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General Information
| Library Cards |
Renewing Materials | Returning
Materials | Card Catalog
and Collection | Computers
Reference Services|
Meeting & Study Rooms |
Fiscal & Admin| Contact
Information | Additional Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Where are the Libraries located?
A list of all the locations, with links to directions,
can be found here.
A view of all the libraries on a county map can be
found here.
When are the Libraries open?
Each location's hours can be found on their individual
pages. For information on each location click
here.
On which holidays do the Libraries close?
Our approved holidays for 2007 are:
New Year's Day, Monday , January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Monday, January
15
Memorial Day, Monday, May 28
Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4
Labor Day, Monday, September 3
Veteran's Day, Monday, Noverber 12
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 22
Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 23
Christmas Eve Holiday, Monday, December 24
Christmas Holiday, Tuesday, December 25
Our approved holidays for 2008 are:
New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Monday, January
21
Easter Sunday, Sunday, March 23
Memorial Day, Monday, May 26
Independence Day, Friday, July 4
Labor Day, Monday, September 1
Veteran's Day, Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27
Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28
Christmas Eve Holiday, Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Holiday, Thursday, December 25
New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31 at 5:00 p.m.
Where can I find information on upcoming Library
programs?
A link to this month's programs, organized by library,
can be found here
.
For next month's calendar, look
here.
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LIBRARY CARDS AND
BORROWING PRIVILEGES
How do I get a Library Card?
To obtain a card, visit in-person any one of the
Brevard County Library locations.
Generally, all you need is proof of residence in Brevard
County . There are library cards for temporary residents,
visiting students and children under 18. A list of
documents accepted as proof of residency can be found
here
as well as the terms for the other cards.
What if I lose my card?
Please let us know right away! Someone with your
card can use it to check out books and never return
them, for which you would be responsible. We charge
$0.50 for a lost card replacement.
May I check out Library materials if I don't have
my card with me?
Yes, if you can provide identification, such as your
driver’s license or State of Florida ID card.
How many items may I check out?
You are limited to 10 media items of each type, except
books. You can check out as many books as you like;
keep in mind, however, that if you have many items
that become overdue, even one day's overdue fines
can become expensive.
How long can I keep borrowed Library materials?
A list of loan periods for all materials can be found
here.
How can I check the status of my library account?
To access your account, click here
and follow the links to check my account
status, place a hold on (reserve) an item, and/or
renew an item.
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RENEWING LIBRARY
MATERIALS
Can Library materials be renewed beyond the initial
loan period?
It depends on the item:
- Stellar Seller items, artwork, audio visual equipment,
and films cannot be renewed.
- Feature film Videocassettes and DVDs: Two (2)
renewals of two (2) days from the date of renewal
may be granted if the material is not in demand
or on reserve.
- All other materials not noted above: Two (2)
renewals of one (1) week from the date of renewal
may be granted if the media is not in demand or
on reserve.
How do I renew the materials I have checked out?
Renewals may be requested in person at any public
library, by telephone, or via the web catalog.
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RETURNING LIBRARY MATERIALS
Do I have to return my materials when the Library
is open?
No. Each library has a book drop that may be used
to return items when the library is closed. Items
returned before the library opens will be considered
returned the previous day, so don’t worry if
you can’t make it by closing time!
Do I have to return my books from where I borrowed
them?
No. Brevard County Libraries uses a courier service
to move materials among libraries, so you can return
items to the most convenient library, regardless of
where they are checked out.
What are the policies regarding fines and other
charges?
Brevard County Libraries fines and fees are set by
resolution of the Board of County Commissioners. For
a current list of fines and fees, click here.
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OUR CATALOG AND
COLLECTION
How do I search your catalog?
The easiest way is to type in a keyword at the Search
Our Catalog box on our home page. Once you are in
the catalog, there is a help button in the left frame
on every page for you to find instructions on using
the catalog.
How do I reserve a title?
Instructions on how to place a hold can be found
here.
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COMPUTERS
What are the policies regarding
accessing the Internet at the Library?
If you are a minor, your parent must sign an Internet
Use permission form to allow you to access the Internet.
Our Internet policy can be found here.
What do I need to do to use a library computer?
All you need to do is check at the closest Reference
or Youth Services Desk for the sign up sheet. Please
be familiar with our Internet Use Policy (see above)
before using our computers. On most PCs, use is limited
to one hour per session during peak usage, or two
hours if there is no waiting list.
