Outreach Services

Outreach Services provides:
  • informational and educational sessions and presentations about services we offer
  • tabling at booths for fairs, festivals, open houses, and other special events
  • materials for individuals who are unable to physically visit the library due to disability, injury, illness, or visual impairment. We have two free options for receiving items. Books by Mail utilizes the postal service to mail materials to a person’s residence, while Homebound Delivery provides contactless delivery of items to an individual’s address.

Library Access for Homebound Residents

Manatee Library offers free delivery of library materials to Manatee County library patrons who are not able to access our facilities due to a temporary or long-term physical or visual disability. While there is no fee for this service, any lost or damaged items would be the responsibility of the patron.

Books by Mail

A registration form for this service must be on file in order for a patron to borrow by mail. Materials may only be mailed to a Manatee County address. A patron must also apply for a Manatee County library card if he/she is not presently a member. A printable form is available by emailing library.outreach@mymanatee.org.

Books by Mail Online Registration Form

Formats available through this program include:
  • Large print materials
  • Audiobooks (on CD)
  • Playaways (pre-loaded MP3 players that require headphones and batteries)

Via Books by Mail, patrons may borrow up to three items at a time. All items circulate for a six-week period and may be renewed by calling the library or managing the account through the library’s online catalog. The library staff will use the information about reader preferences from the registration form to select items for the patron. Patrons can also select their own items.

All patrons must agree to provide access to their reading records in order for staff to avoid duplicate mailings of materials. Interlibrary Loans cannot be requested through Books by Mail.

Books by Mail patrons may also come to the library and use their card as a regular borrower. All materials checked out in person at the library will have regular loan periods and MUST be returned in person (not via the US Postal Service). A family member, friend, or caregiver CAN bring your library card to the library and check out any materials for you.

For additional questions, see FAQs below, or to register, please call (941) 748-5555, ext. 3820 or email library.outreach@mymanatee.org.

Forms may also be mailed to:

Outreach Services
Central Library
1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West
Bradenton, FL 34205-7522 

Books by Mail Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions