Library Services

Library Cards and Borrowing Materials

  • How can I get a library card? – 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.
  • What is a “3 for ME” card? – It is a special library card for children and teens (ages 4-17), obtainable without a parent’s signature, that allows the checkout of 3 books without overdue fines. Learn more HERE.
  • How long can materials be checked out?
    • Books in the New Book section: 14 days
    • All other books: 28 days
    • Audiobooks on CD: 28 days
    • DVDs: 7 days
    • Music CDs: 14 days
    • This year’s magazines: 14 days (current month issues do not circulate)
  • How many items may I check out? – Countywide rules per card, updated 2/1/2017, are:
    • 50 total items checked out per library card
    • 25 total DVDs & blu-rays checked out per card
    • 25 total CD audiobooks checked out per card
    • 25 total music CDs checked out per card
    • 25 total holds per card
  • Can items be renewed? – Yes, all materials may be renewed three times if not in demand by other patrons.  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.
  • Does the library charge overdue fines? Beginning October 1, 2021, borrowers at Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) member libraries are not charged overdue fines. Existing overdue fines prior to October 1, 2021 are eliminated, however charges for lost and damaged items will remain on borrower accounts until paid. For more information, please visit tarponlibrary.org/finefree
  • What if you don’t have the items 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. Contact the Reference Dept for further information.

Other Library Services

  • Can I get help finding information? – The Reference Department staff is available to assist you with questions in person, by phone, or by e-mail (see Contact Us page). 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. Users may sign on with either a library card or computer user card. Computer sessions time out after 45 minutes with a daily time limit of 90 minutes per day per user. Guest passes are only issued with photo ID to temporary visitors from outside the Tampa Bay area. In addition, Microsoft Office software is installed on the Adult Services computers. Printing from the library’s computers costs 10 cents for black-and-white and 50 cents for color prints. 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. Printing from wireless devices is not available. Library computers automatically shut off ten minutes before library closing.
  • Do you have a scanner? – Yes, there is a scanner in the Reference Department. It is free of charge to use. Please be prepared to email the scanned document to yourself or have a flash drive to save the file.
  • Can I volunteer at the library? – The library gratefully accepts assistance from adult and youth (ages 13-17) volunteers. We can provide limited volunteer opportunities for students earning Bright Futures Scholarships, however we cannot provide opportunities for persons needing court-ordered community service hours. Please call for further information. There are currently no volunteer positions at the library until further notice.
  • 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.
  • Does the library have books for sale? – The Friends of the Library sell books, magazines, DVDs, 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. 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 us for further information. The meeting rooms currently have limited capacity until further notice.
  • 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, in order to borrow materials, 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 your Pasco card is recognized in Pinellas County. Please note that not all services available to Pinellas County residents will be available to Pasco County residents.