PLAY Card Program
What is the PLAY Student Library Card Program?The PINES Library Card Access for Youth (PLAY) program gives students free access to fines-free public library materials and online resources to help them succeed in school. Cherokee Regional Library System (CRLS) partners with local schools in Walker and Dade counties to provide the PLAY program. Beginning May 1st, the program will be available for Walker County School students.
What are the benefits of the PLAY Student Library Card Program?
The public library provides free access to books and online resources to help your child succeed in school, as well as fun resources that help develop a lifelong love of reading. Your public library is available all year long, including during the summer months. The “Summer Slide” is the backward movement many children make when they forget what was taught to them in the previous year. Research shows that the number one thing that prevents the summer slide is reading books. It’s that simple. Those who read, succeed.
Benefits online at chrl.org:
 Find a branch near you! Cherokee Regional Library Branch Locations |
- Search the PINES library catalog of over 11 million items for books, DVDs, audiobooks and other materials at over 300 libraries across Georgia
- Place items on hold for free delivery to your library branch of choice
- Store lists of books you’ve read and would like to read
- Check out free downloadable ebooks and audiobooks for all ages
- Access Explora, and online encyclopedia and EBSCO nonfiction ebooks…always available, all the time, with no waiting
- Sign up for Mango…an interactive, fun way to learn another language
- Access practice tests for the SAT, PSAT, and many others
- And much more!
- Ask our expert staff for book recommendations
- Pick up books you’ve had delivered from other PINES libraries
- Check out up to five items (books, DVDs, audiobooks, etc.)
- Pay no late fines! (fees apply only for lost or damaged items)
- Attend free S.T.E.A.M classes, Lego clubs, activities and special events
- Enroll in our Summer Reading incentive program, and earn books for your at-home library!
FAQs
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 53 library systems serving 146 counties in Georgia. It allows state-wide lending of over 11 million books, audiobooks and dvds.
1. Visit chrl.org
2. Access any of our amazing digital resources. When asked for your library card number, type your 3-letter school ID code followed by your student ID number.
EXAMPLE: You are a student in the Walker County School System and your student ID number 12345. Type WLK12345
3. When asked for your password, type your 2-digit birth month and 4-digit birth year with no spaces.
| School System | School ID code |
|---|---|
| Chickamauga City Schools | GLS |
| Dade County Schools | DCS |
| Walker County Schools | WLK |
2. Access any of our amazing digital resources. When asked for your library card number, type your 3-letter school ID code followed by your student ID number.
EXAMPLE: You are a student in the Walker County School System and your student ID number 12345. Type WLK12345
3. When asked for your password, type your 2-digit birth month and 4-digit birth year with no spaces.
EXAMPLE: Your birthday is August 31st, 2013. Type 082013
Just tell the staff member that you are a student, and show them your Student ID. If you have your number memorized, you can recite it and they will take care of the rest.
The account is free and library resources and services are free.
There are no overdue fines, but users are responsible for fees on lost or damaged items.
Cherokee Regional Library currently partners with the Walker County Schools, Chickamauga City Schools and Dade County Schools. The program began in Spring of 2022.
No. You can use any of the 300 PINES partner libraries across the state, but you will need to tell front desk staff your 3-digit school code.
You can continue using the existing library card. Your PLAY account is separate and does not accrue fines.
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 Cherokee Regional Library System PINES library card at any time. Visit your local library and bring your photo ID.
Students maintain the same PLAY account until they move outside of the school system or graduate. PLAY cards will renew October 15th of each year.
The PLAY account will remain active until October 15th of the graduation year.
A student can apply online for a library account that will give them immediate digital access. Click here to visit the PINES website and apply online, 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.
Parents/caregivers will have the ability to see what is checked out on the account of a minor.
Yes, per Official Code of Georgia § 21-12-30(a) Confidential Nature of Certain Library Records.
You may choose to opt-out of the program. Contact your school to opt-out.
Dade County School students can read more about the program on their school’s website.
