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Seminole pauses next week to honor those who've kept its library open for two decades.
By JULIANNE WU
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 5, 2000
SEMINOLE -- On July 12, the Seminole Community Library will turn 40.
To celebrate, a daylong party is being planned by a committee including library personnel, Friends of the Seminole Library members and other interested residents. Activities are scheduled for library users of all ages.
"There will be something for everyone," said Michael Bryan, 44, library director since 1992. "There is a lot to be proud of here. Of course, the Seminole Library has always been special to me -- it was the first library I ever visited . . . when I was in the third grade."
The library opened July 12, 1960, about a year after the now-disbanded Seminole Ridge Business and Professional Womens Club started holding organizational meetings and fundraisers. It was then called the Seminole Ridge Library. The tiny library -- housed in a cottage behind the Seminole branch of the former Home Federal Savings Building at Park and Seminole boulevards -- contained a few bookshelves and about 3,500 volumes, acquired by the women's club through donations and purchases. It was staffed by volunteers, many of whom are still active.
Today, the Seminole Community Library, now tax-supported, houses nearly 60,000 volumes, plus videos, computers and other modern equipment.
Opened at its current location in August 1992, the library is on the east side of 113th Street, next to the post office and across the street from the Seminole Recreation Center and the Seminole campus of St. Petersburg Junior College.
In between its first home and its current home, the Seminole library -- organized a decade before Seminole became a city -- was housed in a motor home court on Lake Drive for several months and then in a new building opened in February 1971 at 11000 Johnson Blvd., on land donated by one of Seminole's founding fathers: Jesse Johnson.
Although construction won't begin for about six months, a new Seminole library -- a joint project of the city of Seminole and the Seminole campus of the St. Petersburg Junior College -- will be built on SPJC land across the street from the current library. The project, which will cost about $6.7-million, is expected to be completed in 2003.
Over the years, many residents have helped the library as volunteers or paid staff members.
The 200-member Friends of the Seminole Library organization raises more than $16,000 a year for items the library might otherwise not be able to afford.
The organization is also providing all the refreshments for the July 12 celebration.
-- Information from Times files used in this report.
The Seminole Community Library will celebrate its 40th anniversary July 12 with a slide show, video and refreshments, as well as activities to honor seniors, youngsters and regular library users. Businesses and civic groups have been invited to an evening reception. The day's schedule: