CIRCULATION

My Account
  1. Access our online catalog here.
  2. Click on the Log In button on the top menu bar.
  3. Enter your library card number in the library barcode field.
  4. Enter in your PIN. If you did not specify a PIN when you got your card, then the default PIN is your last name.

From your account, you can check due dates, renew items, reserve items, check to see if reserved items are available, and check bills.

If you are unable to renew your items, there may be several possible reasons:

  • You have reached the renewal limit (two renewals are allowed for items owned by
    Bristol Public Library or the Avoca Branch Library)
  • Someone else has reserved the item
  • The item is already overdue

Please contact the library if you have any questions about your account:
276-645-8780
rdunn@bristol-library.org

Donating Books
If you wish to donate personal books, we do accept donations.  We may add the books to our collection or else sell them in the Gift Shop or Friends Book Sale. While we cannot assign a value to the items at donation, we can give you an unofficial receipt with the number of books donated.  There are several sites which assign values, such as the Salvation Army (https://satruck.org/Home/DonationValueGuide). If you are bringing a large number of books, please give us a call so we can try to have someone free to help you unload them.  The number is 276-645-8780 (Bristol Public Library) or 423-968-9663 (Avoca Branch).
The library will accept donations in honor of, or in memory of, individuals or organizations, in accordance with our Gifts PolicyFor money donated in honor or memory of someone, we will put a bookplate inside the book naming the donor and the honoree, and an acknowledgement will be sent.
Gift Shop

The Bristol Public Library operates a Gift Shop near the Circulation Desk where donated books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, snacks, soft drinks, and other items are offered for sale. If you are interested in a specific author or genre, you can leave your name and number to be called in case an item is available.
We gladly accept donations for the Gift Shop and the library as per our Gifts Policy. You can read it HERE

For more information, click on Donating Books tab just above.
For more information, call the library at 276-645-8780.

Outreach

The Bristol Public Library employs a part-time person to provide Outreach Services to those who aren’t physically able to come to the library. Books may be delivered to individuals or to Assisted Living facilities in Bristol, Tennessee or Bristol, Virginia.

Call the library at 276-645-8780 to leave a message for Kay. She is only at the library a few hours a week, but will try to return your calls as soon as possible.

The Bristol Public Library has also partnered with Bristol Tennessee Schools to bring books to children during the summer when school libraries are closed.  We hope to expand this program in the future.

books on the bus banner on bus

Reserving Materials

If you can’t find an item we own, or the item is currently checked out, you may put it on reserve and we will call you when it becomes available for pickup. Reserves may be placed in person, over the phone, or online via your library account. We are also able to reserve books owned by other libraries in our Organization of Watauga Libraries (OWL). We cannot borrow new books, Reference or Genealogy/Special Collections books, books on CD, music CDs, or DVDs. If you need a book not held by OWL, check with the Reference Department to see if an item can be borrowed from a library outside our region. Also, if an item is new or not yet published, you can fill out a Reserve Card at Circulation to put the item on hold. You will be notified when the item is available. You can choose to be notified by phone, text, email, or postal card. You can select your preferred method when you get your library card. If you want to change your notification preferences, contact the Circulation Department. Failure to pick up reserves prohibits others from enjoying library materials. Failure to pick up reserved items will result in a fine of $1.00, unless you notify us that the material is no longer needed.

How To Place a Hold Online:

  1. Access our online Catalog HERE.
  2. Click on the Log In button on the top menu bar.
  3. Enter your library card number in the library barcode field.
  4. Enter in your PIN. If you did not specify a PIN when you got your card, then the default PIN is your last name.
  5. Locate the item you want in the catalog, then click “Place Hold.”You will be notified by your preferred method when the item is available.

Note: Bristol and Avoca cards can only pick up at Bristol or Avoca. You cannot use your Bristol card to pick up a book at any other library, such as Johnson City or Kingsport.

Fees

Lost or Unreturned Item:
Replacement Price
Failure to Pick Holds/Reserves
$1.00
Headphones/Earbuds
$3.00
Copy/Print
Black and White $0.25
Copy/Print
Color $0.50
Microfilm Prints
Black and White $0.20
Fax Service
Receive  $1.00
Fax Service
Send $1.25
Fax Service
International (Send or Receive) $1.50/page
Begin With Books Kits
$1 per day late
Virginia State Park Kits
$2 per day late
Hotspots
$5 per day late

Library Cards & Library Materials

Library Card Issuance
Adults need to have two forms of identification, one of which has your local, current address printed on it (e.g. checkbook or utility bill). Children under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian to check out books and to use our internet computers. A parent or guardian must be present to show identity and sign for children under the age of 18 applying for a library card. Parents or guardians can indicate on the library card application form that they give their children permission to use the Internet.

