Lemon City Branch Library

Coordinates: 25°49′56.1″N 80°11′13.7″W / 25.832250°N 80.187139°W / 25.832250; -80.187139

The Lemon City Library is the first library in South Florida (south of Winter Park), and thus the oldest library within the Miami-Dade Public Library System. The historic library began as a modest reading room and has remained a thriving community resource for over a hundred years.[1][2]

History

Early years

The Lemon City Branch Library at its former, 412 NE 61st Street, location.

The creation of the Lemon City Library is credited to the Lemon City Library and Improvement Association which decided to establish a reading room inside the front of Cornelia Keyes' cottage, located at 701 NE 62nd Street.[3][4] Keyes, who was originally from Chicago, owned the prestigious Lemon City Hotel and also taught school. On April 7, 1894, Keyes opened the doors of her modest library to the small community of 350 residents.[5]

In 1902 the Lemon City Library moved into its first, dedicated building made of wood planks, which was located at 412 NE 61st Street. This location served the patrons of the surrounding area for 62 years.[6]

Establishing the first collection

In the early days, the Lemon City Library's first collection consisted of contributions from many illustrious donators. Andrew Carnegie, who docked his yacht near Lemon City, was said to have donated a small assortment of volumes. Charles B. Cory, the curator of the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago, was also said to have gifted a few dozen volumes while he was in the area for one of his annual Everglades safaris. Henry Flagler, the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, was also said to have donated generously to the cause.[7]

Early circulation

Among the more popular books being circulated during these early years were Wonders of the World, Ben-Hur, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Ramona, Barriers Burned Away, The Five Little Peppers, and The Farmer's Almanac.[8]

Today

Lemon City Branch Library in its current location at 430 NE 61st Street.

The Lemon City Branch Library officially opened the doors to its current location, a 6,393 square foot building located at 430 NE 61st Street, on April 13, 1964.[9]

The Lemon City Branch Library boasts a 10,000 piece collection of books and materials, including databases and internet access.

Hours of Operation and Contact Information

Phone Number: 305-757-0662

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Stephen (June 12, 1986). "Lemon City Celebrates Its 'Oasis in the Desert'". The Miami Herald.
  2. ↑ "History". Miami-Dade Public Library System. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Karantsalis, Theo (February 9, 2012). "Life Amid the Lemon Trees - One of Miami's Oldest Neighborhoods, Lemon City, Was Home to the County's First School Library, and Major Grocery Store". The Miami Herald.
  4. ↑ "History". Miami-Dade Public Library System. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Santiago, Fabiola (June 15, 1986). "Area's Oldest Library Writes a New Chapter in 92-Year History". The Miami Herald.
  6. ↑ Smith, Stephen (June 12, 1986). "Lemon City Celebrates Its 'Oasis in the Desert'". The Miami Herald.
  7. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
  8. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
  9. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, August 24, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.