Library

Lakeland History & Culture Center
Main Branch Library Phase 1 Construction Info & FAQs

Author Talks Live and On-Demand
The Lakeland Libraries have joined the Library Speakers Consortium to begin offering virtual author events from a range of bestselling authors and thought leaders. This new, online-only program is free for patrons to register and attend any of the scheduled presentations, or view past presentations.

Books and authors selected by the consortium cover a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres including contemporary and historical fiction, romance, poetry, business, personal growth, social justice, history, art, culture and more. Visit the Lakeland Public Library's site to see upcoming speakers and sign up.

Once you register to attend an event, you will get a reminder email and link to login and view the program live online. Two to four bestselling-author events will be offered each month and participants can ask questions directly to the author during these live, interactive events.

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Spelling Competition Coming Soon

Are you a lexophile or a logophile? Do you enjoy spelling? We've got the event for you!

Spelling Bee Competition (for adults) at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library

Registration will open Monday, August 22, 2022 at 9 AM and word lists will be available at all Lakeland Libraries beginning August 22nd.

For more information, please contact Georgia HoShin-Bray.
Your Library Anytime, Anywhere
Instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks, and more 24/7 with your library card and hoopla!

Create a free account with your library card and download/stream up to 12 Instant borrow titles per month and 10 hoopla Flex borrows you can use on specially marked hoopla Flex eBooks and Audiobooks. With hoopla, your public library is accessible anytime, anywhere!

NOTE: Beginning in August 2022, daily spending thresholds have been applied for the hoopla service. If you receive a message on hoopla or within the hoopla app that the library's daily borrow limit has been reached, you will not be able to borrow the item(s) until the following day; the borrow limit resets at midnight and you can add titles to a favorites list for easy access to borrow them later.

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Florida State Park Pass Program
The Florida Department of State and Florida State Parks have partnered to provide public library card holders a new opportunity this summer! Use your library card to checkout a Real Florida Reader State Park Pass for day-use entry to Florida's state parks for free!

How the program works:
- Each Lakeland Library location has two (2) Real Florida Reader State Park Passes. Adults can check out a pass on a first come, first served basis. One pass per household.
- The Real Florida Reader State Park Pass is for day-use entry and is valid only at Florida state parks, excluding Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife, Skyway Pier, and Weeki Wachee Springs state parks.
- The pass is good for one vehicle, up to eight people.
- When you checkout a Real Florida Reader State Park Pass, you will receive a rear view mirror hang tag for your vehicle.
- The pass checks out for seven (7) days and should be returned to the library where it was checked out.
- Passes are valid from May 21st through September 12th.
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Institutes of Learning
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Benjamin Franklin

Enjoy this photographic return to school visiting Lakeland's institutes of learning, showcased from our Digital Collection through Flickr.

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Free Online Access
With your library card, you have free digital access to a wide array of current news resources in the library or at home.

Browse our digital newspaper services for free access to America's News, Lakeland Ledger Collection, and the New York Times online!

To get started, click here.

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Unlock Your Next Read!

Looking for a contactless option to pick up your library items? Try our new book lockers inside Kelly Recreation Complex (404 Imperial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803)!

How it works:
1. Place items on hold online, by phone, or in person at your local library.
2. Choose “Lakeland Library Lockers” as the pickup location.
3. Once you are notified the items are available, visit the book lockers inside Kelly Recreation Complex and scan your library card to retrieve your items.
The Lakeland Book Lockers at Kelly Recreation Complex are funded under the provisions of the DLIS Florida CARES Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.