Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System

The Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System (THPL) is a public library system based in Hillsborough County, Florida. The State Library of Florida is the main library source for Government of Florida as well as governs a large portion of Florida's public and private libraries.[1] THPL is part of two larger library networks, the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, which also includes Temple Terrace Public Library in Temple Terrace, Florida, and Bruton Memorial Library in Plant City, Florida.[2] There are 25 branches of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Library System, not including digital-only and mobile-only services. Services provided by the THPL include (but are in no way limited to) internet access, public meeting room spaces, interlibrary loans, a Bookmobile, a Cybermobile for Spanish speakers, technology classes, adult literacy programs, and downloadable eBooks. Drive-thru windows for returns and hold pick-ups are located at the Jimmie B. Keel and the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Libraries.[3] In 2017, THPL introduced the new HAAL Pass, which gives access to certain library resources to all students in the Hillsborough County Public Schools System.[4] Students use their student ID number to use different online databases, borrow up to three physical items and read eBooks. The Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System is also a part of Hillsborough County government.[5]

History

The Old Tampa Free Public Library was one of the first of only ten public libraries in Florida to receive a grant from Andrew Carnegie in order to construct and establish public community libraries.[6] During the beginning of the 20th century, the society editor of the Tampa Tribune, Louise Frances Dodge, initiated the grab for the Carnegie funding for a library in Tampa in 1905. After much debate regarding Carnegie's "tainted money," Tampa was finally awarded with a $25,000 grant in 1912. In 1913, it was increased to $50,000. That same year, the city of West Tampa also expressed interest in establishing a public library and was awarded a separate Carnegie grant of $17,500.[7] After another lengthy debate about location, the Old Tampa Free Public Library (also known as the Exceptional Children Education Center) was erected at 102 E. Seventh Avenue and completed June 30, 1915.[8] However, due to the refusal of Tampa's city council to fund the new library, it was not immediately available to the public. Eventually they allocated $10,000 per year to the library and it opened April 27, 1917 with only 3,800 books, donated by Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Lothridge.[9] The building at 102 E. Seventh Avenue served as Tampa's main library building from the day it opened until 1968. It is now home to the City of Tampa's Community Affairs Department.[10] West Tampa opened their library at 1718 North Howard Avenue. It is now located at 2312 W Union Street.[11]

By 1925, Tampa's public library network had four branches. The City of Tampa annexed West Tampa that year and absorbed their library, the West Tampa Free Public Library (previously a stand-alone entity), into the library system. As Hillsborough county continued to grow throughout the 20th century, the need for libraries further and further away increased. In 1961, the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County contractually consolidated their libraries and (with the exception of Temple Terrace and Bruton Memorial, which remain separate agencies) the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System was born. On September 1, 1999, the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) was first introduced as a way for patrons to access materials and programs from other libraries in the library system.[12] The library system currently circulates 3.5 million physical items and 2.3 million virtual items annually.[13] A 2013 study done by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services determined that Florida libraries return $10.18 in value to the community for every dollar it spends.[14]

Directors

There have been a total of seven directors of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System since it was founded in 1917. Most recently, Andrew S. Breidenbaugh was named director in February 2015.[15]

  • Andrew S. Breidenbaugh (2015–Present)
  • Joe Stines (1991 - 2015)
  • John M. Adams (1983 - 1991)
  • Leo H. Melrose Sr. (1972 - 1982)
  • Cecil P. Beach (1965 - 1972)
  • William S. Frieze (1947 - 1965)
  • Helen V. Stelle (1917 - 1947)[16]

Special Collections

The Hillsborough County Public Library System possesses many collections unique to the cultural heritage of Tampa Bay. The Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection shows the expansion of Florida from the late 1800s to the early 1960s, specifically social and residential growth during that time period.[17] The images highlight the unique parts of Tampa, from the sponge fisherman and cigar cities to the strawberry farms and tourists. The physical collection is located at the John F. Germany branch, but the images are available online.[18]

Along with the Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection, the library system also possesses the Hillsborough Remembers Oral Collection, which strives to foster communication between generations in the Tampa Bay community.[19]

