Reference collections are available at each library location. The regional libraries (Headquarters, Naples Regional, and South Regional) maintain reference librarians on staff during all hours of operation.

To speak directly with a reference librarian at the Headquarters Library, call 593-0177. To speak directly with a reference librarian at the Naples Regional Library, call 263-7768. To speak directly with a reference librarian at the South Regional Library call 252-7577.

Ask A Librarian
Additionally, you may contact a reference librarian in the state of Florida via the web with live chat using the statewide Ask A Librarian service. E-mail requests for information submitted via Ask A Librarian will be handled by CCPL reference librarians. Please use the service for informational queries that do not require quick turn-around or are readily answered with a phone call to the Library.

Card-holders may borrow materials not owned by the Collier County Public Library by using our InterLibrary Loan service. See the InterLibrary Loan page.

The Library maintains a Genealogy Room in the Naples Regional Library, staffed by volunteers. A schedule of volunteer availability is posted in the Room. In addition to the Library's non-circulating collection of genealogy books and periodicals, the Genealogy page on the Library's website includes links for accessing online subscription databases and recommended genealogy websites.

The Library maintains an online index to obituaries appearing in the Naples Daily News and corresponding to microfilm of the newspaper. (Microfilm was not produced after January 2008). Additional obituary finding resources are available on the Genealogy page.

Naples Daily News Obituary Service
The Naples Regional Library Reference Department processes requests for copies of obituaries and death notices from our microfilm collection of Naples area newspapers. The microfilm covers the years of 1927-36, and 1947-01/2008 (some years are partial). For years not covered by these dates, the Library will be unable to provide an obituary/death notice.

For obituary requests, the following applies:
If the death occurred during the years 1927 through January 2008 (excluding the years for which no microfilm is available), a search may be performed using our online Obituary Index.

The requester of an obituary notice must provide the reference staff with the subject's name. Include the subject's full name (if the subject is female, please include her first name, i.e. Mrs. Jane Doe, not Mrs. John Doe). Include your name, a contact phone number, and your mailing address. Please allow one week's searching time per subject.

Obituary requests are researched free of charge, and one hard copy of the obituary will be made for you free of charge. However, in order to send a hard copy of the obituary to you via postal mail, we ask that you provide us with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, mailed to the Reference Department at the following address:

Obituary Request, Naples Regional Library, Reference Dept., 650 Central Ave., Naples, FL, 34102; or by e-mail to DL-Library-Obituaries@colliergov.net.

Naples Daily News Obituary Index
The index contains listings extracted from the microfilmed issues of: Collier County News (a weekly published every Thursday), for the dates July 28, 1927-1936, and November 7, 1947-1966; Naples Collier County Daily News (published five days each week, with Monday and Saturday excluded), for the dates January 1, 1967-December 31, 1976; and Naples Daily News (1977 through January 2008).

Production of the microfilm reels of Naples Daily News backfiles covered by the index ceased with January 2008 issues. Microfilm is the Genealogy Room of the Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Avenue, Naples, FL. Microform reader/printers available for use.

Mail-a-Book is a free service to residents of Collier County who are physically unable to come to the Library and select their own materials.

Residents of any age who are homebound, and those who have disabilities, qualify for this program. Patrons may request items by phone, mail, or email. Library materials are mailed in nylon bags and must be returned to the Library by mail (postage-free labels are provided). Books, large print books, paperbacks, audio and music CDs, MP3 pre-loaded audiobooks, and videos (DVD) are available.

For more information, or to register for Mail A Book services, please contact staff at the Naples Regional Library at (239) 263-7768.

Information about the federally funded Florida Division of Blind Services, Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services is also available from this office.

Senior Services Activity Directors Support
Library programming news and special notices are communicated to all Senior Services Activity Directors in Collier County. Activity Directors are introduced to the variety of programs the Library provides for challenged patrons and other services available locally and nationally. Library materials, programming, and expertise in planning and implementing special programs are offered to all professionals who provide programming for special populations in our community. For information, contact the program via e-mail.

Institutional settings support
The Mail A Book Services office helps to maintain limited book collections in institutional settings, including jails and educational facilities serving special members of our Collier County community. Materials are provided to the Naples and Immokalee Jail Centers which maintain depository collections with the Library, Naples Detention Center which receives academic and recreational titles for its detainees, The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County which receives donations for its campus Library, and The Shelter for Abused Women & Children of Collier County which receives reading materials for its waiting rooms. For information, contact the program via e-mail.