Jacksonville Public Library history

In 1874 the Association raised enough funds to open a free reading room in donated quarters in the Chambers Block on West State Street.

Jacksonville's first free public reading room was opened in the old Astor Building on the southeast corner of Bay and Hogan Streets during the winter of 1878-79.

In 1883, the Jacksonville Library and Literary Association was reorganized and renamed the Jacksonville Library Association.

Klutho rebuilt Jacksonville after the Great Fire of 1901.

Help for rebuilding came in 1902 in the form of Andrew Carnegie, who offered $50,000 for a new library, provided that the city had a building site and appropriated at least $5,000 a year for library support.

In January 1903 the city passed an ordinance establishing a free public library and the city council appointed a public library board of nine men, led by Duncan Fletcher.

Two years later, on June 1, 1905, the library was formally opened with George Burwell Utley as librarian and with 8,685 books available.

In 1907 George Utley said that the library was "fast becoming securely established as a part of the municipal fabric, and is considered more and more a necessity and less and less a luxury by the citizens of Jacksonville.

By 1910, the library was outgrowing itself.

The first branch, the Wilder Park Library, opened November 14, 1927, on the corner of Lee and Third street for service to the African American community.

Jacksonville also began its first bookmobile service in Florida on October 20, 1928.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, formed in 1956 with the intent of inspiring interest in libraries, are credited as a major influence in bringing about the increased budget.

However, when the city commission and city council approved a 19 percent increase in the libraries' operational budget for 1957, the Jacksonville Public Libraries began to revive.

In 1958 more clubs agreed to participate in a building fund and the library moved into city hall.

In 1959, the library expansion continued with a move into the recreation center.

In March 1960, the city approved a location for the new Main Library, the site of old City Hall, along with 60 additional feet of property previously occupied by the Windle Hotel.

On April 3, 1962, a special bond issue for $3,900,000 for new main library and relocation of the Wilder Park Branch went to the polls.

In March 1964, ground was broken at 122 North Ocean Street.

On November 28, 1965, the new building was dedicated, and the next day opened to the public.

The first large regional library was the Regency Square branch, which opened in 1973.

An Extension Services Department was created in 1975 and inaugurated the delivery of library materials to homebound individuals and residents of local nursing homes.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library incorporated in 1982 to raise funds for the improvement of the library and its services, as well as to promote the library and its use.

In 1994 the Jacksonville City Council passed a $1.1 million bond issue for the construction of an addition to the library and remodeling of the Carnegie library building.

The expanded library was rededicated on February 25, 1996.

In 1999 the original regional branch, Regency Square, reopened after undergoing a two-year renovation.

In September 2000, the citizens of Jacksonville voted for the Better Jacksonville Plan, which provided funding for a new Main Library building, six new regional branch libraries and improvements at most existing branches.

The first new branch built as part of the BJP project, University Park Branch opened in early October 2004, followed by Pablo Creek Branch later that month.

Less than a year later, in August 2005, the Better Jacksonville Plan renovations and expansions to the branch system were complete.

In 2008, the Haydon Burns Library was designated as a historical landmark.

In 2011, the library expansion continued with the addition of the annex, which includes a much needed elevator.