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The Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS) is a public library system that serves Bay, Gulf, and Liberty Counties in Florida.
The first library in Bay County was established in 1911. It was located in Lynn Haven. The library was created by 14 women who met under the name of the Lynn Haven Literary Club. Each of the 14 women donated one book and three magazines to start the library, meeting in different locations to share their love of books and reading. When their collection grew to over 500 volumes, they needed more space. In 1922 the McMullin family donated land and a building located at 9th Street and Ohio Avenue that would become the McMullin Library. [1]
In 1961, the McMullin Library became part of the Northwest Regional Library System. In 1990, following a shortage of funds within the public library system, the city of Lynn Haven took over responsibility of the library, and it is no longer part of the Northwest Regional Library System. The library's name changed from the McMullin Library to the Lynn Haven Public Library to honor the change in ownership.
In January 1914, The Woman’s Club of Panama City formed the Library Association. The first library began with a personal donation of 1,500 books from a Mrs. West. That first library was housed in the Chamber of Commerce Building, bought with $3,500 that the members of the Woman's Club donated. [2] On September 10, 1941, the building was repurposed solely as a library, [3] and was renamed the Bay County Public Library.
In 1960 the soon-to-be Northwest Regional Library System consisted of the Bay County Public Library, a bookmobile, as well as the McMullin Library. Later that same year, in September, the Bay County Public Library became incorporated as the Bay County Public Library Association, Inc. In 1962 the Association purchased a second bookmobile, and together with Washington County, formed the Northwest Regional Library System.
The Bay County Library also moved to a new location in 1962, moving from Washington Park to the Christo Dime Store building on Harrison Avenue. [4] Five years later, in 1967, the library would move once again, this time to a new building on the City Marina. [5]
In the early to mid-sixties, Gulf, Calhoun, and Walton Counties joined the library system. Walton County withdrew from the system sometime during the 1970's. Liberty and Holmes Counties joined the library system in 1973 and 1974; the system now served six counties covering 3,946 square miles: Bay, Washington, Gulf, Calhoun, Liberty, and Holmes.
On February 6, 1978, the Springfield Public Library opened. [6] Ann Robbins was the branch manager. The library contained 5,000 books with a small reference section, magazines, and a few reading tables. The building, renovated for the Library, was previously home to the Fire Department, Springfield Baptist Church, and Springfield City Hall. Later the library would share the building with the Health Department.
On February 16, 1992, the Springfield City Commission voted to leave the Library System and the Springfield Library became a city library. Several years later, the Springfield Library rejoined the Library System, but the staff remained city employees. [7]
A public library for Panama City Beach was the goal of many civic-minded volunteers and hardworking city officials. The first official meeting of the Advisory Board of the Panama City Beach Public Library took place on October 3, 1978. The members Dan Russell, Jane Patton (NWRLS Director), Robert Young, Mildred Russell, Julian Bennett, Jim Johnson, and W.H. Kampbell elected Peggy McCabe chair and Joe Sitton co-chair. On October 20, 1978, Peggy McCabe announced the City of Panama City Beach had designated a parcel of city land at the corner of Firenzo and Highway 79 as the library site. A new library was built at Panama City Beach in the 1980s. [8]
The people of Panama City Beach were requesting their own library. At first, the Northwest Regional Library System sent their bookmobile to the Beach and staffed it with a volunteer. Each day, an employee of the library would meet the staff member to assist in providing library service to the community. The Bookmobile service began in 1981.
In October of 1978, a piece of land was designated on Highway 79 as the site of the future library. The City of Panama City Beach came to an agreement to pay the library's utility bill, which came to an estimated $3,000-$5,000 per year. The community then needed to raise the cost of construction, which was an estimated $200,000 for a building that was 5,000 square feet. [8] The local community including schools, clubs, churches, community members, and businesses donated money toward the new library building. The community also asked for and received help from the annual snowbirds that visit Panama City Beach during the winter. Additionally, the Bay County Commission promised $20,000 for construction of the new building. The new library opened its doors in 1984. [8] The library was renamed in 1994 for Dr. Robert L. Young in recognition of his contributions to the community.
