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The Winter Park Public Library offers a full range of services in our 33,000 square-foot facility. The Library is open to the public 68 hours a week, seven days a week. About 500 people use the Library on an average day. The following is a brief summary of the services available through the Winter Park Public Library.

Library Users' Guide

 

 How to Get a Library Card

Residents:

People who live within the city limits of Winter Park are entitled to a free library card. Just bring in a photo identification and an official document that shows your current address (such as an electric bill) to get your card. If you own property in the city limits but live somewhere else, you are also entitled to a free card. You can bring a tax receipt showing you pay property taxes to the City of Winter Park to get your card.

     Please note: having a mailing address that indicates "Winter Park" does NOT necessarily indicate that you live within the city limits of Winter Park, particularly for those in the 32792 zip code. You can call the Library at 407-623-3300, ext 2, to verify whether your address is within the official city limits.

Reciprocal Cards:

A reciprocal agreement between the Orange County Library System (OCLS), the Maitland Public Library (MPL) and the WPPL allows OCLS and MPL patrons who live in Orange County to get a free WPPL card. WPPL patrons who live in the city limits of Winter Park can get a free OCLS and MPL card. OCLS and MPL patrons must show: a OCLS or MPL card, a picture ID and verification of his current address to register for a WPPL card. This card does not give the user access to reserves or holds, InterLibrary Loan services, eBooks, computer usage, homebound services, and some library programs. Reciprocal card holders should use their home library for these services.

Non-residents:

People who are not eligible for a resident card or a reciprocal card, or who wish to have a card that gives access to all WPPL services and materials can purchase a non-resident card. The cost of a non-resident card represents the money those living within the city limits pay on their property tax bills that is given in support of the Library. The non-resident card is a family card, so everyone in your family can use it. Currently, the one-year non-resident card is $125 and the six-month non-resident card is $75. You will need to bring something official that shows your address and a photo ID. Ask your employer if they have contributed to the Winter Park Public Library this year. If they have, you can get a non-resident card for half price.

Student non-resident cards:

The purpose of the student non-resident card is to assist students attending a school within the city limits of Winter Park in their coursework. Adults who apply for this card should be working toward a degree. The cost is $15.00 for a four-month period. The student may have a maximum of 10 items checked out at any one time. The card is not transferable and should not be used for checking out materials for other people. Students need to bring a photo ID, proof of their student status plus verification of their home address when applying for a card. If the student is under the age of 18, a parent must come in with a photo ID, proof of student status and verification of the home address.
Technology Card:
Non-residents who would like to use the Library's computers on a month-to-month basis may purchase a technology card. The cost of the card is $40.00 per month. These public computer workstations are connected to both black and white and color printing stations.  They are all loaded with Windows XP - Pro operating system and include the following software:  MS-Office 2003 (Word - word processing, Excel -spreadsheets, and Powerpoint), Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, the Library catalog, and Library databases). A picture ID and verification of current address are required.

One-day, 1-Hour Computer Use:
For $10.00, a person who needs to use a computer workstation can purchase a temporary card. This card allows use of the computers only.  These public computer workstations are connected to both black and white and color printing stations.  They are all loaded with Windows XP - Pro operating system and include the following software:  MS-Office 2003 (Word - word processing, Excel -spreadsheets, and Powerpoint), Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, the Library catalog, and Library databases). One additional one-hour card can be purchased for another $10.00 on the same day. Two hours is the maximum amount of time an individual can spend on WPPL computers. On Sundays, the time limit is one hour.

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Circulating Materials
The WPPL owns a collection of over 280,000 books, audiobooks, music cassettes and CDs, videos, DVDs and eBooks  available for patrons to borrow. A special collection of large-print books is available for individuals with sight difficulties. The newest large-print books, fiction and non-fiction books, and audiovisual titles are displayed on the first floor. See the list of "Where Things Are" for details of where the rest of the collection is located.

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Borrowing & Renewing Materials:
Items are checked out for either one week or for two weeks. One week items include: current New York Times best sellers, current Morse Reading List books, videos, DVDs, computer software and new fiction. Items can be renewed up to four times unless another patron has a hold or reserve on the item. If the original checkout period was one week, then each renewal is for one week.

Library items can be renewed by visiting either of the circulation desks in the Library, by calling the Library at (407) 623-3300, ext. 2 or 4 or by using the Patron Information section of our online catalog. 
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Fines & Day of Grace:
If your items are one day late, the Library will waive the fine for that one day.
The fines per day are: 25 cents for adult and young adult materials, 10 cents for children's materials and $2 for videos, DVDs and computer software.

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How to Reserve Materials:
If the item that you want is not available, you can place a reserve. If you have your library card handy, you can place your own reserve at any of the catalog terminals or from home using our online catalog. If you need assistance, the staff at either of the circulation desks will be happy to help you. You can have a maximum of five items on hold at one time.

Reserves can be placed on items already in the collection but in use or on items the Library has on order. In addition, if you need a book that the Library does not own and it is less than a year old, you can fill out a reserve card for the book, and we consider it for purchase. If the book is older than one year, we will try to get the book for you through InterLibrary loan.

Reciprocal card holders cannot reserve materials; they must use their home library for this service.

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InterLibrary Loan (ILL):
If the book you want is not owned by the Winter Park Public Library, we would be glad to request it from another library for you. Go to the Reference Desk and they will assist you in filling out the ILL request form. You can also request articles from magazines which we do not have available. Patrons must have a WPPL library card and be in good standing with the Library. Reciprocal card holders must use their home library (Orange County Public Library System or Maitland Public Library) for interlibrary loan services.

