The following are policies and guidelines for Manatee Library patrons and visitors. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Animals in the Library
Pets of any kind are prohibited in Library buildings. Service animals are permitted in all Library and County buildings in compliance with ADA Accessibility laws.
Children in the Library
The Manatee County Public Library System welcomes library use by children and we seek to provide a welcoming and appropriate environment. Professionally trained staff are available to help with research for homework and projects as well as to help locate materials. Library staff do not provide long or short-term childcare. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the Library rests with the parent, legal guardian or caregiver.
Circulation Policy
A library card is required in order to check out materials from Manatee Library, access online resources and digital collections, and to use a library computer. Library cards are not required to visit Library locations, attend programs, obtain basic reference and referral services from Library staff, book a study room, or use the Library’s physical collections. Manatee Library has numerous options for obtaining a full or limited-access library card.
Library Use Policy
Manatee County Public Library is open for specific and designated civic, educational, and cultural uses, including reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled Library programs, and using Library materials. To provide resources and services to all people who visit the Library facilities in an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and excellent service, the Library has adopted this Library Use Policy.
Collection Development Policy
This policy outlines how the selection, organization, and maintenance of library materials, including electronic resources, support Manatee County Public Library's mission. This policy serves the general, educational, recreational, and entertainment needs of the public and reflects the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the community. The collection is not intended to be a research or archival collection, apart from the Eaton Collection and some local historical documents.
Display Policy
Manatee County Public Library makes use of certain areas to display various items to library visitors. It is also authorized to request that materials owned by some other person or entity be loaned to the Library. Pursuant to Board of County Commissioners Resolution 05-30, materials requested by the Library to be loaned for display must be owned or have been produced by a Manatee County resident or entity, or be deemed by the County to be relevant in some way to the history, industry, culture or geography of Manatee County. Display areas shall not be used for commercial purposes.
Donating to the Library
Generous donations from the community, made in a variety of ways, help the Library and its support groups continue their mission to provide excellent materials and services to Manatee County.
Food and Drinks in the Library
Eating food of any kind may occur only in designated areas of any Manatee Library location. Beverages in covered containers are allowed in the Library, unless specifically prohibited. Eating or drinking in computer areas, labs, makerspaces, and studios is prohibited. Eating or drinking in Library meeting rooms is subject to fees according to the Meeting Room Use Policy.
Meeting Rooms
The primary use of the Manatee County Public Library System’s meeting rooms is for conducting the official business of the Library. When meeting rooms are not being used for Library and Library partner programs, by the Friends of the Library, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), or other Manatee County Departments, they may be used by individuals, groups, and organizations in the public and private sector according to the Meeting Room Policy. The Library Services Manager is responsible for administration of the policy and reserves the right to terminate a reservation at any time without prior notice.
Patron Privacy
All registration and circulation records of every public library, except statistical reports of registration and circulation, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and from s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
Study Rooms
Study Rooms may be reserved for up to 2 hours, on a walk-in basis or up to 7 days in advance. Patrons who do not arrive in a timely manner to use their reserved study room forfeit its use for that allotted time. Upon arrival, check in with library staff to access a study room. Note that you may be asked to show photo ID.