The North Tampa Branch Library opened in a new building costing $35,000 on January 13, 1964. The Chamberlain High School PTA and the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce were instrumental in persuading the city to build this library. Originally the building was 3500 square feet and accommodated 14,000 volumes. In 1967, the library expanded to 7000 square feet and again in 1977 to its current size of 10,500 square feet which houses over 100,000 volumes.

Of course, North Tampa still has one of the largest book collections in the county system. The library has an extensive fiction collection as well as an excellent children's section. There are growing collections of books-on-tape and video cassettes. The library also has collections of large-print books, Spanish books, and Young Adult books.

The library offers electronic access to a system-wide catalog, periodical and business information databases, Suncoast Free-Net and a wide variety of resources available via the libray's Information Gateway.

The North Tampa Branch Library participates in the Art in the Libraries project, showcasing works by local professional artists in the library meeting room. The meeting room is also the place for the monthly adult book discussion and the many children's and family programs presented by the librarians.

The Friends of the North Tampa Library raises funds for special library needs and acts as a general support group for the library. Membership is $5.00 a year and applications are available at the library.

The annual book sales, sponsored by the Friends, are huge and successful. Donations for the sale are accepted periodically. Please contact the North Tampa Branch for more information.

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