Frequently Asked Questions
All you need is photo identification and proof of Pinellas County residency. For many, a current driver's license will suffice. If your driver's license does not yet contain your current address, a document such as a utility bill or apartment lease can be used to verify your address. If you live in another county such as Pasco County, you must first obtain a library card from your home county library system and then register it with us so that it may then be used throughout Pinellas County. How long can materials be checked out?
These loan periods are consistent throughout all Pinellas County public libraries. Extended loan periods are available for teachers or others with special needs. Please note that materials obtained by interlibrary loan often have different due dates that are dictated by the lending libraries. How many items can I check out? Countywide limits per card are:
Yes, all materials (except DVDs) may be renewed twice if not in demand by other patrons. DVDs may be renewed once. Renewals may be requested in person, by phone, or through the library's online catalog. Interlibrary loans from lenders outside the Pinellas County public libraries may not be renewed. What if you don't have the item I want? The library staff is ready to assist you in finding items at other libraries. We can request items from other public and academic libraries both locally and throughout the country via interlibrary loan. See Interlibrary Loan Policy for further information. Can I get help finding information? The Reference Department staff is available to assist you with questions in person, by phone (727-943-4922), or by e-mail. They can help you find information and locate materials at this and other libraries. Do you provide Internet access? What about wi-fi? Yes, the library provides free Internet access to adults and children on a first-come, first-served basis; advance reservations are not taken. Children need to posess a library card to use the Internet, however adults and teens do not. Library card holders may immediately sign on to library computers with their library card number. Non-card holders may obtain a single-use number (valid once) from library staff. Moreover, Microsoft Office software is installed on the Adult Services computers. Computer use is available for 90 minutes per day per person. Time extensions are subject to library staff discretion, based on availability and demand. Library computers and wi-fi are turned off ten minutes before library closing. See Internet Policy for further information. Free wi-fi is available to adults and without time limits. The wireless network is password-protected. Please ask Reference Dept. personnel for the password.
The library is at 138 East Lemon Street in downtown Tarpon Springs. We are three-quarters of a mile from the Sponge Docks. Please see our location page for a map. Can I volunteer at the library? Yes, the library gratefully accepts assistance from adult and youth (ages 13-17) volunteers. Please call us for further information. Does the library accept donations? The library gratefully accepts both material and monetary donations. Material donations such as books or audio/visual items are first evaluated for possible addition to the collection. If we cannot add them to the collection, we place them in our Friends of the Library used book sale area. Monetary donations may be applied toward the purchase of books in memory of loved ones or toward general operating expenses. Further, you may help the Tarpon Springs Library Foundation leave a legacy of continued learning for generations to come by donating cash gifts, real estate, securities, or by adding a codicil to your will. Does the library have books for sale? The Friends of the Library sell books, magazines, videos, and audio materials that were donated, or that were removed from the collection, on an ongoing basis. The book sale shelves are in the lobby just outside of the Youth Services area. Does the library have meeting rooms for the public to use? The library has a small conference room that holds a maximum of 18 people. It is available only to nonprofit organizations and government agencies, and must be booked in advance by submitting an application form to the library administration. The large Friends of the Library Room, which holds 100 people, is reserved for city or other government agencies, library programs, and events sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Please call (727) 943-4922, ext. 10, for further information. May I use the Tarpon Springs Library if I live in Pasco County? Yes, because of a reciprocal borrowing agreement between local counties, Pasco County residents may use the libraries in Pinellas County. However, Pasco residents must first obtain a library card from the Pasco County Library System, and then bring the large card (not the keyring card) and a photo ID to any Pinellas County library. We will input your information into our computer system so that you may use your Pasco card in Pinellas County. Please note that not all services available to Pinellas County residents will be available to Pasco County residents.
For further information, please see our Policies Page. |