If you are a minor, your parent must sign an Internet
Use permission form to allow you to access the Internet.
Does the library have computers I can use to check
my e-mail?
Yes!
Do I need a library card to use the computers?
No. You are welcome to use our computers whether
you are a resident or a visitor.
Can I use my wireless laptop in the library?
Yes! For instructions on how to connect and terms
of use, please go here.
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REFERENCE SERVICES
How can I ask a question?
-
You can call or write your local library. For
contact information, click here.
-
Or, you can use our online, real-time Reference
Services, Ask a Librarian by clicking here.
- Or, you can e-mail your question by clicking here.
Do you have tax forms?
Yes. Libraries receive a supply of free selected
tax forms each year.
If the form you require is not available for free,
you may photocopy or download one at $0.10/page.
Do you have Genealogy books?
- Yes. Several libraries maintain Genealogy collections:
Central Brevard Library and Reference Center , Melbourne
Public Library and Titusville Public Library.
- We also subscribe to the AncestryPlus and HeritageQuest
databases. Click here.
Because of licensing restrictions, the Ancestry Plus
database is only accessible from within your local
Brevard County public library.
- For our list of genealogy web sites for helpful
information, click here.
- You also may want to use our twice-monthly “Chat
with a Genealogist” service, available through
Ask a Librarian. Certified Genealogist, Michael
J. Boonstra, chats the first Thursday, 7 - 8 pm
and the fourth Tuesday, 10 - 11 am . For more information,
click here.
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How do I access your databases from home?
To access Brevard County Libraries databases from
outside the library, you will need to have your library
card handy and click here.
Enter your library card number and your last name.
Then click login.
Please note :
a) Because of licensing restrictions, the Ancestry
Plus database is only accessible from within your
local Brevard County public library.
b) If you have a software firewall running on your
personal computer, you may have to temporarily disable
it in order to access some of these databases.
What if the Library's collection doesn't have
what I'm looking for?
If Brevard County Libraries does not own the material
you are looking for, it may be possible to request
the item through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) from another
library system. Certain items, such as audio-visual
and genealogy materials cannot be requested through
ILL. Contact the reference desk at your local library
to request a loan or for more information. For locations
and contact information, click here.
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How can I request a copy of an obituary that appeared
in your local paper?
Here is the procedure to follow if you wish to request
an obituary from the Brevard County Libraries:
Obituary Research for
Brevard
County
Obituaries for Brevard County may be researched in
a number of ways, depending on the year of death:
- Obituaries from 1999 to present can be searched
online at the Florida Today web site by clicking
here.
(Note: "This link will take you to a
webpage outside of the Brevard County Libraries'
website.)
- Obituaries published in our local newspaper, Florida
Today (which covers all of Brevard County ), may
be searched on microfilm available at the Melbourne
Public Library (1969 to present) and the Central
Brevard Library and Reference Center (1966 to present).
- Earlier years of newspapers on microfilm include:
- East Coast Advocate and Indian River Chronicle
(weekly, 1890-1929) available at the North Brevard
Library.
- Florida Star ( Titusville ) (weekly, 1880-1914)
available at the Central Brevard Library and
Reference Center .
- Cocoa Tribune ( Cocoa ) (1917-67) available
at the Central Brevard Library and Reference
Center .
- Melbourne Times ( Melbourne ) (weekly 1926-1970)
available at the Central Brevard Library and
Reference Center and the Melbourne Public Library.
- Titusville Star Advocate (weekly, 1930-1965)
available at the North Brevard Library.
- Brevard County Libraries subscribe to the Obituaries
and Death Notices database compiled by Newsbank.
This is a national database covering various locations
and time periods. This database is only accessible
from within one of our system libraries.
Obituary Research Tips
- Double-check spelling of the person's name.
- Publication is usually in local newspapers where
the death occurred.
- Publication is usually at the discretion of the
family or funeral home, and publication can be withheld
for a variety of reasons.
- Due to charges, the obituary you are seeking may
not have been published.
- Obituaries are not always posted in newspapers.
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Obituary Research Requests
If you do not live in Brevard County but wish our
library staff to do an obituary search for you, here
is the procedure to follow:
First, check the "Obituary Research in Brevard
County" section (above) to be sure that we have
the appropriate newspaper for your search
If your request fits the location and date ranges
of the newspapers held by the Brevard County Libraries
or available to us via the databases we subscribe
to, send a letter detailing the information you are
seeking to the address below. You must include the
name of the deceased, the city of death, and the date
of death within two weeks.
