This month’s nonprofit spotlight shines brightly on the St. Petersburg’s Library system. Founded in 1915 through a grant awarded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, it was one of only ten libraries in Florida to receive Carnegie funding. Its mission is “to provide library resources to meet educational, recreational, cultural, intellectual and social needs of our diverse community.”
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The Main Library, located at 3745 9th Avenue, N., is the central hub of the system. Other locations include:
- The Johnson Community Library: 1059 18th Avenue, S.
- North Community Library: 861 70th Avenue, N.
- Mirror Lake Community Library: 280 5th Street, N.
- South Community Library: 2300 Roy Hanna Drive, S.
- West St. Petersburg Community Library: 5700 8th Avenue, N.
- Childs Park Community Library: 691 43rd Street, S.
Each branch offers wireless internet access, public computers, popular reading materials, programs for children, teens and adults, community rooms and the ability to print from smartphones, laptops or tablets. And, each branch has a distinct personality that reflects its community.
The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization composed of individuals, families and local businesses who share the common goal of supporting the library system. The Friends help to provide furnishings, books, special programs and outreach. Becoming a Friend is easy… just check out the group on the library’s website: www.splibraries.org
For those interested in Book Discussions Clubs, you might want to visit the Main Library for these interesting opportunities:
Speculative Fiction Book Club: 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm
Science Fiction and Fantasy book club.
LGBT Book Club: 2nd Saturday of each month at 11:00am
This club will read and discuss gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender themed novels and non-fiction
Reflections Book Club: Every 3rd Saturday – 2:00pm. Call 893-7268 for more information.
The Real Deal Book Club: Last Thursday of each month at 6:30pm
Book club discussing a wide range of non-fiction topics
Homebound Program: “Books to Go”. This unique program is for individuals who are homebound and no longer able to come to the library on their own but want to continue reading books. Library volunteers will choose books for you, with your preferences in mind, and deliver them on a monthly basis. For more information: call the Main Library at 893-7724 to register.
The St. Petersburg Library System is a true community resource. If it has been a while since you last visited your local library, do yourself a favor and stop by…. You’ll be glad you did!
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