It all started with a referendum that was passed in 1912 to accept funds from Andrew Carnegie to build a free library for the City of Tampa. Around the same time, the West Tampa City Council approved a Carnegie-funded free library for its residents. The West Tampa Free Library opened in 1914 and the Tampa Free Library three years later, bringing Mr. Carnegie’s concept of free access to information for all to our area. As the community grew, libraries spread throughout the city and county, often with the support of the local Women’s Club. Public libraries were established in Plant City in 1959 and in Temple Terrace in 1960. 1984 saw the creation of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, governed by an appointed library board and funded by a strengthened library taxing district. In 1999 the system joined with the cities of Plant City and Temple Terrace to become the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC). HCPLC continues to evolve into more than a place to kick back with a good book. Since the day our first public library was dedicated more than a century ago, our library still holds the very same stories that inspired a city in the making, plus a wealth of high-tech features designed to inspire the next generation.
We're right around the corner.
Find the following features, services and modern marvels, just minutes from your front door.
Bring your most out-of-the-box ideas to life in The Hive makerspaces, where technology, innovation and creativity combine for endless opportunities in the making. Create dynamic content by taking a class on coding or Adobe Creative Cloud. Need a bigger challenge? Build your own robot or print a 3D prototype. Anything is possible.
Bringing your visions to life has never been easier. From visual arts to graphic design, you can use our spaces and tools to create a work of art. Mock up your very own logo. Brush up on your handiwork in a watercolor class. Stitch a quilt, patch by patch. You know you’ve always had it in you.
Whether you’re looking for a new gig or setting up shop, you can get down to business in the library. Put yourself out there with résumé writing classes. Consult with our career experts for quick tips on the job hunt. Meet with the team in high-tech workspaces. Become an expert at Microsoft Word. Your next big break is here for the taking.
Disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with the community. Your library hosts a wealth of events and social groups designed to entice almost every interest. Honor your queen in a chess tournament. Engage with local authors. Learn how to make healthy meals at a cooking demo. Meet people who share your passions, and find common ground together. Get involved. Get happy.
It’s time to make a ruckus. Yes, even in the library. Record the next chart-topper in our state-of-the-art recording studios and editing bays. Because you deserve to be heard and to hear your favorites.
Escape for an hour. For a day. For a change. There’s no better way than by reading a good story. Curl up with your favorite paperback, or download free eBooks and magazines to take with you on the go. Explore rows of bright ideas and adventures just waiting to be discovered, or browse your way through our collection and discover digital content on any mobile device.
Mold young minds with endless educational tools and resources made just for little ones. Stop in for some quality story time. Take home DVDs on everything from ABCs to 123s. Let their imagination run wild with a fairytale, or by playing in our discovery areas. From free Pre-K programs to elementary school study guides, your library has something for every age and stage.
You’ve got smarts. Put them to work. Challenge yourself to master a new skill or brush up on an old pastime. Tighten your grasp on the English language. Study up on string theory. Tackle that trigonometry homework head on. With open study areas, free internet access and classrooms, we guarantee the library will be your new favorite study zone.
You’ve always wanted to explore. Now’s your chance. We’ve got volumes by leaps and bounds. Page through the historical archives and indexes. Find what you’re searching for with the help of a professional researcher. Look a little closer using our microfilm viewers, microfiche printers and vertical files. Trace your family roots with our genealogy collection, rated one of the best in the Southeast. It’s those who look back that help propel us forward.
Your library offers many services to help you during times of need. Get back on your feet and at your best through our financial services. Take classes to prepare for your GED. Learn to navigate tax season. Life may bring challenges but we have resources to help you succeed.
Discover programs that speak to you, no matter your native language. The library is a multicultural environment made for all walks of life, whether you’re looking to brush up on your English or reconnect with your culture. Learn how to use a computer — in Spanish. Bring the kids to bilingual story time sessions. Even if you’re new to the area, or even the country, we can help you connect to your community.
Sign up for a library card. Review details online, or visit a location near you and ask for help. It costs nothing, yet gives you everything you need to Free Yourself.
