Polk County Library Cooperative

About Us

The Polk County Library Cooperative (PCLC) was formed October 1, 1997 through an Interlocal Agreement between the 13 municipalities in Polk County with Public Libraries, and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.  The PCLC enables the city-owned and operated public libraries to open their doors and provide materials and services to all residents of the the county, including those in the unincorporated area.  Through the PCLC, one library card is good at all member libraries and materials from one library can be requested and checked out at another library, or even mailed to a patron at home.  The PCLC has reciprocal borrowing agreements with Osceola County and with participating libraries in the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, including Highlands, Hardee, and Hillsborough counties.

The PCLC supports the services provided by the member libraries and provides five day a week delivery service between member libraries, operates the library automation system (online catalog and check-out) for all the member libraries, markets activities for member libraries, and manages the e-rate program for member libraries.  The PCLC contracts with the Lake Wales Public Library to provide the Books by Mail and Bookmobile services.  PCLC also provides staff training and membership to the Tampa Bay Library Consortium for member libraries.

The PCLC also provides two vending machines at the Outpost 27 Visitor's center, and offers outreach programming to the unincorporated areas of the county.

Map of Libraries 

As the cornerstone of our community, the Polk County Library Cooperative connects libraries, individuals and people so every individual succeeds. We seamlessly provide outstanding public library services throughout Polk County, Florida through a partnership between our municipally owned and operated public libraries and the county.

PCLC receives funding through the Polk County Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for library services. PCLC is an active participant in the E-Rate program and applies for numerous grants. This project has been funded under the provsions of the State Aid to Libraries Grant program, administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.