The West Florida Public Library System (WFPL) serves more than 300,000 people in Escambia County. With seven libraries, the WFPL has grown and adapted to meet the changing information needs of our community since its inception in 1938, located at Old Christ Church with just 3,300 books.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A BRIEF SURVEY ABOUT ESCAMBIA COUNTY LIBRARIES.
As libraries connect the local community to a world of information, today the WFPL offers hundreds of thousands of books and audio-visual materials. More than 137,000 people this year already have used the computers and free Internet connections to build their technology skills, research genealogy and job search. More than 1.5 million people visit the WFPL per year and more than 2,700 people each month attend neighborhood meetings, seminars, civic forums and other opportunities to interact and share ideas with their fellow residents at library facilities.
U.S. Impact Study: Library Benefits
Do you know that as a resident of Escambia County you can get a West Florida Public Library System library card free of charge? Your free library card provides visitors services offered at more than $100. The library system has checked out 578,712 items to the residents of Escambia County so far this year alone, such as books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and more, all free of charge with your library card. Your free library card provides visitors services offered at more than $100, which not only includes books, but it allows patrons to access online encyclopedias and databases, attend numerous programs for all ages or use free WiFi and computers. Nearly 12,000 residents each month tap into the Internet on more than 150 WFPL computers.
Not only is the library the greatest resource you have already paid for, it is the smartest card you can have in your wallet.
Since Local Option Sales Tax came in effect, it has funded six new library facilities and a Bookmobile:
- 2004 – Southwest Branch Library
- 2007 – Century Branch Library
- 2008 – Tryon Branch Library
- 2012 – Main Library
- 2012 – Molino Branch Library
- 2014 – Westside Branch Library at Legion Field
Total: $6,739,092
Additionally, Local Option Sales Tax has allowed $875,000 in upgrades to preexisting library facilities:
- Buildings - $209,807
- Radio Frequency ID System - $455,367
- System Software - $209,826
For more information about the West Florida Public Library System or to locate a location and programs near you, visit MyWFPL.com, follow @MyWFPL on Twitter or ‘like’ the West Florida Public Library System on Facebook.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule:
- October 16, 5:30 p.m. at Perdido Bay Community Center, 13660 Innerarity Point Road
- October 20, 5:30 p.m., at Hillcrest Baptist Church (Northwest Hall), 800 Nine Mile Road
- October 23, 5:30 p.m., at Jim Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road
- October 28, 6 p.m., at Pensacola Beach Community Church, 918 Panferio Drive
VIEW A BRIEF VIDEO ABOUT THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX AND THE WEST FLORIDA PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Additional public meetings will be held through November, with the dates announced on this web site, posted to the MyEscambia.com calendar.
For more information, visit MyEscambia.com/community/lost, follow @EscambiaLOST on Twitter for forthcoming information and email [email protected].
