Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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• A resident who either owns real property or resides in Lake County on a permanent or continual basis.
• A part-time resident with proof of both Florida and permanent address.
• A resident of a county with which LCLS has a formal reciprocal borrowing agreement How Reciprocal Borrowing Works
• A annual courtesy card is issued to City Employees residing outside of the County or students attending a Leesburg school. This card expires in one (1) year.
• A non-resident who may pay an annual fee of $40.00 for an annual individual or family membership ($20.00 for 6 months).
• A youth under the age of sixteen (16) must have a parent or guardian who are able to show one or more of the identifications below.
• An individual who resides in temporary housing (e.g. hotel, etc.) is not eligible for a library card.

Complete a Lake County Library System (LCLS) Registration Card and verify with street address (PO Box is not valid) using one (1) of the following:

• Current Florida Driver’s License or identification card
• Current Florida motor vehicle registration;
• Current property tax receipt;
• Current Voter identification card;
• Current utility bill;
• Checkbook with name and address imprint;
• Current lease agreement or rental agreement (note: this is a signed agreement, application not valid).
• Federal income tax return;
• Recent Florida intangible tax return.

Yes. Lake County residents without a Lake County library card can register for a temporary digital-access card.

The card will give you access to the Lake County Library System's digital catalog, online magazines and other online resources . Digital materials never have late fees or fines.

If you currently have a Lake County Library System, you can already access our online resources.

Yes. Your Lake County Library System card gives you access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines. If your card was issued here at the Leesburg Public Library (the barcode begins with 23099) you can also stream movies and download music, comics, and graphic novels. Video tutorials are available for these digital resources--visit the 24 Hour Library.

New books	2 or 3 weeks (2 weeks indicated by sticker on book spine)
Books, audio (music CDs, audiobooks, Playaway audiobooks), magazines, puzzles, and wifi hotspots	3 weeks
DVDs and Blu-Rays, Videogames, Launchpads, and Playaway Views	1 week

Renewals:

Items may be renewed for the applicable loan period (unless otherwise restricted). 
Items may be renewed in person, online, or by calling (352) 728-9790.

Overdue fines for most library materials	$0.10 per item per day
Overdue fines for videogames and Launchpads	$1.00 per item per day
Non-resident card	$40.00 per year or   $20.00 for 6 months
Replacement of card	1st & 2nd are free; 3rd $2.00
Damaged materials	Charges are assessed on a   case by case basis.

Lost materials 

Replacement cost of the item plus a $5.00 processing fee per item. The $5.00 processing fee is not refundable. Replacement cost is not refundable after 30 days. 

Any questions, please call (352) 728-9790. 

All Leesburg Public Library items are the property of the City of Leesburg. Failure to return materials in good condition is a violation of City Ordinance Section 15-2.

 

Who is eligible for the Books by Mail program?
Patrons who have a medically documented disability that prevents them from coming into the Library to use its facilities and resources are eligible. You are eligible if you:

• Hold a valid library card in Lake county
• Are unable to travel to the library due to a disability
• Have a temporary disability which restricts your ability to access the library
• Turn in a completed application signed by a physician, nurse or social worker

Follow this link to the Lake County Library System website, where you can print out a Books By Mail application form.

To place a hold on any item owned by the Lake County Library System, you can

• Log in to your library account

• Call us at (352) 728-9790
• Ask in person at the Reference or Circulation desk

Borrower's responsibilities:

• Library materials may be returned to any LCLS library.
• Overdue fines may be paid at any LCLS library.
• New library cards are mailed to the patron to verify delivery at the listed address. New borrowers are allowed five items (only one may be a DVD). Cards not received in the mail within ten (10) days should be reported to Library staff.

Leesburg Public Library 

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES – SERVICE ANIMALS

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are welcome and permitted in the Leesburg Public Library.

Definition of Service Animal:

Florida Statute Title XXX, Chapter 413.08 (1)(d) “service animal” means an animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work done or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability and may include, but are not limited to, guiding an individual who is visually impaired or blind, alerting an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, assisting with mobility or balance, alerting and protecting an individual who is having a seizure, retrieving objects, alerting an individual to the presence of allergens, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to an individual with a mobility disability, helping an individual with a psychiatric or neurological disability by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors, reminding an individual with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming an individual with posttraumatic stress disorder during an anxiety attack, or doing other specific work or performing other special tasks.

 

The term “service animal” is limited to a dog or miniature horse. Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.

Service animals are working animals, not pets. The crime-deterrent effect of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for purposes of this definition. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Inquiries, Exclusions, and Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals:

Florida Statute Title XXX, Chapter 413.08 (3)(b): Documentation that the service animal is trained is not a precondition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. A public accommodation may not ask about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability. To determine the difference between a service animal and a pet, a public accommodation may ask if an animal is a service animal required because of a disability and what work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform. Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the animal, require that the animal demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability,

In order to help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library users and staff, the following behavioral guidelines for service animals are to be observed:

• Service animals must be in physical proximity with their handler and under handler control at all times.
• Service animals may not be left unattended by their handler at any time.
• Service animals must be on a leash or harness at all times unless the use of a leash or harness interferes with the animal's effective performance of its designated task(s). If the animal cannot be leashed or harnessed, it must be under the handler's control via voice, signals, or other effective means at all times.
• Service animals must not display disruptive behavior such as barking and growling.
• Service animals must be housebroken and their handler is responsible for any upkeep or clean-up of the animal.

