PLAY Card

About the PLAY Card

The Athens Regional Library System, Oconee County Library and the Oconee County Schools recognize that reading is critical to academic success. We have partnered to offer the PINES PLAY (PINES Library Access for Youth) card — a digital library card account especially for students in grades k-12 — to all students in Oconee County public schools.

Welcome to the Student PLAY Program!

The PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) program gives students free access to public library materials and online resources. All Oconee County Schools students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade are automatically enrolled.

• Check out up to 5 items at once with no overdue fines
• Download digital e-books, e-audiobooks and digital magazines.
• Access online resources for homework help, learning tools, college prep, and job readiness.

How does the PLAY card work?

PLAY accounts give public school students free access to public library resources and services.

• Students use their student number as their library card, both in person and online.
• There are no overdue fines. Fees apply only for lost or damaged materials.
• The program is completely free!

What library resources are available?

Use your PLAY account at the library or online.

• Explore our online resources: Check out online resources anytime from anywhere including ebooks, audiobooks, and videos.
• Borrow books and materials from the library including audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. Plus passes to parks and museums.
• Visit your local library: Use library computers and wireless internet.

Getting started

What is PINES? PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services)is the statewide network of public library systems serving 300 public libraries across the state of Georgia. PINES gives you access to more than 11 million books and materials plus online resources. With your PLAY account, you can borrow items from PINES partner libraries and have them delivered to your library for free. You can also check out and return items in person at any partner library throughout the state.

Is there a cost for a PLAY account? No. The account is free, and library resources and services are free.

How do I get started? The PLAY card is not a physical library card. You use your student identification number and a password to check out materials, both in person and online.

Why should I use the PLAY program? What are the benefits of the PLAY program?

• There are no overdue fines. Fees apply only for lost or damaged materials.
• Students can access online resources from home, school, or the library.
• Students can check out materials from a collection of 11 million items.
• The PLAY program reduces the barriers to getting a library card by providing direct access to library services.

What about overdue fines and fees? There are no overdue fines, but users are responsible for fees on long-overdue, lost or damaged items.

What schools are included? All public schools in Oconee County Schools are included in the PLAY program.

Accessing Resources

How do I log in with my PLAY card account?

• Your PLAY account number is easy to remember.
  • PLAY account: 3-letter school district (OCS) in all caps, followed by student number. No spaces.
  • PLAY password: 6-digit student birth month and year (MMYYYY)
    • • Example:
      • Account: OCS1234567 (OCS is the district in all caps. 1234567 is the student number.)
      • Password: 012010 (01 is the birth month of January. 2010 is the birth year. No spaces.)

How do I access online resources? Find a world of free online resources.

Logging in to online resources:

• Some online resources require a free account with an email and username/password of your choice.
  • When prompted for a library card number, use your school district prefix and student number.
  • Example: OCS1234567 (OCS is the district in all caps. 1234567 is the student number. No spaces.)
• Other e-resources require the GALILEO password for access.
  • Call the library, contact us, or chat with us to get the GALILEO password.

How do I check out materials from PINES?

You can check out up to 5 items from PINES at one time including books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and museum passes. Borrow books from any Athens Regional Library System branch. Request books from PINES partner libraries across Georgia, and they’ll be delivered for free to your home library for you to check out. Use your school prefix and student ID number and password in person at your library to check out materials.

• PINES Loan periods: Items can be checked out for 14 days, with up to 2 renewals.
• PINES Renewals: Renewals can be done in person or online. Items on hold for another user cannot be renewed.
• PINES Holds: Holds may be placed on books at Live Oak Public Libraries or partner libraries.
• Holds may not be placed on new books owned by other library systems until after 6 months.
• PINES Returns: Books may be returned to any Live Oak Public Libraries location.

There are no overdue fines. Users will not be able to check out additional materials until items are returned.

What if I want my child to have full access to the library collections? The PLAY account allows students to borrow 5 items at a time and have full access to online resources.  If you want your child to borrow more items, you can apply for a free Athens Regional Library System library card at any time. Watch this quick tutorial to learn more about signing up for Pines account!

Your library

What else can I do at the library? Students are always welcome at the library with or without a library card. There are after-school activities, special events, and seasonal reading programs that are free and open to all. The library also offers free and open access to library computers, internet, and quiet places to study. Students are also able to check out passes to parks and museums around the state. Please note: Due to public health concerns, libraries are open with limited services and safety practices. Virtual programs are being held in lieu of in-person programs.

Where is my closest library location?

• Oconee County Library
• Bogart Library
• Click here for additional Athens Regional Library System locations and hours.

Are students limited to only using libraries in their county? Students can visit any Athens Regional Library System branch or any of the 300 PINES partner libraries across the state.

Student accounts

What if a student already has a library card? You can continue using the existing library card. Your PLAY account is separate and does not accrue fines.

What happens when a student changes schools? Students maintain the same PLAY account until they move outside of the school system or graduate.

What happens when a student graduates? When a student graduates, their PLAY account will remain active for one year. During that time, they may visit the library in person to apply for a regular library card.

What about homeschool students? A student can apply online for a library account for digital access only. Or visit your local library in person to apply for a library card. If under the age of 18, a parent/guardian’s contact information and consent are required.

Will parents / caregivers have access to see what their child has checked out? Parents / caregivers will have the ability to see what is checked out on the account of a minor.

Is student information shared with the library confidential? Yes, per Official Code of Georgia § 21-12-30(a) Confidential Nature of Certain Library Records.

What if I do not want my child to participate? You may choose to opt-out of the program by notifying the main office at your child’s school.

How can other schools get involved? Interested schools will need to establish an MoU with the Athens Regional Library System to participate. Please contact us via the online contact form.