Patron Eligibility Requirements

  1. An applicant must be a resident in the county in which they are applying for a card. Children under age 14 must have a parent’s/guardian’s signature.
  2. To be considered a resident, you must either reside, attend school, work, and/or pay taxes in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey County.
  3. Your library card is valid at each branch library in the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, there is no charge for your first card. There is, however, a $2.00 fee to replace first time lost before expiration date on the card. Cost to replace after first time is left to the discretion of the local library staff.

If you do not meet these requirements, or are just visiting the area, the library can issue you a “Non-Resident” card for $10 per year (no refund), with a limit of five (5) items checked out at one time. All other fines and fees also apply to Non-Resident Patrons.

Fines & Fees

Fines for overdue items:
  • Books, Periodicals & Audio Books – 15c per day per cataloged item; Maximum fine – $5 per above mentioned item
  • Videos/DVDs – $1.00 per day per video; Maximum fine – $10 per video
  • Maximum Total Overdue Fine – $100
  • Maximum Fee for Lost Book – Cost of book at time of purchase plus $5.00 processing fee (per item); Gift books/Donated books – $5.00 processing fee (per item)

Each branch has a 24-hour book drop for the return of books and periodicals.

Video tapes, DVDs, and audio books are not to be returned in the book drop due to damage that can occur from heavier items falling on them. These items must be returned at the circulation desk during regular operating hours.

All fines must be paid in full before any additional materials may be borrowed.

Other Fees:
  • Copies & Print-Outs: black & white 10c, color 30c
  • Faxing Service (where available) $1.00 per page (to send or receive)

Rules of Behavior in the Library

Library users and staff have the right to assume that their use of library buildings and grounds will be free from harassment, free from physical danger, and free from psychological and emotional stress. To assure this, it is the Policy of the Board of Trustees that the following behavior is detrimental to the purpose and mission of the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System. Individuals who engage in these behaviors and do not cease to do so after being warned will be asked to leave. Failure to leave the library buildings and grounds when requested may result in the swearing out of a warrant for trespass.

  • Loud talking, running or any behavior or activity that creates noise that is disturbing to others.
  • Sleeping or lying in furniture or floors, putting feet on furniture or walls.
  • Smoking, eating or drinking inside library buildings.
  • Use of cellular telephones, radios or other devices that are disturbing to others.
  • Bringing pets or other non-assisting animals inside library buildings.
  • Bringing large pieces of luggage, duffel bags, etc. that may cause a hazard to others in library buildings.
  • Use of the Internet computers to access graphic materials that may reasonably be construed to be pornographic.
  • Failing to wear reasonable attire, including shirt and shoes.
  • Using abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures to any staff member our user.
  • Prolonged staring at or following any user or staff person.
  • Attempting to violate by uninvited physical contact the privacy of any user or staff person.
  • Panhandling in library buildings or on library grounds.
  • Selling, campaigning, petitioning or soliciting for any purpose.
  • Interfering with the free movement of others.
  • Leaving children under the age of seven years unattended. Posting notices or flyers on any surface not designated for the purpose.
  • Bringing weapons of any kind onto library grounds or inside library buildings.

The rules set forth in this policy are in addition to, and do not supersede, the requirements and prohibitions applying to every person under state and federal laws. Please note that the mutilation or theft of library property is a criminal offense and punishable as a misdemeanor or a class H felony, depending on the value of the property involved.

If you have questions, please contact us.

Approved by the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Board The 27th day of April, 2000.

Obscenity Guidelines

It is as defined by the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision, in Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, obscenity is any text or image that “depict[s] or describe[s] patently offensive ‘hard core’ sexual conduct.” Furthermore, the Court outlines a three-part test to determine if the text or image in question is obscene:

  1. whether the “average person applying contemporary community standards” would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient* interest;
  2. whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law**; and
  3. whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

The first two measures will be determined by local community values; the third will be determined by a measurement of reasonableness.

All three elements must be present for material to be judged by a judge or jury as obscene and, therefore, illegal.

*prurient ( or morbid, shameful, and unhealthy)
** North Carolina General Statute / Obscene literature & exhibitions

A copy of the AMY Regional library System Personnel Policy is available at each local library for patron review.

Book Selection Policy

Our detailed selection policy is available here.

Checkout Policy

  • Books, Periodicals & Audio Books are checked out for a 3-week period.
  • Videos/DVDs are checked out for one week.
  • Reference materials and Microfilm cannot be checked out and must be used in the library.
  • All items can be renewed provided there are no requests waiting.
  • You must always have your library card with you in order to borrow materials.

Meeting Room Policy

Detailed guidelines for use of Meeting Rooms in the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System are available here.

Internet Usage Policy

Our detailed selection policy is available here.

Privacy Policy

Information gathered on this website is used only for the purpose for which it is gathered. Information is not shared with or sold to any other party.

Approved by the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Board the 22nd day of August 2002. Shannon Chrisawn, Regional Board Chairman.

If you have questions or comments about the Privacy Policy, please contact us. Someone will be in touch with you!