Boundless is ebooks and audio books. I don’t think it has videos.

Hoopla has ebooks, videos, and music.

I wish the library had Libby.

Even the Lake County system is phasing out Libby and replacing it with cloudLibrary. Although the Lake County librarian told me that they will still have Libby for another 2 years but the book selection may be limited. The biggest problem with not having Libby is that Libby allows ebooks to be downloaded directly to a Kindle in the Kindle format.

Personally, I think the Sumter County library has become a waste of taxpayer money. The library is operated by a private company, there is no security for the books and DVDs, and the children's section is now used as a daycare place where kids come and play games, but do not read books. I have seen people walk out with 10 or more DVD movies without checking them out, basically stealing them for resale. Why should taxpayers pay for apps where wealthy people can borrow ebooks for free? Why do you need computers to surf the web when almost everyone has a smart phone? And, the Belvedere branch is really only accessible to Villagers who can well afford to buy their own books. Also, there are a lot of independent libraries where you can borrow books for free that don't cost any taxpayer money. In my opinion, they should close the Sumter County library system. End of rant.

Here’s your opportunity.

The Sumter County Public Library Advisory Board’s (SCPLAB) purpose will be to formulate recommendations to the Library Single Administrative Head (LSAH), County Administrator (CA) and the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for improving technology services. SCPLAB Membership shall be comprised of 5 at-large voting members with 2 year terms commencing October 1, 2013 and 1 ex-officio member. The bylaws specify that SCPLAB meetings will take place on the first Thursday of May and November.

Become a Member
If you would like to apply to become a member of one of the County boards or committees, please fill out the online application. For questions please email or call 352-689-4400.

We deal with the Pinellas branch and happy with what they do.

Wish the branch had older books though. Seems like they started their collection just before the branch opened. As a result series that I would like to read can not be started from the beginning. As a result use kindle for that.

Have not noticed any theft.

The DVDs are in boxes with no locks. So, you can just remove a disc and put it in your pocket. I remember when there was an alarm that would sound if you tried to remove a book or DVD. Now there is no security system whatsoever.

Truth of the matter people could walk out with books if they choose just run the risk of an employee seeing it and siccing the cops on them.

Should have better security

They won't call the cops because they don't care. They are not even County employees. Also, Sumter County will provide a free library card to surrounding County residents to use Hoopla and Boundless, but Lake County charges Sumter County residents a fee to get a Lake County library card.

Note that I live in Lake County, but I have a Sumter County library card that was free, even though I pay no Sumter County taxes.

I didn’t know that. I wouldn’t mind it if there were reciprocity between counties but if we have to pay to use their library, we shouldn’t give them free access to our library! No wonder the Hoopla books are maxed out early in the day!

This should be a question for our county commissioners before the election!

I agree. There is no logical reason why Sumter County provides free library services to Lake County residents with no reciprocity. It is also a taxpayer ripoff.

Wonder why the board of Sumter accepts this?

The problems noted on this thread are one of the reasons my wife and I still go to the library, and still check out good old paper books.
We have tried it, but neither of us ever felt right reading a book from a screen. Just love the feel of the book and turning the pages.
We are a pair of old Library Dinosaurs!

I prefer reading a physical book. Probably because I have been doing it for about 60 years. However, if I can’t get the physical book and the choice comes down to not reading the physical book or reading the digital book, I have no problem going digital.

And I love being able to define a word by clicking on it. No going to a dictionary and looking up the definition with digital books!

I have checked out many physical books that often have mysterious stains, etc. I am always reminded of the Seinfeld episode The Bookstore.

Also, I have hundreds of books on my iPad. Complete works of Shakespeare, Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Doyle, etc., and many other books. Makes it easier to travel with books.

When digital books first came out, I thought it would revolutionize libraries. You could have a digital library and not have to pay for shelf space. Unfortunately, digital books are almost as expensive as physical books.

Many of my friends are into the digital format, but I just cannot get on with it.
My formal education practically stopped from the age of 12 after my father died.
I became the man of the house, the local odd job kid, paperboy, greengrocers help, and bunked off school a lot, just to earn a few bob, and help put food on the table.
Post-war Britain was not the place to be poor, unlike today, when not having the latest iPhone is classed as being near the poverty line.
Our local library became my main source of education, and escape.
I devoured books, and still do.

I have asked Don Wiley whether this can be changed.