Answered By: Cathay
Last Updated: Sep 04, 2024     Views: 3822

There are a couple of options for non-residents to be able to get a Sarasota County Library card:

1. Non-Resident Card

Non-residents not on this list may fill out an application (English or Espanol) to purchase a non-resident library card. Non-residents who cannot get to a Sarasota County Library branch in person may opt to meet with us using our Video Chat for Library Card option.  Here's a link to that appointment request form.

The fees for non-resident library cards are non-refundable. They are:

  • $15 for a three-month card
  • $25 for a six-month card
  • $40 for a yearly / twelve-month card
  • $80 for a two-year card

Non-resident cards offer the same library privileges as Sarasota County resident cards.  

Ask Us Video Chat for a Library Card option!  If you are unable to come into a library in person, you may be interested in requesting a video chat appointment for a new Non-Resident library card.  Information is linked here.

2. Reciprocal Borrowers

Residents of several nearby /Florida counties may apply for Sarasota County Library cards as reciprocal borroTwo example library cards. One blue with a child's drawing of the library and the other red. wers.  Just present your current home library card, a photo ID, with proof of home address.

Reciprocal borrowing allows patrons to check out physical materials and place holds on materials free of charge. Borrowing privileges do not include Sarasota County Library's online resources: databases, eBooks, and eAudiobooks. For database and e-material access, a non-resident card may be purchased for a fee (see above).

You must have a valid library card from one of the following libraries to be eligible for reciprocal borrowing:

Winter Haven Public Library

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Note that the "Digital Library Card" is a temporary, 30-day card that provides online access only.  It's considered a way to help our new community members to get online access while settling in.  This gives time to get to one of the 10 Sarasota County Public Libraries to get a regular card.  Click here for information about how to get a regular library card with Sarasota County.

 

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Comments (2)

  1. Manatee county libraries allow free library cards for individuals who are not Manatee county residents as long as they can demonstrate that they work in Manatee county. Has there been any consideration on the part of Sarasota libraries of reciprocating this benefit, to avoid the need for Manatee county residents to pay the 40 dollar fee for an out of county library card?
    by Chris Manatee on Mar 08, 2023
  2. Hi Chris - thank you so much for your question. I wanted to check in with Sarasota County Library Administration to see if there was some additional and/or historical information to share in response to your question. Sarasota County allows those who work for the County and/or live at least 6 months within the County's boundaries (tax payer base) to have the benefit of a regular card. Outside of that, access to a regular card (for ebooks, for example) is restricted. Simply put, these perimeters are usually set by County in Florida mainly due to the contractual limitations from ebook vendors. You are right that a regular non-resident card is $40 - and that gives patrons full access to all of the online and physical items. Our collection of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks through cloudLibrary includes over 750,000 items, so there's plenty to choose from. Hoopla is another ebook/audiobook resource, but also includes streaming movies and music. Flipster has dozens of popular magazines, such as Consumer Reports, at your fingertips. These resources (and more) really give patrons a bang for the buck! We hope this helps to address the reasons why there is the non-resident card fee and how our reciprocal borrowing arrangement works. We truly appreciate your interest! Thank you again for asking!
    by Cathay on Mar 16, 2023

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