Public library service in the Ruskin community traces its origins to 1916 when the library was housed in private homes. In 1929 the collection, largely culled from collections of private citizens, moved to the Chamber of Commerce Building. At that time the Ruskin Woman's Club operated and maintained the collection of materials. In 1940, the collection moved again, this time to the Woman's Club building. In 1963, a Library Association was formed to raise funds for the construction of a permanent library building.

The Commongood Society donated the land, and in 1965 ground was broken. The present building opened on June 5, 1966 and an addition for the children's area was added in 1985. Presently the building holds more than 45,000 volumes including large type and Spanish language materials. In addition, there are extensive paperback, video and periodical collections.

Our business reference materials include the Wall Street Journal, Value Line, Morning Star and Standard and Poors Register and Stock Reports. Ruskin is the only branch in the system that has a separate Florida Collection. In addition to the online information resources catalog (THOR), other electronic information sources include Newsbank, Standard & Poors and search capabilities on the World Wide Web.

The Ruskin Branch Library is a friendly, community-oriented library with ongoing personalized programs such as adult book discussions and Suncoast Free-Net training. Children's programming includes a Tuesday story time and summer programming for school-age children. There is also a summer sleepover for the children.

The library's friends in the Ruskin Library Association sponsor biannual book sales. With a concern for the environment, and a special concern for the unique environment surrounding the Ruskin Branch Library, environmental preservation is important at this location. The South County Pepper Patrol has rid the grounds of invasive and exotic plants and it maintains an ongoing project of planting native vegetation.

Spectacular views of wildlife including squirrels, birds, fish, and manatees provide another reason for visiting this branch. We also hope you will explore Florida in the air conditioned environment of the Florida Collection and then view the real thing through the beautiful large windows in the spacious meeting room.

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