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Key West Library
The Key West Library, also known as The Key West May Hill Russell Library has been one of the cornerstones of island life for more than 50 years - more than just a stately pink building at 700 Fleming Street. It is the southernmost branch and one of the oldest libraries in the state of Florida. The Key West Library serves more than a quarter of a million visitors annually. Pirates and spongers, authors, and artists; their legacies linger, and their stories can be found in the Key West or the (Monroe County) May Hill Russell Library, the headquarters branch for the Keys. This library has an extensive and fascinating Florida History collection, as well as a large reference section. The library provides several weekly children's programs and hosts provocative lecture series.

History
On April 8, 1892, a group of citizens organized the Key West Library Association and the first public library was opened in the old Masonic Temple on September 15, 1892. After 1896, the operation was assumed by other civic groups, including the Key West Women's Club, which provided library service for 44 years. Funds were raised through the group's efforts to build the Monroe County Public Library, which opened in November, 1959.

Before 1950, the only archives of Key West history were government records or private collections, but after the Art and Historical Society was formed in 1950, it maintained a small archives to support the museum. With the founding of the Old Island Restoration Foundation in 1960, it became obvious that a larger archives was needed to support the restoration projects. On February 15, 1964, Monroe County Library Director May Hill Russell formed the Historical Research Committee to act as a single body to compile all the historical material for the city and county. May Hill Russell called together a group of volunteers to find and collect material for the new archives and one of the volunteers was Betty Bruce, who agreed to maintain the material. She started with two boxes behind the circulation desk at the Library on Fleming Street and later, became a full time employee of the Library, or as she liked to call herself, a “researcher.”

The Florida History Collection, as it became known, soon outgrew the two boxes and moved to various spots within the Library until 1975, when the new wings were added and the Florida History Collection had a home with a small vault (now the children’s room). Sylvia Knight joined Betty as a part time assistant. When Betty Bruce retired in 1986, Lynda Huey was hired as an assistant to Tom Hambright, Senior Librarian, and Sylvia Knight retired in 1991.

The Florida History Collection continued to grow. In 1993, to meet the need for more security and space, the County Commission added a wing in the rear of the library with a large vault to house the Florida History Collection. Illness forced Lynda to retire in 2006 and because of financial cutbacks, no one was hired to replace Lynda.

A hearty corps of volunteers scan, catalog, conserve and transcribe donated treasures of Keys history. Through the generosity of the community, the collection continues to grow and Keys cultural heritage is being preserved for future generations.

Library Holdings
The Key West Library houses a multimedia collection that includes some 190,000 items, public computers with internet access, remote online services, and has a renowned Florida History Room. The Library also offers reading groups, film screenings, children's programs and more. Monthly book sales and seasonal lecture series are sponsored by Friends of the Key West Library.

Monroe County Library Locations & Hours of Operation
 Key West 

700 Fleming Street ♦ Key West, FL 33040 ♦ (305) 292-3595

Sunday - Closed / Monday - 9:30am-6pm / Tuesday - 9:30am-6pm / Wednesday - 9:30am-8pm / Thursday - 9:30am-6pm / Friday - 9:30am-6pm / Saturday - 10am-6pm

 Big Pine 

213 Key Deer Blvd. ♦ Big Pine Key, FL 33043 ♦ (305) 872-0992

Sunday - Closed / Monday - 9:30am-6pm / Tuesday - 9:30am-8pm / Wednesday - 9:30am-6pm / Thursday - 9:30am-6pm / Friday - 9:30am-6pm / Saturday - 10am-6pm

 Marathon 

3251 Overseas Highway ♦ Marathon, FL 33050 ♦ (305) 743-5156

Sunday - Closed / Monday - 9:30am-6pm / Tuesday - 9:30am-6pm / Wednesday - 9:30am-8pm / Thursday - 9:30am-6pm / Friday - 9:30am-6pm / Saturday - 10am-6pm

