People looking to borrow books from the libraries in the Villages should know that there are several library systems that serve people in the Villages http://sumtercountyfl.gov/libraries/locations.htm http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/librar...px?IDLibrary=4 http://www.marioncountyfl.org/library/LI_branches.htm. There is a private library just for the Villagers though the Mark Twain Library. http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/a...villages01.txt

Check out which libraries in the area allow county residents of Marion, Sumter, or Lake County to take out materials at other County library branches.

Checked links December 29, 2007.

[Mary Lou]

We went to see the new library in downtown Leesburg - this is a wonderful, large, new library. I looked into taking books out and found that if you are not a resident of Lake County, they charge you a fee. I wouldn't mind paying if they have things that I can't get at the Sumter library. We will be back in November, so I'll look into this more at that time.

Mary Lou

[villager99]

info from a library user....

1.sumter county public library villages branch will issue library cards to any village resident regardless of county of residence. books can be requested via internet from any sumter county public library and then picked up and returned in the villages branch.

2. mark twain library in back of paradise rec center is village resident operated and can be used by anyone with a village id card.

3. lake county public library used to charge a fee for out of county users but before the new sumter county village public branch opened near southern trace. many villagers found this &25/year fee worthwhile. i'm not sure what their current policy is.

4. i have no experience with the marion county public library system. but hope the above info is of use to new village residents.
in addition to the large chain discount bookstore in sumter landing there is also a small used bookstore near publix in the spanish springs area.

[zcaveman]

Marion count and lake County reciprocate (if that is the right word). I am in Marion county and can use the Lake County library free. I don't think Sumter has that agreement.

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Marion count and lake County reciprocate (if that is the right word). I am in Marion county and can use the Lake County library free. I don't think Sumter has that agreement.

You are right about Marion and Lake County Public Libraries and use the correct word, too. http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/progra...borrowing.aspx

I use the Lake County Public Library system a lot and the Sumter County Library system much less. It does not seem like they have a reciprocal borrowing agreement, as you write, for these two library systems. The Sumter County Library system does allow reciprocal borrowing with many other library systems but Marion and Lake are not on that list, the last I looked. http://www.marioncountyfl.org/Library/LI_Overview.htm

Checked links December 29, 2007

[LindaManson]

I live in Sumter and elected to pay to have a card in Lake County as I could then use Lake adnMarion County libraries, SO I now have cards at ALL the tri-county libraries. ( I think it is $40 per year adn worth every penny!) What sold me was that if you belong to Lake County, you can also download over 1000 (and growing) books into your MP3 or you computer and download to CD. I was with Sumter prior to joining Lake and have been much happier with Lakes service and LARGE volume of books available thorugh the whole system not just the locka area. I am now reading a book I got From Umatilla by going onlline and requesting it. They called me when it came in and I stopped by for it. If it is a popular book there may be a waiting list, but then yo get in in turn and don't have to try to catch it when you are in the library. Sumter has this policy also, but Lake and Marion have a much larger pool to choose from in my case.

[golfnut]

The library on 466 and Belvedere Blvd is very nice.

Originally Posted by LTM

I live in Sumter and elected to pay to have a card in Lake County as I could then use Lake adnMarion County libraries, SO I now have cards at ALL the tri-county libraries. ( I think it is $40 per year adn worth every penny!) What sold me was that if you belong to Lake County, you can also download over 1000 (and growing) books into your MP3 or you computer and download to CD. I was with Sumter prior to joining Lake and have been much happier with Lakes service and LARGE volume of books available thorugh the whole system not just the locka area. I am now reading a book I got From Umatilla by going onlline and requesting it. They called me when it came in and I stopped by for it. If it is a popular book there may be a waiting list, but then yo get in in turn and don't have to try to catch it when you are in the library. Sumter has this policy also, but Lake and Marion have a much larger pool to choose from in my case.

As a Sumter county resident, I joined the Lake County Library system for $40 too because it offers access to a wide variety of free DVDs and vidoes and the like. And, unlike some other libraries where I used to check out DVDs and videos, they do not charge $1 or more per day for late DVDs and videos. Those can really start adding up at $1 + a day for late videos/DVDs even if they limit the fee per item to say $10.00 maximum.

I will have to check out the Marion County Library system now that I know that I can use the Lake County Library card there after I register ??? ?

Originally Posted by golfnut

The library on 466 and Belvedere Blvd is very nice.

You are right ;D, that is a nice library.

The Lake County Library System http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/ also put in a link to a resource for victims of crimes http://myfloridalegal.com/directory http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/intern...oryCategory=24 soon after I put in a request for one. This is unlike many other public and law libraries in Florida I have attempted to get this resource linked from their web pages since 2000. There have been some others in FL which got a link rather quickly as well but these libraries are few and far between.

I am still having little luck getting this resource linked from both Sumter http://sumtercountyfl.gov/libraries/links.htm and Marion County library systems http://www.marioncountyfl.org/library/li_home.htm despite a lot of attempts.

With other Villagers seeing this need and making a request, maybe both library systems will get this link.

Checked links December 29. 2007.

Bump.

[garsha]

Does anyone know if the Belevedere Library has internet access? Thanks

Originally Posted by garsha

Does anyone know if the Belevedere Library has internet access? Thanks

I have used the computers at the Villages Public Library near Parr Drive and Belvedere for Internet access several times a month.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by garsha

Does anyone know if the Belevedere Library has internet access? Thanks

The "Belvedere" library is on Parr Drive (south of 466) and has 5 or 6 computers available to the public for free internet access. You sign in and if they're all busy, you wait your turn. I think there is a 40 minute limit on the time you're allowed to spend on the computer. 10 cents to print something.

[conn8757]

Good information - thanks.