Our newspapers on microfilm do not have indexes,
and staff cannot conduct an extensive search for you
without this information. Please include a stamped,
self-addressed envelope and $2.00 to cover the cost
of the copies.
Send your letter to:
Central Brevard Library Documents Dept.
308 Forrest Ave.
Cocoa , FL 32922
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MEETING AND STUDY
ROOMS
Do the Libraries have meeting rooms available
for public use?
Meeting rooms are available for use at each county
library for organizations with a civic, cultural,
or educational purpose. Rooms will not be available
for purely social gatherings, commercial ventures,
or partisan political activities. All meetings must
be open to the public within safety limitations as
to the number of persons in the room, as determined
by the Fire Marshall.
How do I reserve a meeting room?
An application for use of the meeting room must
be completed and submitted to the Library Director
prior to use of the library facility. Once completed,
the form must be sent to the Library Director, who
will approve your request, subject to availability
and suitability of the requesting group. Please wait
for confirmation of the meeting room.
For library locations and contact information, click
here.
For the Meeting Room Reservation Procedure, click
here.
Can I reserve a study room?
Most study rooms are on a first come, first served
basis. Contact the library you wish to visit for their
specific policy.
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FISCAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Who governs the Library and is responsible for
making Library policy?
The Brevard County Libraries Board is an advisory
board created by the Board of County Commissioners
under Chapter 70, Section 36 and Chapter 230, Section
52 of the Code of Ordinance of Brevard County, Florida
as set forth in Chapter 72-480, Special Acts of Florida,
1972.
The Board consists of one resident for each of the
County Commission districts. The members are appointed
for a one year period. The Library Services Director
serves as an ex officio member of the Board.
The Board meets the third Wednesday of each month
at 5:00 p.m. at a different member library according
to a schedule approved by the County Library Board.
The Board is authorized to assist and advise the
Board of County Commissioners on the establishment,
operation, and maintenance of the public library services
within the County. They may (1) establish their own
rules and procedures subject to the approval of the
Board of County Commissioners; (See attached By-laws)
(2) make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners
with the Library Services Director regarding the administration
of funds available to the Library System; and, (3)
make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners
regarding standards necessary for the continued establishment,
operations and maintenance of the Library System.
Board approval is necessary for all new positions
requested by the libraries and the budgeting of additional
funds which become available to the Library System.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
How can I contact the Libraries?
For a list of libraries and contact information,
click here.
How can I make a suggestion for purchase?
You can contact the Reference Desk at your local
library.
For a list of libraries and contact information,
click here.
How can I apply for a job at the Library?
Brevard County Government Job Opportunities, including
all positions with Brevard County Libraries are on
the County’s web site Click here.
For the County’s job application, click here.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
How can I donate to the Library?
Donations can be made through your local library
or local Friends of the Library organization. Endowments
can be established or library materials donated in
memory of or in honor of someone.
For a list of libraries and contact information,
click here.
Donations to benefit all Brevard County Libraries
can also be made through the Brevard Library Foundation.
T he Foundation was formed to ensure that our Public
Libraries can not only continue to meet the present
needs of our community, but grow to accept the new
challenges that we will face in the coming years.
Donations to the Library Foundation are tax-deductible
as provided in Section 170 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
For more information about the Brevard Library Foundation,
click here.
Can the library use volunteers?
Sure we can. Many volunteers serve in different
capacities throughout the libraries. Contact your
local library for more information.
For a list of libraries and contact information,
click here.
How does the Library protect my privacy?
Under F.S. 257.261, Library registration and circulation
records are confidential. For text of the statute,
click here.
(Note: This link will take you to a webpage outside
of the Brevard County Libraries' website.)
Be aware, however, that letting someone else use
your card gives them access to your record in our
online catalog.
I can no longer get to the library. Do you have
any services available to allow me to continue using
the library?
Homebound Services is a free service for Brevard
County residents who are homebound or handicapped
and unable to visit the library. Books of your choice
are mailed to your home in regular or large print.
Talking Books, a Subregional Library for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped, provides books and magazines
on audiocassette as well as the equipment needed to
play them.
For more information on these programs, click here.
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