The Marion County Public Library System provides public library services to the residents of Marion County. The Library System is comprised of interdependent libraries and collections designed to make its total resources readily available and accessible to the community.

In 1961 the City of Ocala, Citrus County and Levy County formed the Central Florida Regional Library. The City of Ocala operated and funded virtually all library service in Marion County until 1964 when Marion County, with existing libraries in Belleview and Dunnellon, joined the Library System. Citrus County left the system in 1987. On October 1, 1997 the Marion County Board of County Commissioners became the governing body of the Marion County Public Library System. By interlocal agreement, library personnel continued to be administrated by the City of Ocala until October 1999, when they became County employees. Also in October 1999, the Levy County Board of Commissioners created the independent Levy County Public Library System.

The Marion County Public Library System operations are funded by Marion County ad valorem taxes. The Library System also receives funds from various grants, miscellaneous fines and fees, and an annual State Aid to Libraries grant from the State of Florida.