Pasco County Library Cooperative

The Pasco County Library Cooperative (PCLC) is the public library system that serves all residents of Pasco County, Florida, and is a member of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium.[1] The Pasco County Library System, as it was originally known, was established by county ordinance in 1980. In 1999, the Pasco County Public Library Cooperative was established as a result of an Interlocal Agreement between the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and the Zephyrhills City Council.[2] It consists of seven branch libraries and one cooperative partner library, Zephyrhills Public Library. The Pasco County Libraries operate on a budget of $6,344,041 for fiscal year 2016. Pasco Libraries circulated 1,195,649 items for fiscal year 2016; up-to-date statistical information can be found on their website at: http://www.pascolibraries.org/stats/ The head of library services reports to the Assistant County Administrator for Public Services.

Marquee for the New River Library, a branch of the Pasco County Library Cooperative.

History

The Pasco County Library Cooperative was once known as the Pasco County Library System. It was established on July 22, 1980. There were municipal-owned and operated libraries in three different cities; Dade City, New Port Richey, and Zephyrhills.[3] There were also three libraries being led by volunteers in the communities of Hudson, Holiday, and Land O’ Lakes that were incorporated into the system.[3] In 1986, a $10 million bond referendum was passed by voters to improve the public libraries and build new parks countywide. After this referendum was passed, two facilities were replaced (Hudson and Land O’ Lakes) and two facilities were built in un-served areas (Regency Park and South Holiday).[4] There was also a renovation and addition done to the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City. With additional funding secured through Federal programs, the Centennial Park Library and New River Library were also built.[4] The system changed into a cooperative in 2000 when the City of Zephyrhills library joined it.[3]

Branches

The Pasco County Public Library Cooperative consists of seven branches and one cooperative partner (Zephyrhills), with the administrative offices for the system located at the Hudson Regional Library.[5]

Centennial Park Branch Library

The Centennial Park Branch Library is closed for remodeling until fall 2020. It offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

Hudson Regional Library/Administration and Support Services

The Hudson Regional Branch Library offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It also features a music recording studio. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

Hugh Embry Branch Library
Hugh Embry Branch Library
General information
LocationDade City, Florida
Address14215 4th St.
Opened1904
Website
https://www.pascolibraries.org/about-us/locations-and-hours/hugh-embry-branch-library/

Hugh Embry Library was established in 1904 when its namesake Hugh Embry (1879–1907), then 25, was recovering from an illness. It is located on 4th Street in Dade City, Florida. It was developed with donations from local households leading and built into a small library in the Embry home (now the site of the U.S. Post Office on Church St. A larger library and the development of the Pasco County Library Association followed in 1905. After Embry's death at the age of 28 due to tuberculosis, the library initially faltered, but was kept alive due to the efforts of active community members and civic organizations such as the Dade City Woman's Club. The library was relocated several times over the next five decades, finally ending up at the current location in 1963. The library underwent a complete renovation in the late 1980s, with the current 7,200-square-foot (670 m2) building opening in 1991.

The Hugh Embry Branch Library offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.[6]

Land o' Lakes Branch Library
Land o' Lakes Branch Library
General information
LocationLand o' Lakes, Florida
Address2818 Collier Parkway
OpenedDecember 12, 1991
Website
https://www.pascolibraries.org/about-us/locations-and-hours/land-olakes-branch-library/

The Land o' Lakes Branch Library began as a small section of a county building located on U.S. Highway 41 but was later moved to a larger location as a result of its increasing growth. In 1980, it became an official part of the countywide library system, moving into a Land o' Lakes plaza storefront in 1988. A new Land o' Lakes Branch Library was built at the current location with bond money and opened to the public on December 12, 1991. The library underwent an expansion project beginning in 2005, and it was reopened to the public on April 22, 2007.[7]

The Land o' Lakes Branch Library property covers a total area of 18,000 square feet. Following its renovation, the library housed several study rooms, a separate children's room, a teen room, and a computer lab. In 2015, the computer lab was moved next to the collections, and the space that had formerly housed the computer lab became a woodworking-based makerspace, The Foundry, which was opened to the public on December 17, 2015.[8] The focus of The Foundry was decided by a committee that included both patrons of all ages who intended to use the space and library staff.

