The West Florida Public Library system is an organization of libraries that serve the Pensacola area, with all of its branch libraries in Escambia County.
The Library System currently has approximately 360,000 books, 36,000 audio resources, and 14,000 video resource in circulation. In addition to its branch libraries, the Library System operates a mobile library, the "Bookmobile", which visits a number of areas in Escambia County each week.
Formerly called the West Florida Regional Library, it was renamed after libraries in Santa Rosa County formed their own library system.
Contents
Branch libraries
- Pensacola Public Library — Downtown Pensacola
- Lucia M. Tryon Branch Library — on Langley Ave.
- Southwest Branch Library — in southwest Pensacola, near Perdido Key
- Century Branch Library
- Westside Branch Library — West Pensacola
History
A subscription library was established in Pensacola by the Pensacola Library Association in 1885.
In 1911, the Carnegie Corporation offered a $25,000 grant to establish a public library in Pensacola, if the city would commit but a tenth of that amount. The public voted not to accept the "tainted" money, however, and the Pensacola City Council rejected the grant on July 13.[1] A similar offer seems to have been made again in 1916, but was again refused by the city.
Pensacola did not have a public library until 1938, when it was opened through the work of Lucia Tryon in the old Christ Church building. The old church building reopened as the library on February 15, 1938 with 3,352 donated books.
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Funding and administration
The branches as well as the Bookmobile are funded primarily by the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. The branches also receive aid supplement funds from the state of Florida, as well as Federal grant money.
The West Florida Public Library system is administered by the West Florida Public Library Board, which is made up of nine members, of which three each are appointed by the Pensacola City Council and the Escambia County Commission. The current director of the library system is Gene Fisher.
Borrowing policies
Patrons of the West Florida Public Library may borrow up to fifteen (15) books at a time, for up to three weeks. Only four (4) audio/visual materials may be borrowed at a time, however. Overdue books and audio materials collect a fine of ten cents ($0.10) per day per item, excluding days on which the library is closed. Overdue visual materials and CD-ROM resources collect a fine of one dollar ($1.00) per day per item. Unpaid fines exceeding $3.00 will prevent a patron from borrowing materials until paid.
All materials borrowed from the Library can be returned to any library branch, regardless of the branch from which they were borrowed.
West Florida Public Library cards are free for residents of Escambia county. Non-residents may apply for a card, but will be required to pay a nonrefundable $50 annual fee. Replacement of a lost card costs $3. Children under the age of 12 can apply for a card with parental permission. A patron must be over the age of 18 to borrow video and CD-ROM resources, however. A library card application form can be obtained at any branch library or downloaded from the Library's website.
Library Website
Patrons can use the West Florida Public Library website to search the library's catalog, submit reference questions to a librarian, reserve West Florida Regional Library materials, and request materials from libraries across the country via interlibrary loan. The library website also offers links to many educational resources on the internet.