Robbinsville – It’s a pesky little task, but you’re going to want to renew your library card.
Doing so will open up a vast collection of publications from libraries across North Carolina.
Nantahala Regional Library will soon begin using a new Integrated Library System to manage its collection. Dubbed “NC Cardinal,” the system will allow library users to not only access regional resources, but will also statewide access to over 7.6 million items and growing.
Because of the transition, cardholders with any of Nantahala Regional Library’s four branches need to come to the library and update to a new library card as soon as possible. Library cards are free of charge.
If your address has changed since you first got a card, you will need to bring address verification (such as two pieces of mail) and a copy of your ID.
The new software is anticipated to go live next week. The library will be open during the transition. Users will not be able to place holds for this week and may have delays with books being checked in.
No fines or fees will be charged during this time period.
Library branches will close one hour early on Wednesday, Feb. 23 and open one hour late Thursday, Feb. 24, as they finalize their migration from the old system. Go to nrlibrary.org/locations for opening hours.
This Phase 1 transition will start out region-only, before opening up to the rest of the state in the following weeks.
“This is a great time to jump into the Nantahala Regional Library if you haven’t done so,” said Franklin R Shook, Jr., director of the Nantahala Regional Library. “Our staff are dedicated to helping you as you navigate the print and digital resources the library has to offer.
“We appreciate your patience with us during this transition and we are excited about what NC Cardinal will offer our area.”
Nantahala Regional Library has four branch libraries in Robbinsville, Andrews, Hayesville and Murphy.
The regional library system was established in 1940, after a TVA grant issued in 1938 was set to expire. A need arose to provide regional access to library items. Nantahala Regional Library is the first and oldest regional library system in North Carolina and one of 12 systems statewide.
In Robbinsville, the Graham County Public Library’s collection includes 19,168 books (including 5,530 children and teen books), 2,504 DVD/BluRay disks, and 806 audio books.
In all, Nantahala Regional Library’s collection includes 124,726 (including 35,050 children and teen books), 8,820 DVD/BluRay disks, and 7,036 audio books.
Nantahala Regional Library card holders have been able to check out books from their local library from any of the four branch libraries, with deliveries taking about a week.
The NC Cardinal system (nccardinal.org/eg/opac/home) is a growing consortium of public libraries in more than half of North Carolina’s 100 counties dedicated to sharing resources and expanding opportunities through the use of a single online catalog. It is a program of the State Library of North Carolina, supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Federal Library Services and Technology Act.
Nantahala Regional Library is one of four across that state that are in the process of joining the NC Cardinal system. Other incoming libraries are in Duplin, Stanly and Warren counties.
For a map of participating libraries, go to nccardinalsupport.org/.