In honor of the library's 100th anniversary, special digital collections were made available to the public in 2014. These collections include the Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection, Library History Collection, Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library Art and Artifact Collection, and the History & Genealogy Records of Hillsborough County.[20]

Additionally, the Port Tampa Library houses the library's Maritime Reading Room, a collection of books, maps, and maritime artifacts. It includes memorabilia and paintings that are on display as well as material that can be checked out by library patrons.[21]

The Hive

The Hive is a makerspace[22] which offers a variety of services to the patrons of the Tampa-Hillsborough library system. You need a library card from Hillsborough county to make use of the services. Services for The Hive can be found at John F. Germany Public Library, Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, New Tampa Regional Library, Seminole Heights Branch Library, SouthShore Regional Library, Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library.

Mission Statement

The Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System promotes lifelong learning, an informed citizenry, individual intellectual freedom, enhanced quality of life and broadened horizons for all residents of Hillsborough County.[23]

Historical Libraries in Tampa

Branches

78th Street Community Library

78th Street Community Library
General information
Location Tampa, Florida
Address 7625 Palm River Rd.
Coordinates 27°56′25″N 82°22′18″W / 27.940388°N 82.371586°W / 27.940388; -82.371586Coordinates: 27°56′25″N 82°22′18″W / 27.940388°N 82.371586°W / 27.940388; -82.371586
Opened 1997
Website
http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/sst/

The 78th Street Community Library is part of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System (THPL) and the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC). The library is a 8,000 sq. ft. facility located at 7625 Palm River Rd. in Tampa, Florida. The library provides books, magazines, music CDs and DVDs as well as programs and computer training classes.

Services

  • Internet Access
  • Free Wireless (WiFi)
  • Community Meeting Room
  • Public Study Rooms
  • Free Scanning

Public Art

The library's interior contains a special public art piece titled The Knowledge Path,[25] which was donated by the residents of Clair-Mel, Palm River, and Progress Village communities. The residents believed that "path" where the books are joined, connects the community.

Charles J. Fendig Public Library

The Charles J. Fendig Public Library, is a public library in the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System located in South Tampa, Florida. The library is a 12,000 square foot, single story brick building.[26]

History

The Charles J. Fendig Public Library was dedicated on November 1, 1960 and was initially known as the Peninsular Branch Library. The Peninsular Branch Library originally opened in a rented storefront located at 3837 Neptune St. in Tampa. In 1968, the library moved to its present location at 3909 Neptune St. On December 8, 1968 the library was dedicated by then mayor, Dick Greco, Jr. The building was renovated in 1994. The name was changed in 2001 to honor a former chairman of the Tampa Library Board.[27]

Services

In addition to books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, and audiobooks, the library also offers meeting rooms, public use internet computers, access to electronic databases & eBooks, and a used book store.[28] As with all libraries in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system, the Charles J. Fendig Public Library also offers printers, photocopiers, scanners, public fax service, free wi-fi, and assistive technology.[29]

Friends of the Library

Like all Hillsborough County Public Libraries, The Charles J. Fendig Library is served by a volunteer Friends of the Library group, bearing the name of the library. Proceeds from book sales are used to fund programs for children, teens and adults and to support other library activities.[28]

Town 'N Country Regional Library

The Town 'N Country Regional Library opened in 1969 as the West Gate Branch Library in a storefront at the West Gate Shopping Center. In 1975, the library moved to its location on Paula Drive and became the test site for the library's first automated circulation system. The West Gate Branch became a regional branch in 1995. The West Gate Branch was the focus of national attention after the banning of a gay pride display in 2005.[30] After 32 years of operation, the Paula Drive location was closed for construction in lieu of the Town 'N Country Commons.In May 2007, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners approved a new name for the current library—"Town 'N Country Regional Library". The new library became part of the Town 'N Country Commons along with a Head Start center and a Senior Center next to the Shimberg Gardens.[31]

