“Books are keys to wisdom” thinks a passerby glancing at the Florence Library. Right here at 7807 Compton Avenue stands a beacon of knowledge. This is the Florence Library. It is a place where stories come alive. The Florence Library has served this community for over a century.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine 1914. The Florence Library began modestly. It started with just 125 books. These books were housed in Fred W. Cleland’s home. His home was located at 1920 E. Florence Avenue. Mrs. Maude Cleland volunteered as the custodian.
By 1915, the collection grew to 508 books. It moved to Florence Avenue Elementary School. The Florence Library continued to expand. In 1920, the library boasted 1,000 books. It also had 11 magazine subscriptions. The collection moved to a building with a converted stable. This location was at 7607 Crocket Boulevard.
In 1924, the Florence Library moved again. It found a home at 7215 Beach Boulevard. By 1931 or 1932, the library relocated to a storefront. This was at the corner of Makee Street and Florence Avenue. In 1964, this location was renovated. This was for the Florence Library’s 50th anniversary.
The Florence Library moved to its current location in 1970. It was refurbished in December 2001. The refurbished library reopened in May 2002. The Library debuted its new refurbished location at the Florence-Firestone Community Service Center on May 3, 2023.
Today, the Florence Library offers many services. You can get in-person and telephone research assistance. The library also has a photocopier. The Florence Library provides MetroTAP Cards.
For children, there are special services. These include early learning engagement. There is also a self-serve homework center. Online homework help is available too. Teens can join the Teen Advisory Board. They can also get online homework help.
The Florence Library has computers for everyone. There are seven public computers. Children can use six dedicated computers. Teens have access to five computers. Laptop and Hotspot Kits are available too. The library provides express computers. Early learning computers are also available.
The Florence Library is more than just books. It is a community hub. The Friends of the Library support it. This volunteer group helps with library events. The Florence Library’s size is 7970 square feet. It also serves as a household battery recycling site.
The Florence Library has study rooms. Each room can accommodate four people. The Florence Library is open six days a week. From Monday to Thursday, it’s open from 10 am to 8 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it closes a bit earlier at 6 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
The Florence Library stands as a testament to community and the pursuit of knowledge. It enriches lives every single day.