Lemon City Branch Library

Coordinates: 25°49′56.1″N 80°11′13.7″W / 25.832250°N 80.187139°W / 25.832250; -80.187139 The Lemon City Library is the oldest library within the Miami-Dade Public Library System. The historic library opened its doors to the public on April 7, 1894 and began as a modest reading room and has remained a thriving community resource for over a hundred years.[1][2]

History

Early years

The Lemon City Branch Library at its former, 412 NE 61st Street, location.

The creation of the Lemon City Library is credited to the Lemon City Library and Improvement Association which decided to establish a reading room inside the front of Cornelia Keyes' cottage, located at 701 NE 62nd Street.[2][3] Keyes, who was originally from Chicago, owned the prestigious Lemon City Hotel and also taught school. On April 7, 1894, Keyes opened the doors of her modest library to the small community of 350 residents.[4]

In 1902 the Lemon City Library moved into its first, dedicated building made of wood planks, which was located at 412 NE 61st Street. This location served the patrons of the surrounding area for 62 years.[1]

Establishing the first collection and the Lemon City Library Association

In the early days, the Lemon City Library's first collection consisted of contributions from many illustrious donators. Andrew Carnegie, who docked his yacht near Lemon City, was said to have donated a small assortment of volumes. Charles B. Cory, the curator of the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago, was also said to have gifted a few dozen volumes while he was in the area for one of his annual Everglades safaris. Henry Flagler, the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway, was also said to have donated generously to the cause.[5]

Similarly to many libraries of the time, a majority of the work done to develop and sustain a community library was done so by a group of local women whose goal it was to create betterment in the community. Thirteen women came together on the day the library first opened its doors, and pledged to pay ten cents in monthly dues, donate a book to the collection, and take a book home in order to stimulate the use of the library. Unlike other local communities who had the support of a woman's club which supported many local endeavors, in Lemon City, these thirteen women joined together to create the Lemon City Library Association on February 4, 1902. This association of volunteers were constantly fundraising through community socials to raise money needed to add titles and later build its first dedicated building. In the first three years, they were able to raise $683.46, the equivalent to over $18,000 today. All of this money went towards building the library, which opened its doors in 1905 with 346 titles.[6]

Early circulation

Among the more popular books being circulated during these early years were Wonders of the World, Ben-Hur, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Ramona, Barriers Burned Away, The Five Little Peppers, and The Farmer's Almanac.[7]

Joining the Miami-Dade Public Library and Today

Lemon City Branch Library in its current location at 430 NE 61st Street.

For nearly forty years, the Lemon City Library was manned by volunteers who were overseen by the Lemon City Library and Improvement Association. The library itself managed to outlive the community it was a part of when Lemon City was enveloped by surrounding neighborhoods. Today the area is known as Little Haiti. In 1942 the library became a member of the Miami-Dade Public Library System. After a fire broke out, the branch was expected to close in 1963 as the damage from the fire was too impracticable to restore. Members of the community had been advocating for the construction of a new building to house the library, and for the original to be marked as a historical landmark.[6] The Lemon City Branch Library officially opened the doors to its current location, a 6,393 square foot building located at 430 NE 61st Street, on April 13, 1964.[8]

Today, the library boasts a 10,000 piece collection of books and materials, including databases and internet access.

Hours of Operation and Contact Information

Phone Number: 305-757-0662

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Stephen (June 12, 1986). "Lemon City Celebrates Its 'Oasis in the Desert'". The Miami Herald.
  2. 1 2 "History". Miami-Dade Public Library System. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Karantsalis, Theo (February 9, 2012). "Life Amid the Lemon Trees - One of Miami's Oldest Neighborhoods, Lemon City, Was Home to the County's First School Library, and Major Grocery Store". The Miami Herald.
  4. ↑ Santiago, Fabiola (June 15, 1986). "Area's Oldest Library Writes a New Chapter in 92-Year History". The Miami Herald.
  5. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
  6. 1 2 Blazek, Ron (1982). "Library in a Pioneer Community: Lemon City, Florida" (PDF). Tequesta.
  7. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
  8. ↑ Ash, Agnes (March 29, 1964). "Literary Bugs Beneath the Lemon Trees". The Miami News.
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