Since You Asked; How to Apply for a Lake Wales Public Library Card

Don’t have a library card? You’re missing out on some great benefits; here’s what you need to know about applying for a Lake Wales Public Library card:

Library membership is provided to individuals, without charge, who meet the following criteria:

1. Own or rent business or residential property within Polk County, Florida or;
2. Possess a valid public library card, (in good standing), from the Osceola County Library System or any of the eligible libraries in the Tampa Bay Library Consortium reciprocal borrowing cooperative, (www.tblc.org) or;
3. Possess a current student identification, or a current validated registration, from any Florida institution of higher learning or technical school

Restrictions:

1. A child age zero through 13 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to register for a new library card. The parent or legal guardian must provide photo
   identification with their correct physical address, (or see below for alternative proof of address). The parent or legal guardian must sign as the responsible party for all fines and fees including the replacement cost of lost or damaged
   library materials.
2. Any new applicant must possess photo identification with their correct physical address. If the correct physical address is not verifiable or listed on the photo
   identification the following items will be accepted to verify residence:
3. Utility bill with the name and physical address listed;
4. Rent receipt or lot rental receipt with the name and physical address listed;
5. Current student identification;
6. Current payroll stub with the name and physical address listed;
7. Deposit slip or check with name and physical address listed;
8. Notarized statement from landlord, mortgage holder or employer verifying address;
9. Current auto registration, tax bill with name and physical address listed or
10. Voter’s Registration with name and physical address listed.
    Each applicant must provide the library with two ways to contact them. This can be a reference name and telephone number, a home, business or cell phone number and/or
    a valid email address. The reference cannot reside with the applicant or the adult signing for the applicant.

Non-Resident Library Cards
Library memberships are available to non-Polk County residents. Free cards are available to applicants who can prove residence from a county or municipality that current participates in a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Polk County Library
Cooperative. Counties currently reciprocating services with PCLC include Osceola County, Florida and member counties or agencies participating in the Tampa Bay Library Consortium’s Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement. A complete list of these libraries is
available at http://tblc.org. A reciprocal borrowing applicant must present a valid library card for one of our reciprocal partners AND a photo ID with a valid and correct address.

Applicants who do not qualify for a reciprocal borrowing card with the Polk County Library Cooperative will be assessed a family membership at $50 annually. A single card will be issued to the family. All restrictions and policies currently enforced for a
single membership will apply to the family card.
The Polk County Library Cooperative’s BMail, Books by Mail service is not available to anyone who resides outside of Polk County.

For more information about the Lake Wales Public Library, please visit https://www.cityoflakewales.com/DocumentCenter/View/576/Circulation-Policy-PDF

Maria Iannucci

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