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Library History . . . Through the Decades
** Narrative History **
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1912
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October 29 --
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Referendum passes to accept Andrew Carnegie funds to build a library for the City of Tampa.
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1913
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West Tampa City Council approves Carnegie Library proposal & special election is held.
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1915
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June 30 --
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City of Tampa formally accepts Carnegie building at 102 East Seventh Avenue.
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West Tampa Library opened at 1718 North Howard Avenue.
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1917
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Tampa Public Library begins service at 102 East Seventh Avenue. Find more about the library's Seventh Avenue origins.
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1919
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A library for Negroes opens at the Harlem Academy.
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1922
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July --
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Hyde Park Branch Library opens at 705 Swann Avenue.
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1923
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Desoto Park Branch opens.
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July --
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Harlem Academy Library moves to the Urban League Headquarters.
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1925
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January 1 --
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West Tampa Library merges with Tampa Public Library System.
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1927
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January 1 --
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Plant City Women's Club funds a library.
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January 4 --
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Seminole Heights Branch Library opens in neighborhood park.
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1930
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July --
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Tampa's first Bookcar visits factories & schools.
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1934
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Ybor City Branch Library opens at 1729 East Broadway.
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1946
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West Branch Library opens at 1129 Main Street.
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1951
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Port Tampa Women's Club opens library at corner of West Shore & Bayshore Boulevards.
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1954
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Tampa's second City Bookmobile serves Ballast Point, Forest Hills, Palma Ceia, Sulphur Springs & Wellswood.
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1960
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October 29 --
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Peninsular Branch opens at 3837 Neptune.
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Brandon Women's Club opens library in clubhouse on North Moon Street.
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Plant City dedicates new library at Wheeler & McLendon Streets.
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Temple Terrace Woman's Club opens library in building on golf course.
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1961
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City & County consolidate libraries into one system by contract.
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Port Tampa Library becomes branch of the system.
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1962
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Federal grant purchases third County bookmobile.
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Temple Terrace Women's Club Library merges into City system & moves to Municipal Center.
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1964
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January 13 --
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North Tampa Branch Library opens at 8916 North Boulevard.
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July 26 --
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Ruskin Women's Club Library incorporates.
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The Main Library is designated a selective depository for federal government documents.
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Lutz Library Guild opens library on Lutz school grounds.
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Seminole Heights Branch opens new building at corner of Central & Osborne Avenues.
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West Branch Library closes.
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1966
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June 5 --
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Ruskin dedicates a new branch library at One Dickman Drive.
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April 17 --
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Temple Terrace Library dedicated at 202 Bullard Parkway.
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Tampa's fourth & larger bookmobile begins service.
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1967
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Remodeling of North Tampa Branch completed.
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The Main Library is designated as a depository for documents issued by the State of Florida.
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1968
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April 21 --
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New Main Library dedicated at 900 North Ashley Drive.
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August 28 --
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Peninsular Branch opens new building at 3909 Neptune Street.
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Brandon Branch Library is dedicated at 135 West Robertson Street.
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Hyde Park Branch Library closes.
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1969
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January --
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Westgate Branch opens on West Hillsborough Avenue storefront.
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Ybor City Branch Library dedicates new building at 1505 Nebraska Avenue.
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East Branch (formerly Harlem) & original Ybor City Branch close.
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1970
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January --
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Special Services fifth bookmobile dedicated; serving nursing homes.
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Lutz Branch Library dedicated at Lake Fern Road & Highway 41.
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1971
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January --
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Plant City Library addition completed.
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1972
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January --
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North Tampa Branch expanded.
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1975
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February 25 --
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The Talking Book Library, established to serve blind & physically handicapped Hillsborough County residents, opens.
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April 20 --
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West Gate Branch dedicates new building at 7606 Paula Drive.
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Brandon Branch Library begins expansion.
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1976
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May 23 --
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Main Library dedicates West Annex Building.
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April 4 --
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Brandon Branch Library completes expansion.
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1977
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June --
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Citrus Park/Keystone Branch opens at North Mobley Road & Gunn Highway.
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North Tampa Branch re-modeled; plaque given in commemoration.
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1978
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November 4 --
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East Gate Branch Library opens in a storefront in the East Gate Shopping Center.
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Temple Terrace Library expansion dedicated.
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1979
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November 18 --
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Riverview Branch Library opens at 10509 Riverview Drive.
