The Pasco County Library Cooperative was once known as the Pasco County Library System. It was established on July 22, 1980. There were municipal-owned and operated libraries in three different cities: Dade City, New Port Richey, and Zephyrhills.^[4] Three libraries were operated by volunteers in the communities of Hudson, Holiday, and Land O' Lakes, were also incorporated into the system.^[4]

In 1986, a $10 million bond referendum was passed by voters to improve the public libraries and build new parks countywide. After this referendum was passed, two facilities were replaced (Hudson and Land O' Lakes) and two facilities were built in un-served areas (Regency Park and South Holiday).^[5] The Hugh Embry Library in Dade City was renovated and expanded. With additional funding from Federal programs, the Centennial Park Library and New River Library were also built.^[5] In 2000 the system was organized as a cooperative when the City of Zephyrhills library joined it.^[4]

The Pasco County Public Library Cooperative consists of eight branches and one cooperative partner, Zephyrhills. The administrative offices for the system are located at the Hudson Regional Library.^[6]

Centennial Park Branch Library edit

The Centennial Park Branch Library was closed for remodeling but reopened in late May 2021.^[7]

Hudson Regional Library/Administration and Support Services edit

This library has rich history in Pasco County, being one of the three volunteer-led libraries that were not originally part of the newly founded Pasco County Library System (PCLS) that was established by Ordinance, Chapter 58, Article II in 1980. Instead, the Hudson Library had yet to become a branch under the organization, and when PCLS was first founded, the Hudson Regional Library at that time was a volunteer-led library that was both housed in, and had operated out of a motel room since 1975.^[8] Over time, and once enough funds had been raised by volunteers, the Friends of the Library organization as well as several state and federal funding programs the library was moved to its first location off of Old Dixie Highway. In addition, the funds raised not only gave the library the opportunity to improve its location but its standing within the community, because it became incorporated into the PCLS system as one of its official branches, among others which raised the number of branches to seven at the time. Unfortunately, however, the library had to move again due to the building being prone to flooding issues. The library was moved to its current location at 8012 Library Road, Hudson, once a building referendum had been passed. The library was thus moved to the newly built, large 32,640 square foot building with 35ft high clerestory, and possessed a shelving capacity of at least 120,000 books. This has made it the single largest library in the Pasco County Library System (PCLS), and thus not only serves as just another branch of the organization, but now serves as its primary headquarters. This location also allows PCLS to include several support services such as catalog development, processing, delivery, among many others. Once it had finished moving to its current location, the Hudson Regional Library has had its doors open to the public since April 22nd, 1990.^[9]

Hugh Embry Branch Library edit

Hugh Embry Library was established in 1904 in Dade City, Florida.

The Pasco Library Association had been established to manage the library and took ownership. They moved the books to sites around the city until The Women's Club took them in. At the time membership was free for members or relatives of members of the Club; others were charged 10 cents. The Women's Club began lending the books to the grammar school and throughout the County for children to read. In 1927, the Women's Club began loaning books to the general population for free; the library was moved to a free room in the Herbert Massey building. To raised money to furnish the library, The Women's Club sold food to the workers of Dade City. Within a month of its opening, the library had attracted 440 registered borrowers, and it was open three afternoons a week. By 1930 the project had grown too large for the Women's club to handle.^[10] The Library was incorporated August 24, 1930 and operated this way for twenty-four years. The mayor, Fred Touchton, gave the library $10 a month to purchase classical books for children. However, the funds donated by the city only amounted to $37.50, enough to pay a librarian monthly. There was no money for books or supplies, so the Women's Club jumped in to raise donations and save the library again.^[10]

In the 1940s the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin D. Roosevelt completed a new City Hall. A room was provided for the Library. The books were thrown into trucks from the window of the second floor of the Massey Building, and transported to the new library. The library continued to grow.

