Union County, North Carolina

All Union County residents, students and teachers in county schools, county property owners and business owners are eligible for free library cards. Also, anyone employed in Union County is eligible for a resident card with proof of employment.

If you live in Union County, all you need is a photo ID with your current local address preprinted on the card. Each child must be able to write his/her name and a parent or grandparent with a valid library card in good standing needs to verify the child’s address and take responsibility for the child. Teens 13–18 without a photo ID will need a parent to verify their address.

If you are not a Union County resident, but live in an adjacent county, you may purchase a non-resident library card for $45 per year.

You can click here to begin the registration process online.

Please remember to bring your library card with you on each visit to the library!

If you lose your library card, notify the library immediately so that your card can be cancelled. On your next visit, you may get a new card by presenting your photo ID and paying $1.

Any circulating item in the catalog may be reserved. When you reserve an item, it will be sent to your home library and you will be notified when it is available. You will have two days to pick up the reserved item. Most items can also be renewed one time if the item is not on hold for someone else.

Items may be renewed or reserved in person and by phone using your library card number or driver’s license number.

You can also create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and use the online services to renew or reserve materials. You can create a PIN in person or by phone using your library card number or driver’s license number. Your PIN can be any combination of letters and/or numbers, up to eight characters. Make sure the pin is one you can remember because once it is entered into your account, library staff can’t access it.

Individuals who are unable to visit the library due to health conditions or lack of transportation may request home delivery of library materials. For more information or to sign up for homebound service, call the Monroe Library at 704-283-8184, extension 228. A library employee will ask you about your reading preferences and deliver selected materials once a month.

Library patrons may use the public computers. The internet can be accessed using Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers. The following software is also available on public computers: Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Access 2013, Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft PowerPoint 2013, Microsoft Publisher 2013.

Patrons may print items for 25 cents per page for black and white copies, and 50 cents per page for color copies. Patrons are responsible for paying for all printed pages, even mistakes. Always use the “Print Preview” feature to view items before printing to avoid printing unnecessary pages and paying extra charges for mistakes.

A public scanner is available on one internet computer. Patrons may use CDs and flash drives on the library computers and access sound files by bringing their own headphones/ear buds. CDs, flash drives and ear buds are available to the public for purchase: CDs are $1, 4GB flash drives are $7 and ear buds are $2.

The Union County Public Library provides wireless access during normal operating hours as a public service. Pop-up blockers must be disabled for Wi-Fi use.

What do I need to access the wireless network?

To access the library's wireless network, you need a laptop (or suitable PDA or other portable device) equipped with an 802.11 a, b, or g compatible wireless card. Some portable devices have a wireless card built in while others may require you to purchase a compatible card to plug into it. Installation of the card and its associated software will vary depending upon specific device, card and operating system.

How do I connect to the library's wireless network?

The library's wireless network is open to the public and not password protected. The wireless network name is ”librarywifi." By logging on, you are agreeing to abide by all policies including the Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Wireless Access Policy.

Can I print from the wireless network?

There are no printers configured on the wireless network. To print, individuals will need to transfer files to removable media (e.g. flash drive, etc.) which can be used to print from the library’s public computers.

Is library staff available to assist with any problems?

Wireless access is provided as a convenience to our patrons and guests and is provided as a best effort service. Library staff members are not able to provide technical assistance and assume no responsibility for laptop configurations, security or changes to data files resulting from connection to the library's network.

Rules of Use:

• Wireless access is provided to the public as a service free of charge on an as is basis with no guarantee and no warranty.
• Information passing through the library's wireless access is not secured and could possibly be monitored, captured and altered by others.
• It is the user’s sole responsibility to protect his/her information from all risks associated with using the internet, including any damage, loss, or theft that may occur as a result of the use of the library's wireless access.
• Library staff are not able to provide technical assistance and assume no responsibility for laptop configurations, security or changes to data files resulting from connection to the library's network.
• The library assumes no responsibility for the safety of privately owned equipment; users must keep their equipment with them at all times and may only use electrical outlets at public tables and in study rooms.
• In using this free internet access, the user agrees and hereby releases, indemnifies, and holds harmless, the Union County Public Library and its employees from any damage to his own equipment that may result from the use of this wireless access.
• Printing is currently not available via the wireless connection.
• Any attempt to circumvent library procedures or any unauthorized attempt to access or manipulate library equipment will result in permanent disconnection from the library's wireless network.
• The library filters all internet access which blocks sites that violate the Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act and/or the Union County Public Library's Acceptable Internet Use Policy. Filter Removal Requests will not be honored on computers that are not owned by the library.

Overdue fines are assessed for items returned more than one day past the due date. Fines are assessed on library business days only.

Fine rates are as follows:

• All materials except AV equipment – 25 cents/day
• AV Equipment -- $1/day
• The maximum late fee you will accrue is $10/item

Payment can be made over the phone or in person during the library business hours.

Patrons are responsible for paying ALL overdue fines.

E-books do not accrue overdue fees.

If you are a self-published author and would like to donate a copy of your work to the Local Author Collection, please fill out the Local Author Collection Agreement and drop off a signed copy along with your book at any of the library’s locations. The agreement outlines conditions for the donation and additional details on the process for inclusion.

Please fill out our Suggest a Book form.

The Library Board is appointed by the Union County Board of Commissioners. Appointments are for two years. The Library Board sets policies for library services and makes recommendations for improving facilities.

Any meeting schedule changes will be shown on the calendar below or under Current Meetings and Events on the Union County website, unioncountync.gov .

If you are interested in serving on the Library Board, please submit an application to the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners. The application can be found at unioncountync.gov. Click on Government, then Boards and Committees, Boards and Committees Application. The application can be submitted online or printed and submitted by mail.

Current members of the Library Board are:

In 2019, the Libraries will be closed on the following days:

All libraries close at 5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve & New Years Eve (Wednesday, November 27 & Tuesday, December 31).