Sun City Center Community Library
A brief history of the library
In 1963 Erma Krauch, a charter member of the Woman's Club, donated 500 books which served as the beginning of the Sun City Center Library. The original collection and later additions were housed in the arts-and-crafts building in a library room where shelves had been constructed. In 1980, the WG Development Corporation donated a model home that was moved to its present location1011 N. Pebble Beach Blvd. which became the present library.
A historical record of the community compiled by the late Dorothy Meloy, a former Community Association president and Historical Society member, states that Beulah Evans was employed as the first librarian in March 1963 a position she kept until 1982; the post was assumed by Velma Laughlin. Both are now deceased. The picture at the left is a painting of Beulah Evans, Sun City Center's first librarian.
Library Facts
Hours of operation:
Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 813-634-1315
Funding for the library comes from SCC Community Association dues, as well as contributions from residents, businesses and organizations. Building maintenance is provided by the Community Association. Books and other items are also donated which are either added to the collection or sold in the bookstore or at the annual book sale. The county does not contribute funds or materials to the library.
The library is open to those who are 55 or over and are residents of the Greater Sun City Center community including Kings Point, Sun Towers, and Freedom Plaza. The library has approximately 3300 active patrons. Currently, the inventory consists of about 22,000 items including books, paperbacks, magazines, newspapers, reference, and media. Last year 100,905 items were circulated.
In addition to the library's collection available to patrons, an arrangement with the Hillsborough County System enables patrons to order materials via two computers from its collection, which can be processed at the Sun City Center Library.
Along with the two computers accessing the Hillsborough County database, the library provides one computer to access the library's own current inventory of available items as well as two computers for the convenience of the patrons to access the internet and their email account.
Need to have a quiet place to read or to study? The reference room is just that. A quiet room away from the hustle and bustle of the library's other main rooms. With hundreds of reference items at your fingertips, you can lookup almost anything. One of the favorite items is the Wall Street Journal which is purchased by the Sun City Center Woman's Club.
Another piece of equipment we have to assist those who are visually impaired is a magnifier which can be used with most printed material. This Aladdin Maginifier was donated by Len Point.
The library has 2 full time and 3 part time staff members. In addition, there are 40 volunteers who generously donate their time to help make the library a fine asset to the community.
A recently added program is home delivery for members of the Community Association who cannot visit the library due to health or transportation problems. Volunteers will help them with selections and call on them as arranged. Call the library for more details.
Another feature of the library is its annual book sale held in October, which is open to the general public. It is a great opportunity to buy books at bargain prices. In addition, a book sale room located in the library is open all year.
Please be considerate. Some of our media (CD's, DVD's and Tapes, etc.) should not be placed in the main book drop at the front of the building. Heavier books can damage the cases and even the media. Please use the media drop in the door on the north side of the building. It would be appreciated if donated items are not placed in the book drop.