PO Box 75498 Tampa, FL 33675 | 813-622-8252

Reciprocal Borrowing

Last update: May 3 2023

Libraries who are members of TBLC’s reciprocal borrowing agreement have agreed to allow walk-in patrons to check out materials free of charge from any participating library. Patrons may use their own library card with a reciprocal borrowing sticker attached to check out materials. Participation by libraries in the reciprocal borrowing program is voluntary.

1. The reciprocal borrowing agreement is automatically renewed each October l, unless a participating library notifies the other participants 60 days prior. 

2. Materials available for reciprocal borrowing will be at the discretion of the individual lending library. It is hoped that most circulating items will be included. Libraries subscribing to OverDrive for e-books and other content are not allowed by OverDrive to lend their content to individuals participating in reciprocal borrowing programs. 

3. Borrowers will be subject to the rules of the lending library. 

4. Registered borrowers from any participating library are registered borrowers of all libraries in that system. 

5. Borrowers will need to register separately at each library management system. When the borrower uses another library for the first time, the same barcode can be entered into the host database. If your system cannot accept the standard barcode, then affix one of your barcodes to the back of the card. The reciprocal borrowing sticker should be placed on the library card.

6. Overdue fines may be collected at the library where materials are returned, based on their fine rate. All fines are kept by the library collecting them. 

7.Fees for lost and damaged materials will be collected and kept by the owning library. Damaged material will be returned to the owning library, which will assess any fines or fees. 

8. Individual libraries are responsible for insuring that their staffs are aware of, and adhere to, statutory requirements concerning confidentiality of public library users’ registration and circulation records as required by Florida Statute 257.261.

Join the Reciprocal Borrowing Program

Download the Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement and send the completed form to Jim Walther.

TBLC Responsibilities
  1. Coordinate the administration and evaluation of the program and the collection of statistics. 
  2. Convene an ongoing advisory committee for the program. 
  3. Solicit and consider suggestions for improvement of the program. The reciprocal borrowing advisory committee will review policies and procedures on an annual basis to maintain the best possible service. 
  4. Maintain a file of letters of agreement to participate in the program. 
  5. Promote the program throughout the service area. 
  6. Provide encouragement, support and training to libraries new to reciprocal borrowing.
Library Responsibilities
  1. Identify the library as a participant in the program. 
  2. Distribute stickers provided by TBLC to requesting borrowers. 
  3. Honor cards from participating libraries. 
  4. Inform borrowers about local rules of service. 
  5. Keep and provide monthly statistics about card registration and use and forward to TBLC for compilation. 
  6. Verify the current address of the card holder 
  7. Return materials to owning library. Attach routing slip, noting date & location returned and whether a fine was paid. 
  8. Publicize and promote program at local level. 
  9. Participating libraries will adopt policies and procedures that insure confidentiality and privacy of patrons are maintained.
Borrower Responsibilities
  1. Present your library card to a reciprocal borrowing library to register for library privileges in that library system. 
  2. Be in good standing at your local library. 
  3. Be informed and abide by the rules and polices of the participating libraries you use. 
  4. Assume responsibility for all materials borrowed on your cards, including payment for lost/damaged materials, overdue fines or other fees. 
  5. Return materials to any participating library in a timely manner according to the rules of the lending library.
Other Agreements
  1. These Florida public libraries have reciprocal borrowing agreements with other libraries within the state. Contact the libraries individually for information about borrower registration, policies, and privileges. 
  2. The Florida Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements spreadsheet was compiled from data supplied to the State Library of Florida on the 2010 Annual Statistical Report Form for Public Libraries. 
  3. If you are a Library Director or MLC staff member and wish to submit additions or corrections for your library, please email Jim Walther or call the TBLC office at (813) 622-8252
Statistics

Submit your Reciprocal Borrowing Statistics online.

Members of the Program

Libraries who are members of TBLC’s reciprocal borrowing agreement have agreed to allow walk-in patrons to check out materials free of charge from any participating library. Patrons may use their own library card with a reciprocal borrowing sticker attached to check out materials. This program is available for patrons of participating libraries only.

Citrus County Public Library SystemCitrusPublic
Heartland Library CooperativeHighlandsPublic
DeSoto County LibraryDeSotoPublic
Glades County LibraryGladesPublic
Hardee County Public LibraryHardeePublic
Highlands County Library SystemHighlandsPublic
Okeechobee County Public LibraryOkeechobeePublic
Hernando County Public Library SystemHernandoPublic
Manatee County Public LibraryManateePublic
New Port Richey Public LibraryPascoPublic
Pasco County Public Library SystemPascoPublic
Pinellas Public Library CooperativePinellasPublic
Clearwater Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Dunedin Public LibraryPinellasPublic
East Lake Community LibraryPinellasPublic
Gulf Beaches Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Gulfport Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Largo Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Oldsmar Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Palm Harbor Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Pinellas Park Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Safety Harbor Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Seminole Community LibraryPinellasPublic
St. Pete Beach Public LibraryPinellasPublic
St. Petersburg Public Library SystemPinellasPublic
Tarpon Springs Public LibraryPinellasPublic
Polk County Library CooperativePolkPublic
Auburndale Public LibraryPolkPublic
Bartow Public LibraryPolkPublic
Dundee Public LibraryPolkPublic
Eagle Lake Public LibraryPolkPublic
Fort Meade Public LibraryPolkPublic
Haines City Public LibraryPolkPublic
Lake Alfred Public LibraryPolkPublic
Lake Wales Public LibraryPolkPublic
Lakeland Public LibraryPolkPublic
Latt Maxcy Memorial Library PolkPublic
Mulberry Public Library PolkPublic
Polk City Community LibraryPolkPublic
Winter Haven Public LibraryPolkPublic
Sarasota County Library SystemSarasotaPublic
State College of Florida Manatee SarasotaManatee / SarasotaAcademic
Sumter County Library SystemSumterPublic
Tampa Hillsborough County Public LibraryHillsboroughPublic
Bruton Memorial LibraryHillsboroughPublic
Temple Terrace Public LibraryHillsboroughPublic
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