Letter from the President | Friends of the Library Tampa

Hello everyone; my Name is J.B. Smith & I’m the President of the Friends of the Tampa/Hillsborough Libraries! We are a collection of non-profit Chapters all over Hillsborough County that help fund the programs that you and your family have come to enjoy over the years.

I was listening to a BBC radio station recently when I heard that libraries in Europe were thinking of doing away with late fees for books that were not returned on time!! I thought, wait a minute, we were the first library system to do that!!! We are proud of the leadership at our Libraries here in Hillsborough county, and they are making a big impressions all of the State, and the Country! Last year our library system was voted the #1 Library system in the State; since then there have been many more accolades laid on our library system.

I’m very thankful to all of the people who work at the Library, and I know you are too. Would you like to be a member of the Friends organization in your area?? Please sign up now on this website today!

During this time of seclusion, we all have had to make changes to stay safe and healthy for each other. We miss the Libraries being open as much as all of you. However; the Library has not stopped working for you! There are many things that are working differently than they did before the pandemic, but the Library is still there.

The Summer Reading Program is about to launch a new way to participate in this hyper digitized world we find ourselves!! Let me tell you of some other things going on at your Library now!!

The Library is working to restore library service to our customers in a gradual and safe manner. Our first step will be to open book drops at the following locations to accept returns beginning Monday, May 11, 2020:

Book drops will be open Monday – Friday. Your returned items will be placed into quarantine and will still appear as “checked out” on your account. They will be checked in when safety and staffing permit. This will not affect the amount of items you are able to borrow. Items can be returned to these locations regardless of where you borrowed them from.

Temple Terrace Public Library will also open book drops Monday – Friday.

Hillsborough County Public Libraries do not charge late fines on materials that are overdue. Your account will not be locked for any overdue items. Learn more about our fine free initiative. At present all holds are currently suspended.

Public Libraries will re-open and services will return gradually as safety measures are put in place to ensure the protection of employees and the public from the further spread of COVID-19. We are working closely with Hillsborough County leadership in developing a plan for the phased return of library services. No firm timeline has been established at this time. Please follow the library on social media or check back here for announcements.

For more info visit HCPLC.org, or call at 813-273-3652. If you can’t reach us by phone, text us at 813-352-1972 or 813-352-1603, ask us online, or message us through social media. We are available to help you 7 days a week from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

All Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative services will be unavailable on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

The library is always open from the comfort of your home to download a book, read a magazine, enjoy storytime, take an online class, stream movies, videos and music.

Visit online