Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

375 3rd Street NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 304-0500

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays

Library To-Go Curbside Pickup
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays

Ridgeview Branch Library

706 1st Street SW
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 345-6037

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays

Our Mission

Hickory Public Library promotes a high quality of life by providing empowering opportunities and excellent service.

Who Are We?

Hickory Public Library is a department of the City of Hickory, North Carolina, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The library has two locations: the main facility, the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, and the Ridgeview Branch.

Library Policies HPL Strategic Plan 2024-2027 Library Volunteers

Getting a Library Card

Residents of Hickory and Catawba County may use Hickory’s libraries free of charge. For anyone living outside Catawba County, there is an annual fee of $75.00. Out-of-county residents who only need to use the library's computers may purchase a non-borrower card for a $5.00 annual fee.

Residents ages 16 and up may register for library accounts with a photo ID and proof of current address. A current driver’s license will meet both requirements. Parents may apply for cards for children younger than 18. The child must be present when the account is issued.

Cards are also available at no cost to students of Lenoir-Rhyne University, employees of the City of Hickory, Catawba County Government and Hickory Public Schools, and media specialists from Catawba County Schools. Please bring your student or employee identification when you apply for your card.

If you need immediate access to online materials, sign up for a temporary Online Borrower card.  To sign up, go to the library’s online catalog and click “Create Account” in the top right corner. When you have completed the form, you will be given a temporary card number and PIN that are good for 14 days. Use those credentials to sign in to any of our digital resources or to request items for pickup through Library To Go. Bring your photo ID and proof of address to either library at your convenience to get your permanent card.

Your Library Account

When your card is issued, you will also be asked to choose a PIN number. This number will allow you to check your account in our online catalog, renew your checkouts, place items on hold and use the library’s digital resources.

Library accounts expire annually so that we may keep current contact information for each patron. All overdue items and outstanding fees must be resolved before the account is renewed.

Replacement library cards are available for $2.00. If your card is lost or stolen, please contact the library as soon as possible to protect your account.

Borrowing Items

Library cardholders may borrow up to 10 DVD’s and up to 99 total items at a time.

Hold Requests

Place requests for library materials through our online catalog. You'll need your library card number and PIN to access your account. You will be notified when your items are available and we’ll keep them at our front desk for 5 days.

Renewing Items

Items may be renewed up to two times unless other patrons are on the waiting list.  When renewals are available, our software will automatically extend the loan and the patron will be notified by email or text message. ILL items are not eligible for automatic renewals. 

Fine Free

Effective July 1, 2019, Hickory Public Library does not charge daily overdue fines for late materials. Customers are sent three notifications of overdue items over a three-week period. During this time, items can be renewed or returned. If your items are overdue, you will not be able to checkout additional materials.

A final overdue notice is sent at 28 days as a final reminder. Items that are 30 days overdue are marked lost and can no longer be renewed. The customer’s account is charged for the item and library privileges are suspended until items are returned or paid for.

Replacement items may be accepted in lieu of payment for lost or damaged materials. Replacement materials must be new or like new and must be the same or newer edition than the material that was lost or damaged. We will not accept used library copies for replacements. Talk with a library staff member to learn more about acceptable replacement materials before you buy.

Reserving Meeting/Study Rooms

Hickory Public Library offers meeting rooms for the use of the public on equal terms for the lawful activities of groups and individuals, regardless of their affiliation or beliefs. These meeting rooms are available for groups or individuals to conduct organizational or program meetings, seminars, study groups, planning sessions, training programs and related activities.

Visit https://hickory.librarycalendar.com/reserve-room to check availability and book a meeting or study room at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library or Ridgeview Branch Library.