary loan (ILL) program where libraries from across the nation will provide items from their collections to each other. This makes a broader range of materials available to you.

Borrowing Interlibrary Loan Materials

• The person making the request must:
  • Be a valid library cardholder
  • Have no current overdue materials
  • Have fines totaling no more than $5
  • Be 14 years or older
• Patrons may request up to five titles at one time.
• Patrons may only request the same title twice within a calendar year.
• ABBE will not accept interlibrary loan requests for paperback books which cost less than $8 unless they are out of print.
• Interlibrary loan Request Forms can be filled out in person at a library service desk, by telephone, or online.
• Interlibrary loan materials circulate for 14 days.
• Interlibrary loan materials must be returned to the ABBE library from which they were checked out.

Fees

• The ABBE Regional Library System will pass on to patrons any fees imposed by the lending library.
• Overdue fines for interlibrary loan materials are $1 per day.
• Patrons are responsible for items lost or damaged while in their possession. The fee for a lost or damaged item is $75.
• Patrons who lose or damage an interlibrary loan item, or who fail to pick up requested materials may have ILL privileges suspended.
• Failure to pay fees assessed by the lending library materials will be grounds for the suspension of library privileges.

Periodical Articles

Photocopies or faxes of articles from periodicals are also available via interlibrary loan. The charge for this varies depending on the library who owns the periodical, but is usually around $10 per article. Any charges for article requests received from the lending library are passed on to the patron.

Renewals

Renewals for interlibrary loan items are determined by the lending library, not ABBE. A renewal request can be placed for your item but cannot be guaranteed. As a general rule, libraries do not grant renewals on interlibrary loan items. Before your item is due, contact the ABBE library where the item was picked up to initiate a renewal request.

Copiers & Printers

Photocopiers  and printers are available at all ABBE libraries. If you need assistance in using a photocopier, please ask a staff member for help.

Microfilm readers and printers are available at the Aiken County and Barnwell County Public Libraries.

Cost:

Fax Machines

Fax machine service is available at most of the member libraries of the ABBE Regional Library System. The library staff will only send faxes within the continental United States. The cost to send or receive a fax is $1 per page. Payment for the service must be made prior to any outgoing transmission. Patrons receiving transmissions must pay incurred charges upon receipt of the facsimile. Any cover sheet transmitted or received is considered a part of the fax, incurring appropriate charges. Faxes are limited to a maximum of 20 pages at a time. Fax services end 20 minutes before the library closes. Incoming faxes will be held by the receiver's last name by library staff. They will be held for 7 days and then shredded if not picked up by the receiver.

Scanning

Scanning can be performed by patrons with library staff assisting as needed. Materials can be emailed or saved to a USB flash drive provided by the patron. There is presently no fee for this service.

Meeting Rooms

The ABBE Regional Library System provides meeting rooms at the following library locations for use by the public. Contact the location directly for more information and to place a reservation.

Aiken County Public Library
(803) 642-2020, ext. 1131

Bamberg County Public Library
(803) 245-3022

Barnwell County Public Library
(803) 259-3612

Edgefield County Public Library
(803) 637-4025

Johnston Branch Library
(803) 275-5157

Nancy Carson Library (North Augusta)
(803) 279-5767

Earbuds, Book Bags, and USB Drives

ABBE libraries offer earbuds, bags for books, and 4GB USB drives for patrons.

The Aiken-Bamberg-Barnwell-Edgefield Regional Library System provides computers, which allow public access to a variety of electronic resources, including the Internet, to support its role of providing access to information and resources to meet the educational and recreational needs of library users.

Computer use within the library will be managed in a manner consistent with the Mission Statement, Behavior Policy and related policies of the ABBE Regional Library System. Computer users may not violate federal, state or local laws or regulations. Use of the computers to display or disseminate graphic pornography, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive material is inappropriate for a public and open environment and is prohibited. Use of the library’s computers is a privilege, not a right. Violations of this policy and related procedures may result in loss of computer and/or library privileges. Illegal use may result in criminal prosecution.

To use a computer with Internet access:

• Users are required to read and accept the online Computer Use Policy before their use of any ABBE computer except library catalogs.
• Residents of the ABBE service area must have a current library card in good standing to use a computer.
• Non-residents may apply for a temporary guest card after showing a driver's license or photo ID.

Time Limits

With staff approval, up to two people may be seated at a single computer. Users may access only one computer at a time and must observe the designated time limits at each computer:

• 45 minute session if other patrons are waiting.
• Four-session limit per person per day.
• Computers automatically turn off 10 minutes before closing time.
• NOTE: Library staff may remind patrons when their time is up.

Downloading

Use of personal portable storage devices to access data files and save or download files is permitted from library computers with appropriate capabilities. Operating or installing program files from such devices is prohibited.

Software & Hardware

Public computers have an Internet browser, Microsoft office, and a PDF reader.

Patrons may not bring their own software or hardware for use on library computers.

Patrons may not change the hardware or software configurations of library computers.

Staff Assistance

Staff's ability to assist patrons with computer and Internet use is limited.

Staffing levels or workload may prevent the availability of any assistance.

Children Under 18

The ABBE Regional Library believes that the reading and viewing activity of children is the responsibility of parents who guide and oversee their children’s development. Some of ABBE’s computers are reserved for use by children. All computers in children’s areas are filtered for pornographic pictures and texts. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children when using any computer in an ABBE library.

Violating the Computer Use Policy

• Library computers are to be used for legal purposes only.
• Use of the computers to display or disseminate graphic pornography, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive material is prohibited.
• Staff may end the session of any computer user who violates this policy.
• Violations may result in the loss of Internet, computer, and/or library privileges.
• Illegal use may result in criminal prosecution.

Wireless Access

The public may use personal laptops, PDAs or other wireless devices within the building or grounds of ABBE libraries offering this service.

Wireless access is available 6 a.m. to Midnight, 7 days a week.

The public may use wireless devices in any part of the library or grounds provided no obstacle or safety hazard is created.

Wireless access does not include connection to any library printers.

All Internet access is filtered and users must follow the Internet guidelines of this Computer Use Policy as well as the Behavior Policy and related policies of the ABBE Regional Library System. Users may not violate federal, state or local laws or regulations. Use of personal wireless devices to display or disseminate graphic pornography, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive material is inappropriate for a public and open environment and is prohibited. Violations of this policy and related procedures may result in loss of library privileges. Illegal use may result in criminal prosecution.

Personal wireless devices may plug into any available electrical outlets, however, the library is not liable for any damage created by power loss, surges, or brownouts.