In February, Live Oak Public Libraries joins the PINES network of public libraries in Georgia.

PINES serves residents of Georgia through an automation and lending network of public libraries and service outlets throughout the state. With the addition of Live Oak Public Libraries in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, the PINES member network now includes more than 300 public libraries across 145 counties.

Highlighting the importance of this statewide collaboration, Julie Walker, State Librarian for Georgia Public Library Service, states, “PINES started in 1999, when 98 libraries came together to collaborate and share materials in a brand new way. Over the years, we’ve had several libraries join PINES, and I'm so proud to see PINES expand to include the Live Oak Public Libraries. I’m confident that Live Oak’s patrons will be delighted with the ability to access and borrow library resources easily via the expansive PINES network.”

With a PINES library card, Live Oak Public Libraries patrons will gain access to 11 million books and other items from public libraries across Georgia. Library users will benefit from being able to obtain materials beyond what is available locally and having items delivered to their home library branch free of charge. In addition, PINES card holders can check out items from any of the 54 partner library systems in the state.

PINES Program Director, Elizabeth McKinney, adds, “As per the PINES Mission Statement, all member libraries agree to a common set of policies and procedures so that patrons have a consistent experience at any PINES library. The PINES card can be used at any member library across the state. That's over 300 locations statewide.”

Through service at other library systems in Georgia, Live Oak Public Libraries administration and technical services staff have more than 30 years of combined experience with PINES. On joining PINES, Library Executive Director Trent Reynolds says, “We are very excited about joining the PINES network and partnering with other great library systems throughout Georgia. When it came down to weighing our options for a new integrated library system for Live Oak Public Libraries, the benefits to our library customers, support of the Georgia Public Library Service and local cost savings made PINES the obvious choice.”