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1985
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February 27 --
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Ruskin Branch Library opens new addition.
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December 31 --
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East Gate storefront library closes.
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1986
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December 7 --
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Northwest Regional Library opens at 15610 Premiere Drive.
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October --
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Automated library catalog introduced via a system known as CLSI.
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1988
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April 29 --
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Eastlake Branch Library opens in the Eastlake Square Shopping Mall.
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1989
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July 13 --
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College Hill Branch Library opens, in temporary quarters, at 2607 East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
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July 22 --
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Thonotosassa Branch Library opens at 10715 Main Street.
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1990
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Tampa's sixth & largest bookmobile begins service.
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1991
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March 10 --
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Brandon Regional Library opens new building at 619 Vonderburg Drive.
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1992
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November 5 --
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Groundbreaking for the Austin Davis Branch Library to replace the Citrus Park/Keystone branch begins.
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1993
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May 23 --
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Austin Davis Public Library opens at 17808 Wayne Road.
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June 24 --
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Groundbreaking for the new College Hill Branch Library begins.
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Library catalog automation is upgraded and enhanced thru a system known as DYNIX. Introduces remote access to the library catalog via telnet & dial-up.
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1994
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February 27 --
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College Hill Branch Library opens new building at 2607 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
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Sunday hours begun at select location around system.
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October 28 --
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Family Self-Sufficiency Unit officially opens within the Tampa Housing Authority.
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1995
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March 15 --
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Sponsored by the Friends of the Hillsborough County Public Library System, the free, online computing initiative, known as the Suncoast Free-Net, launches.
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System begins deployment of public use computers offering access to the library catalog, text-based Internet via the Suncoast Free-Net & basic word processing capability.
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System debuts the first website at thpl.org.
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July 15 --
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Science Library at MOSI is dedicated at 4801 East Fowler Avenue.
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November --
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West Gate Branch becomes West Gate Regional.
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December 22 --
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Bealsville Electric Library dedicated.
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1996
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March 29 --
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Groundbreaking for New Tampa Regional Library at 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard.
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May 23 --
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Groundbreaking for 78th Street Branch Library at 7626 Palm River Road.
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1997
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May 4 --
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Dedication of New Tampa Regional Library.
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May 18 --
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Dedication of 78th Street Community Branch Library.
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July 15 --
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Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System enters into formal partnership with the Hillsborough County School Board for a jointly operated library at the Egypt Lake Elementary School.
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1998
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January --
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Library catalog automation is enhanced for internal users via a graphical interface known as PAC for Windows.
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May 11 --
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Eastlake Branch Library closes in preparation of relocation to Seffner-Mango.
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June 14 --
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Port Tampa City Libary re-opens in newly renovated Commerce Bank Building.
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November --
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Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners mandates use of Internet filter. Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Board recommends Websense after careful review of available alternatives.
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December 28 --
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Seffner-Mango Branch Library opens.
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1999
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January 19 --
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Websense and Checkpoint Firewall-1 successfully installed to manage content filtering and provide a layered security approach protecting library servers and individual PCs.
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July 1 --
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Electronic Library at Progress Village Receation Center opens.
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July 6 --
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Electronic Library at Bethune Park Receation Center opens.
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September 1 --
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The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is formed.
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2000
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January 1 --
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Centralized telephone, eMail & FAX service begins via Electronic Reference & Information.
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February 14 --
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Electronic Library at Balm Park Receation Center opens.
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February 16 --
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Electronic Library at Keysville Receation Center opens.
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May 5 --
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Groundbreaking for the new Northwest Regional Library begins.
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September 1 --
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Egypt Lake Partnership Library opens.
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November --
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Funding approved for two new libraries in the Westchase area and south Brandon area.
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December 11 --
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Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library opens with library system's first drive-thru window!
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2001
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February 2 --
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The Northwest Regional Library closes.
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February 14 --
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Northwest Regional Library opens at 2902 West Bearss Avenue.
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June 9 --
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Northwest Regional Library renamed Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library in honor of former assistant county administrator.
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September 30 --
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The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative debuts cooperative website at hcplc.org.
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October 1 --
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Library automation extended to remote users via RPA (Remote Patron Authentication) allowing remote users to access subscription databases form their home or office.
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November 5 --
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Peninsular Branch Library renamed Charles J. Fendig Public Library in honor of former chairman of the Tampa Public Library Board, Charles J. Fendig.
