Get a library card?
Bring your photo ID with your current address to the Circulation desk and fill out a quick form. If your photo ID does not have your current address, you will also need proof of residency. If you are under 18, a parent/guardian must complete your library card application. Patrons from the greater Shoals area are eligible for standard cards. University of North Alabama students may obtain a library card with their student ID.
Pay fines?
You may pay your fines in the library at the circulation desk on the first floor.
Books - $.20 per day late.
DVDs - $1 per day late.
Children’s materials do not accrue fines.
Find a book?
Search our catalog. On the results page, click the Availability button to view the location of a book and find out if it is currently available.
Check out books or DVDs?
Use your library card to check out materials at the Circulation desk on the first floor.Standard checkout limits are up to 30 books per card and up to 5 DVDs per household. The first time you use your card, you may check out up to 5 items total; the DVD checkout limit still applies. After you return your first set of checked-out items, the standard checkout limit applies.
Check out e-books and e-audiobooks?
The library offers e-book and e-audiobook checkout through Libby.
On your mobile device, download the Libby app through the App Store (for iOS) or the Google Play Store (for Android), or download Libby for Kindle. Follow the prompts and choose “Valley Digital Library,” you will then enter your library card information. If you experience problems logging in, please check your account and settle any fines or renew books that are overdue
Access my FLPL account online?
You can access your FLPL patron account through our catalog website by clicking here. To log in, enter your library card barcode number without the spaces, and your password (which, by default, is the last four digits of your phone number on your library account). Once you're logged in, choose My Account in the menu to access your information.
My Record shows your library card registration information. Here, you can change your contact information, including address and phone number, as well as your password for logging into this account.
Items Out shows what library materials you have checked out and allows you to renew items that have renewals remaining.
Requests show any items you have placed on hold.
Fines & Fees lists any fines you owe on your account—for example, for late or lost books.
Renew a book?
Books are automatically renewed one time, for an additional two weeks, if no other patron has placed a request.
Place a book on hold?
If you find a book in our catalog but it's checked out, you can join the waiting list for the book and be notified when it comes in.
To place a hold request online:
- In the book's entry on the catalog search results page, click the Place Request button.
- Log in with your patron ID (library card barcode number, no spaces) and password (by default, the last 4 digits of your phone number).
- Click the Submit Request button.
To place a hold request over the phone, call FLPL at 256-764-6564 and dial extension 117.
If a book is currently in, you cannot place it on hold.
Request a book FLPL doesn't have (interlibrary loan)?
If FLPL doesn't have the book you're looking for, there are two ways to request the book.
ILLs: Inter-Library Loans (ILLs) are a way to borrow a book from another library through FLPL. ILLs are $5. You can fill out an ILL request form at the FLPL Reference desk, then pay for the item when you pick it up. In the event FLPL is unable to fulfill an online ILL request, we will refund your payment. Visit our ILL page here.
Patron requests: If you would like FLPL to add a book to our collection, you can submit a patron request to any staff member at the circulation desk. There is no charge to request a book this way, but there is also no guarantee the book will be added to the collection.
Use computers/internet at FLPL?
We have free Wifi at the library, accessible by logging in with your library card. There are public computers available for children (10 and under), teens (11–18), and adults (18 and over), as well as Local History & Genealogy workstations. Patrons must use their library cards to access the computers. Those from out of town may obtain a one-day guest pass for the computers or Wifi by showing photo ID at the desk. (Local residents, including those with valid library cards, are ineligible for guest passes.)
The Youth Computers (age 10 and under) are located in the Youth Services area on the first floor. These computers are preloaded with educational software and do not have access to the internet.The Youth Services computers do not require a library card to access.
The Teen Computers (11–18) are located in the Young Adult area on the first floor. Teen computer sessions can last up to 3 hours, unless there are patrons waiting. If additional time is needed see the Reference Department Staff on the second floor.
The Reference Computers (age 18 and over) are located in the Reference Department on the second floor. Computer sessions can last up to 3 hours. If additional time is needed see the Reference Department Staff.
Computers for for genealogical research are available in the Local History and Genealogical Department on the second floor.
FLPL also offers free wireless internet, which can be accessed from anywhere on the library campus when you sign in with your library card. The library's various tables and workstations are ideal for laptop use. Wireless access is also available in the Literacy Gardens.
Reserve a Meeting Room?
Click here to download our meeting room application. Or click here to fill out the online form. Please contact us via meetingrooms@flpl.org or 256-764-6564 ext. 115 if you have any questions.
Volunteer at FLPL?
Click here to fill out our online volunteer application form, or stop by the Circulation desk inside the library for a paper copy. You can contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 256-764-6564, ext. 134.
The Youth Services Department also offers Junior Volunteer Program during the Summer Reading Program. Junior Volunteer applications are available at the Youth Services Desk beginning the last week in March. Children and teens are eligible to apply for the Junior Volunteer Program after completing fourth grade. For more information, contact our Youth Services Librarian at YouthServices@flpl.org or at 256-764-6564, ext. 114.
Leave feedback?
Click here for our online comment form, or fill out a comment card at one of the service desks. You can also call the library at 256-764-6564 or write to us at 350 North Wood Avenue, Florence, AL, 35630.