# PINES (Georgia) — your library in your pocket

> Georgia library catalog access, holds, and renewals. (iPhone/iPad app by Kenneth Cox.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pines-georgia/id1400443994 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kenneth Cox](https://appshunter.io/developer/1400443993)
- Category: Books
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 66 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2018-08-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pines-georgia/id1400443994/reviews.md

## What is PINES (Georgia)?

PINES gives you access to more than 275 libraries across Georgia. To use this app, you must have a library card with a PINES member library and know your password.

PINES lets you:
* Search the catalog
* Place a hold on an item
* Renew items you have checked out

Problem? Send email to kenstir.apps@gmail.com

Development of this software has been sponsored by Georgia PINES.  This app is open source! If you have the means and the interest to contribute, head on over to https://github.com/kenstir/hemlock-ios

## Key features

- Search library catalog
- Place holds on items
- Renew checked-out items
- Access 275+ Georgia libraries

## Chart rankings

- #200 in Top Free · Book (US App Store)

## What do users think of PINES (Georgia)?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Convenient for searching and placing holds
- 👍 Easy to renew books
- 👍 Developer responsiveness noted
- 👍 App works smoothly otherwise
- 👍 Useful for searching across the Pines system
- 👍 Handy for showing library card
- 👍 Quick library change in search
- 👍 Great for checking account anywhere

**Cons**

- 😞 Cannot pay fines through the app
- 😞 No longer able to pay fines
- 😞 Removed option to pay fines
- 😞 Inconvenient to delete messages
- 😞 Lists missing on iOS
- 😞 Ebooks/audiobooks not supported
- 😞 Barcode not scannable at library
- 😞 App useless without ebook feature
- 😞 App doesn't register holds correctly
- 😞 Barcode scanner issues
- 😞 Book descriptions collapse
- 😞 Cannot renew items in batches
- 😞 Android version is better
- 😞 No barcode for checkout
- 😞 Ebook feature not working on Apple

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Cannot sign in (Error message)
- Error decoding OSRF object
- Won't delete messages
- App no longer opening
- System down (app or browser)
- Crashes when viewing holds or checkouts
- Login issues after password change
- App crashes constantly
- Ebook feature not working on Apple

**Most requested features**

- Ability to pay fines through the app
- Fix message deletion bug
- Add 'Lists' feature to iOS app
- Support for ebooks and audiobooks
- Ability to renew multiple books at once
- Reinstating color alert for due dates
- Add barcode for scanning at checkout
- Improve book description display
- Make app more like Android version

## Recent user reviews (10 of 66)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pines-georgia/id1400443994/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-06-30*

I can’t use any apps that are supposed to work with Pines. It says it’s against policy? I just wanted to use it for audio books but I guess it doesn’t work for that. Also, keeps unregistering me and won’t send my password reset to my email. It’s really worthless to me. Tax dollars hard at work lol.

**Developer response:** The app is working for 38,000 other users; I'm sorry it isn't working for you.   I am having a hard time following your report.  What is "it" in "it says it's against policy"?  What policy?  If you want to listen to audiobooks, find another app; this app doesn't do that.  If you would like help with this app, email kenstir.apps@gmail.com.  If you need help logging into your account, visit your local library.

### 5/5 — Use the app all time

*2026-02-28*

It's convenient for searching for books throughout the whole Pines system, placing holds, and renewing my books. Developer is responsive.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review!  When you need to reach us, we are here at kenstir.apps@gmail.com.

### 2/5 — Can't pay fines

*2026-02-24*

I really hate that I can no longer pay fines through the app. It was very convenient. I don't understand why the option was removed.

**Developer response:** Sigh.  I answered this 14 months ago, and I will try again.  If you can't pay fines using the app it is not a bug in the app.  It is a setting on the server controlled by your local branch.  79% of the orgs in PINES do allow online payment, and I'm sorry yours does not, but we cannot fix that by writing reviews to each other occasionally.  Please talk to the staff at your local library.

### 2/5 — Version 4.2.0 update

*2025-12-14*

Can’t sign in - Error message

**Developer response:** And what was the error message?  "User login failed" means your password is wrong.  "Chain validation failed" or "TLS error" happened when the server was down for planned maintenance (https://pines.georgialibraries.org/news/pines-system-maintenance-december-13/).  We can't help you if you don't give any details and the app can't do anything if the server goes down.  If you are still having trouble, email a screenshot to kenstir.apps@gmail.com.  If not please consider increasing your rating.

### 5/5 — Error on Sign in Page

*2025-07-15*

I was asked by my local library to contact the app directly regarding an issue I’m having. When opening the app I periodically get an Error that says “Error decoding OSRF object: Class “au” is not registered.” I just dismiss it to continue into the app. Not sure what the problem is or what I need to do to make it stop coming up. Thanks.

