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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a library near me?

Visit our Branch Page and view the map for locations and directions. Or, view the Library Service Areas map to find the location closer to you.

What are the library's hours?

Visit the branch locations page for library locations, hours & contact information.

When is storytime?

How do I become a volunteer?

Visit our Volunteer page to download an application and find contact information each branch volunteer coordinator.

How do I join the Friends of the Library?

Contact the local Friends of the Library group.

How do I suggest a purchase?

Please complete a request through our Purchase Recommendation form.

How do I make a suggestion, report a problem, or give feedback?

You can complete a feedback form at any library branch. You can also reach us via chat, text, or email, use our online form, or call us.

Library Card

How do I get a library card?

Cards are free to all St. Johns County Residents and those residents residing in a reciprocal borrowing County, regardless of age. Learn more.

How do I pay my fines online?

The St. Johns County Public Library System provides the ability to securely pay fines and fees on a patron’s library account or to donate via credit or debit card using Smart Pay.

You’ll need your library card and PIN number (last 4 digits of your phone number) to log in to SmartPay from the library webpage and retrieve details of your library account. You can see your balance, select items to pay, and securely charge your credit or debit card. Contact your library branch for any questions about your PIN.

  • A third party provider (SmartPay) is used in the process to pay fines, fees or donate, or otherwise initiate credit/debit card transactions via the library’s website.
  • The transaction is protected by SSL certification, a protocol for transmitting data securely.
  • Smart Pay also complies with PCI-DSS standards (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.)
  • The St. Johns County Public Library System does not collect or store any personal information or credit or debit card processing data collected from the SmartPay site.
  • Library fines and fees are cleared automatically from your library account during the payment process. Fees of $3 and overmay be paid via credit or debit card.
  • A failed transaction may leave a pending charge on your account. These “pre-authorized” amounts normally clear within 24 hours. One free receipt per account can be printed from SmartPay.
  • When you select “SmartPay” you are leaving SJCPLS’s website and will be directed to SmartPay, an online resource to pay library fines and fees. Technical requirements and services are the sole responsibility of SmartPay. By proceeding you agree to accept and assume all risks and responsibilities for the losses and damages that may arise from your use of SmartPay and release SJCPLS from all liability.

Go to SmartPay

Borrowing Materials

How do I renew my items?

  • Log in to your user account.
  • The My Current Checkouts section displays the items that you have currently checked out. If you have any items that are overdue, they will appear at the top of the list with a red alert icon.
  • If you want to renew items, select the items you want to renew (or select them all by using the Select All check box) and then click the Renew button.

How do I reserve an item?

Items that can be checked out will have a Place Hold button that you can click to put the item on hold.

A window will appear for you to specify the library where you want to pick up the item when it arrives. Once you have selected the pickup library, click Place Hold. The system will tell you if the hold was successfully placed or not.

Once you have placed a hold on an item, you will be able to see it in My Account under the Holds tab.

How do I suspend my holds?

  • Log in to your user account
  • Click on Holds to display the items you have requested
  • Select each item you would like to have suspended
  • Click suspend holds
  • Enter the date you want your suspension to end and click suspend
  • The status of the item(s) is now “suspended”

How do I cancel my hold suspension?

  • Select the item(s) you no longer want on suspension
  • Click cancel hold suspension
  • Click Yes

What are the loan periods for items?

  • New Books                 14 days
  • High Demand Books  14 days
  • Other Books               21 days
  • Audio Books               21 days
  • Music CDs                  14 days
  • Magazines, Comic Books      7 days
  • Movies:
    • New and High-Demand Feature Films   3 days
    • Feature Films & Nonfiction Films             7 days
  • eContent:
    • Overdrive eBooks/eAudiobooks (10 items at a time)   14 days
    • RBdigital eAudiobooks (10 items at a time)                  21 days
    • Hoopla (7 items per month)
      • eAudiobooks                        21 days
      • Movies/TV shows                  3 days
      • Music                                      7 days
    • RBdigital eMagazines (unlimited checkouts)    no due date

What are the library's fines and fees?

See our fines table for fees. 

eContent

How do I download an OverDrive eBook to my device?

Visit Getting Started for step-by-step instructions. You can also visit the eBook Help page.

How do I use Hoopla to check out movies, TV shows and music?

Log in or create a new account with your library card. You can also visit Hoopla Help to learn more.

How do I use OverDrive/Libby to download digital magazines?

Visit Getting Started for step-by-step instructions. You can also visit the Libby Help page.

How do I read the digital edition of The New York Times?

Visit our The New York Times information page for access instructions.

General

How do I get book recommendations?

Visit our Books and Movies page and sign-up for our eNewsletters for library news and recommendations.

How do I subscribe to the library's CONNECT email newsletter?

Subscribe to CONNECT and other newsletters on our eNewsletters signup page.

What is the library's Internet Use Policy?

The library’s internet use policy can be found on our Internet Use Policy page

What services do you provide for homebound readers?

Books-by-Mail, a free service available to all St. Johns County residents, provides home delivery of materials to program participants. This program is managed by our Hastings Branch library staff. Learn more on our Books-by-Mail page.

How do I join the Friends of the Library?

Contact the local Friends of the Library group. 

Do you have wireless Internet access?

Yes, all St. Johns County Public Library locations provide free Wifi. 

How do I register to vote?

When applying for a library card, you may also complete your voter registration at the library. You also have the option to register to vote online.

How do I apply for a job at the library?

Current library openings are posted on the St. Johns County Government Employment Opportunities page.