If a service animal's behaviors or actions pose an unreasonable or direct threat to the health or safety of others, or do not conform to these guidelines, it may not remain in the Library facility. In accordance with ADA guidelines, non-compliance of guidelines can be grounds for a request to remove a service animal from the Library facility. If the service animal is excluded from a Library facility, the individual with the disability is welcome to stay and will be reasonably accommodated by Library staff.

Adopted by the City of Leesburg Library Advisory Board on 2 August 2017

 

LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

County Policy

Title:  LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM PATRON CODE OF CONDUCT

 

I.         OBJECTIVE

To guarantee the rights of patrons to a proper atmosphere in their use of the Lake County Library System Member and Branch Libraries by establishing basic rules of conduct.

II.          DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES

A. Member Libraries:

Libraries which meet the "Guidelines and Minimum Standards for Public Libraries Entering the County Library System", Lake County Policy Number LCC-7; and which through their local governing bodies, have entered into an lnterlocal Agreement with Lake County to provide library service to the residents of Lake County.     ·

B. Branch Libraries:

Libraries which are funded and operated solely by Lake County Board of County Commissioners to provide library service to its residents and fall under the Library Services Division of the Department of Public Resources.

C. Adult:

For library system purposes, an individual sixteen (16) years of age, or older.

III.       DIRECTIVES

A. This policy applies to all Lake County Library System member libraries and branch libraries. Individual member libraries may impose additional rules, if approved by their governing bodies and not in contradiction to this policy.

B. The following activities are prohibited on Library premises:

1. Smoking
2. Eating or drinking, except in designated areas
3. Abusive language
4. Inadequate attire (shoes and shirts are required)
5. Loitering, panhandling
6. Solicitation, campaigning or petitioning unless prior permission has been given by the Library
7. Selling merchandise or services on Library property unless sponsored by the Library
8. Animals except those approved as working companion animals or for the purposes of Library approved programs
9. Disruptive, unsafe or threatening behavior, including harassment of Library personnel and customers.

Depending on the nature, seriousness or recurrence of the offense, persons may be suspended pursuant to Library procedures or staff may contact law enforcement.

The following are prohibited on Library premises and will result in immediate expulsion from the Library premises without warning:

1. Criminal activity as defined by Florida Statutes
2. Inebriation/under the influence of drugs
3. Violence or destruction of property

Supervision requirements for children in the Library: The responsibility for the safety, behavior and access to library resources, for children rests with the parent or responsible caregiver.

1. Children eight (8) or under must have a parent or caregiver, sixteen (16) years of age or older, within the immediate sight of the child. If the child is attending a children's program, the responsible party must remain in the library. Adults bringing groups of children into the Library must provide supervision for the children throughout their visit.
2. If a child under the age of sixteen (16) is disruptive or appears to be ill or in danger, library staff will attempt to locate the child's parent, guardian or caregiver. If the Library staff is unable to locate a responsible party, law enforcement will be contacted to assume responsibility for the child.
3. If a child under the age of fourteen (14) is found to be unattended at closing, an effort will be made to locate a parent, guardian or responsible caregiver. If the Library staff is unsuccessful at finding a parent, guardian or responsible caregiver, law enforcement will be called to remove the child from the premises.

IV.         APPEALS PROCESS

Any patron, who is suspended or trespassed for 30 days or more, has the right to appeal the decision.

If a patron was trespassed from a member library, the patron must appeal in writing to the Library Director, who must respond in writing within 10 days. A patron may appeal the Director's decision as prescribed by the member library's governing body.

If a patron was trespassed from a county branch library, the patron must appeal within 10 days in writing to the Library Services Division Manager, who must respond in writing within 10 days. If the appeal to the Library Services Division Manager is not satisfactory, the patron may make a final appeal to the Public Resources Director. The Public Resources Director will make a final determination within 14 days of receipt of appeal.

V.          RESERVATION OF AUTHORITY

The authority to issue or revise this Policy is reserved to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners.

Approved by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida November 26, 2012

 

As a member of the Lake County Library System, the Leesburg Public Library follows the Lake County Library System Internet Access Policy. This policy applies to all users of Leesburg Public Library computers or networks. 

If you have any questions about the policy or what it means, please contact a librarian for more information.

To fulfill our mission, the Leesburg Public Library provides access to a broad range of information sources, including those available through the Internet.

The Leesburg Public does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. A wise patron evaluates the validity of the information found. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian; the Library does not have the right or the responsibility to act in the place of parents.

In accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapters 847.011 (1)a and 847.0133 (1) displaying obscene materials to minors or printing such materials is a violation of the law and could result in penalties up to and including imprisonment.

Violations may result in loss of access. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. The Library staff reserves the right to discontinue any session immediately if it is deemed appropriate to do so.

Responsibilities of Users

Supervising children's use: 
Parents: please be warned that there are a number of materials and sites on the Internet that display pornographic, violent, or otherwise adult information. 
It is the Library's policy that parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children. There will be some resources which parents may feel are inappropriate for their children. Parents should let their children know if there are materials which they do not want them to use. Parents should supervise their children's Internet sessions. 

Choosing and evaluating sources: 
The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. The Library cannot censor access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive. The Library does not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and does not accept responsibility for its content. 
As with printed information, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users should evaluate Internet sources just as they do printed publications, questioning the validity of the information provided.