Membership

TBLC and its member libraries work to encourage collaboration, resource sharing, staff development, and innovations to ensure that the people of central Florida receive excellent, up-to-date library services and have access to the world of information. Libraries in Citrus, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Saint Lucie counties can be members of TBLC.

Membership in the Consortium can be as a full member or an associate member. Full members are held to the TBLC Membership criteria and are governing members of the Consortium. Associate membership entitles a library or group of libraries to limited membership benefits with the opportunity for TBLC staff to assist the library in reaching full member status.

When a new library applies for membership in TBLC their membership application is presented to the TBLC Board of Directors for approval at one of their bi-monthly meetings. If approved, this applicant is given provisional membership pending the next TBLC Annual Meeting. At the TBLC Annual Meeting, held in November of each year, the full membership votes on approval of all provisional members. Once approved at the Annual Meeting a provisional member becomes a member of TBLC. 

Current Members

Join TBLC

Membership Criteria

To qualify for full membership, libraries must meet the membership criteria:

1. Member libraries are encouraged to participate in the Florida Interlibrary Loan Network (FLIN) to provide information and materials to Florida library users and to maintain their bibliographic records in the Florida Catalog, OCLC WorldCat.
2. Member libraries have at least one full-time person with a degree in library and information science or experience in library administration.
3. Member libraries have materials and services sufficient to meet minimum needs of their clientele.

Dues are based upon expenditures in previous fiscal year. Surveys are conducted periodically. TBLC annually determines if there has been a change in status. Official statistical reports and surveys are used to determine expenditures in the most recently completed fiscal year.

Dues Schedule: (Effective October 2012)

Special Library, Individual School Library, all other libraries with budgets:

• Under $100,000: $500
• $100,000 – $749,999: $600
• $750,000 – $1,499,999: $750
• $1,500,000 – $2,999,999: $1,000
• $3,000,000 – $4,999,999: $1,250
• $5,000,000 – $9,999,999: $1,500
• Over $4,999,999: $2,500

A vote of the full members at the TBLC Annual Meeting in November is required to change the dues schedule. Changes are implemented in the following fiscal year, beginning the next October.

During 2024, we are currently evaluating future membership rates. The Board appointed a committee to present findings for consideration at the June Board of Directors meeting.

Inquiries should be sent to the Chair, Robin Grunwald, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, at Robin.Grunwald@myfwc.com.

Become a Member

Request Membership Package Email Jim at jim@tblc.org.