Citytimes: Friend of the library basks in spotlight

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Friend of the library basks in spotlight

Part of Hillsborough's oldest library will carry the name of a civic campaigner.

By SARA KENNEDY
Published March 18, 2005

A festive crowd of more than 80 people turned out Sunday to cheer longtime library volunteer Dora Reeder during the dedication of a new reading room at the West Tampa Branch Library.

Officials designated part of a 5,000-square-foot addition to Hillsborough County's oldest library as the Dora L. Reeder Reading Room.

"Dora, everyone holds you in such high esteem," said former county Commissioner Jan Platt. "Dora's leadership shows us that if you're gentle and you've done your homework, people will listen. I'm glad that so many young people will be touched for decades by Dora."

Joe Stines, director of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, illustrated how Reeder earned her reputation as a civic campaigner. Years ago, he proposed moving the library at 2312 W Union St. from its original 1914 building, which had become an eyesore. Reeder opposed any move, insisting the library should be renovated and preserved as a community centerpiece.

"Mrs. Reeder made it clear that this was where the library was, and that she would take care of getting it done," Stines told the audience.

Today, the distinctive neoclassical revival building is a registered historical landmark and one of only 10 public libraries in Florida funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Renovations to the original 2,800-square-foot library were completed in April 2004 at a cost of $344,235. The addition, which cost $986,104, opened in September 2003, said David Wullschleger, operations manager for the library system.

Reeder, waving away inquiries about her age, retired in 1984 from her position as principal at what is now Dunbar Magnet School. In 1985, she became a member of the Hillsborough County Library Board, which sets policy and advises county officials. She was named the Library Board's Friend of the Year in 2003.

At Sunday's dedication, Cherridine Davis Birt traveled from Fort Washington, Md., to honor Reeder, her sixth-grade teacher.