In 1995, Hurricane Opal tore the roof off of the library. Library staff and directors were forced to pack up the books and store them until the roof could be repaired. [8] The staff of the Panama City Beach Public Library was moved to the Bay County Public Library to work until the building was safe to inhabit. Over the years, the library at Panama City Beach continued to grow and enlarge its collection. More services were being offered than ever and patronage had exponentially increased.
It soon became apparent that a new building was needed to meet the needs of the growing community. The mayor of Panama City Beach, Gayle Oberst submitted a grant proposal for state funds to use in the construction of a new building. A new library committee was formed to help raise the remaining money needed for furnishings and construction. The chair of the new committee, Doug Gilmore, was also involved in the construction of the original library in Panama City Beach. [8] Frank Walker became the branch manager in 2009.
The new library building was completed in April 2010, and the doors to the old library were permanently closed in May 2010. The new Panama City Beach Public Library opened at 12500 Hutchison Boulevard, Panama City Beach, Florida. [8] The transition to the new building was accomplished with the help of library staff, volunteers, and Panama City Beach Road and Street Department personnel. On May 20, 2010, a new Friends of the Panama City Beach Public Library group was formed and is still in operation today. They are a valuable resource to the library.
The new Panama City Beach Public Library opened its doors on June 1, 2010. [8] On June 01, 2011, the one-year anniversary of the new library was celebrated. Attendees included library staff, city officials, and over 400 patrons. Statistical data between the last year of the old library and the first year in the new building show dramatic increases in the use of the library's services. Books and other items checked out had increased by 41% and computer usage had increased by 55%. [8] From the opening of the new library on June 01, 2010, to May 31, 2011, there were 3,342 new library cards given to patrons.
The new Panama City Beach, Florida has made a huge impact on the community past and present. It has one conference room and one study room. The library also has a computer lab, as well as numerous computers throughout the adult and juvenile sections. After temporarily closing to the public in March 2020, the Panama City Beach Public Library opened up for curbside-only hours in the summer of 2020, and then fully reopened to regular hours in December 2020. In 2021, a sea turtle statue commissioned by the City of Panama City Beach was placed on the porch of the library building as part of a series of public art throughout the city.
In 1986, the Calhoun County Public Library withdrew from the system. The Calhoun County Public Library created its own county-wide system, which currently consists of the Blountstown Public Library, Altha Public Library, Hugh Creek Park Public Library, Kinard Park Public Library, Mossy Pond Park Public Library, and Shelton's Park Public Library. The Calhoun County Library System subsequently joined the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System in October 1992. [9]
By 1992, three more counties withdrew from the system; Washington and Holmes county, and the Lynn Haven library. Holmes County would join Calhoun and Jackson County in the PPLCS. [10]
Computers and Wi-Fi are available at all branches. Computer classes are offered at the Bay County Public Library. An Events Calendar can be found here.
The Bay County Public Library in Panama City, the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe, and the Harrell Memorial Public Library in Bristol offer 3D printing services.
Meeting Rooms are available at several branches including, Bay County Public Library, Panama City Beach Library, Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Library (Port St Joe), and Charles Whitehead Public Library (Wewahitchka).
The Literacy Department within the library system offers a free program to anyone 18 years of age or older who wishes to improve their English-speaking skills, English reading or writing skills, or who is studying for the GED exam or U.S. Citizenship test. The program allows for Literacy Students to work either one-on-one or in a group setting with staff or volunteer tutors. [11]
Genealogy Search is provided at the Bay County Public Library and at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Library.
All branches within the system have a bookstore.
Bay County
898 West 11th Street Panama City, FL 32401 Hours (CST): Mon-Wed- 9:00 AM- 7:00 PM, Thurs-Sat- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Sun- CLOSED [12]
12500 Hutchison Boulevard Panama City Beach, FL 32407 Hours (CST): Mon-Wed- 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM, Thurs & Fri- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Sat- 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM, Sun- CLOSED [13]
4710 Second Street Parker, FL 32404 Hours (CST): Mon-Wed- 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Thurs & Fri- CLOSED, Sat- 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Sun- CLOSED [14]
Gulf County
110 Library Drive Port Saint Joe, FL 32456 Hours (EST): Mon & Tues- 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM, Wed- CLOSED, Thurs- 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM, Fri & Sat- 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM, Sun- CLOSED [15]
314 North Second Street Wewahitchka, FL 32465 Hours (CST): Mon & Tues- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Wed- CLOSED, Thurs & Fri- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Sat & Sun- CLOSED [16]
Liberty County
13016 NW CR 12 Bristol, FL 32321 Hours (EST): Mon- CLOSED, Tues-Thurs- 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM, Fri- CLOSED, Sat- 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM Sun- CLOSED [17]
22149 NE State Road 20 Hosford, FL 32334 Hours (EST): Mon- CLOSED, Tues- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Wed- CLOSED, Thurs- 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Fri- CLOSED, Sat- 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM, Sun- CLOSED [18]
See the mobile library's website for more information. [19]
Bay County is a county on the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 175,216. Its county seat is Panama City.
