The Florida Library Association, which represents academic, public and school libraries across the state, has named the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system as its 2019 Library of the Year.
The award recognizes creative and innovative programming, efforts made to expand and enhance services, and the implementation of programs that can be mirrored by other libraries.
The library association gave a nod to these Tampa-Hillsborough library services:
- Elimination of overdue fines, which welcomed back about 15,000 customers whose accounts were locked, and increased the use of materials and services
- Internal improvements that saved money and made better use of staff time, allowing the addition of more classes
- U.S. passport application acceptance, online high school completion scholarships, recording studios, and a Discovery Pass offering free admission to local attractions
- A Hillsborough All Access Libraries Pass (HAAL), which allows public, charter, virtual and home-school students in the county to use their student ID number as a public library card
- Free programming and events, including story times for autistic children; Spanish programs; LibCon and AfroCon; support for local authors and artists; business skill classes; technology workshops; crafting lessons; and more
- The opening of the Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, which doubles as the Media Center for the adjacent Muller Elementary Magnet School
The library system’s website also received the Florida Library Association’s 2019 Library Web Presence award.
For more information, and to learn about free resources and programs, call (813) 273-3762, or visit HCPLC.org.
Published July 10, 2019
