Even though the name "College Hill" implies it, there is no College in the area of Tampa known as College Hill. At the turn of the century Mr. J.R. Graham and Mr. George Shroeder Middleton, letter carriers for the U.S. Postal Service, thought that a college should be built at the corner of 22nd St. and Buffalo Ave (now known as Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.). The idea was so popular that the area northeast of downtown Tampa became known as College Hill. Unfortunately the college was never built and a cemetery is in its place.

The library itself got it's start on June 16, 1989 as an 800.square foot, double wide trailer. The trailer would serve as a temporary facility until more permanent quarters were built. The current building opened in February 1994 and is 8,500 square feet with two community meeting rooms for the public to reserve. There is also a Listening Room for the children to listen to books on tape as well as a public-use P.C. for word processing. The College Hill Branch Library is a medium-size library with a collection of approximately 31,000 volumes.

The population of the area is largely African-American and the library's collection and artwork reflects the local community. The library offers adult and children's programming. Annual programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library include: the African-American Taste-off in February and the Holiday Festival in December.

The library enjoys many partnerships including those with: The Centre for Women, the Charmettes, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, East Tampa Schools Community Partnership, the Friends of the College Hill Library, Head Start of Hillsborough County, the University of South Florida and WEDU Channel 3.

The distinctive exterior art pieces at the College Hill Branch Library enhances the library at displays the unique pride the community takes in its library.

College Hill Branch Library has flourished due to the love and support shown by the community of College Hill.

If you have further questions, please feel free to comment on the College Hill Branch Library.