The Lee County Library System was founded in 1964 and is composed of 13 branches which serve Lee County, Florida. Olive Stout, who arrived in Fort Myers, Florida in 1886, started the town's first reading room and was pivotal in founding its first library. Around 1955, the city moved the library into a small one room building. The Lee County Library System's mission is to strengthen the community by informing and enriching individuals.
Branches
Services
The library system has over 1.5 million items available for patrons to use or check out, and circulates over 6 million items per year. The system also offers amenities such as meeting rooms, an online catalog and e-sources, as well as DVDs, CDs, and the streaming of movies and video. Each branch provides users with internet access, including wireless access points. The system also provides public access computers, and scan and print capabilities.
Library Cards
Adult
Library cards are issued free of charge to individuals 18 years or older who:
Are residents of Lee County
Are employed in Lee County
Are property or business owners in Lee County
Are students of Lee County
Are residents of other Southwest Florida counties with libraries participating in the Reciprocal Borrowing program
Non-residents may obtain a Lee County Library card for a fee by showing photo identification. Library cards are valid for two years and renewal must be done in person with the same documents required for original card registration. Loss or theft of a card, as well as any account changes, must be reported to the library immediately. In order to obtain a replacement card, patron must show photo identification and will be charged a $1 fee.
Child/Teen
Library cards with full privileges are free of charge for children and teens under age 18. Requirements include:
Name ID, such as birth certificate, insurance card, school ID, official school schedule, report card or letter from school
Parent or legal guardian who accompanies the child or teen shows ID for proof of address and owes less than $10 on his/her own library account
Reciprocal Borrowing Program
Residents from participating neighboring counties, may obtain a Lee County Library card free of charge through the Southwest Florida Library Network's Reciprocal Borrowing Program. Residents of participating counties must first visit their own community's library and ask for a SWFLN Reciprocal Borrowing sticker, in which they may then present to any Lee County Library location, along with photo identification. This must be done every calendar year.
Services
Bookmobile
The Lee County Library System has a mobile book service called the Bookmobile that travels throughout the county to bring materials to those who cannot physically make it to a library branch location, or those in housing projects and low income neighborhoods. Patrons of the bookmobile have about 4,000 items to choose from, including books, DVDs, and magazines in both English and Spanish.
Talking Books
The Lee County Library System is a subregional library of the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library. Recorded books are shipped free of charge to patrons who fill out an application affirming their visual or physical disability that makes traditional reading difficult. In addition to recorded books, the Talking Books Library also provides Braille books and narrated magazines. The Lee County Talking Books Library has thousands of titles in its collection as well as access to 2.5 million titles through the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library.
Books-by-Mail
Books-by-Mail is a service offered by the Lee County Library System, which supplies library materials to individuals who are unable to use the library due to temporary or long-term physical and medical disabilities. Books-by-Mail sends materials, including books, CD books, DVDs, Blue-ray and music CDs through the mail in zippered nylon bags to registered patrons. When the materials are due, the patron attaches postage and mails the bag back to Books-by-Mail or the bag can be dropped off at any branch of the Lee County Library System.
Southwest Florida Reading Fest (annual)
The Southwest Florida Festival is the second largest reading festival in Florida and draws thousands of fans to hear and meet best-selling authors, participate in creative contests and activities and find the latest and greatest in books and information technology. It is a fun, informative and entertaining one-day event that celebrates books and the written word. The festival appeals to all ages, with adult and children's programs. The event is usually held in downtown Fort Myers, FL in March. The Lee County Library System produces the festival which began in 2000.
Library Support
The library receives public support in a variety of ways, including Friends groups, volunteers, and donations.