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2002
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January --
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Websense, library's content filtering solution, certified CIPA compliant.
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June --
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First library café, Bookends Café, opens in June 2002 at the Jan Platt Regional Library.
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August 30 --
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Web access to library catalog for internal and external customers is introduced via platform known as iPAC.
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September 23 --
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West Tampa groundbreaking for 5,000-square-foot addition.
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2003
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July --
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Seminole Heights Branch Library closes for refurbishment.
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August --
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Library catalog automation is further enhanced and upgraded via a system known as HORIZON.
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September --
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West Tampa 5,000-square-foot addition completed. Library is moved from orginal Carnegie space to the addition. Original Carnegie building undergoes refurbishment.
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October 1 --
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Sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, the Suncoast Free-Net recieves significant upgrades and enhancements. The service is re-released providing web-based eMail services, dialup (text-only) access & links to local area information/sites.
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October 13 --
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Seminole Heights Branch Library re-opens with updated AC and decor.
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November 5--
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Hillsborough County's BOCC vote to rename the Ybor City Library as the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library to honor Robert W. Saunders, Sr.
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December 8 --
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Groundbreaking for the South Brandon area library.
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December 12 --
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Groundbreaking for the Weshtchase area library.
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December 13 --
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Lutz Branch Library closes for expansion project. Services provided through "mini-library" in meeting room.
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2004
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March 1 --
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Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library closes for month long refurbishment of facility.
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March 10 --
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Three new eLibraries open: Mort Recreation Center, Palm River Recreation Center & Kenly Park.
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March 17 --
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Two new eLibraries open: Tampa Lakes Center at Roy Haynes Park & Nuccio Park.
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April 1 --
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Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library re-opens in enhanced lighting, new furniture & computer improvements.
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April 29 --
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Refurbishments completed to original West Tampa Branch Library's Carnigie building. West Tampa Branch Library officially re-dedicated.
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May 1 --
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The original Carnegie building re-opens providing community meeting room and wireless computer lab.
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Wi-Fi access is introduced to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System at the West Tampa Branch Library.
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June 1 --
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Lutz Branch Library re-opens with a 5,000 square foot expansion. The facility now stands at 12,000 square feet.
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June 5 --
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Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library officially re-dedicated.
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August 18 --
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Three new eLibraries open, Brandon Park (Brandon Recreation Center), Mango (Mango Recreation Center), Sterling Heights (Sterling Heights Park).
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October 28 --
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New eLibrary opens, Providence Park (Providence Park West Recreation Center).
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November 1 --
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Library system introduces time management software, PC Reservation, by Envisionware, to cope with increased demand for Internet use at the main library, regional libraries and the North Tampa Branch Library.
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December 1 --
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System begins deployment of mobile training labs (security/charging carts with 8 student laptops, 1 instructor laptop & data projector) to assist in popular technology related programming. Two distributed to West Tampa & John F. Germany libraries.
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2005
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January 8 --
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Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library dedicated.
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February 10 --
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Bloomingdale Regional Public Library dedicated.
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March 1 --
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Library Services Automation Department, eServices, introduces an automated call tracking system, SiteHelpDesk.
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April 7 --
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Groundbreaking South County Regional Library.
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May 8 --
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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) introduced at Upper Tampa Bay Regional and Bloomingdale Regional. Allows better inventory and security of material as well as proactive customer service through introduction of Self-Checkout (SCKO).
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May 17 --
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All full-service library locations offer Wi-Fi (wireless) access.
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June 1 --
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After 10 years & fulfilling it's original mission, the Suncoast Free-Net officially ceases operations.
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August 22 --
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Loretta Ingraham eLibrary opens in the Loretta Ingraham Center continuing partnership with City of Tampa eLibrary initiative.
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September 16 --
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5 additional mobile training labs deployed.
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2006
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May 11 --
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New service to enable better access to Spanish population, Cybermobile, officially dedicated. Bus provides Internet access via satellite with wireless internal capability.
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May 19 --
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Envisionware's time management reservation software, PC Reservation, fully implemented at all 24 library locations.
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May 22 --
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Technical Services Center opens.
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July 28 --
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7 additional mobile training labs deployed with three funded via Gates grant.
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October 12 --
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SouthShore Regional Library opens. Grand opening scheduled for November 10.
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November 17 --
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The Juniors to Seniors: Hillsborough Remembers oral history project is renamed Hillsborough Remembers to reflect the broadened scope of the project.
