West Florida Regional Library

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West Florida Regional Library
File:Pensacola Public Library.jpg
Main Entrance on North Spring Street
Country United States
Type Public
Established 1885
Location 239 North Spring Street
Pensacola, Florida
Collection
Size 360,000
Access and use
Circulation 1,083,813
Population served 50,000 (city)
400,000 (metro)
Other information
Budget US$ 4,809,500
Director Darlene Howell
Staff 157
Website [1]

The West Florida Public Library System is an organization of libraries that serve the Pensacola, Florida area, with branch libraries in Escambia County, Florida.

The Library System currently has approximately 360,000 books, 36,000 audio resources, and 14,000 video resources in circulation. In addition to its branch libraries, the Library System operates a mobile library, the "Bookmobile", which visits a number of areas in Escambia County each week.

Branch libraries

Escambia County

  • Pensacola Public Library — downtown Pensacola. Recently finished new building, which required an address change to 239 North Spring Street.
  • Lucia M. Tryon Branch Library — on Langley Ave.
  • Southwest Branch Library —12248 Gulf Beach Hwy, in southwest Pensacola, near Perdido Key
  • Westside Branch Library — a small branch approx. 1.5 miles west of the Main Branch
  • Century Branch Library (The newest Branch Library approx. 42 miles from Pensacola.)

Funding and administration

The Escambia County branches and the Bookmobile are funded primarily by the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. The branches also receive aid supplement funds from the State, as well as federal grant money.

The West Florida Public Library System is administered by the West Florida Public Library Board, which is made up of nine members, three of which are appointed by the Pensacola City Council and the Escambia County Commission.

While several libraries in Santa Rosa County (including the Gulf Breeze, Jay Navarre & Milton branches) used to be a part of the West Florida Regional Library system, they have since parted ways, hence the name change to 'West Florida Public Library'.

Computer use for the public

Currently all branches have computers for cardholders to use. The Main Branch has the most internet terminals, which has been recently upgraded with the completion of the new building. There are now 30 computers, with 4 more to be added soon. All computers are the same with 17 inch flat screen monitors, all running Windows 7 on a Dell Optiplex 390, with an Intell Core i5. The entire Library is a Wi_Fi hotspot, and you can connect any of your wireless devices if you choose to bring in your own. There is a glassed in computer lab, however at this time it is only being used for computer classes that are offered each month to help those who need to learn how to use a computer. The public has no access to it at this time. Also there are currently no computers in the lab, and classes will not be offered while waiting for these computers to arrive.[1]

Library Website

Patrons can use the West Florida Public Library website to search the library's catalog, submit reference questions to a librarian, reserve West Florida Public Library materials, and request materials from libraries across the country via interlibrary loan. The Library website also offers links to many educational resources on the internet

See also

References

  1. Computer Lab Director Susan White.

External links