Any member of the Sun City Center Community Association, Ashton Gardens and Freedom Plaza may register at the library by presenting their CA membership ID. Residents of Kings Point may also join by paying a $24 annual membership fee, payable January 1 of each year.
The collection includes the newest best sellers and the latest movie releases. Our catalog is now available from home. To reserve a book or check on your account, click on the link below.
Internet access and wireless internet are available and the bookstore has some great bargains.
A brief history of the library:
In 1963, Erma Krauch, a charter member of the Woman’s Club, donated 500 books which served as the beginning of the Sun City Center Library. The original collection and later additions were housed in the arts-and-crafts building in a library room where shelves had been constructed. In 1980, the WG Development Corporation donated a model home that was moved to its present location at 1011 N. Pebble Beach Blvd. which became the present library.
A historical record of the community compiled by the late Dorothy Meloy, a former Community Association president and Historical Society member, states that Beulah Evans was employed as the first librarian in March 1963, a position she kept until 1982 when the post was assumed by Velma Laughlin.
Library Facts
Hours of operation:
Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 813-634-1315
Access: The library’s 32,000 items are now available online through the catalog link listed above. Reserve the latest bestseller, renew items or check your patron account. When your items are available, we will call or email you for pickup.
Membership: The library has approximately 5,500 active patrons who checked out 43,000 items in 2022. The library is open to members of the Sun City Center Community Association including The Courtyards, Ashton Gardens and Freedom Plaza. Kings Point residents are welcome to join the library for a $24 annual membership fee.
Our collection: The library purchases the newest best-selling books, large print books, newly released DVDs and books on CD. In addition to purchased items, the library maintains audio CD, paperback and puzzle collections comprised 100% donations. Donations also make up roughly 30% of all other collections.
Funding: The library is a privately funded library supported by SCC Community Association dues, membership fees and contributions from residents, businesses and organizations. Building maintenance is provided by the Community Association staff.
Hillsborough County Partnership: In addition to the SCC library’s collection, the Community Association enjoys a partnership with the Hillsborough County Library System that enables residents to order materials from its collection. Items are delivered to the SCC Library for pickup. SCC Library members may apply for a Hillsborough County Library card at the Sun City Center Library. In addition, Hillsborough County provides two catalog computers where you may reserve items or access their online databases such as the World Book Online Reference Center, Reference USA and Mergent Online. Their web address is: www.hcplc.org.
Internet Access: Hillsborough County Library provides the internet connection and wireless internet access for patrons with their own laptops. The circulation, catalog and internet computers are also provided curtesy of the county.
Returns: During regular business hours please return all items inside the library. During off hours, there is a book drop located to the right of the main doors for your convenience.
Reading room: Need to have a quiet place to read or to study? The reference room is a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby. Our reference department provides a variety of magazines, the Wall Street Journal and The Tampa Bay Times in addition to other print reference materials. There are also two low sight magnifier readers available.
Staff: The library has 1 full time and 3 part time staff members. In addition, there are 40 volunteers who generously donate their time to help make the library a fine asset to the community. If you are interested in becoming a library volunteer, please contact the Library Administrator.
Homebound Service: A recently added program is home delivery for members of the Community Association who cannot visit the library due to health or transportation problems. Volunteers will help them with selections and call on them as arranged. Call the library for more details.
Donated Items: The library is happy to accept donated items in excellent condition. We regret that we cannot accept items that smell of mildew or mold because of the threat they pose to the rest of our collection, not to mention the allergens they bring into the building. It would be appreciated if donated items are not placed in the book drop but brought in during regular business hours if possible. Books and other donated items are either added to the collection or sold in the bookstore or at the annual book sale.
Book Sales: Another feature of the library is its annual book sale now held in January, which is open to the general public. It is a great opportunity to buy books at bargain prices. In addition, a book sale room located in the library is open all year.