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November 27 --
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New Bookmobile is delivered (service begins January 2007). While this vehicle is designed as a replacement to the existing twelve year old bookmobile, it will utilize the same satellite technology the existing Cybermobile employs.
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2007
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March 15 --
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West Gate Regional Library closes in preparation for a new "partnership" building on the existing site.
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May 16 --
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The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approves a recommendation to rename the replacement West Gate library as the "Town 'N Country Regional Public Library."
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June 11 --
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The Town 'N Country Regional Public Library reopened at its temporary location in the Thompson Center Waters.
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2008
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February 14 --
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Groundbreaking for the new Seffner-Mango Branch Library to replace 6,000sq ft storefront with a new 15,000sq ft facility. It will house space for meeting rooms, a separate children’s area, study rooms and a science room that will provide a unique learning area for students of all ages.
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April 12 --
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North Tampa Branch library closes in preparation for new facility to be built on existing location. Library re-opens at its temporary location in the Thompson Center Waters (temporarily sharing space with Town 'N Country location.
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April 22 --
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Dedication of the Sandra Raulerson Cameron Boardroom takes place at the John F. Germany Public Library. Ms. Cameron was a member of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Library Board from April 26, 1979 to June 30, 2006. During that time, she held several offices including serving twice as chairman.
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December 3 --
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Town 'N Country Commons Grand Opening. A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens the doors to the public of this facility, which includes the 30,000 square foot Town 'N Country Regional Public Library.
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December 29 --
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Seffner-Mango Branch Library opens to the public. This 15,000-square-foot library will host 35,000 additional materials for a total collection of 75,000.
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2009
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January 15 --
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Seffner-Mango Branch Library Grand Opening.
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April --
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Library undertakes initiative to provide mounted presentation systems in all library locations to enhance meetings, trainings and gaming efforts by the Friends of the Library.
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May 29 --
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Groundbreaking for walkway to connect Robert W. Saunders, Jr. Branch Library and Booker T. Washington Elementary School
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July 9 --
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Kids version of the catalog, KidPAC, goes live.
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July 13 --
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HCPLC debuts text messaging service for library programs, events and news.
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September 17 --
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New North Tampa Branch Library opens to the public. This 23,550 square foot library will host 9,000 additional materials for a total collection of 76,000 volumes. In addition, this is the first facility to offer primarily self checkout and self checkin of materials.
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September 18 --
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North Tampa Library Grand Opening includes a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony.
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September 25 --
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Migration of home grown wifi solution to a managed enterprise system is completed system-wide.
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September 29 --
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New covered walkway connecting Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library to Booker T. Washington Elementary School opens for use.
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October 1 --
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New library home page at hcplc.org and new library catalog design debuts. Email notification service for circulation debuts as well.
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October 30 --
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Presentation system project completed allowing for public and staff use of equipment for training, presentations and gaming through efforts by various Friends of the Library.
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2010
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January 7 --
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New Internet Center at John F. Germany Public Library opens to the public on 3 West. This addition of nearly 10,000 square feet of space for public access is the first significant addition of space converted to public use at the John F. Germany Public Library for nearly 30 years.
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February 22 --
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Sulphur Springs Partnership Library opens to the public. This library adds 3,500 square feet to the Sulphur Springs Elementary School Media Center, additional staffing and enhanced hours of operation.
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June 30 --
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Sulphur Springs Partnership Library Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
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August 26 --
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Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Board approves renaming two libraries. The College Hill Branch Library is renamed the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library and the Sulphur Springs Partnership Library is renamed the Norma and Joseph Robinson Partnership Library @ Sulphur Springs.
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November 1 --
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Mobile version of HCPLC website released
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December 6 --
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The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative releases new cooperative website at hcplc.org.
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2011
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January 3 --
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HCPLC debuts text messaging service for circulation notices.
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February 9 --
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A dedication ceremony renaming the College Hill Library to the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library is held.
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March 18 --
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Automated traffic counting devices installed system-wide.
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April 29 --
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Science Library @ MOSI closes.
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November 2 --
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THPL debuts Facebook page.
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2012
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February 3 --
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THPL debuts Twitter page.
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2013
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April 29 --
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New online library catalog, Polaris, released. New catalog includes mobile capabilities, improved search features, and a special children's catalog among other new enhancements and tools for customers.
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