The Lake County Public Library System is a library system located in Lake County, Florida. The history of the Lake County Library System began in 1975 when the Lake County Library Planning Advisory Board was created to make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for a county wide library system. Mr. Cecil Beach, consultant, was retained to perform a feasibility study and make recommendations based on information obtained. Beach advised the Advisory Board to adopt the Inter-local Agreement Format for the county’s library organization. The Advisory Board concurred with his recommendation and reported that to the board of County Commissioners. On September 29, 1982 the Lake County Board of County Commissioners authorized the signature of the county ordinance that established the county-wide library system. Charter members of the Lake County Library system were Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont, Eustis Memorial Library and the Umatilla Public Library. By 1997, the Mount Dora Public Library which is now the W.T. Bland Public Library as well as the Fruitland Park Library and the Lady Lake Library had joined the Lake County Library System. However the Eustis Memorial Library withdrew from the Lake County Library System. Today the Lake County Library System is governed by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. The cooperative still operates through inter-local agreements between the governing bodies of its 9 member libraries, and through the operation of 6 branch libraries, with an administrative office in Tavares, Florida. The Lake County Library System mission is “To serve as the gateway to the world of information, ideas and entertainment for all county residents”.
Residents of Lake County have access to print and digital resources with an LCLS library card.Services These resources include print books, audiobooks and e-books, as well as music and movies. The libraries also provide patrons with access to online resources, including internet access and online reference databases. In addition to resource materials, LCLS provides outreach services to patrons of all ages. Library cards are free to Lake County residents. Residents of Volusia, Seminole, and Marion counties can receive a free LCLS card by showing a valid library card from their county. Lake County Library System additionally offers the following services:
Lake County Library System also provides links to several databases for the convenience of their users. These databases include:
Learning Express which offers a career center for improving workplace skills; a school center to help prepare for tests, get homework help and boost skills in core subjects; a college prep center for helping students prepare for the SAT/ACT and more; a college center which assists students with academic skills, placement tests, and entrance exams; a high school equivalency center that helps with GED's and other equivalency exams; and other resources.