 Key Largo 

101485 Overseas Highway ♦ Tradewinds Shopping Center ♦ Key Largo, FL 33037 ♦ (305) 451-2396

Sunday - Closed / Monday - 9:30am-6pm / Tuesday - 9:30am-6pm / Wednesday - 9:30am-8pm / Thursday - 9:30am-6pm / Friday - 9:30am-6pm / Saturday - 10am-6pm

 Islamorada 

81830 Overseas Highway ♦ Islamorada, FL 33036 ♦ (305) 664-4645

Sunday - Closed / Monday - 9:30am-6pm / Tuesday - 9:30am-8pm / Wednesday - 9:30am-6pm / Thursday - 9:30am-6pm / Friday - 9:30am-6pm / Saturday - 10am-6pm

Library Administration
Norma Kula, Director of Libraries ♦  (305) 853-7349  ♦  Email: kula-norma@monroecounty-fl.gov

Valerie Moore, Business Manager ♦  (305) 809- 5266  ♦  Email: moore-valerie@monroecounty-fl.gov

Anne Layton Rice, Library Administrator ♦  (305) 292-3594  ♦  Email: rice-anne@monroecounty-fl.gov

Tom Hambright, Senior Librarian - Florida History ♦  (305) 809-5260  ♦  Email: hambright-tom@monroecounty-fl.gov

Breana Sowers, Senior Librarian - Archivist ♦  (305) 809-5260  ♦  Email: sowers-breana@monroecounty-fl.gov

 Key West Library 

Main Phone: (305) 292-35>95

Nancy Howanitz, Administrator Library Headquarters ♦  (305) 809-5256  ♦  Email: howanitz-nancy@monroecounty-fl.gov

Robin Henderson, Senior Librarian Reference ♦  (305) 809-5253  ♦  Email: henderson-robin@monroecounty-fl.gov

Michael Nelson, Circulation Librarian ♦  (305) 809-5252  ♦  Email: nelson-michael@monroecounty-fl.gov

Patricia Blanco, Senior Librarian Youth Services ♦  (305) 809-5257  ♦  Email: blanco-patricia@monroecounty-fl.gov

 Big Pine Key Library 

Stephen Chambers, Library Manager ♦  (305) 872-0992  ♦  Email: chambers-stephen@monroecounty-fl.gov

 Marathon Library 

Cristy Danford, Library Manager ♦  (305) 743-5156  ♦  Email: danford-cristy@monroecounty-fl.gov

 Key Largo Library 

Paulette Sullivan, Library Manager ♦  (305) 451-2396  ♦  Email: sullivan-paulette@monroecounty-fl.gov

 Islamorada Library 

Ozzie Dominguez, Library Manager ♦  (305) 664-4645  ♦  Email: Dominguez-Osvaldo@monroecounty-fl.gov

Library Advisory Board
The Library Advisory Board, established in 1979 by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, provides the Commission with accurate and comprehensive information, advice, and counsel concerning all matters relating to our Libraries. Each Commissioner appoints a Library Advisory Board member from the Commissioner's district to serve a 2-year term.

Meetings are open and the public is welcome to attend. Requests to appear on the agenda of a Library Advisory Board meeting are received until noon on the 10th calendar day preceding a meeting. Please contact Valerie Moore at (305) 809-5266 for agenda inclusion.

Library Advisory Board 2015 Meeting Schedule

Members
Stephanie Griffiths ♦ District 1 ♦ Term Expires: 11/20/16

Susan Bishop Miller ♦ District 2 ♦ Term Expires: 12/13/15

Michael Shields ♦ District 3 ♦ Term Expires: 10/01/16

Mimi Young ♦ District 4 ♦ Term Expires: 01/01/18

George McHugh ♦ District 5 ♦ Term Expires: 11/01/16

Friends of the Key West Library
The Key West Library appreciates the contributions and leadership of the Friends of the Key West Library.