Located in downtown Bradenton along the scenic Riverwalk, the Manatee County Central Library and Library administration headquarters is just a short stroll from local restaurants, shops, and attractions. With convenient parking available in the front and back of the building, it's easy to visit. Take in the marina views while discovering your next great read or enjoying the library’s welcoming spaces and special collections.
Mobility assistance users are advised to park in the South parking lot
which has ADA parking spaces and an ADA accessible entrance.
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday: CLOSED
- Bike Racks
- Bookstore
- Children's Room
- Combat Wounded Parking Space
- Computer Work Station
- Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine
- Expectant Mother Parking Space
- Hearing Loop
- Historical Marker
- Library
- Makerspaces and DIY
- Meeting Room
- Parking
- Phone Charging Station
- Recording Studio
- Restrooms
- Study Room
- USB Charging Station
- Water Fountains
- Wheelchair
Archive Lab
Location Details
Central Library, 2nd floor adjacent to Eaton Historical and Genealogy Collections.Hours
Monday - Tuesday: 11:00 am to 7:30 pmWednesday - Thursday: 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
Friday - Saturday: 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
The Archive Lab is a digital DIY space located at Central Library, and is part of the Eaton Florida History Room. It is comprised of four (4) stations where you can scan and save your photos, home videos, scrapbooks, slides, and more. For more information: Reserve an Archive Lab Station
Eaton Room
Location Details
Central Library, second floorCentral Library features the Eaton Room collections, consisting of local history, genealogy, local yearbooks, historical newspapers, microfilm, the Archive Lab, and more.
The Eaton Room area is named after Elizabeth M. Eaton, a local philanthropist who died in 1973 and left a trust provision for the funding of materials, furnishing, and equipment to carry on the legacy of promoting local history of Manatee County.
Children's Room
Location Details
Central Library, second floor.
Friends Bookstore: Second Edition
Location Details
First floor, next to the elevator.Hours
Hours vary
Podcast and Recording Studio
Location Details
Central Library Meeting Room: 1st floorHours
Open by appointment only.The Podcasting and Recording Studio located at Central Library is open by appointment only. Contact Library Programming to book an appointment.
Equipment & Software
- iMac with Garageband and iMovie
- (2) Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
- (2) Rode PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Podcasting Microphones
- (2) Rode PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arms
Rode Rodecaster Pro Podcast Production Studio
Study Rooms
Location Details
Central Library, 1st and 2nd floorsHours
Currently closed due to post-storm repairs.Five (5) study rooms and one (1) group study room are available to reserve at Central Library. For more information: Library Study Rooms
Study room capacity: 2-4
Group study room capacity: 8
Meeting Rooms
Location Details
Central Library, east wingHours
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
One (1) large meeting room/auditorium and one (1) small meeting room are available to reserve at Central Library. The small meeting room also houses the Podcast and Recording Studio. For more information: Library Meeting Rooms
Large meeting room (Auditorium) capacity: 91
Small meeting room, with studio, capacity: 20
Catering Kitchen
Location Details
Central Library, first floor, adjacent to Auditorium
Makerspace: Area 52
Location Details
Second floor of the Central Library.Hours
Tuesday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.(Tween Tuesdays, Ages 8+)
Thursday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
(Ages 12+)
Friday: 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(Ages 12+)
Saturday: 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(Ages 12+)
Area 52 is a makerspace featuring specialized equipment, hands-on workshops, and open lab hours. The space offers the tools you’ll need to build your next creative project, explore new interests, and create something original. Visit us on the second floor of the Central Library to learn more about coding, robotics, 3D printing, music and video recording, sewing, t-shirt design, and more! See the library's Event Calendar for upcoming classes and workshops.
Ages 12 and over. On Tween Tuesdays and during some age-specific programs, ages 11 and under are allowed if accompanied by an adult. For more information regarding Area 52, please contact Library Programming
Computer Lab & Coding Equipment
- 10 Surface Pro laptops
- 2 iPads
- 2 Fusion Tablets
- Arduino Uno and Raspberry Pi coding stations
Audio Visual Equipment
- Behringer C-1U, Microphone
- 2 MIDI Keyboards, 49-key
- Numark Mixtrack Pro II, Digital DJ Controller
- Sony XDCAM PXW-Z150, Camcorder
- Canon Vixia HF G40, Camcorder
- Canon EOS Rebel T6, Camera
- Mevo, Live Event Camera
- Fifine Technology Lapel Microphone
- Dragonframe 4 + USB Controller
- Zu3D Animation Kit
- Minecraft Stop-Motion Movie Creator Kit
- 2 Green Screens
- Tripods
- Photo Studio Pro Lighting Kit
- Limo Studio Lighting Kit
3D Printing, Electronic Cutting & Engraving
- Ultimaker 2+, 3D Printer
- 4 Creality Ender 3 Pro, 3D Printers
- 2 3D Printing Pens
- Cricut Explore Air 2, Cutting Machine
- Cricut Maker, Cutting Machine
Arts & Crafts
- Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
- Various Singer Sewing Machines including Esteem II, Tradition, Stylist, Super Elegance, Touch-Tronic
- Shark Automatic Euro-Pro Sewing Machine
- Dressmaker Sewing Machine
- Brother Sewing Machine
- Montgomery Ward Sewing Machine
- Elna Sewing Machine
- Addi-Express Kingsize, Knitting Machine
- Brother Lock, Serger
- 2 Transpro Pro World, Heat Presses
- K'NEX, Creative Building Toys
- Freestyle Xtreme, Marble Maze
- Picasso Tiles, Artistry Kit
- Craftastic String Art Kit
- Disney Princess and Marvel Crochet Sets
- Lego Elves, Building Block Set
- 2 Badge A Matic II, Button Makers
Robotics & Circuitry
- VEX IQ and VEX EDR, Robotics Kits
- 2 Sphero, Programmable Robots
- Mini Sphero, Programmable Robots Classroom Set
- 2 Sphero Ollies, Programmable Robots
- Ozobot Kit, Programmable Robot
- Makey Makey, Circuitry Kit
- Cubelets, Robot Construction System
- Elegoo, Sensor Kit
Gaming
- 2 Oculus Quest Virtual Reality Headsets
- Nintendo Wii
- Nintendo Switch Lite with Super Mario Maker 2
