Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that needs answering? Ask with the Online Contact Form!
Where is the library?
Actually, the Lake County Library System is a library cooperative consisting of 10 member libraries and 6 branch libraries. Click on any of the library names to find out where they are located or click here to go to the LCLS Districts and Library Locations Map to see the libraries plotted on a map of Lake County.
Member libraries are directed by their local municipalities, while branch libraries are directed by Lake County.
| Member Libraries |
Branch Libraries |
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How do I access My Account within the library catalog?
Once inside the online catalog, click on the My Account tab. Enter all digits of your library bar code without spaces. Then enter your pin number assigned to you by the Library. By default, your PIN is the last four digits of your primary phone number. Contact your Library if you have forgotten your PIN. Once you are inside the catalog you have access to all your holds and requests and can check the status of your account.
What is my PIN?
A PIN is required to access Your Account and to place requests in the online catalog. By default, your PIN is the last four digits of your primary phone number. If you have forgotten your PIN, please contact your library
for help.
Do I need a separate library card for each library?
Your Lake County Library System card is honored at each of our sixteen library locations, and materials checked out from one location may be returned to any other Lake County Library System location.
You may also use your card to reserve materials online using our online catalog.
How do I get a library card?
Library cards are available at all sixteen of our library locations. If you live in, or own property in, Lake County, you may get a Lake County Library System library card at no charge.
Just bring proof of residency with your name and street address, such as a driver's license or utility bill, to any of the Lake County Library System member or branch libraries.
From there, you simply fill out a library card application and pick up your library card.
One library card will grant you access to all sixteen library locations. Therefore you cannot sign up for multiple library cards in our system.
Restrictions on how many items you may check out on your first visit may vary by location.
Students attending school in Lake County may get a library card at no charge regardless of their residence. However, they must bring proof of school enrollment to the library.
Residents of Marion, Seminole or Volusia Counties who have a card in good standing with their library may get a Lake County Library System card as a reciprocal borrower. See Can I get a Lake County Library System card if I don't live in Lake County? for details.
Individuals applying for a Lake County Library System Library Card can verify current residence or ownership of property by presenting one (1) or more of the following showing a
Lake County street address. Post office boxes are not considered proof of residency. Non-residents must still show proof of current street address.
- Current Florida Driver's License or Florida Identification Card showing a street address
- Current Florida motor vehicle registration showing a street address
- Current property tax receipt showing a street address
- Current Voter identification card
- Current utility bill showing a street address; utility bills include phone, electric, gas, water or cable; personal mail or credit card, medical or insurance bills cannot be accepted
- Checkbook with name and address imprint
- Current, signed lease agreement or rental agreement showing a street address; we cannot accept agreements for temporary housing such as hotels or individuals residing with family or friends
- Federal income tax return showing a street address
- Recent Florida intangible tax return showing a street address
- Valid school ID from an educational institution within Lake County
Can I get a Lake County Library System card if I don't live in Lake County?
Residents of Marion, Seminole and Volusia Counties are eligible for a free library card. If you have a library card in good standing, you may get a Lake County Library System card as a reciprocal borrower. Present your valid Marion, Seminole or Volusia county library card and proof of residence as listed above when you visit a Lake County Library System branch or member library. Fill out a patron registration card and get your Lake County Library System library card.
Non-residents of Lake County who are not eligible for a Reciprocal Borrower card may pay for membership to the Lake County Library System. A fee will apply as outlined below.
Non-Resident Library Membership:
(Individual) |
| Annual Membership |
$40.00 |
| 6 Month Membership |
$20.00 |
| 1 Month Membership |
$10.00 |
Please note that the Books by Mail service is not available for Reciprocal Borrowers.
How do I register to vote or update my voter registration?
The public is invited register to vote or update their voter registration in person at any of our sixteen libraries. We have many forms available, including, but not limited to:
- voter registration/update forms
- vote-by-mail requests
- voter guides
- poll worker information
- Vote in honor of a Veteran
- Adopt a precinct
Ask a library staff member for these forms. All Florida residents who are eligible to vote may complete a paper voter registration/update form and a vote-by-mail request form at any of our sixteen libraries, regardless of which county they reside in. Library staff mail completed forms in a secure envelope free of charge to the Lake County Election Office. The Lake County Election Office will help process all voter forms.
It takes 1-2 weeks for someone to receive their new/updated voter registration card in the mail or to have a confirmation of their vote-by-mail status. This is regardless of how they sign up (i.e. at a library, election office, DMV, outreach event, online).
