Editing Polk County, Florida (section)

==Library cooperative==
[[File:Polk County Library Co Op Video.webm|thumbtime=3|thumb|right |Coordinator of Library Co-Op discusses outreach services provided by the public library system.]]
The Polk County Library Cooperative was formed October 1, 1997, through an interlocal agreement between the 13 municipalities with public libraries and the board of county commissioners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20060410/News/608103692|title=Polk County Library Cooperative Coordinator Now Has Full-Time Job|first=Carol|last=Schmidt|website=The Ledger}}</ref> The cooperative enables the city-owned and -operated public libraries to open their doors to all residents of the county, including those in the unincorporated areas.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.mypclc.org/about-us|title=About Us - Polk County Library Cooperative|website=www.mypclc.org}}</ref>

===Interlibrary Loan===
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) offers library patrons the opportunity to request and receive books that are not owned by the [[Winter Haven Public Library]]. Through ILL, not only do patrons have access to the circulating book collections of all the library systems in Polk County, but also all of the library systems in Florida, as well as universities and public library systems throughout the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/services.html|title=Library Services|website=whpl.mywinterhaven.com|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310080601/http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/services.html|archive-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cooperative member libraries===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [http://www.auburndalefl.com/library/ Auburndale Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityofbartow.net/departments-services/library Bartow Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://townofdundee.com/our-community/libraries/ Dundee Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://pclc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/testhomepclc/?rm=EAGLE+LAKE0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue Eagle Lake Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.cityoffortmeade.com/departments/library.php Fort Meade Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityoffrostproof.com/around-the-city/library/ Latt Maxcy Memorial Library]<ref name="History" />
|
* [https://hainescity.com/171/Library Haines City Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.mylakealfred.com/193/Public-Library Lake Alfred Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://www.cityoflakewales.com/976/Library Lake Wales Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Lakeland Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Lakeland Main] (Downtown)<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx Larry R. Jackson Branch] (North Lakeland)<ref name="History" />
|
* [http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Home.aspx eLibrary] (South Lakeland) a joint project between City of Lakeland and Library Cooperative<ref name="History" />
* [http://www.mulberrylibrary.com/ Mulberry Public Library]<ref name="History" />
* [https://mypolkcity.org/departments/administration/library/ Polk City Community Library]<ref name="History" />
* [http://whpl.mywinterhaven.com/ Winter Haven Public Library], Kathryn L. Smith Memorial<ref name="History" />
* [https://pclc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/testhomepclc/?rm=BARTOW+-+COUNT0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue Justice Stephen H. Grimes Law Library] (County operated non-circulating special collection)<ref name="History" />
|}

===Services===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* Provides the structure for members to give seamless countywide library services<ref name="History" />
* Coordinates activities, information and funding for member libraries<ref name="History" />
* Facilitates Interlibrary Loans<ref name="History" />
* Delivers materials between member libraries five days a week<ref name="History" />
|
* Operates a Wide Area Network linking all member libraries to shared resources and services<ref name="History" />
* Provides e-mail to and designs/houses web pages for members<ref name="History" />
* Manages e-rate program for members<ref name="History" />
* Synchronizes continuing education and staff development opportunities for members<ref name="History" />
|}

===Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library===
====History====
[[File:Polk County History Center.jpg|alt=Large, white government building photographed from across the street|thumb|291x291px|Polk County History Center where the Genealogical Library is located.]]
The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library was established in 1937, and opened to the public in January 1940. The library was first located in the office of the county attorney and its holdings were all housed in a metal bookcase. Since then, the library has been housed in several different locations within the old Polk County Courthouse. In 1968, the library hired its first full-time employee. By 1974, the library added a second employee and was moved to a new location on Hendry Street. In 1987, the library relocated back to the 1908 Courthouse.

It was renovated during a 10-year process that included expansion to take over and adapt all three floors of the eastern wing of the courthouse. As of 2013, the library is located in the east wing of the historical courthouse in Bartow. It is governed by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and administered by the Neighborhood Services Department and the Leisure Services Division. The library holds one of the largest genealogical and historical collections in the Southeastern United States.<ref name="About Us">{{cite web
| url = http://library.mypclc.org/historical/about-us
| title = About Us
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Library Cooperative
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131027132431/http://library.mypclc.org/historical/about-us
| archive-date = October 27, 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

====Collections and services====

The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library holds more than 40,000 items in its collection, which includes books, microfilm, and periodicals with information about the history and genealogy of the entire Eastern United States. The selection of materials related to the history of Polk County contains local newspapers dated back to 1881, aerial photography to 1938, city directories to 1925 and property tax rolls to 1882. Four full-time staff members are available for assistance at the library. The library also offers local obituary searches and basic looks-ups via email.<ref name="Overview">{{cite web
| url = http://library.mypclc.org/historical/collections-and-services
| title = Overview
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Library Cooperative
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120826140435/http://library.mypclc.org/historical/collections-and-services
| archive-date = August 26, 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="Historical and Genealogical Library">{{cite web
| url = http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=52&nav=res&id=4358
| title = Historical and Genealogical Library
| access-date = August 9, 2013
| publisher = Polk County Board of County Commissioners
}}</ref>