West Tampa Branch Library

Back in February, the Teachers Federal Credit Union generously donated $1000 to benefit the West Tampa Branch Library

Mary James with the Ada T. Payne is pictured in the middle. Alexander Reyes is on the left and Gayle Dilodilo is on the right. John Smith, Finance Chair of the Friends of the Library Tampa chapter is in the background.

Thank you TFCU!
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The West Tampa Branch Library will be closed for building maintenance on Monday, March 30. Book drops will remain open. Please visit the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library for service.

Our library website, HCPLC.org, is always open for you to reserve the latest best-seller, download a book, take an online class, or access library services.

Happy New Year! Did you know that 112 years ago today, the West Tampa Branch Library opened at 1718 North Howard Avenue? As one of only ten public libraries in Florida funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Library on Howard Avenue was constructed in 1913 in Neo-Classical Revival architectural style. It wasn’t until 1925 that the city of West Tampa was annexed by the City of Tampa and the library became known as the Tampa Public Library, West Tampa Branch.

Today, the West Tampa Branch Library represents the historic link between the establishment of the City of West Tampa, Tampa's cigar industry, and the Latin and African-American communities.

Learn more about West Tampa history at DigitalCollections.HCPLC.org.

Happy 190th Birthday, Andrew Carnegie! Through his foundation’s generous grants and endowments, the state of Florida built 10 public libraries built between 1901 and 1917. Two of these libraries are in Hillsborough County. There are a total of six you can still visit today, including the West Tampa Branch Library right here in Tampa.

[Image: Carnegie Library, two-story brick exterior with steps and columns at entrance: Bradenton, Fla., (1926) Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection, PA 7828]

Fresh for fall, these festive and fun pumpkins were decorated in lavishly literary style by library staff.

UPDATE (4/11/25)
The West Tampa Branch Library will reopen on Monday, April 14, and will resume its normal operating hours.

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*UPDATE (3/24/25)*
The West Tampa Branch Library will be closed for preservation, sealing of basement floors, walls and foundation concrete repair, until mid-April. Book drops will be closed during this time.
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The West Tampa Branch Library will be closed for preservation, sealing of basement floors and walls, beginning Monday, March 10 until Saturday, March 29. Book drops will be closed. For service, visit the nearby Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library.

Our library website, HCPLC.org, is always open for you to reserve the latest best-seller, download a book, take an online class, or access library services.

*10/01/2024 Update* The West Tampa Branch Library will reopen today for regular hours.

The West Tampa Branch Library is temporarily closed due to air conditioning issues. For service, visit the nearby Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library or the John F. Germany Public Library.

Our library website, HCPLC.org, is always open for you to reserve the latest best-seller, download a book, take an online class, or access library services.

The West Tampa Branch Library has re-opened! Our library has an updated children's area, new flooring, updated computers, new furniture, and much more. Visit us soon!

The following Story Time programs have been cancelled at the West Tampa Branch Library:

• Baby Time - Thursday, August 1 at 2 p.m.
• Family Story Time - Thursday, August 1 at 3:30 p.m.

Attend a program at a different location: bit.ly/HCPLCStoryTime
Access programs on-demand from anywhere: YouTube.com/TampaHillsLib

Fresh for fall, these festive and fun pumpkins were decorated in lavishly literary style by staff at the West Tampa Branch Library.

Library2Go is out in MacFarlane Park today until 11:30 a.m. We're thrilled to be visiting the community, so stop by and check out your favorite library-on-wheels now!
HCPLC.org/Services/Library2Go