About Us

About Us

The Florence Library houses approximately 10,000 items in our collection. Special sections include Texas fiction for children and adults, Texas non-fiction, and a growing collection of Spanish language titles for adults and children.  Local archival records are also on file.

There are four public computer stations, one iPad, one Chromebook, two children’s Kindle tablets, seven children’s Kindles and free wi-fi service at the Library. The tablets and Chromebook are available for Florence Library card holders and are for library use only.

Library Cards

Library cards are free to Florence residents with a valid form of identification and proof of residence. Check-out time is 3 weeks for all materials except DVDs, which are checked-out for 7 days. New patrons are limited to three items checked out on the first visit.
Books may be renewed by phone or online by logging into your account at the top right side of the catalog page. Enter your library card number and PIN (your phone number). You can renew your materials by clicking on My Account.

Using a TexShare card from another library to obtain a Florence Public Library card

Out of town patrons can obtain a Florence Public Library card by presenting a valid TexShare card (obtained from the patron’s home library) at the circulation desk. You will need to present a valid ID when applying for a card. TexShare card visitors cannot check out DVDs, tablets, Kindles and Book/Audio combos (Vox books). Checkouts are limited to three books.

TexShare Cards

After you have been a member of the Florence Public Library for three months, and are in good standing, you are eligible to receive a TexShare card, which gives you borrowing privileges at many public and academic libraries in Texas.  Nearby libraries that participate in this program include Temple Public Library, the Lena Armstrong Public Library in Belton, Southwestern University, Georgetown Public Library, Round Rock Public Library, and UT-Austin.  Your TexShare card must be renewed annually.  Ask at the circulation desk for more information.

Updated Prices, beginning October 1, 2022: Copy, Print, Scan and Fax Services

Prints from computer terminals and copies are 0.20/pg.
Scans – $1.00/ page
Incoming and outgoing fax services – First page $1.00, additional pages .50/pg.

Copyright Restrictions

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of copyright laws (Title 17, U. S. Code). Do not copy, download, or distribute copyright-protected materials, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use,” without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Privacy Statement

The Florence Public Library is committed to the protection of all Library customers’ rights to privacy in the use of Library resources and discloses customer information to the customer only. Library records will only be disclosed under court order, subpoena, or warrant as outlined in the state statute, Texas Government Code, Section 552.124.

Library Collection Policy

Mission

The mission of the Florence Public Library is to provide a place to learn, connect and create by promoting open access to reading, intellectual, and informational resources that will enrich and enlighten all segments of the community.
The Florence Public Library accomplishes our mission by providing a diverse collection of books and other materials, programs and services, including electronic information sources.

Purpose

The Collection Development Policy provides our community with an understanding of the purpose and nature of the Library’s collection. It also serves as guidance for the staff in the Library’s work with the collection, including selection, evaluation, weeding, donations, and preservation.

Florence Public Library’s Collection Development Goals

  • To select, acquire and maintain a sufficient and balanced collection of materials and electronic resources to meet the needs, values and interests of the community.
  • To support the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement. All can be found the American Library Association website: www.ala.org.

Responsibility for Selection

The final responsibility for selection and placement of materials resides with the Library Director, who strives to provide the most varied collection possible within financial and practical limitations.

Objectives of Selection

To assure the library is a place where information, ideas, and resources are available to all patrons, the following selection objectives are adopted:

  • To provide materials that enrich and support the personal needs of users while taking into consideration their varied interests, abilities, and learning styles.
  • To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.
  • To provide a background of information which will enable patrons to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
  • To provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that no one viewpoint is unduly represented.
  • To place principle about personal opinion and reason above prejudice in selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users.

Criteria for Selection

Selection of books or other library material shall be made on the basis of the material’s value of interest, information, and enlightenment to any members of the community. No book or library material shall be excluded because of the race, gender, nationality, political or social views of the author. The Florence Public Library upholds the principle that censorship is largely an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject for oneself books which do not meet with the individual’s approval, one cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom to read of others except where the law has determined that the material is pornographic or illegal and may be restricted from public viewing.

Guidelines for Evaluation and Selection of Resources

  • Materials should be relevant to today’s world, reflecting problems, aspirations, attitudes, and ideals of society.
  • Materials should be needed and of value to the collection.
  • Materials should be representative of differing viewpoints on controversial subjects.
  • Materials should be representative of artistic, historic, and literary qualities or significance of author or producer.
  • Material should be clear and accurate.
  • Materials should be of quality format and value, commensurate with cost and/or need.

Policy for Selection

In selecting materials, the librarian will:

  • Evaluate the existing collection.
  • Assess space and budgetary concerns.
  • Examine materials for literary, artistic, political, educational, social, or scientific value.
  • Consult reputable, professionally-prepared selection aids.
  • Solicit and consider recommendations for acquisitions from patrons.
  • Judge gift materials by the same selection criteria as new materials. Consider a) local interest or popular demand and b) compatibility with current resources and equipment.
  • Give preference to hardback or library bound formats for most collections and where possible.

Reconsideration of Library Materials

The staff at the Florence Public Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding materials in the collection. In the event materials are questioned, the principles of intellectual freedom and the right to access materials must be defended rather than the materials.

If a complaint is made, the following procedure shall be followed. Complaints may only be filed by current cardholders of the Florence Public Library.

The Library Director will inform the complainant of the selection policy and the procedure for questioning materials. Staff will provide the complainant with a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form to be completed in full and submitted to the Library Director. The Library Director will inform the Review Committee of the complaint.

The Florence Public Library will keep challenged materials on the library shelves during the reconsideration process. Upon receipt of the completed complaint form, the Library Director will request a review of the challenged material by the Library Director and the Library Board of Directors within twenty (20) working days. The Review Committee shall consist of the Library Director and two current Library Board members to be determined on a volunteer, rotating basis.

The Review Committee takes the following steps after receiving the challenged materials:

  1. Reads, views, or listens to the entire material.
  2. Consults reviews and recommended lists.
  3. Determines the extent to which the material meets the selection criteria.
  4. Determines the extent to which the material is subject to deselection.
  5. Judges the material for its strength and value as a whole and not in part.
  6. Makes a recommendation as to whether the material should be retained as part of the library collection.

The Library Director will inform the complainant in writing of the decision made by the Review Committee. Challenged materials will be retained or withdrawn as mandated by the decision of the Review Committee. An item is only evaluated for reconsideration once in a twelve-month period.

Copies of the Request for Reconsideration Form are available at the Library’s Circulation Desk.

1-254-793-2672  *  fax 1-254-793-2102  *  207 E. Main St., Florence, TX 76527  *  library@florencetex.com

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 430, Florence, TX 76527

Patron Code of Conduct

All patrons, regardless of age, are expected to follow the Patron Code of Conduct. It applies everywhere the Library provides service: on all Library property, through our website or social media, and by phone, chat, or email.
Parents and guardians are responsible for their child’s personal safety and behavior at all times.

Library patrons are expected to:

  • Be safe
  • Be respectful of other patrons and library staff
  • Be respectful of library property
  • Obey the law
  • Comply with requests from library staff

Library staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with this and any other established Florence Public Library policies could result in restriction of library privileges, immediate removal from the premises or exclusion from the library for a period of one day to one year, or in arrest or prosecution.