Charlotte County Library System

About the Library

Getting A Library Card

Library cards are free of charge to any Charlotte County resident. Acceptable proofs of residency forms include the following:

  • Valid Florida Driver's License with Charlotte County address
  • Charlotte County Voter's Registration
  • Charlotte County Property Tax Receipt
  • Florida I.D. Card (Issued by Driver's License Bureau)
  • Certificate of Residency
  • Business License issued in Charlotte County
  • Employment I.D.
  • Charlotte County School I.D.
  • Charlotte County Utility Bills

Non-residents may have a card for an annual fee of $35.00

Circulation Policy

Patrons are encouraged to return items to the library location where they are checked out. Please return materials inside the library when the library is open. Outside book returns are available for after-hour use. New books and all movies and music CD’s are available at each library location on a first come first served basis and may not be reserved or renewed. Other materials may be reserved and renewed online, in person, or by phone if there is no one else waiting for the item. There is no charge to reserve materials. The maximum number of reserves per card is three.

Library Fines

When a book is overdue or missing, it is not available for other patrons. To discourage late returns of books, the library charges $.25 per day per item for all materials except movies which have a $1.00 per day late charge. There is no grace period for fines. There is no charge for days that the library is not open.

As a courtesy, we will attempt to notify you when a book is overdue, but it is your responsibility to return it and pay the fine. If a book is not returned within a reasonable amount of time, you will be billed for the price of the book plus a $5.00 processing fee. If items are not returned after 60 days, account balances greater than $$25.00 are sent to a collection agency with an added $10.00 non-refundable fee.

Fines owed of more that $5.00 must be paid before any materials can be checked out, and overdue materials must be returned before more items can be borrowed.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a library service that allows library users to borrow materials not owned by the Charlotte County Library System. The library will attempt to obtain these materials for you by borrowing them from other libraries throughout Florida and the United States. The Charlotte County Library System does not provide Interlibrary Loan for videocassette, DVD’s or music cd’s. The loan of ILL material is determined by the lending library.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests are made at the Reference Desk. Ask the Librarian for assistance with placing an ILL request. Request early. Allow at least 3 – 6 weeks for processing and receipt of each request. You will be notified by telephone or email when the materials arrive. You will be notified if a request can not be filled. The fee charged by the Charlotte County Library System for items requested through ILL is $5.00. In addition, some other library systems charge to lend items. If the lending library charges a fee, the Charlotte County Library will ask you to pay an additional partial recovery fee of $5.00. We will attempt to get the items at the lowest cost available within Florida. Census microfilm costs about $3.50 per roll.

Loan Period
The loan period varies as the due date for each item is determined by the lending library. The due date will be on the white sticker attached to the item when you pick it up. The white sticker must remain on the item until it is returned.

Renewals
Renewals, if necessary, can be requested at the Reference Desk and must be made at least 7 days in advance of the due date. The lending library determines if renewal is allowed. If the item is renewed, you will be notified of the new due date.

Recalls
If at any time the lending library requests return of an ILL item, you will be notified and asked to return it immediately.

Lost Book Charges
The borrower of ILL material is responsible for returning the items. You will be charged for any lost or damaged materials as determined by the lending library.

Returns
Returning materials on time is very important. All materials borrowed through ILL should be returned by the due date to the Circulation Desk of the library where they were picked up. Call your local branch for more information.