Library Card Registration

All residents of Horry County are eligible for a free library card. For non-residents, and residents of Georgetown County please see information below to obtain a card.

A resident is someone who has a primary residence in Horry County, or owns property in Horry County, or attends school in Horry County, or works in Horry County.

There is no charge for the first library card. However, users will be charged $1.00 for a replacement library card. This card can be used at any Horry County Memorial Library facility.

Please download 1 of the following forms:

Library Card Application

Childs Library Card Application

Take it to your nearest Horry County Public Library to register and pickup your library card. (locations are HERE)

These items may be used alone as identification.

1. Driver’s license with photo and current mailing address

2. ID card with photo and current mailing address

3. Valid passport with photo and current address

If none of the above are available then a minimum of two items from the following may be used. One of the items must have the customer’s current address.

1. Driver’s license with photo, but old address (out-of-state is okay)

2. School ID with photo but no address

3. Military ID, with photo

4. Work ID, with photo

5. Preprinted checkbook

6. Utility, telephone, or fuel bill with current address

7. 1st class mail with current postmark

8. Voter registration

9. Current government document with current mailing address; i.e., medical coupons, food stamp card, etc.

10. Telephone number and address listed in current version of a telephone book

Note: Rent receipts are not acceptable forms of address verification

Children’s Library Card Eligibility

1. There is no minimum age requirement for a child’s card. The parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the library, present ID, and fill out a juvenile card application. Teens that have a SC Driver’s License or permit do not need the parent’s signature to get a card.

2. You may download the juvenile card application from this website and bring it to any Horry County branch library.

3. Fill out the application and indicate on the form whether you want to restrict the checkout of materials to the juvenile collection or allow checkout of any item in the library’s collection, including Young Adult and Adult. Sign and date the form, and present it to library staff along with your ID.

Library Cards For Georgetown County Residents

Georgetown County residents may obtain a Library Card if:

  • The patron has a Georgetown County Library Card in good standing
  • The patron provides identification required for Library Cards listed above.

Library Cards for Non-Residents

  • Patrons from out-of-state or a different county in South Carolina may obtain a Library Card for a $10.00 fee.
  • Non-resident Library Cards are valid for six months from date of purchase.

Privacy of Registration & Circulation

Based upon the Library’s Confidentiality of Library User Records policy and state law, information regarding individual library patrons may not be released except by due process of law.

1. Under no circumstances is an employee to release any information related to an individual library patron unless authorized by the director or the deputy director.

2. Any employee receiving a request for information related in any way to an individual library patron will explain to the requestor that this information is confidential and cannot be released except by due process of law.

Besides information in registration records, the name of the patron who has checked out a specific book, those in hold queues, and even the fact that an individual is a registered patron is considered confidential.

3. If the requestor is unsatisfied, or wants to proceed further, refer him/her to the deputy director or the director.

4. If the requestor appears to have the necessary legal documents, do not release any information. Refer the requestor to the director so that the correctness of the documents can be confirmed. The director will then make necessary arrangement for the release of information.

5. Because these records are protected by state law as well as Library policy, any employee releasing unauthorized information could be open to legal action taken by the library patron.

Customer Residency/Non-Residency

A resident is someone who has a primary residence in Horry County, or owns property in Horry County, or attends school in Horry County, or works in Horry County

There is no charge for the first library card. However, users will be charged $1.00 for a replacement library card. This card can be used at any Horry County Memorial Library facility.

Horry County Memorial Library Non-Resident Fee Information

What does it cost for an out-of-county resident to obtain a Horry County Memorial Library card?

There is a $10.00 per user annual charge for a 6 month nonresident card. It expires six months from the date purchased. There is a $20.00 per user annual charge for a 12 month nonresident card. It expires 12 months from the date purchased.

How was this fee determined?

The fee is based on what the average Horry County citizen pays in property taxes for library services. Property tax is the major funding source for library revenue. At today’s book prices this is about half the cost of one hardback book and only slightly more than the cost of one paperback book.

Can this card be used at other libraries?

This card can be used at any Horry County Memorial Library facility. These are located in Aynor, Bucksport, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, Little River, Loris, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee and Surfside Beach.

Must everyone living outside Horry County pay the Non-Resident fee?

The one exception to the nonresident fee requirement is for persons owning or renting (on a year-round basis) property within Horry County.

I am a tourist who provides income to the local economy through sales and other taxes. Aren’t I paying twice to use the libraries?

No. Horry County Libraries are funded through the general operating fund of the County government. The primary source of revenue for general operations of the Library comes from property tax. Property tax constitutes about 80 percent of the revenue for the Library. The other 20 percent does come from other miscellaneous sources of revenue through which the tourist does probably contribute. As a result, the fee allows the nonresident to contribute towards library service at the same level as the resident.