Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court celebrates National Library Week

BRADENTON -- It’s National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide.

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is celebrating National Library Week by inviting Manatee County’s residents and visitors to explore the Manatee County Law Library and the Manatee County Historical Records Library.

”Libraries are the heart of every community and our library helps our community thrive,“ says R.B. ”Chips“ Shore, Clerk & Comptroller. ”In Manatee County, we are very fortunate to have these specialized libraries that set our county apart.“ 

The Manatee County Law Library is a book-oriented, research library containing both Florida and Federal Laws. The Law Library, set up as a Special District by the Florida Legislature, has Florida laws dating from the 1800s to current day and offers free online access to WestLaw. Customers of the Law Library include attorneys, clerks, students and the general public.  

The Manatee County Historical Records Library, located in the 1918 Carnegie Library, offers researchers governmental records dating back to 1858. Deed books, marriage licenses, probate files, court records, County Commission minute books, aerial maps, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, historic maps, plat maps, tax cards, general directories, school yearbooks, school attendance records, voter registration books, and soldiers and sailors discharge books are some of the items that are available to researchers.

In addition, the library houses the Herb Loomis Postcard Collection and the Steve Belack Crosley collection. Both libraries are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. 

For more information, visit the Manatee County Law Library at the Manatee County Judicial Center Room 1101 located at 1051 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton, or call (941) 741-4090. The Manatee County Historical Records Library is located at 1405 Fourth Avenue West in Bradenton. 

About the Clerk’s Office

The Clerk of the Circuit Court was established as a public trustee by the Florida Constitution in 1838. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Clerk of Courts, the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of all County Funds. In Manatee County, the Clerk’s office also administers a child support enforcement program, violence protection advocacy program, Citizens’ Review and Teen Court programs.  Located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in Downtown Bradenton, the Courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please be sure to visit our web site at www.manateeclerk.com.

Christine Clyne is the director of employee/public relations for R.B. "Chips" Shore, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Clyne submitted this press release to The Bradenton Times.