**Developer response:** Update: It is fixed in 3.3.0.

That is a timing bug and I'm sorry you can't do anything about it except dismiss it.  Thank you for reporting it, it will be fixed in the next release.  If you see any other issues that annoy you please reach out directly to kenstir.apps@gmail.com.

### 3/5 — 3.1.3 Version Bug: Won’t delete message

*2025-06-25*

In 3.1.3, when I get a message, after I tap Edit, then Delete, the icon for Messages still shows a red circle with a 1 in it. It doesn’t clear the messages. I can only clear the Messages in the app if I then go to the PINES webpage and delete the message there. Very inconvenient! Please fix.

**Developer response:** 6/30: Fixed today on the server; no app update required.
6/27: I'm sorry about this new bug; it was caused by a server change to prevent bad bot traffic.  The person responsible is on vacation and will work on it soon.  Thank you for the report.  In the future, instead of editing your review to report new issues, you can reach me directly at kenstir.apps@gmail.com.

### 5/5 — Lists. Android has them.

*2025-01-21, version 3.1.3*

Update: FIXED! Yay! Thank you. Lists are very important to people who use library apps frequently, especially during quarantine, when I’m doing all my book searching on the app. I just switched from an Android and lost the ability to view/manage my lists from the app. 

Everything else runs smoothly. But without lists I still have to get on the browser. So until lists are added, this app doesn’t do me a lot of good. I will add 2 stars when we get lists.

### 4/5 — Due Date Alert

*2025-01-07*

Edit: Thank you for listening and reinstating the color alert for upcoming due date!!

I love this app, however, with a recent update I noticed the approaching due date (the date turns red) feature has stopped. I loved that feature to alert me it’s time to renew/return. Please bring that back!!

**Developer response:** Due date: fixed in 3.1.2 out today!! I asked Management and we aligned on this: the due date is again highlighted yellow(ish) for due soon and orange for overdue.

### 5/5 — 3.1.1 Version Works Great!

*2024-12-17*

3.1.1 version works great after the bug fix.

**Developer response:** It's fixed in version 3.1.1.  I'm sorry about this; it was not easy to reproduce but we found it and fixed it.  Thanks for the report.

### 3/5 — “error decoding OSRF” on opening app, but goes away

*2024-12-02*

After updating app to the newest version (3.1.0) I get an error message when the app opens: “Error: error decoding OSRF...” it only appears for a second (i couldn’t read the entire message), then it leaves the screen. The app functions normally after that.

Developer comment makes no sense. This error message appears EVERY time I open the app. The fact that it goes away doesn’t mean anything. It shouldn’t appear in the first place! Something is wrong, so please fix it.

**Developer response:** I'm sorry about this; I saw it happen once but I haven't yet figured out the cause.  kenstir.apps@gmail.com.  I suspect the cause is a bad network response that cached.  In other words, if you clear the cache (by deleting and reinstalling the app), it will clear up the issue.

## Frequently asked questions about PINES (Georgia)

### What does the PINES app do?

The PINES app provides mobile access to over 275 libraries across Georgia. It allows users to search the library catalog, place holds on items, and renew materials they have already checked out.

### How do I use the PINES app?

To use the app, you must have a library card from a PINES member library and know your password. Once logged in, you can utilize the search, hold, and renewal features.

### Is the PINES app free to use?

Yes, the PINES app is free to download and use. Development of the software has been sponsored by Georgia PINES.

### What are the requirements to use this app?

You need a valid library card from a PINES member library and your associated password to access the app's features. It is designed for users within the PINES library system.

### What are common use cases for the PINES app?

Common use cases include quickly searching for books or other media available in the PINES catalog, placing holds on desired items from anywhere, and renewing borrowed items without needing to visit the library in person.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.7.0 — 2026-08-20

* Fixed issue where Items Checked Out would fail to display anything if
  any checked out item was deleted from the database.  Now it displays
  the available data and the Details page says "item is marked deleted in
  the database"
* Add "Send report to developer" button to the alert for internal errors
* chore: Upgrade to Xcode 26.6

### 4.6.0 — 2026-05-05

* Allow patron to receive push notifications on multiple devices for the same account
* Handle public catalog alert banners containing HTML

### 4.5.1 — 2026-04-03

* Fixed screens where bottom safe area was white in dark mode and the list did not display all the way to the bottom edge

### 4.4.1 — 2026-02-21

* Add "Don't show again" option to system alert dialog
* Bug fixes

### 4.4.0 — 2026-02-10

* Show public catalog alert banner as a dialog in the app
* Fixed bug preventing placing hold on item with part label having a leading space

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## More apps by Kenneth Cox

- [CW MARS Libraries](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cw-mars-libraries/id1434646418)
- [COOL Libraries](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cool-libraries/id1448198223)
- [NOBLE Libraries](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noble-libraries/id1471837723)
- [SageCat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sagecat/id1492950794)
- [Evergreen Indiana](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/evergreen-indiana/id1511341933)

All apps by Kenneth Cox: https://appshunter.io/developer/1400443993

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*