Voter ID cards will only be mailed. Cards are not available for online download. You may track your voter registration status online or by calling the Lake County Election Office at 352-343-9734.
Florida residents who vote in Florida do not need to bring their voter registration cards with them to vote in person in Florida. Florida only requires registered voters to bring a photo ID to vote in elections. Voting day requirements differ by state.
The public may also register to vote or update their voter registration online. Please contact the Lake County Supervisor of Elections for more information.
Which libraries serve as early voting locations or precincts?
Several of our libraries serve as early voting locations and precincts on Election Day.
Please contact the Lake County Supervisor of Elections for more information.
How do I increase the size of the print on the website?
In Firefox, hold down the control key (Cmd key on Mac) and tap the plus, "+" key to enlarge the print. To reduce the print hold down the control key (Cmd key on Mac) and tap the minus,"-" key.
In Internet Explorer, go to the View Menu, select the Text Size, and then select the size of text you want.
Other browsers may have different techniques to enlarge the print.
What are Online Reference Databases and how do I use them?
Online Reference Databases carefully researched computerized collections of information on a specific subject or area. Library staff selects databases that are high quality and authoritative and pays the subscription fees for library patrons to access them. They are free to all Lake County Library System card holders and are valuable resources for research and education.
Library users can connect to the online databases via the library computers at any member or branch library or remotely from any home, school, or work computer. You will need a library card number in order to access the databases from any computer, whether it is at the Library or a remote computer.
For your convenience, this website offers a links to the databases that are available to you. They are sorted by subject if you are unsure of the database you need to search or they are listed alphabetically if you know the database you want to access.
If you have difficulty accessing one of these databases, the problem may be in the configuration of your browser or the setup of your internet service provider.
How to Find What You Are Looking For In Spanish
Click here to download an informational brochure of how to search the online reference databases in Spanish.
Como Encontrar Información en el Español
Do you have a book service for the homebound?
Books by Mail service is available for the Lake County Library System. You are eligible to receive Books by Mail if you have a library card in good standing from any of our libraries. Books by Mail service is available for all books or audiobooks except 7-day loan books. Books by Mail is not available to Reciprocal Borrowers.
More information about Books by Mail
What if my library doesn't have the item I want?
If you're looking for a book or magazine article and can’t find it in your library, we can check for the item at the other l
ibraries in the Lake County Library System. If the item is available, it can be sent to any one of our locations for you to pick up.
Just ask your library staff for help.
I lost my library card! What do I do?
If you've lost your library card, contact your library immediately, so that no one else can use your card. The next time you are at your library, you can request a new card. Some libraries may charge to replace lost cards, so contact your library for details.
What are the fees for overdue, lost, or damaged materials?
| Description |
Fees |
Overdue books, videos,
DVDs, art prints, audio books, CDs,
and vertical file materials
|
$0.10 /day
$5.00 maximum
|
| Overdue computer software
and electronic games, in any format |
$1.00/day
$10.00 maximum |
| Replacement charges for lost or
damaged materials |
Cost of item plus
$5.00 processing fee |
Replacement fee for additional library
cards
|
$2.00 each
First replacement free |
Cardholders will not be able to check out or renew items if $10.00 or more is owed in fines or fees.
Do you have any programs for children?
Our member and branch libraries offer programs for children throughout the year. Check our Children's Services Activities page or contact your library to find out what's available.
Is there a schedule of library activities on the web?
You can find information about activities and programs offered at our branch and member libraries at the Lake County Library System Events page or the Children's Services Activities page.
Do you have any job openings?
The Lake County Library System is a cooperative system of branch and member libraries. This means we don't have a one-stop employment site.
Please view our Employment Oportunities page for links to Lake County positions and municipal positions.
Why don’t you have more e-books available?
We’d love to provide more e-books for checkout. Unfortunately, the process and price point of purchasing online materials is much different than purchasing physical books.
E-book versions of bestsellers typically range from $55-65 each. The majority are only available for 24 months or 26 total checkouts, depending on the publisher. Because libraries pay for e-books by license, only one user is allowed to check out the e-book copy at a time. At the end of 24 months or 26 checkouts, the library system would need to repurchase the e-book.
Print versions of bestsellers typically range from $28-32. These versions can last decades and can be resold by our Friends of the Library groups to help raise money for library programs and services.