The West Tampa Library is part of the West Tampa National Historic District and is a City of Tampa Historic Structure. It is a historic link between the establishment of the City of West Tampa, the Cigar industry and the Latin and African-American culture of the community. On May 18, 1895 West Tampa incorporated with a population of nearly 3,000 people and became one of Tampa's earliest "suburban" towns. West Tampa's heyday was from 1900 to about 1920 when cigar factories flourished, and dozens of commercial structures were built in the town's commercial core centered at the intersection of Main and Howard.

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. Land for the building was donated by Angel Cuesta, a prominent cigar factory owner. Cuesta's partner, Pelegrino Rey, a former Mayor of West Tampa, is the namesake of the Rey Park Community Center.

The City of Tampa annexed West Tampa in 1925. Today the original library building, a registered historical landmark, continues to serve as the West Tampa community's library. The distinctive art pieces at the West Tampa Branch Library enhances the library interior and presents a unique historical statement.

A 5,000-square-foot addition has been added to this historic building. The expanded building is accessible to the disabled, provides room for additional library materials & computers.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the West Tampa Library was Monday, September 23, 2002 at 2:00pm. Construction of the addition was completed in September 2003.

Refurbishment of the original building was completed in April 2004. The original Carnegie building now serves the community with meeting room space & a wireless computer lab.

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