Policies

Outreach Services - If you're a childcare or senior facility in Clayton, please email us to request our monthly book delivery service.

Get your Library Card!

Anyone who would like to check out materials or use our computers needs a library card! To receive your Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library card, you will need:

  • A valid NC driver license with a current address or a valid photo ID and a document showing present address.
  • A student picture ID showing proof of enrollment (if under 16 years old, the student must be accompanied by a parent) with a valid NC driver's license with a current address or a valid driver's license and a document showing present address.

Please view our Circulation Policy (DOCX) in full for detailed library card registration criteria and information on borrowing, loan periods, and fines and fees.

We also have tons of eBooks and eAudiobooks online through Overdrive. If you want to learn how to get those items on your device, check out the Overdrive instructions by clicking here (PDF) and our e-iNC instructions here (PDF).

Circulation Policy

Books may be checked out for three weeks, unless otherwise noted. Books may be renewed twice if no other requests have been placed on the book. Magazines and newspapers are available for on-site use only.

Collection Management Policy

This policy details the library's method for collecting books and managing the library's collection. It includes links the Patron Purchase Suggestion form and the Request for Reconsideration of Materials form.

Fines and Fees

The overdue fine for books and audiobooks is $0.25 cents per day per item. Overdue fines for DVDs is $1 per day per item. Sundays and holidays are excluded. Patrons will be contacted periodically by email. For more convenient drop-off, there is a book drop outside the library.

As long as you have a balance under $25 you may still check out materials from the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library. You may pay your fines and fees with cash or check at the desk in the Main Reading Room.

View the Town of Clayton's Comprehensive List of Fees and Charges. Just search "Library" with the burgundy search bar at the top right of the document.

Copies and Printing

We have a black/white copier in the Main Reading Room for public use, please see library staff for assistance.

You may also print from any of our public computers. Print fees are $0.20 per black and white page and $0.25 per color page. Prints may be paid for by cash, card or check at the desk in the Main Reading Room. All print requests are held in the printer queue until close of business day. Check with staff for more details or to "print preview".

We do not have fax services.

Computer Access Rules and Regulations

You must have a valid library card to log-in to a public computer. Visitors can use a free 30-minute guest pass or purchase a $5 day pass for sessions lasting over half an hour. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian while using the computer. Online safety resources for children can be found in our Child Safety Brochure. Computer stations shut off 15 minutes prior to closing.

Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library's Disruptive Behavior Policy (PDF) and Internet Use Policy below.

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library Internet Use Policy:

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is committed to its mission of fostering learning and connection to the community for Clayton residents. In keeping with this mission, the Library is offering public electronic resources available on the World Wide Web. In order to block access to those graphic images and materials defined as harmful to minors in the North Carolina General Statutes § 14-190.1-14-190.15, the library has installed filters on all public Internet terminals.

The Library has no control over content on the Internet and is not responsible for information that is inaccurate, incomplete or illegal. The Library is not responsible for any material transmitted electronically by users of its public Internet terminals. The monitoring of a minor's access to the Internet is the responsibility of that person's parent or legal guardian.

Acceptable Use Policy

Use of public computers to violate state or Federal laws regarding public display of pornography, cyber stalking, identity theft, fraud, etc., is forbidden and may result in revocation of your library use privileges. Failure to comply with our library's Internet Use Policy will result in a warning to the patron. Repeated violations of library policy will be submitted to the library director for resolution, and may result in the patron being barred from using our library's public Internet terminals and/or the facility.

Further, law enforcement officials having probable cause to suspect illegal usage of public use personal computers in the Library may obtain usage records for these machines in accordance with state law.

State law requires us to protect minor children from seeing any sexually explicit sites, even accidentally on library computers. Content and some websites are filtered and blocked on library computers and public Wi-Fi service.

Curbside Pickup Service

Patrons can now check out materials without entering the library! Simply click here for the easy Curbside Pickup Service instructions (PDF), then reserve your books online or over the phone and schedule a pickup!

Curbside pickup times are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

  • Curbside service starts Monday, May 18.
  • The library reserves the right to cancel or limit curbside service.

