Seminole Heights Library Pulverized; New Building Opens in 2013

It was dedicated on April 25, 1965.

But in recent years, the needs of patrons at the 8,000-sq. foot Seminole Heights Branch Library on Central Avenue grew larger than its walls.

On Tuesday morning, those walls came tumbling down.

To make room for a two-story, 22,000 sq. foot facility slated to open in late 2013, a construction crew demolished the library at 4711 Central Avenue. A handful of people stood nearby while an excavator tore through the building's core.

Seminole Heights Library Head Carrie Hurst, who now works at the Riverview branch, was among the group.

"It's bittersweet," she said. "It's sad to see it go. But I know it had to go so we can grow."

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The library closed on Oct. 31, leaving residents to patronize other local libraries such as the C. Blythe Andrews Library at 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and the North Tampa Library at 8916 North Boulevard.

The renovation project was spearheaded by Hillsborough county officials, who bought a half-acre of property behind the old library to expand the site's space. Construction is funded through the Capital Improvement Program at about $3.8 million.

The new library will include small meeting and study rooms, a computer lab, a teen room and additional parking, according to county officials.

The expansion was a move county officials say was much needed.

"The community needs," said county spokeswoman Jennifer Hall, "have outgrown this facility's capacity to serve."

What library will you go to while the Seminole Heights Library is being built? Tell us in the comments.