Austin Davis Public Library

Austin Davis Public Library
General information
Location Odessa, Florida
Address 17808 Wayne Rd.
Coordinates 28°08′05″N 82°34′36″W / 28.134757°N 82.576532°W / 28.134757; -82.576532
Opened 1977
Website
http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/adl/

The Austin Davis Public Library is a public library on the north side of Keystone Park in Odessa, Florida. The library is part of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System. The library is the repository of community information from the Keystone Civic Association and maintains back issues of the Keystone Community Newsletter. It has a reading room, children's area, quiet area, electronic media area, meeting room and kitchen, and a cooking oil recycling station.[32]

Initially known as the "Citrus Park-Keystone Library" when it opened in 1977, the Austin Davis Public Library provides service to the community of Citrus Park-Keystone-Odessa. It was a small 800-square-foot facility located in a storefront at Fox's Corner Shopping Center. In 1986 the library doubled its size to 1,600 square feet and expanded into a second storefront.

In 1991 Mr. Austin Davis and the Austin Davis Family/Winn-Dixie Charities, Inc. offered $1.1 million to build a new library for this community. In May 1993, the new library opened with 10,500 square feet and almost 30,000 volumes.[32]

Egypt Lake Partnership Library

The Egypt Lake Partnership Library is part of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System. The Egypt Lake Partnership Library is located at 3403 W. Lambright St. in Tampa, Florida. The Egypt Lake Partnership Library was formed by a partnership between the Tampa- Hillsborough County Public Library System and the School District of Hillsborough County.[33]

Other

References

  1. ↑ http://dos.myflorida.com/library-archives/
  2. ↑ "About: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". www.hcplc.org. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  3. ↑ THCPL Library Locations. http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/
  4. ↑ "HAAL Pass: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". hcplc.org. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  5. ↑ "About Us: Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library".
  6. ↑ Anderson, Florence (1963). Carnegie Corporation Library Program 1911–1961. New York: Carnegie Corporation.
  7. ↑ Steele, Kathy. "County's oldest library a West Tampa treasure". The Tampa Tribune.
  8. ↑ "Historical Architecture". University of North Florida.
  9. ↑ Grismer, Karl H. (1950). Tampa, a history of the city of Tampa and the Tampa Bay region of Florida. St. Petersburg, FL: St. Petersburg Print. Co. pp. 244–245.
  10. ↑ "Seventh Avenue Origins". Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System.
  11. ↑ "West Tampa Branch Library". Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System.
  12. ↑ "About". Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library.
  13. ↑ "Monthly Library Activity Summary" (PDF).
  14. ↑ "Taxpayer Return on Investment".
  15. ↑ "Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library - About - Library Directors - Andrew S. Breidenbaugh". thpl.org. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  16. ↑ "Library Directors, Past & Present | Home | Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System". www.hcplc.org. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  17. ↑ "Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection". Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.
  18. ↑ "Access the Collection". Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.
  19. ↑ "Hillsborough Remembers Collection". Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System.
  20. ↑ "Digital Collections". Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.
  21. ↑ "Library's Maritime Reading Room". Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.
  22. ↑ "7 Things You Should Know About - Makerspaces" (PDF). Educause Learning Initiative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-02.
  23. ↑ "Mission Statement". Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  24. ↑ http://digitalcollections.hcplc.org/cdm/libraries/collection/p15391coll2/
  25. ↑ "78th Street Community Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  26. ↑ "Charles J. Fendig Public Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/fen/. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  27. ↑ hcplc.org http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/fen/. Retrieved 20 November 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. 1 2 "Charles J. Fendig Public Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". www.hcplc.org. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  29. ↑ "Technology Available in the Libraries: Services: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". www.hcplc.org. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  30. ↑ Norman Odor, "Florida County Bans "Gay Pride" Library Journal August, 2005. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2005/08/managing-libraries/florida-county-bans-gay-pride/
  31. ↑ "Town 'N Country Regional Public Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". Hcplc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  32. 1 2 "Austin Davis Public Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". hcplc.org. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  33. ↑ "Egypt Lake Partnership Library: Locations: Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative". www.hcplc.org. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
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