Library

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Macon County Public Library
311 Church Street
Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: (615) 666-4340
Fax: (615) 666-8932

 The Libraries

Founded in 1957, the Macon County Library System serves residents with facilities in both Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs.

Macon County Public Library, located in Lafayette, serves as the County's main library.  After initial beginnings in a storefront in 1957, the library was relocated to to a newly constructed 3,200 square foot facility in 1972.  A new addition in 1994 brought the building to its current size of 4,894 square feet.

Red Boiling Springs Branch Library, after years of operation in a converted mobile home, moved to a newly-constructed 3,000 square foot facility in 1997.

Both Macon County Public Library and Red Boiling Springs Branch Library provide residents with free popular materials and strive to provide duplicate copies of high-demand titles.  Additionally, both libraries strive to support local educational efforts by providing non-fiction materials, early childhood learning materials, and public access computers.

Library Cards

A library card is required to borrow materials.  Free cards are issued to Macon County residents as well as non-residents who are: property owners; students or parents of students in the County school system; or persons employed by the County.  For those who do not qualify for a free card, an out-of-County card can be issued for a one-time fee of $10.00.

To obtain a card, an applicant must show a Tennessee drivers license or Social Security Number and proof of current address (utility bill, checkbook imprint, voter registration, etc.)  The cardholder signs an agreement of responsibility for overdue fees and replacement cost of lost or damaged materials.  Parents or legal guardians sign the agreement for persons under 18 years of age.

Lost cards are replaced for $1.00 for the first loss and $5.00 for each subsequent replacement.  Cardholders may opt to keep their cards on file at the library to avoid loss or damage.

Materials

• Books for adults, young adults, children.
• Large print books.
• Magazines.
• Newspapers.
• Videotapes.
• Books on tape.
• Genealogical records.
• GED study materials.
• Federal tax forms.
• County records and Macon County Times on microfilm.
• Public access computers with Internet connections.

*Note: all computers are turned off 30 minutes before closing time.

Overdue Materials

Regular Books: The overdue penalty for books returned late is $0.10 per book per day.  Books are initially loaned for a period of two weeks and may be renewed one time for an additional two weeks.

Reserved Books: Books on the reserved list carry an overdue penalty of $0.20 per day.  Reserved books are loaned for a period of seven days and may not be renewed.

Videotapes: The overdue penalty for videotapes is $2.00 per tape per day late.  Additionally, there is a $2.00 per video charge for placing tapes in the book drop because of potential damage when other items are dropped on top.  The loan period for videotapes is two nights.  For example, a videotape borrowed on Monday would be due on Wednesday.

Audio Books: The overdue penalty for audio books in $0.10 per audio book per day.  Audio books are loaned for two weeks and may be renewed one time for another two weeks.

Class-Required Reading Materials: Because of limited copies of each book on school-required reading lists, students may borrow only one book at a time from that particular collection.  Another may be borrowed upon return of the previous book.  Again, because of demand versus available copies, these books may not be renewed.  Overdue penalties are $0.10 per day late.

 Electronic Books
Anyone with a Kindle, Nook, etc. and a public library card can download from the Regional Ebook and Audiobook Download System provided by the state of Tennessee.  Simply use the link below.
On the Sign-In Page, you'll need to click on Macon County on the map.  It's the upper left yellow county in the "Falling Water Region."

Suggestion: Until you get used to their search and download system, you might want to try this:

• Use the "Advanced Search" link in the dark blue box on the left side of the screen.  
• Enter a title or an author or a subject (e.g., Mystery.)  
• Select the format (e.g., Kindle).  
• Finally check the box "Only show titles with copies available."    (Once you are more familiar with the system, you can leave the box unchecked.  You can then add yourself to wait lists to reserve books.) 

http://reads.lib.overdrive.com