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. 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. 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. The Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System is also a part of Hillsborough County government.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.West Tampa opened their library at 1718 North Howard Avenue. It is now located at 2312 W Union Street.

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