Home Delivery Program Policy

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library Home Delivery Program provides home delivery of library materials to patrons who meet the eligibility criteria below. Patrons in the program are paired with a trained volunteer or staff member who delivers and picks up library materials on a regular basis. During the COVID-19 period, library staff will be the primary support for patrons with this service. Read more about this program and eligibility for the program here (DOCX).

Wireless Access

Wireless Internet access is available and permits customers with properly equipped laptop computers and other portable computing devices to access the web. We do have some outlets available for you to charge your advice while you are in the library; those outlets are located in the Teen Room, just inside the side entrance of the building. Please make sure you come to the library with your own charger for your device.

Request a Purchase

HEML is happy to consider recently published books and other items for our collection. We receive inquiries from authors and publisher's representatives and have created these guidelines to help you. For more information, please see our full Collection Management Policy (PDF).

The Library routinely acquires books published by commercial publishers that fit the Library's collection development plan and meet our selection criteria. We also may acquire self-published books when they include unique local content, fit the scope of the Library's collection plan and meet our selection criteria.

Having your book receive an independent, positive review in one or more the of the major review journals (such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist and Publisher's Weekly) is the best way to bring a title to our attention. We are more likely to consider adding a self-published book to our collection if it has been reviewed in a major review journal. Paid reviews are not considered.

To suggest a new book for purchase or to make an InterLibrary Loan request, please click here.

Meeting Room Policy

Read our meeting room policy (PDF) and reserve our meeting room space.

Tutor Policy

HEML premises are available for the use of members of the public to meet their needs in accessing information and enjoying library materials and equipment. As part of its educational mission to nurture library users of all ages, HEML permits tutoring on the premises in accordance with this policy.

HEML does not sponsor, recommend or assume liability or responsibility for the work and/or activities of tutors who use library space. All arrangements must be made between the tutor, student and parents.

Tutoring Guidelines and Procedures

  • Tutoring sessions must be kept as quiet as possible so as not to disturb other library patrons or library staff. The Library Code of Conduct applies to all tutor teams.
  • Tutors are responsible for the behavior of their students.
  • Tutoring sessions will be limited to a maximum of two students per tutor at any given time.
  • Library staff is happy to assist tutor teams, just as they assist any other patrons.
  • Tutors are responsible for establishing communication procedures for their students and the student's parents. Library phones may not be used to make or cancel appointments. Library staff will not relay messages to tutors or students.
  • Children under the age of eight must be under the direct supervision of the tutor until they are released to a parent or a designated responsible adult.
  • No exchange of money may take place between student and tutor in the Library.
  • The Library reserves the right to limit tutoring activities if space resources are monopolized or activities interfere with Library operations.

Tutoring Spaces

  • Tutors may use the study tables in the teen area during Library hours.
  • When the meeting room is free, up to four tutor teams may use the tables in the meeting room.
    • Tutors may "check out" a space in the meeting room for one hour at a time. This "check out" will take place at the circulation desk. If nobody is waiting, the tutor may extend the tutoring session as needed.
    • According to our meeting room usage policy, all tutors must conclude their sessions and vacate the room at 15 minutes prior to regular library closing time.
    • Tutors must follow all other meeting room upkeep rules according to HEML Meeting Room Usage Policy. Tables and chairs must be returned to the position in which they were found.

HEML may deny use of public areas and meeting room facilities to any group that does not comply with the aforementioned regulations.

Tax Forms

Not every library in Johnston County offers its citizens a place to come and get many of the tax forms that are needed to file their taxes. We may not have every form that you need but one of our helpful staff members can help you download and print the forms that we do not have available for you. View more information about the forms and publications we will offer to get your taxes done.

Supervision of Children

Parents are responsible for the care, safety, and behavior of their children of library property. Check out our brochure on how we can all work to keep children safe at the library (PDF). Library staff has the authority to take security measures for behavioral and safety issues of unattended children, up to and including Town of Clayton Police Department. Please review our full Unattended Child and Disruptive Child Policy for more information.