By JOY SIMPSON
Special to the Citizen

The Fayette County Library, a branch of the Flint River Regional Library System, is one of the first libraries in Georgia to offer a new statewide cataloging system using the Public Information Network for Electronic Services, also known as PINES.

Library director Christeen Snell recently introduced some of the new program's special services to Fayette County commissioners, to publicize the new levels of convenience offered to local patrons.

The new system, which began Dec. 13, will allow anyone who is a resident of Georgia to check out books in any Georgia library that is in the PINES network. The Flint River Regional Library System, which includes Fayette County, Peachtree City, Tyrone, Forsyth and Griffin, is a PINES member, along with hundreds of other libraries across the state.

This means that any holder of a PINES card may check out books from any of these libraries. This new network also allows anyone to use the cataloging system for any one of these locations to access all of their holdings.

The new cataloging system also is enabled to search, not only by author and title, but now by key word and series titles. This catalogue also can be used on-line at HYPERLINK http://PINES.public.lib.GA.US allowing you to find any book you may be in search of, right out of your home.

This new system is sweeping the state, and thousands of Georgia residents are already holders of this convenient PINES card. Every Georgia resident is eligible to receive one for free.

Snell recently presented each county commissioner with a PINES card and urged them to use the program.

“Libraries will never go out of style,” Snell told the commission. “Libraries stand as the center of the community, a gateway to all the information, a place where you can relax and browse the stacks without a mouse,” she added.

“It's been exciting to me to watch the evolution of our library,” said county manager Billy Beckett. “We have quality individuals who care very deeply and genuinely about what they are doing. This staff and this facility are second to none anywhere.”