Library Cards
Anyone age six and over who lives, works or attends school in Pike, Amite or Walthall County may apply for a card at any of our nine branches.  Applicants under the age of fourteen must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application.  New applicants may check out one item with proof  of address. Those without proof of address must wait until the card is received in the mail to check out materials. Cards must be renewed every three years. Cards are free of charge, but there is a one-dollar replacement fee for lost cards.  Residents of Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence and Wilkinson counties may also apply for a card free of charge.  Residents of other counties may obtain a card for $5.  Out-of-state transients visiting in the PAWLS area may apply for a temporary card for $15.  Patrons are urged to use their cards when checking out material.  Patrons are limited to three items and must furnish identification if they are registered but do not have their card.  Patrons may check out three times without a card before a replacement card is mandatory.
Loan Policies
Circulating print and audio books usually have a two-week loan period and are renewable up to three times.  Videos, DVDs, and music CDs may be checked out for one week and are non-renewable.  Audio-visual equipment checks out for three days and is non-renewable. Only patrons 18 years and over may check out audio-visual materials and equipment. Overdue print, audio books, and music CDs incur a fine of five cents per day. Overdue videos, DVDs, and audio-visual equipment incur a fine of one dollar per day.  Fines are tracked by the automation system and are kept on the patron's account even if the item has been returned.  Fines exceeding ten dollars or three or more overdue, unreturned items will block a patron from checking out.
Meeting and Study Rooms
McComb Headquarters has study rooms available for small groups.  The rooms may be scheduled or used on a first-come, first-served basis.   Patrons are allowed an hour of time or longer if no one else requests a room.  Meeting rooms are available at McComb, Gloster, Liberty, and Walthall for non-profit organizations. Please call the respective libraries for details and scheduling.
Public Access Computers
Internet connected computers are available in all of the branches.  A library card is not required to use the computers, but patrons must read and agree to our Acceptable Use Policy before using them. Time is limited to 30 minutes; however, if no one else is waiting to use the computer, the patron may use the computer longer.  Patrons sign in by the clock--the one with the earliest time is the first asked to relinquish a computer if the need arises.  Preschool children should be accompanied by an adult.  PAWLS allows Internet e-mail but forbids chat rooms, interactive games, or any real-time online communication.  Our computers are filtered.  A computer's filter may be disabled if necessary for legitimate research.  Patrons are responsible for any printing they generate.  Printing is fifteen cents per page. Outside disks, CD's, and memory sticks are not allowed.  Disks are available for one dollar each and may be kept on file for the patron's use within the library.
Special Programs
Most of the branches offer children's programs.   McComb programs include Special Friends (special needs), Lap Chaps (babies one year old and younger), After School (all ages) and Tiny Tales (preschool).  See the children's page for dates and times.  Dial-a-Story, a weekly prerecorded story, can be heard by dialing 601-684-3339.
McComb, Magnolia, Progress and Walthall host monthly luncheons.  For a nominal fee, patrons may have lunch and listen to a variety of speakers. McComb's Munch-a-Lunch is held on the first Thursday of each month; lunch is $1.25.  Magnolia's luncheon is the second Thursday of each month September through May and costs $1.25.  Friends of the Library sponsor the luncheons at Progress and Walthall.  Progress hosts its luncheon on the second Tuesday of each month September through May.  Participants are asked to bring a covered dish and may make a voluntary contribution.  The luncheon at Walthall is held on the second Tuesday from September through May and costs $3.
Using the Online Catalog
The online catalog is available at http://opac.pawls.lib.ms.us  The catalog may be searched from any Internet-connected computer or at any of the nine branches.. Patrons are able to access their library account by logging in with their card number and pin number.  Pin numbers are issued by letter when a new card is issued.  Patrons who have lost their pin number may get it from a staff member by furnishing proof of identity.  After logging in to their account, patrons may change their pin number, renew books (as long as they are not overdue or on hold), place holds on items, and request books by interlibrary loan.   They may also create "My List" of favorite titles, and view checkouts, fines and other pertinent account information.  Library staff will be happy to assist patrons in the fundamentals of using the catalog.
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