The Escambia County Budget
This is your window into Escambia County's budget and finances. Use the tools below to learn about the County's unique budget process, view our most frequently asked questions, and explore all of the County's financial information - online, anytime.
Library Services
Mission Statement
Engage all community members in meaningful exploration, learning, and fun by providing equitable access to a wide range of resources, programs, equipment, and services.
Vision
Be the welcoming heart of our diverse community where all come to learn, discover, create, and connect.
Objectives / Priorities
Lifelong Learning
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Highlight programming that assists in expanding literacy
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Continue to expand services for children (and families) to help improve overall school readiness in Escambia County
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Equity of access to educational resources and training on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) topics
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Partner with local groups and businesses to increase awareness of library resources and activities for all age groups
- Continue enhancing and expanding services tailored to the needs and interests of the senior population
Fiscal Responsibility
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Maintain efficient and effective budgeting while supporting robust print and digital collections
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Continue to capitalize on alternative revenue sources such as grants, book sales, etc.
Customer Service
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Enhance citizen-centric service delivery to meet the evolving needs of the community
- Continue to offer dedicated service hours to enhance accessibility for neurodivergent individuals and better accommodate their specific needs
Goals
West Florida Public Libraries’ goal is to be the third most popular destination for citizens after work and home. WFPL encompasses the role of a public library system, technology resource center, and community gathering spot. WFPL serves to equalize access to information and to help develop the literacy skills needed to utilize it.
Accomplishments
- Established Sensory Service Saturdays: Designated two hours before regular operating hours to provide a safe, welcoming environment for neurodivergent individuals, those with special needs, and their families
- Launched Studio 1559 at Pensacola Library: Introduced a community art studio offering painting classes for all ages. Future expansions will include pottery, ceramics, and glass fusion. Notably, we offer the only stained-glass classes in the region
- Completed Renovations at Pensacola Library: The former picture book room was transformed into a dedicated Fiber Arts space, where patrons now receive personalized instruction in sewing, embroidery, and quilting
- Established Makerspace at Westside Library: Transformed the facility into a fully equipped Makerspace, providing hands-on training and instructional classes in CNC routing and laser cutting, supported by skilled onsite staff and overseen by a branch manager with an engineering degree
- Migrated to a New Library Service Platform: Transitioned to an updated system to improve user experience and streamline library operations
- Opened Brownsville Library (Spring 2025): Officially launched a new library branch featuring a senior center, ensuring area seniors can live, laugh, and learn together
- Installed Library Express Vending Machine at Brownsville Library: Enhanced access to library materials through a convenient, self-service kiosk
- Upgraded Bellview Library’s STEM Room: Transformed the STEM space into a high-performance graphic design studio equipped with new computers supporting software such as Blender, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Hero Forge
- Expanded Summer Meal Program: Our ongoing collaboration with Feeding the Gulf Coast continues to deliver thousands of meals to children during summer months when school-provided meals are unavailable
Performance Measures
|
FY 2022/2023 Actual |
FY 2023/2024 Actual |
FY 2024/2025 Estimate |
FY 2025/2026 Estimate |
|
| Number of Total Items Circulated |
771,087 |
931,093 |
1,188,000 |
1,296,307 |
| Number of Total Library Facility Visits |
281,830 |
390,000 |
436,084 |
504,627 |
| Number of Total Public Computer Uses |
68,026 |
64,681 |
61,768 |
59,172 |
| Number of Total Wi-Fi Uses |
161,485 |
102,062 |
100,491 |
89,502 |
| Number of Total Library Program Attendance |
49,724 |
52,771 |
100,030 |
126,026 |
| Number of Totals |
1,556 |
1,640 |
3,964 |
5,324 |
Benchmarking
| Escambia County | Florida Average | |
| Average Circulations per Library Card Holder | 15 | 8 |
Funding Priorities
| Major Issues Funded | Amount |
| Library Materials (i.e, books, DVDs, and other physical items for all libraries) | $900,000 |
| eResources (i.e., ebooks, eAudiobooks, ePicturebooks, eMagazines, etc.) | $925,000 |