Bristol Public Library cards are available free to residents of  the following areas:

Tenneseee

  • Bristol, TN
  • Carter County
  • Cocke County
  • Greene County
  • Hamblen County
  • Hancock County
  • Hawkins County
  • Johnson County
  • Sullivan County
  • Unicoi County
  • Washington County

Virginia

  • Bristol, VA
  • Washington County
  • Scott County

Individuals who work in the cities of Bristol, TN or Bristol, VA but do not live within the areas shown above are also eligible to receive a library card upon proof of employment.

College students providing proof of enrollment in institutions of higher education within the service area are also eligible for full library card privileges at no charge.

Check Out and Return
At Main, materials may be checked out by staff at the Circulation Desk or by patrons at the Self-Check Out kiosks upstairs at Circulation and downstairs near the exit.  Books may be returned at Circulation, Reference, or at our outside drop box located at the back of the library between the parking lots.  (The drop box is under an awning so you don’t even have to get out of your car!) At the Avoca Branch Library, materials may be checked out and returned at the Circulation Desk.  They also have an outside drop box near the entrance.
Loan Periods
Books, music CDs, audio books, magazines
14 days
DVDs
7 days
Total number of items checked out at one time
20
Number of DVDs checked out at one time (included in total items)
4
All Bristol Public Library and Avoca Branch Library items are automatically renewed twice, unless someone else has reserved them.  You can renew online by logging into your account, over the phone, or by asking at Circulation or Reference.

 

Renewing Items

We allow two renewals for items from Bristol Public Library or Avoca Branch Library, provided that no one else is waiting on the material.

Eligible items will be auto-renewed on their due date.

You can also manually renew items over the phone, in person at Circulation or Reference, or online.

To renew online:

  1. Access our online Catalog HERE.
  2. Click on the Log In button on the top menu bar.
  3. Enter your library card number in the library barcode field.
  4. Enter in your PIN. If you did not specify a PIN when you got your card, then the default PIN is your last name.
  5. Click on “My Account” and then the “Checkouts” tab.
  6. Check the boxes beside the items you wish to renew (or click “Select all”) and then click
    “Renew.”

If you are unable to renew your items, there may be several possible reasons: You have reached the renewal limit (two renewals are allowed for items owned by Bristol Public Library or the Avoca Branch Library), Someone else has reserved the item, The item is already overdue

Please contact the library if you have any questions about your account:
276-645-8780  or  rdunn@bristol-library.org

Fine Free FAQ
Q: WHY IS BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY REMOVING FINES?

We strive to provide excellent service to all residents. Overdue fines create barriers to service and often stop people from using their library. By eliminating overdue fines, we hope to share our collection and services with even more of our community members. Our updated circulation policy is available to view on our website.

Q: HOW WILL THE LIBRARY GET BOOKS BACK?

While items can be renewed twice, we do encourage everyone to return materials in a timely fashion.  If an item is not returned 14 days after the final renewal, the borrower will be sent a bill for the cost of the items plus a processing fee. The library card will be blocked until the problem is resolved, meaning that the borrower cannot check out materials or use computers. After 90 days with no resolution, the account will be sent to collections if the total amount is over $50.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS TO LOST OR DAMAGED ITEMS?

The borrower will be charged the cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee per item.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ITEM IS RETURNED AFTER THE BILL IS SENT OUT?

If the items are returned in good condition, in most cases the charges will be waived.

Q: WHAT ABOUT POPULAR BOOKS WITH A WAITLIST?

Books on hold cannot be renewed. If they are not returned by the due date, the borrower will be billed.

Q: ARE YOU REMOVING PREVIOUS BALANCES FROM ALL CARDS?

Our Circulation team will be working diligently to remove all old fines from our borrowers’ accounts. Balances for lost or damaged items will remain on the account. Any questions about account fees, please contact Circulation at 276.821.6133.

Q: WILL THERE STILL BE FINES ON ITEMS CHECKED OUT VIA INTERLIBRARY LOAN?

Yes. An interlibrary loan is borrowed from another library system and will be charged fees if returned late.

Q: WILL ELIMINATING OVERDUE FINES HAVE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON LIBRARY SERVICE THROUGH A DECREASE IN REVENUE?

No. Overdue fines account for less than one percent of our budget.

Q: WILL LIBRARY MATERIALS COME BACK MORE SLOWLY?

Research and recent experience from libraries that have eliminated fines show that overdue fines typically do not affect how fast people return materials. Return rates actually tend to stay the same after libraries go fine free, and some libraries report they get better return rates.

Q: WILL THERE BE ANY CHARGES FOR USING LIBRARY SERVICES?

Yes. Fees will still be charged for certain services, including copying, printing, faxing, and creating specialty items in our Jones Creativity Center.