LOCAL LITERACY
Jones County students now have free access to public library materials through a new program designed to make library access easier and promote literacy.
All students in the Jones County School System have access to the Jones County Library through the PINES Library Card Access for Youth (PLAY) program that was activated for Jones County students Oct. 7.
Essentially, students without a library card can now check out books and utilize all library resources using their student numbers.
Georgia Library PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) is the public library automation and lending network for 300 libraries and affiliated service outlets in 52 library systems serving 146 counties in Georgia.
Information about the program provided by the Middle Georgia Regional Library states that the PLAY card program gives student access to materials in the library and online resources. The program is a partnership between the library system and local school districts with the purpose of helping students succeed in school.
Currently, the program is only available to Baldwin County, Macon-Bibb County, Jones County, Macon County and Twiggs County public school students. It is hoped that services may expand to Crawford and Wilkinson counties in the future.
With PLAY card, Jones County students have access to all the books in the Jones County Library as well as access to online resources and all the fun activities taking place at the library. The goal is to help develop a lifelong love of reading.
“Your public library is available all year long, with access to computers and laptops available for checkout, internet access, research assistance, teen leadership programs, and volunteer activities.”
Students can access their online accounts by going to gapines.org or bibblib.org. They can log in by inputting their username and password: Username: JSS + student ID, Password: MMYYYY (the two-digit month and four-digit year of their date of birth).
If all that is confusing, library assistants at the Jones County Library are ready to help.
The Jones County Library is located at 146 Railroad Street and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
For more information about what is happening at the library, visit its Facebook page, Jones County Library, or call 478-986-6626.
