Hillsborough libraries offer passport screenings, applications
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT
For those who need a new passport or want to renew an old one, go no further than Bloomingdale Public Library.
The library is now one of two in Hillsborough County that offers passport screening and applications. And it may just bring in a small windfall for the book depository.
Candy Granda, public service regional manager for Hillsborough County Library Services, began working on the project more than a year ago after Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s office contacted the county asking if they’d be willing to take on the task.
Of course, many U.S. Postal Service offices also offer passport services but now people have two more options. And if business picks up, Granda hopes to expand the program.
County spokeswoman Michelle VanDyke said Granda has been “a pivotal person in setting up the passport acceptance program and has worked very hard on the project.”
“Over a year ago, our library director was contacted by Kathy Castor’s office to see if the library would accept passport applications for the for U.S. Dept of State,” Granda said. “There are four other library systems in the state that do it. We reached out to them to learn more. Some are making a tremendous amount of money doing it. It’s a tremendous need in the community.”
Granda and another librarian looked at other locations currently offering it and their hours of service and decided to start it as a pilot with two libraries here — one large and one small — and both spots that are not near facilities offering the same service.
In addition to Bloomingdale, the Port Tampa City Library in South Tampa is also offering the passport service.
Both branches offer passport services from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, while the post office offers the services from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The service is also offered on Saturdays at the libraries from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The service started on July 7. “We didn’t have any people at Bloomingdale Library, but five showed up at the Port Tampa City Library,” Granda said.
For its part, the library will collect a $35 execution fee, with the price determined by the Department of State. “We accept that $35 per application. So, for a family of four that’s $140 and that money goes straight to the library. The passport fee is paid separately and that goes with the application the Department of State when we send it in,” Granda said.
“We are hoping it will really take off and get us a good little supplement,” she said. For now, the extra money is not earmarked for any specific need. “Initially, I believe it will help cover the staffing to do it. It’s staff intensive because we have to go over each application, verify identification and birth certificates and proof of citizenship.”
So far, the library system has trained about 25 people in how to do the applications. Each will probably spend about one day a quarter handling the passport applications.
“I know the people that came were very excited and grateful to be able to go to the library,” Granda said. “We are definitely looking into expanding it in the future to most of the regional libraries or locations that don’t have a passport facility nearby.”
As an added bonus, those visiting www.hcplc.org can also get a check list on what to bring for the application process and get links to travel resources and translating languages.