Contact Info
Manatee Library offers free delivery of library materials to eligible patrons who are not able to visit a library due to a temporary or long-term physical or visual disability. There are two available options: Books by Mail (via postal service) or Homebound Delivery (in-person delivery).
Books by Mail
Books by Mail service allows eligible patrons to receive library materials at their residence through the United States Postal Service’s Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons program.
Highlights of the Books by Mail program:
- Large print books, audiobooks on CD, and audiobooks on Playaway are mailed directly to your Manatee County residence for free. These are the only types of materials available through Books by Mail.
- Request specific titles or let us know your reading preferences and we will customize your delivery. Participants must agree to provide Library staff with access to their reading records in order to avoid duplicate mailings of materials and assist staff in selecting materials.
- Items arrive in a reusable zippered canvas bag. Unzip the bag, enjoy the items, place the items back in the bag, remove your paper address label, and place the bag in a mailbox to send them back. Items may also be returned at any Manatee County Library branch [insert hours link]
- Up to three items are mailed at a time and may be borrowed for 45 days. Items may be renewed if there are no other hold requests.
Homebound Delivery
Homebound Delivery service allows eligible patrons to receive library materials at their residence, via in-person delivery, on a scheduled basis at no cost.
Highlights of the Homebound Delivery program:
- Library materials are delivered directly to your Manatee County residence for free by members of the Library Outreach team. Library of Things items and Kits are not eligible for delivery.
- Items are delivered once a week and staff can visit you weekly, monthly, or anytime in between. You set the schedule!
- Request specific titles, or let us know your reading preferences and we will customize your delivery. Participants must agree to provide Library staff with access to their reading records in order to avoid duplicate mailings of materials and assist staff in selecting materials.
- Books are checked out for 45 days and New Books are checked out for 21 days. Items may be renewed if there are no other hold requests.
Service Output: Materials
Hours Available: Varies as scheduled
Eligibility:
Manatee County residents who are not able to access a library location due to a temporary or long-term physical or visual disability. Residents must first obtain a Manatee County Library Card or be in good standing if they already possess a library card.
Patrons in the Books by Mail program may also be eligible to receive materials from the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library, which offers free access to books, magazines, and equipment to individuals who are unable to read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Please contact the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library directly to register.
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Library Outreach Services
Library Outreach removes the barrier of traveling to physical library locations as we bring our books, services, resources, and fun directly to your doorstep in Manatee County.
Read PostFrequently Asked Questions
Volunteers are a very important part of the Library! Library volunteers are beginner or skilled individuals who perform a variety of tasks that support library staff in providing excellent library services. Volunteers meet new people, learn new skills or use ones they already have, gain hours for college scholarships, and give back to the community.
Please see Volunteer with the Library for more information on how to apply.
Yes, daycares, schools, assisted living facilities, places of worship, associations, businesses, or other organizations in Manatee County may be eligible for an Organization Library Card, which are only issued by Library Outreach staff.
- Access to borrow all print books, magazines, puzzles, paperback materials, movies, CDs, Library of Things, Kits, and Playaways at all Manatee Library branches
- One year of Library access to be renewed annually by designated contact. May not be used for personal use.
- The organization is financially responsible for all materials checked out on the card.
- Organizations may also request a rotating mini-library collection for their site.
How to register:
- an Organization library card requires an individual to register as a designated contact.
- The designee must complete an Organization Library Card Application, show their photo ID, and provide their business card, badge, letterhead, or other official documentation which indicates their association with the organization, and the organization's contact information.
- Contact Library Outreach staff at library.outreach@mymanatee.org.
Yes! To access your Manatee Library card account, visit the Library Catalog, and click on Log In in the upper right corner. After logging in with your library card number and PIN, you will be able to see your current checkouts and holds under My Bookshelf, as well as saved searches and reading history (keeping a reading history is optional and can be selected under My Bookshelf>Profile).
For additional assistance, contact Ask a Librarian.
Yes! Manatee Library offers materials to permanently or temporarily homebound patrons through two service options:
- Books by Mail, where limited materials are mailed to the patron's home address by USPS and can be returned by mail.
- Homebound Delivery, where limited materials are delivered to the patron's home by library staff in-person.
For more information and to register, please see the Books by Mail or Delivery page.
To reset your Manatee Library card PIN:
- visit the Library Catalog, click on Log In in the upper right corner, then click I forgot my PIN (you must have an email address associated with your account to receive reset instructions by email)
- visit any of the Manatee Library locations with photo ID and library staff can reset it for you.
Manatee Library cards are free for those who reside, own property, work, and/or attend school in Manatee County.
Applications for anyone under 18 require the signature of a parent/legal guardian. Parents/legal guardians may further restrict the types of materials their child may check out.
Manatee Library has numerous options for obtaining a library card, find out more: Apply for a Library Card