New River Branch Library

The New River Branch Library is closed for remodeling until fall 2020. It offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It also features a community garden. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

Regency Park Branch Library
Regency Park Branch Library
General information
LocationNew Port Richey, Florida
Address9701 Little Road
OpenedOctober 26, 1990
Website
https://www.pascolibraries.org/about-us/locations-and-hours/regency-park-branch-library/

The Regency Park Branch Library opened its doors to the public on October 26, 1990 and was expanded in 2007.[9] It offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It also features a test kitchen makerspace, Regency Fresh, which opened to the public on October 17, 2019.[10] The Regency Park Library provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

South Holiday Branch Library

The South Holiday Branch Library offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, a large meeting space. It also features a sewing makerspace. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

The New River Branch in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Zephyrhills Public Library (Cooperative Partner)

The Zephyrhills Public Library is a City of Zephyrhills funded facility, founded in 1912. The library seeks to encourage reading and the use of technology for life-long learning and the enhancement of the community’s quality of life. The library provides open and equal access to the resources and services of the library. In 1999, the library, together with the Pasco County Library System, formed the Pasco County Library Cooperative in order to offer residents of Pasco County a broader base of services. The same library card is used at the Zephyrhills Library and the county libraries.

Makerspaces

The Foundry

The Foundry at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library is the first dedicated makerspace in Pasco Libraries. It was officially opened on December 17, 2015. The Foundry is equipped with two 3-D printers, as well as computer-aided-design (CAD) equipment, an Oculus Rift virtual reality system, and an audio recording studio. Other makerspace materials include various hand tools, power tools, and crafting equipment and supplies, like yarn and thread. The room serves as the primary meeting space for the Edgar Allan Ohms, the Land O' Lakes High School robotics team sponsored by the library.[11][12] Library patrons must consent to the terms of the Pasco County Liability Waiver and Permission Form and the Maker Safety Playbook before they can use The Foundry, but it is otherwise open to all.

Studio H

Studio H is a makerspace located at the Hudson Regional Library that was opened in 2019.[13] It is a multimedia recording studio that provides users with access to equipment, software, and musical instruments. A wide variety of musical instruments are available including electric and acoustic guitars, basses, drum kits, a keyboard, a virtual synthesizer, a banjo, and a mandolin.[13] This makerspace can be used to create music, videos, podcasts, and photos. Users are required to attend an orientation before reserving studio time.[14]

Regency Fresh

Regency Fresh is a makerspace located at the Regency Park Library that had its grand opening on October 17, 2019. It is a fully equipped kitchen with an induction cooktop, double convection oven, an Instant Pot, a sous-vide cooker, microwave, blender, large mixer, and a demonstration cart with an overhead mirror.[15] This kitchen allows users to experience culinary demonstrations and presentations and, in some cases, can participate in these demonstrations.[16] Users can attend a program or submit ideas for future demonstrations and presentations.

The Creation Station

The Creation Station is a kids' mini makerspace located at the Hugh Embry Library. It is a space that was designed with children in grades 2 through 5 in mind. It allows them it to explore, tinker, play, and create projects with many different materials.[17] They are able to plan a project, complete it, put the supplies back, and clean up the area so that it is ready for the next child. There is an Idea Book available to help inspire them and the goal is to finish their project so that they have something to take home with them. There is also a dedicated space called Creation Station, Jr. for younger children.[17]

Community Garden

The Community Garden is a makerspace at the New River Library, which is currently closed for remodeling. The Community Garden works closely with the County Cooperative Extension and the Master Gardeners to be a complete gardening resource.[18]

The Seed Library

Through generous donors, the Pasco County Library Cooperative has created a seed library to share with the community. They have many different types of seeds available, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. The seeds are packaged in small bundles and there are growing instructions placed on the outside of the bundles so that patrons can have some information about the plants they have checked out.[19] With these seeds, patrons have the opportunity to grow some of the healthiest food possible. The library asks that patrons only take what they need so that there is plenty of seeds to go around. In order to check out seeds, patrons fill out a request form on the Pasco County Library Cooperative website and then can pick up their bundles at their home branch.[19]

Awards

2014
  1. Done and resolved on August 19, 2014

2013

2010
  • The Florida Library Association's Librarian of the Year award was given to Libraries Director Linda Allen. This honor is presented “in recognition of outstanding and ongoing contributions to Florida librarianship.” [20]
  • Florida Library Association's award for best public library website. This prize promotes “awareness of the importance of good design and usability in web page development and to recognize outstanding examples of effective library pages.” [21]

2008
  • Florida Library of the Year[22] from the Florida Library Association
  • "I Love my Librarian!" award given to director Linda Allen by The New York Times Company[23]
  • Future of the Region Certificate of Excellence and Commemorative program for Public Education in Catastrophe Readiness and Response: Proactive Roles for Public Libraries awarded by Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council[24]

Pasco Libraries website

The Pasco Libraries website is an integrated website that allows patrons to search the library catalog, check out e-books, search fee-based databases, and access language-learning resources. It also allows patrons to post book reviews, access RSS feeds, create lists, and tag materials. The website has links to the library’s social media content, library videos, and e-government sources. It was recognized by the Florida Library Association as the best library website in 2010. Visits to the library's website increased by 28 percent within its first year of being redesigned.[25]

Friends of the Pasco County Library System

Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization that works closely with the libraries within the cooperative to enrich the library experience of patrons through fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy efforts.[26] The organization acts as a link between the libraries and the citizens of Pasco County. Each branch has its own Friends group that operates independently, however, they also come together to contribute to the success and financial stability of the Countywide Friends Organization.[26] The individual groups work together to ensure that the libraries within this cooperative have the resources they need to better serve the people of Pasco County. The Friends organization provides funding for many of the cultural, art, music, storytime, summer reading, and technology programs that are offered at the libraries.[26]

References
  1. "Pasco County Library Cooperative 2012-2015 Strategic Vision" (PDF). Pasco County. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  2. "Pasco County Library Foundation". Pasco Library Foundation. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
  3. "Where it all began... | Pasco Libraries". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  4. Florida Library History Project, "Pasco County Library System" (1990). Digital Collection - Florida Studies Center Publications. Paper 71.
  5. "Locations and Hours | Pasco Libraries". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  6. "Open to the Public!". Pasco County Libraries. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  7. "Where it all began". Pasco County Libraries. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  8. "Land o' Lakes library opens makerspace". The Laker/Lutz News. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  9. "Our History". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  10. "Regency Park Library Launches "Regency Fresh" Test Kitchen". pascocountyfl.net. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  11. "Land O' Lakes library opens makerspace". The Laker/Lutz News. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  12. "Land O'Lakes Foundry | Pasco Libraries". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  13. "Hudson Library to Open Recording Studio". 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  14. "Studio H". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  15. "Regency Park Library Launches "Regency Fresh" Test Kitchen". Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  16. "Regency Fresh". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  17. "The Kids' Makerspace". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  18. "The Community Garden". pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  19. "Seed Library | Pasco Libraries". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  20. "Pasco County Library System Wins Two FLA Awards". TBLC.org. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  21. "Pasco County Library System Wins Two FLA Awards". TBLC.org. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  22. "Florida Library Association 2008 Awards" (PDF).
  23. Orth, Carl (January 29, 2011). "Linda Allen is turning the page". Suncoastnews.com. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  24. "16th Annual Future of the Region Awards" (PDF). Tbrpc.org. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  25. "FLA Awards Recipients 2010" (PDF). Florida Library Association. 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  26. "About Friends of The Library". Pasco County Libraries. Retrieved 24 October 2019.

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