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,648, making it the fifth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Blountstown.
Gulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,192. Its county seat is Port St. Joe.
Liberty County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,974, making it the least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Bristol. Liberty County is one of only two dry counties in Florida.
Lynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. The population was 18,493 at the 2010 census. Like many communities in Bay County, the city was severely damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018.
Panama City is a city in and the county seat of Bay County, Florida, United States. Located along U.S. Highway 98 (US 98), it is the largest city between Tallahassee and Pensacola. It is also the most populated city of the Panama City–Lynn Haven, Florida metropolitan statistical area. Panama City was severely damaged when Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on October 10, 2018. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,392, down from the figure of 36,484 at the 2010 census.
Springfield is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, east of Panama City. The population was 8,903 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. Springfield was incorporated on February 12, 1935.
The Florida Panhandle is the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida. It is a salient roughly 200 miles long, bordered by Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is arbitrarily defined. It is defined by its southern culture and rural geography relative to the rest of Florida, as well as closer cultural links to French-influenced Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Its major communities include Pensacola, Navarre, Destin, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) is a system of libraries in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to the U.S. state of Florida.
Bay District Schools is a school district headquartered in Panama City, Florida, United States.
St. Johns County Public Library System serves the surrounding areas of St. Johns County, Florida, including St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fruit Cove, and Hastings. The library system has six branches, two bookmobiles, and offers books-by-mail service. In addition to books, periodicals, and online databases, SJCPLS offers computer access, notary services, Inter-Library Loan service, access to a Seed Library, test proctoring, and many volunteer opportunities. The library system also offers a dynamic range of programming for adults, teens, and children.
Bayway is the primary provider of mass transportation in Bay County, Florida. The system was previously known as the Bay Town Trolley, due to at one point where the majority of buses in the fleet were designed in the style of a tourist trolley. However, as the fleet was renewed, more traditional style buses were procured, eliminating the trolley-style fleet.
Halton Hills Public Library (HHPL) is the public library system for the Town of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. Through its two branches and its website, www.hhpl.on.ca, the Halton Hills Public Library provides a range of services for Halton Hills residents. There are approximately 17,000 active cardholders, most residing in the communities of Georgetown, Acton, Limehouse, Glen Williams, Speyside, Norval, and surrounding areas.
The Hernando County Public LibrarySystem has 4 branches located in Hernando County, Florida on the west central coast of the state and serves approximately 192,186 residents. The main branch is located in downtown Brooksville and was dedicated as the Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial Library in 1950. There are additional branches in East Brooksville, West Brooksville, and Spring Hill. The Florida Library Association chose the Hernando system as its 2013 Library of the Year. While Hernando County established one of the first bookmobiles in the state, it is no longer operational. As of 2020, the staff totaled 32 people, including 7 librarians and 25 other staff members. The library had about 92,940 cardholders and had 454,112 circulation transactions in 2020. The library is a member of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium.
Sand Hills is an unincorporated community in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is located along the north side of North Bay and north of Southport. The main roads through the community are State Road 20 and State Road 77. It is also part of the Panama City–Lynn Haven–Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The Marion County Public Library System serves Marion County, Florida through eight library locations in the county.
The City of Hialeah Public Library is a system of public libraries in Hialeah, FL. The Hialeah Public Library has one central library, John F. Kennedy Library, and five neighborhood e-libraries.
The Lake County Public Library System (LCLS) is a library system located in Lake County, Florida.
The Oxnard Public Library is a free public library system operated by the City of Oxnard, California. It has three locations: the Downtown Main Library, the South Oxnard Branch Library, and the Colonia Branch Library.
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