The new Athens-Limestone Public Library will reopen on a limited basis Monday, Dec. 29, in Athens.

Officials want to test-drive operations at the newly renovated old Kroger building at 602 S. Jefferson St. before beginning regular hours Jan. 5, 2015, said Paula Laurita, library executive director.

On Dec. 29, the staff will begin by offering basic library services during limited hours. Library patrons are urged to return all items borrowed from the old library at 405 E. South St. and they may check out up to 10 items from the new library, she said. The local library has more than 147,538 materials in print and electronic format.

Public computers will be available without printing services, Laurita said. Tours of the library facilities will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Fine forgiveness

If you owe library fines, this is your chance.

From. Dec. 29 through Jan. 31, the library is conducting a “New Library, New Start” fine-forgiveness program. Fines over $5 will be forgiven, Laurita said. That means, for example, if you owe $25 in fines, you pay only $5.

“If you’ve had a library book for 10 years, bring it back in good condition and your fine will only be $5,” Laurita said.

“This applies to overdue fines only and not to lost or damaged materials or other fees,” she said.

Get a new library card

If you need a library card or you need to replace a lost card, bring your photo ID to the new library with verification of your mailing address and you shall receive.

Initial hours

In accordance with the library’s limited opening, the facility hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 and Jan. 2 and 3. The library will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Regular hours

Beginning Jan. 5, the library will be open for regular hours, and they are not the same as the old library hours, Laurita said.

After polling patrons about hours preferences, library officials learned many people preferred the library be closed Sundays. With that recommendation and others, officials set the following regular hours:

• Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Saturdays — 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Rooms for rent

Along with a story-time room, history room with computers for genealogy, and a room just for teens, there are several rooms that can be rented by the public. They include:

• Community room — 125 theater seating — $20 for first hour; $10 for each additional;

• Beasley Pre-Function Area — 125 people standing — $15 first hour; $10 each additional;

• Study rooms — seats two to four — $2 first hour; $1 each additional;

• Steelcase Board Room — 14 around table — $15 first hour; $10 each additional;

• Technology Center — 24 with classroom seating — $75 first hour; $50 each additional;

• Dewey Park — $15 first hour; $10 each additional.

For more information about renting rooms, including the requirements and to make application, go to the library.

For more information about the new library, go online to www.ALCPL.org.