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Library History
In 1973, a group of concerned individuals and businesses joined together to
actively promote quality library services in the county, giving of both
their time and financial support. As a result of their efforts the
Wakulla County Public Library was formed.
From its first home in the old Rehwinkle Store (now Talquin Electric's
new Crawfordville Office) and its next home,
Wakulla's historic Old County Courthouse, the Friends have actively
supported the library and the services it provides.
In June1995 the Friends led an effort that resulted in the Wakulla
Board of County Commissioners purchasing the land and building that
is the present home of the library. Through fundraisers and donations
the Friends were able to contribute over $30,000 to improvements to the
bare bones structure that was previously a flea market so that the
library could move into its new home. They painted the interior of
the building, added emergency exits, created accessible bathrooms,
built a large meeting room, added wall-to-wall carpeting throughout,
and began landscaping the barren three acre lot.
In December 1995 the Friends helped move the library collection
from the Old Courthouse in Crawfordville to its new home in Medart
with not even a one day interruption of library service. In 1997
a library renovation grant from the State of Florida, remodeled the
building into the modern library facility that exists today.
The large meeting room the Friends built in1995 was dedicated as the
Peggy Martin Room in honor of the woman who as the Friends' President
led the drive to obtain the new facility. Through the help of the
Friends and the Iris Garden Club, the formerly barren three acre lot
now resembles a paradise with arbors, butterfly gardens, rose bushes,
other flowering shrubs and a wide variety of native trees.
The Friends continue to actively support the library and the
services it provides. Every year the Friends sponsor the library's
Summer Reading Program, a series of entertaining and enriching programs
for area youth and their families.
In addition to thousands of books,
videos, and audio books, added to the library collection over the years,
they have purchased the public photocopy machine and computer printers,
as well as the supplies needed to keep these items operating. The Friends
also purchased the refrigerator in the meeting room kitchen, the benches
and bike rack on the front porch, tables and podium for the meeting room,
and many other items that enhance the service the library provides.
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the
financial support you provide. Your memberships, donations and
support at fundraising events enables the library to provide the
services we all enjoy. Thank you for your support!
If you would like to help your community library grow, join
us by filling out the attached membership application and mail
it to the Friends of the WCPL, P.O. Box 1737, Crawfordville,
FL 32326 or drop it by the library.
Membership checks should be made out to "Friends of WCPL"
and all contributions are tax deductible. The Friends of the
Wakulla County Public Library organization is considered non-profit 501
(3).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our President
Jerline (Jeri) Cooper at 926-4930.
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