In 1952 the City gave property across the street from City Hall for the library. In 1953, the City assumed the assets of the library. On July 12, 1953 Dade City became financially responsible for Hugh Embry Library.^[10] In 1962, the Friends of the Library group raised $12,000 to build a new building for the library. The city donated $25,000 and the "Friends" raised another $12,000. In November 1963 the library moved into its permanent home.^[10]

In 1981, Pasco County chartered its own library commission and began operating and maintaining the library under a no-cost lease. In 1988, the City Commission of Dade City sold the library to the county for $150,000. In 1991, the library was expanded by funds raised through a tax approved in 1986.^[11]

The Hugh Embry Branch Library offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.^[12]

Land o' Lakes Branch Library edit

The Land o' Lakes Branch Library began as a small section of a county building located on U.S. Highway 41 but was later moved to a larger location as a result of its increasing growth. In 1980, it became an official part of the countywide library system, moving into a Land o' Lakes plaza storefront in 1988. A new Land o' Lakes Branch Library was built at the current location with bond money and opened to the public on December 12, 1991. The library underwent an expansion project beginning in 2005, and it was reopened to the public on April 22, 2007.^[13]

The Land o' Lakes Branch Library property covers a total area of 18,000 square feet. Following its renovation, the library housed several study rooms, a separate children's room, a teen room, and a computer lab. In 2015, the computer lab was moved next to the collections, and the space that had formerly housed the computer lab became a woodworking-based makerspace, The Foundry, which was opened to the public on December 17, 2015.^[14] The focus of The Foundry was decided by a committee that included both patrons of all ages who intended to use the space and library staff.

Beginning from August 14, 2021,the Land o' Lakes Branch Library is currently undergoing further renovations, offering updated technology, and expansion of existing features, such as the lobby and renovations of spaces like the makerspace and areas for all patrons. New landscaping and outdoor areas to be enjoyed as well, with Summer 2022 being the date of reopening.^[15]

New River Branch Library edit

The New River Branch Library was closed for remodeling, but as of April 30, 2021, has been open to the public, though spaces like the outdoor garden space are still undergoing further renovation.^[16] It offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It also features a community garden. It provides computers, study rooms, and programs for all ages such as book clubs, reading clubs, gaming, story time, family movies. Patrons also have access to e-content such as databases, eBooks and audio books through Overdrive, Hoopla, Flipster Magazines, and New York Times. It also provides eGovernment resources as well as computers for job searching.

Regency Park Branch Library edit

The Regency Park Branch Library opened on October 26, 1990.^[17] It offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, and a large meeting space. It also features a test kitchen makerspace, Regency Fresh, which opened to the public on October 17, 2019.^[18]

South Holiday Branch Library edit

The South Holiday Branch Library offers many standard library services including books, audio books, DVDs, a large meeting space. It also features a sewing makerspace.

Zephyrhills Public Library (Cooperative Partner) edit

The Zephyrhills Public Library is a Zephyrhills-funded facility, founded in 1912. In 1999, the library, together with the Pasco County Library System, formed the Pasco County Library Cooperative.

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center edit

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center opened in 2021.^[19] It is considered a Joint Use Complex^[20] due to its children's section operating as the school library for Starkey Ranch K-8 school next door with the rest of the facility remaining open to the public during school hours.^[21] Housed in the library is a theatre which seats 250 and where local events and performances are coordinated by the library system.^[22] Starkey is also home to a ceramic studio makerspace.^[23]

The Foundry edit

The Foundry at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library is the first dedicated makerspace in Pasco Libraries. It was officially opened on December 17, 2015. The Foundry is equipped with two 3-D printers, as well as computer-aided-design (CAD) equipment, an Oculus Rift virtual reality system, and an audio recording studio. Other makerspace materials include various hand tools, power tools, and crafting equipment and supplies, like yarn and thread. The room serves as the primary meeting space for the Edgar Allan Ohms, the Land O' Lakes High School robotics team sponsored by the library.^[24][25] Library patrons must consent to the terms of the Pasco County Liability Waiver and Permission Form and the Maker Safety Playbook before they can use The Foundry, but it is otherwise open to all.

Studio H edit

Studio H is a makerspace located at the Hudson Regional Library that was opened in 2019.^[26] It is a multimedia recording studio that provides users with access to equipment, software, and musical instruments.

2023 edit

• Florida Library of the Year^[27] from the Florida Library Association

2010 edit

• John Cotton Dana Award for excellence in public relations
• Florida Library Association's award for best public library website. This prize promotes "awareness of the importance of good design and usability in web page development and to recognize outstanding examples of effective library pages".^[28]

2008 edit

• Florida Library of the Year^[29] from the Florida Library Association
• Future of the Region Certificate of Excellence and Commemorative program for Public Education in Catastrophe Readiness and Response: Proactive Roles for Public Libraries awarded by Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council^[30]

• Official website