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Electronic Catalog:
The Winter Park Public Library features an electronic catalog to assist you with your searches of the library collections. There are two terminals on each floor. If you need help in searching for an author, title or subject, please ask any staff member to assist you.

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Internet Use
Full service WPPL card holders in good standing (card is current and there are no blocks) can use the Internet for two hours a day. On Sundays, use is restricted to a maximum of one hour. Reciprocal card holders cannot use Library Internet computers but have access to the Web-based Library catalog. Please see the "How to Get a Library Card" section for details about other card options that allow Internet use.

Internet terminals on the first floor are for adults only. Internet terminals for children and young adults are located on the second floor. All Library Internet terminals are filtered in compliance with federal requirements. Additional age-appropriate filtering is offered on young adult computers and terminals for children. However, parents are strongly encouraged to use the Internet with their children and young adults. Please read our full Internet Use Policy for more information.

The Library offers free and unlimited access to a wireless Internet connection in the building. For more, please read "Using WPPL Wireless."

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 Youth Services
Our Youth Services department has an outstanding staff and collection serving children and young adults from birth to age 17. We provide a variety of materials including books, audiotapes, music, computer software, videos and DVDs appropriate for this varied age group. We also have a collection of parenting resources available for checkout. The staff is extremely skilled at recommending quality reading material or assisting with youth reference questions. The Youth Services department provides a variety of age-appropriate storytimes and programs. Visit the Youth Services department or the Kids and Teens section of the Web site for more information and complete schedule.

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Reference & Readers Advisory
Our Library offers a skilled staff of reference librarians who excel in locating information needed by patrons of all ages and are available during all regular Library hours. A valuable collection of reference materials, directories, newspapers, magazines and periodicals, which remain in the Library at all times, is available for answering questions and providing information. The reference staff can also assist you in finding "what to read next" when you are looking for some pleasure reading. Reference questions can also be asked via e-mail by using the "Ask a Librarian" icon on the Library's homepage, or you can have your reference questions answered via live Internet chat. "Ask a Librarian" is a state-wide service staffed by qualified reference librarians from public and academic libraries across the state.   

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Electronic Resources
A wide variety of electronic resources are available to patrons via Library terminals and from your home computers. Please visit the Reference Resources Area for more information. Reciprocal card holders must use their home library for electronic resources.

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Meeting Rooms
Large and small meeting rooms equipped with audiovisual support are available for rent and offer community groups a pleasant environment for meetings. Contact the the Administrative Office Assistant at 407-623-3278 for rental prices, availability and reservations.

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Displays & Exhibits
Local artists and collectors may share their talents and interests by exhibiting their work in the Library's Community Room and display cases. If you have a collection you would like to have displayed in the Library, please call the Community Relations Office at (407) 623-3486 or e-mail mgcoffee@wppl.org

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Photocopiers:
There is a photocopier on each floor of the library. All have dollar bill changers attached. Either circulation desk can also make change for you. 

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Where Things are in the Library:
First Floor:

  • Circulation Desk
  • Low shelving for current New York Times best sellers, new fiction, Morse Reading List books and new non-fiction
  • Reference Desk
  • Winter Park History & Archives
  • Reference book collection
  • Rack of StartingPoints publications for fast Reference assistance
  • Computers for Internet, research and word processing
  • Browsing area: newspapers, magazines, paperbacks and new large print books
  • Display towers for new VHS, DVDs and audiobooks.
  • New Leaf Bookstore
  • Community Room
  • Tax documents (from January to April)

Second Floor:

  • Audio-Visual Room - CDs and cassettes - both music and recorded books
  • Adult Fiction (Mysteries are shelves separately on the third floor)
  • Popular VHS and DVDs (theatrical release movies and foreign language films)
  • Large print book collection
  • Second floor conference room
  • Adult literacy room
  • Youth Services - Children's collection and storytime room
  • Young Adult area
  • Kenneth and Rachel Murrah Reading Gallery

Third Floor:

  • Administrative offices
  • Lifelong Learning Institute Office
  • Community Relations Office
  • Mysteries
  • Non-fiction books
  • Melanson Room (third floor conference room)
  • DVD and VHS biographies, documentaries and instructional videos
  • DVD and VHS television movies and series
  • Typing and word processing room

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Holiday Closings
The Library will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year's Day -- January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- third Monday in January
Easter Sunday - varies
Memorial Day -- the last Monday in May
Independence Day -- July 4
Labor Day -- the first Monday in September
Day before Thanksgiving (early closing) - close at 6 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day -- the fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Eve (half day only) -- December 24, close at noon
Christmas Day -- December 25
New Year's Eve (early closing only) -- 5 p.m. close (noon close if holiday falls on a Sunday)

Other Closings

On rare occasions the Library is closed for fundraisers, extended holidays, in severe weather, due to power outages or other circumstances as determined by the Board of Trustees. We always attempt to give as much warning as possible in these situations. Please watch for signage in the building or listen for messages on the Library's automated answering system at (407) 623-3300 for more information.

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Copyright (C) 2009 Winter Park Public Library. All rights reserved.
Winter Park Public Library -- 460 E. New England Ave.-- Winter Park, FL 32789 -- (407) 623-3300.