Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System

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The Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System (THPL) is a public library system based in Hillsborough County, Florida. It is part of two larger library networks, the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium,[1] which also include Temple Terrace Public Library in Temple Terrace, Florida, and Bruton Memorial Library in Plant City, Florida. 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.[2] Drive-thru windows for returns and hold pick-ups are located at the Jimmie B. Keel and the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Libraries.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] West Tampa opened their library at 1718 North Howard Avenue. It is now located at 2312 W Union Street.[9]

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. By 1996, THPL was the 27th largest library network in the nation, with over 2 million items in its collection.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

  • 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)[13]

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.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17]

Branches

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ THCPL Library Locations. http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/locations/
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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