FAQs
Where are you located & what hours are you open?
Do you have computers and Internet access?
Do you provide wireless Internet service?
Do you have a fax, copier and printers?
How can I place a hold/renew/look for an item?
Do you have a meeting room available and how can I reserve it?
How can I help support my local library?
Can I have a test proctored at the library?
How do I get a library card?
Library cards are available at no charge to all citizens in Onslow County, all Onslow County property owners, and Onslow County Government employees. For those living outside Onslow County, there is a $25 annual non-resident library card fee.
Adult cards will be issued to patrons 18 and older. Juvenile cards will be issued to children between the ages of 5 and 17. Each juvenile card must have a parent, legal guardian, or grandparent who will be legally and financially responsible for materials checked out on that card. For juvenile cards, a valid picture I.D. and proof of current address will be required for the parent/legal guardian. Children must be present when getting a library card.
How to Obtain a Library Card
1. Fill out and submit our online library card registration form.
2. Visit any one of our four branch locations in Jacksonville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry or Swansboro.
3. Present a valid picture I.D. and proof of your current address to the circulation desk staff.
OCPL library cards are valid for one year and can be renewed upon expiration. If you lose your card before the 1-year expiration, there is a $1.00 charge for a replacement.
Where are you located & what hours are you open?
There are four libraries in the Onslow County Public Library System. The Main Library is located in Jacksonville and our other three branches are located in Richlands, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro. The Main Library is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, Friday & Saturday from 9 am to 6 p, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Richlands, Sneads Ferry and Swansboro branches are open Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Do you have computers and Internet access?
All OCPL branches (Jacksonville, Richlands, Sneads Ferry & Swansboro) have Public Computers and Internet Access. We offer 15-minute Express Internet PCs for all library cardholders and visitors. To use all other computers, you need a valid OCPL library card in good standing. You can have two hours of computer use per day. Black & white and color printing is available for the cost of $.20 per page.
Do you provide wireless Internet service?
We offer free Wi-Fi at all OCPL branches. Just bring your laptop, find a comfy chair, and surf away. Please understand that library staff are not allowed to configure or troubleshoot your laptop for a wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) connection. Please consult your computer's owners manual for assistance.
Do you have a fax, copier and printers?
Yes, all three services are available at all four of our library locations. Faxes: Incoming or outgoing faxes are a $1.00 per page. Copies: Black and white copy machines are available for public use for the cost of $.10 per page for letter and legal sizes and $.20 per page for ledger size. Printers: Black and white and color printing is available from our computers for the cost of $.20 per page.
How can I place a hold or renew an item?
Patrons with active library cards can place hold requests on library materials. Our Automated Polaris Notification System will contact you when the material is Held & Ready for Pickup at the branch location of your choice. Hold notifications can be sent by email, text, phone, or regular mail.
How to Place a Hold Request:
- Login to your library account from our website using your Username or Library Card Number and Password or PIN.
- Search for and locate the title you would like to place on hold.
- Click "Place Hold Request."
- Select your Pickup Location and Activation Date.
- Click "Submit Request."
Don't remember your Password/PIN? If you know your Username or Library Card Number, your password can be sent to the email address we have on file. Request your Password/PIN
Library materials may be renewed twice in succession. Materials or equipment on hold for another patron may not be renewed. Material, which has been obtained through interlibrary loan, may only be renewed once.
Ways to Renew Your Library Materials:
- Login to your library account from our website using your Username or Library Card Number and Password/PIN.
- Call your local OCPL branch & press option 1 for our automated renewal line. Have your Library Card Number & Password/PIN ready.
Main Library/Jacksonville - 910.455.7350
Richlands Branch - 910.324.5321
Sneads Ferry Branch - 910.327.6471
Swansboro Branch - 910.326.4888
- Call your local OCPL branch during normal operating hours to speak with a staff member.
Do you have a meeting room available and how can I reserve it?
Onslow County Public Library provides meeting room space free of charge for use by the public library and its affiliates, units of county, city, state, or federal government, and area non-profit organizations. There is a $25.00 fee for the use of the meeting room for all other organizations.
The Main Library in Jacksonville and Swansboro Branch each have a meeting room available for public use. The Main Library Meeting Room has a seating capacity of 75. The Swansboro Branch Meeting Room has a seating capacity of 35.
Please read the Onslow County Public Library Meeting Room Policy.
To request to reserve a meeting room, you can either:
1. Print and fill out our Meeting Room Application and fax or bring the completed application to the desired library.
Main Library/Jacksonville Fax: 910.455.1661; Swansboro Branch Fax: 910.326.6682
2. Submit an online Meeting Room Reservation Request.
For more information, please call the Main Library at 910.455.7350 x6113 or the Swansboro Branch at 910.326.4888.
How can I support my local library?
You can help support OCPL by joining the Friends of the Library. The Friends of the Onslow County Public Library is a non-profit organization comprised of community volunteers who generate funds to help support programs and services at all branches of the Onslow County Public Library. They do so by encouraging membership in the Friends Groups and holding used books sales. The Friends of the Onslow County Public Library are made up of the Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro Friends of the Library Groups.
You can also support OCPL by volunteering at your local library branch. For more information about volunteer opportunities with OCPL, contact your local branch library.
And yet another way to help support the Library is to attend our events, programs, and book sales. Check our calendar of events to see what great things we have planned.
Can I have a test proctored at the library?
We can proctor tests for you at all OCPL branches. There is a $30.00 proctor fee per test (written or online). To have your test proctored, please contact us in advance of your test date to arrange a time.
Main Library/Jacksonville
Email Adult Services or call 910.455.7350 x6113
Richlands Branch Library
Email Richlands Branch or call 910.324.5321
Sneads Ferry Branch Library
Email Sneads Ferry Branch or call 910.327.6471
Swansboro Branch Library
Email Swansboro Branch or call 910.326.4888