The Hall County Library recently shared with AccessWDUN all that the system’s library card has to offer to its users.
Adrianne Junius, Deputy Director of the Hall County Library, told AccessWDUN that while a Pines Library Card can give residents access to books and other media, it also opens up a world of experiences with the system’s adventure passes.
“With your library card, you can check out free passes,” Junius said. “One popular one is to Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia State Park. But we also have passes to the Carlos Museum in Atlanta, which has Egyptian artifacts, the Shakespeare Tavern, the Atlanta History Center, the museums in Macon and the Alliance Theater. It gets you into so many places.”
Junius explained that while the passes are limited at each location and operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, all adventure passes can be checked out for free with the use of a library card. However, some passes, such as Zoo Atlanta’s admission pass, may require those checking it out to watch a brief video at the library to receive the ticket.
A Hall County Library Card also grants its users access to the county’s digital resources.
“We have 1000s of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks,” Junius said. “But we also have access to Galileo, which is Georgia's online digital library. So everything from encyclopedias to news articles you can find on there."
The library system also offers access to Tutor.com, an online learning resource for students from fourth grade through college that can offer exam preparation and assistance in a variety of subjects.
The Hall County Library System currently has five branches located in Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Murrayville and in the North Hall area. Junius said the system plans to have a sixth location in the East Hall area by 2025.
Junius shared that besides prioritizing fast and reliable internet and computer systems, the forthcoming location will aim to offer a “Library of Things”, allowing visitors to check out hobby-related items such as a sewing machine or podcast recording equipment.
Each library location supports life-long learning by offering a variety of programs for visitors of all ages.
“We have book clubs, painting parties for adults– we even have classes where you can learn how to get a mortgage or you make a last will…” Junius told AccessWDUN. “We have genealogy classes, we have a genealogist on staff. So you can learn your family roots and even learn how to restore your old family photos… We average about three to five programs every day. So we're more than storytime. There's all wisdom for every age.”
Library cards are free to obtain and are not limited to Hall County residents. Access to the library’s online resources, a list of programs, and more information can be found at the Hall County Library’s website.
