State Library of Florida Holiday Book Drive

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

The Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, State Library of Florida is pleased to announce its first ever Holiday Book Drive in partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida State Hospital. All books received through the drive will be distributed to libraries within correctional facilities throughout the state, as well as to the library within the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee.

“Book donations received through the State Library’s Holiday Book Drive will make a positive impact on the lives of Floridians statewide,” said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. “The State Library is honored to collaborate with the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Children and Families on this invaluable program.”

“Expanding access to education is a priority for our agency and we appreciate the State Library’s longstanding commitment towards that goal,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “We are pleased to join this interagency partnership.”

“We’re grateful for the State Library for providing books for our patients at Florida State Hospital,” said Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “Part of the rehabilitation process includes enrichment activities, and we are happy that our patients have additional literary options at their disposal.”

Genres commonly requested by patrons of these libraries include popular fiction, fantasy, sci-fi and western. Young adult fiction, graphic novels and comic books are also in demand. Publications relating to health and fitness and career skills are in need, as are books written in Spanish and large print.

Book donations will be collected via a drop box in the main lobby of the R.A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough St. in Tallahassee, Florida. The lobby will be open for book donations from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information about the drive, please visit info.florida.gov/holiday-book-drive or contact the State Library at [email protected] or 850.245.6682.

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About the Division of Library and Information Services

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services is the designated information resource provider for the Florida Legislature and all state agencies. The Division coordinates and helps fund activities of public libraries; provides a framework for statewide library initiatives; provides archival and records management services; and preserves, collects and makes available the published and unpublished documentary history of the state. Working in partnership with citizens, state employees, librarians, archivists and records managers, the Division seeks to ensure access to materials and information that benefit all of the people of Florida. For more information, visit info.florida.gov.