Polk Libraries Interconnected

Using the library is easier than ever these days, even for those who don't have the time or transportation to visit one of the numerous municipal libraries that are part of the Polk County Library Cooperative.

Patrons don't have to enter a library building to do research or check out a book.

These services are as close as the nearest computer - and they are free, too.

"The Polk County Library Cooperative allows people to use each library without a fee, even those outside of the city limits," said Gladys Roberts, coordinator of the Polk County Library Cooperative.

The Books by Mail service enables readers to visit the cooperative's Web site - www.pclc.lib.fl.us - and browse through available titles.

Select a book and follow the directions on the site to order it. The book will arrive in the mail a short time later.

The book can be returned to a library, mailed back at the reader's expense or taken to the Bookmobile.

"Books by Mail is a very popular service," Roberts said. "It's growing in popularity. It's a very useful service."

The Bookmobile is a library on wheels that takes books to areas not close to a library building.

A schedule of stops is on the cooperative's Web site or call a library.

A book can either be returned during the Book Mobile's next stop in the area or it can be taken to any participating county public library.

For those working on research, the cooperative offers Ask a Librarian, a free, online reference service that provides real-time access to a librarian.

This service is available on the Web site from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The latest addition to the cooperative is the elibrary at Lake Miriam Square, 4740 S. Florida Ave.

A joint project between the county and the city of Lakeland, opened in July, 2007.

It includes computers, an express library and DVDs.

Available through the Lakeland Public Library Web site is the popular downloadable audio books and a new offering, downloadable eBooks for Sony Readers.

Visit the library's Web site at www.lakelandgov.net/library for more details.

INTERNET

The Polk County Library Cooperative has a Web site at www.pclc.lib.fl.us that provides access to a variety of services, including an online catalog, information services and book reviews.

The site also has information about all the libraries in the county and the bookmobile. The site also links to member libraries.

GENERAL CIRCULATION LIBRARIES

Becaue of economic conditions, all operating hours listed below are subject to change. Visit the cooperative Web site at www.pclc.lib.fl.us for locations of libraries and their times of operation.

Auburndale Public Library, 100 W. Bridgers Ave. 863-965-5548. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Bartow Public Library, 2150 S. Broadway Ave. 863-534-0131. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Dundee Public Library, 28037 U.S. 27 S. 863-439-9424. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Eagle Lake Public Library, 75 N. Seventh St. 863-293-2914. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Closed Sunday, Saturday and holidays.

Fort Meade Public Library, 75 E. Broadway. 863-285-8287. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Frostproof, Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, 15 N. Magnolia Ave. 863-635-7857. Open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Haines City Public Library, 303 Ledwith Ave. 863-421-3633. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Lake Alfred Public Library, 195 E. Pomelo St. 863-291-5378. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Lake Wales Public Library, 290 Cypress Gardens Lane. 863-678-4004. Open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Drive. 863-834-4280. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed on holidays.

Larry R. Jackson Branch of the Lakeland Public Library, at 1700 N. Florida Ave. 863-834-4288. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

The elibrary , 4740 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland. 863-838-4507. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed on Sunday and holidays.

Mulberry, Dr. C.C. Pearce Municipal Library, 103 E. Canal St. 863-425-3246. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

Polk City Community Library, 215 S. Bougainvillea St. 863-984-4340. Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.

Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Ave. A N.W. 863-291-5880. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.

SPECIALITY SERVICES

Justice Stephen H. Grimes Law Library, 255 N. Broadway Ave., Courthouse Room 3076, Bartow. 863-534-4013.

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Closed Sunday, Saturday and holidays.

Polk County Historical Genealogical Library, 100 E. Main St., Bartow. 863-534-4380.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.

Polk County Public Library, Cooperative Bookmobile, call Robin Newman at 863-661-3345.